A classic is something utterly strange & original & yet as deeply familiar & necessary as your own hands The Iron Man is like no other story in the world & fifty years after its first publication we need it as much as ever -- Philip Pullman Part modern fairy tale part science-fiction myth The Iron Man describes the unexpected arrival in England of a mysterious giant metal man who wreaks havoc on the countryside by attacking the neighbouring farms & eating all their machinery A young boy called Hogarth befriends him & Hogarth & the extraordinary being end up defending & saving the earth when it is attacked by a fearsome space-bat-angel-dragon from outer space Ted Hughes' classic tale with its message of peace & hope is known & loved all over the UK & is an exciting collaboration between Walker Books & Faber & Faber This beautiful small-format paperback celebrates 50 wonderful years of Ted Hughes' classic tale WINNER OF THE V&A BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF THE YEARA stunning production spectacular The Sunday Times