Free Downloadable Resources
Explore, Discover and Create
The adventure doesn’t have to end when you close the book!
Explore our collection of FREE downloadable resources and worksheets inspired by Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child. Discover Anglo-Saxon history, uncover archaeological clues, meet the characters and get creative with activities designed for curious young minds. Perfect for children, families, teachers, libraries and book clubs.
Download, discover and let your imagination take flight!
Design Your Own Friendly Ghost!
Step Back in Time:
The Anglo-Saxon Quiz
Become a History Detective!
Mercian Coin
Coins offer fascinating clues to Cookham’s wealth, trade and royal connections during the Anglo-Saxon period. Excavations have uncovered early silver coins known as sceattas, evidence of Cookham’s links with wider trading networks. Cookham was closely associated with Queen Cynethryth of Mercia, wife of King Offa and later Abbess of Cookham, who was exceptional among Anglo-Saxon queens in having coins issued in her own name.
Picture credit: https://www.cngcoins.com
Picture Credit-Friends of Cookham Abbey
Runic Inscription
In 2023, archaeologists at Cookham discovered a tiny lead sheet inscribed with five Anglo-Saxon runes. Dating from the eighth century, the inscription has been interpreted as “Go, remedy” and may have formed part of a healing charm. This rare discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into literacy, belief and healing at Cookham more than 1,200 years ago.
Discover the story behind the Cookham runic inscription.
Picture Credit-Friends of Cookham Abbey
Excavation Site
In 2021, archaeologists from the University of Reading rediscovered the site of an important Anglo-Saxon monastery beside the River Thames at Cookham. Ongoing excavations have revealed timber buildings, a watermill, wells, artefacts and a monastic cemetery, offering fascinating new insights into life at Cookham more than 1,200 years ago. The archaeology and history uncovered at the site helped inspire the world of Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child.
Picture Credit-Friends of Cookham Abbey
Many of the ideas woven into Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child began with real archaeological discoveries and real places connected to Anglo-Saxon history. From objects uncovered at Cookham Abbey to locations that can still be visited today, each offers a glimpse into the world that existed more than 1,200 years ago.
Take a closer look, you might recognise where history ends and the story begins
The Real Treasures Behind the Tale
In the News
Review Spotlight
The Hughenden Primary School teacher reviews the book, calling it 'a masterclass in blending history with high-stakes adventure'.
Interview with Round and About
A deep dive into David's likes, interests and the inspiration of his book that brought the Anglo-Saxon world to life.
Read the Press Release
Silver Serpent and the Wild Ice Child is almost here! Find out what awaits young readers when the book arrives on 29 September.
Read a Sneak Peek
'The Chronicler’s eyes grew heavy, as it was past midnight. The dim bedside light cast an eerie shadow of the book on the wall opposite. He turned the page and paused at the section on Mercia; his eyes were drawn to the illustration of the coin of Queen Cynethryth, the Abbess Queen of Cookham. As he touched the image of the embossed ancient, and enigmatic Anglo-Saxon coin, the Queen’s head started rotating. The Chronicler rubbed his eyes to check if he was dreaming.
Just then the queen raised her index finger towards him to join her inside the coin. Surprised as he was by this invitation, he felt himself dissolving into the page and then into the coin itself. Everything went black. He felt a sensation of the centuries peeling away all around him, travelling back in time to who knew, where and when? His whole physical being had completely changed, and he was as light as a feather. In fact, he seemed to be nothing more than a bundle of feathers and small bones. He looked up. He looked around and realised he was at least 200 metres high in the sky. He flew down to the river beneath him, saw his reflection in the clear, calm water and realised he was no longer the Cookham Chronicler with human thoughts, but rather the mind, body and, above all else, the instincts of a hawk-eyed hunting bird.'