Customer Reviews

Arthur of Albion

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book with my son who enjoys King Arthur legends. The book's format alternates b/t descriptions of the elements of different lengands, such as small write-ups of the more famous knight or other characters, and the actual legends.

The pictures in the book are magnificent and their style fits the legends perfectly. The stories were a little tough for my five year old to understand and required a lot of explaining so it is better suited for older fans of Arthur. Still, a lovely book.

My son also LOVED the map of the island and looking at the various castles and locations in comparison with each other.
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I'm a teacher and I just adore this book! I bought one for my elementary school and I can't wait to read some to the kids and watch them clamor for more! What a wonderful introduction to classic literature for children.
This book is appropriate for everyone. It will probably be read by 4th grade and up at my school - an urban elementary with a very diverse population. The tales are told accurately but in abbreviated form, as is correct for a book for kids. The character of Arthur is well rounded out, and the stories selected are excellent and give readers a taste of what the actual versions will be like. I'm impressed that the Grail Cycle is begun with the story of the Fisher King.
The illustrations are outstanding. The artist have really done their homework and use an amazing technique that makes the art look 3 dimensional.
I can't recommend this book highly enough - I'm buying more for my classroom because I know it will be a hit.
I also recommend Barefoot's "Odessey". Wonderful!

Reason for Reading: I love the old Arthurian Tales of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Which this book is. FYI, I'm not so fond of modern retellings, only if they involve Arthur as a boy or focus on Merlin as the main character.

This book was published a couple years ago in an oversized picture book format which I am sure is simply breath taking and would be the edition you would want if you want to read this aloud to younger children or even a group of children. This edition I have has been reduced into a trade paperback chapter book edition, meant to be read alone. (but of course you can read it aloud too!) I've come to realize now that Barefoot Books produce quality books and Arthur, by example, is covered with thick stock card covers that have flaps and the inside pages are of the same thick quality, found in their hardcovers, not used by many publishers for softcovers.

The paintings by Tartarnikov are exquisite medieval representations of the scenes he has chosen to illustrate. Hi paintings are 3 dimensional but he does leave a small 2 dimensional aspect remindful of the artwork from the original time period. The paintings have a mystical, dreamy quality to them as he combines the magical with the reality of the then knights in all their splendiferous glory. A perfect illustrator for this text.

The book itself concentrates on retelling several stories from the multitude available. The stories start logically with the sword in the stone and end with the quest for the holy grail, but in between the tales are a various selection, of no particular order, mainly those featuring chivalry, saving maidens and fighting brutish knights. Of course, everyone is sent back to Arthur to tell his tale and this is the one constant through the flow of the individual tales. The author has managed to keep a sense of time and place in his choice of vocabulary making the book seem authentic to its medieval setting. This does make the book better suited to being read by the middle grades and up, though. None of the steamier storylines are introduced here, even though those characters are present, leaving only the convictions against Guinevere to be suggested. A lovely introduction to the Arthurian literary world.

This is undoubtedly the most gorgeous book on King Arthur I have found. It's a great value for the money. I am proud to have this book in my family's library.