The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short (Knights' Tales) [Hardcover]

Gerald Morris (Author), Aaron Renier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Knights' Tales

Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur held court with his gallant Knights of the Round Table. Poor Givret, who is easily the shortest man at court, bears the brunt of their jokes. But what he lacks in stature, Givret makes up for in brains—and before he knows it, his quick thinking has landed him a place at the famous Round Table! And so beginneth the exciting and funny adventures of Sir Givret the Short, Brilliant, and Marvelous.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—This title delivers more quests and adventures geared for a younger audience than the author's "Squire's Tales" books (Houghton). King Arthur beknights Givret after the young man helps him out of an apparent no-win situation. The king and the other knights soon come to understand that Sir Givret's quick thinking more than compensates for his lack of stature, which means he never has to resort to using his sword. Brush and ink illustrations, both full-page and vignettes, are scattered throughout, adding interest to the humorous story line. The combination of a peddler with a long, hooded black cloak; an evil, self-proclaimed count; a young woman who talks too much, or just enough; and a reckless young knight out to prove himself results in an entertaining tale that is sure to please young readers enamored with medieval derring-do.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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From Booklist

For a younger audience than that of the author’s Squire’s Tales books, the books in Morris’ Knights’ Tales series feature short, episodic chapters and funny little illustrations of knightly derring-do. Here, the emphasis is on cleverness over heroism. The story follows the exploits of a pint-sized knight from Arthur’s court who manages to outwit rather than out-hit even the most intimidating of opponents as he helps a brave but dim fellow knight win a beautiful maiden’s heart while rescuing her from a scheming count. This is often quite funny, and just exciting enough to capture the attention of budding young Arthur-philes. Grades 3-5. --Ian Chipman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (October 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618777156
• ISBN-13: 978-0618777150
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Kids @ Teens Read Too, October 19, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short (Knights' Tales) (Hardcover)

THE ADVENTURES OF SIR GIVRET THE SHORT is the second story in the entertaining THE KNIGHTS' TALES series. However, the reader does not have to have read THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT THE GREAT to understand or enjoy this story. It is able to stand alone on its own content.

When we first meet Givret, he is simply Givret, not a knight. When King Arthur's knights hear of the legend of hunting the white stag and the rewards that catching it would bring, all of them, but for Givret, leave on their quest. Givret volunteers to remain in the castle to protect Queen Guinevere.

All should be quiet, but the traveling Sir Yoder arrives in the kingdom and mistakenly insults the Queen. When one of the King's knights, Sir Erec, hears of the insult, he sets off after Sir Yoder (to Scotland) to cleanse Queen Guinevere's name.

When the rest of the knights and the King return, Givret tells of the story. Because Givret used his intelligence to dispatch Sir Yoder, King Arthur grants knighthood upon Givret, much to the amusement and bewilderment of the remaining Knights of the Roundtable.

Upon knighthood, King Arthur gives Givret a quest. He must follow after Sir Erec to Scotland. Though small in stature and not known for his brute strength, Givret the Short (later to be called Givret the Wise or simply Givret the Marvelous - you have to read the story to learn about THAT one!), Givret proves to the rest of the knights that being brave and true means more than simply fighting a foe with brute strength.

Mr. Morris, aided with the entertaining illustrations by Mr. Renier, writes a quirky tale for young readers to enjoy. Using the King Arthur characters and setting, Mr. Morris lets readers know that thinking things through can oftentimes provide the result that is desired. Brute strength doesn't always solve problems. Sir Givret is different from the rest of the knights, but it's his difference that saves the day in the end...many times!

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely hilarious and enjoyable!, January 15, 2011

By 

S. Thompson (Dallas TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short (Knights' Tales) (Hardcover)

My 7 years old and I could not put this book down! We were laughing so hard and the chapters flowed so nicely that we just kept reading the entire afternoon. Absolutely charming and hilarious writing! Very clever author- very entertaining book!!

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute delight, June 27, 2010

By 

DJ Joe Sixpack (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short (Knights' Tales) (Paperback)

"The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short"
Written by Gerald Morris
--------------------------------------------------
This is the second volume in author Gerald Morris's awesome "Knights' Tales" series, which retells (and reinvents) some of the legends of King Arthur and his Knights of The Round Table. Morris has written many modern versons of the Arthurian tales, but these volumes are pitched (perfectly) at younger readers, and have a deliciously humorous tone, poking fun at the tales of chivalry and valor. Ths book tells the story of Sir Givret The Short, a shrewd little fellow who uses brains, not brawn, to solve the problems of medieval strife. He is paired up with Sir Erec, a somewhat dimwitted but stouthearted hero, who wins as his wife Lady Enide, a lovely gal who is also not the sharpest tool in the shed, and who tends to chatter quite a bit. This book, along with the first volume, "Sir Lancelot The Great," are wonderful to read aloud -- a fine chance to perfect one's most terrible English accents and delight in the wry humor, which is strongly reminiscent of "Monty Python's Holy Grail." HIGHLY recommended. (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)