King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Treasury of Illustrated Classics) [Hardcover]

Sir Thomas Malory (Author), Julia Lundman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2009 | Series: Treasury of Illustrated Classics

This book is an adaptation of the classic novel King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, this easy to read adaptation is guaranteed to hook beginning readers not yet ready to tackle the original.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though the text is a straightforward abridged retelling, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Marcia Williams stands out for its wacky, detailed panel art, featuring irreverent commentary and more than a few offhand remarks from some legendary and not-so-legendary Arthurian characters. (Candlewick, $17.99 32p ages 7-12 ISBN 1-56402-802-X Mar.)
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4?Williams's daffy cartoons retell the stories of Camelot from Arthur pulling the sword out of the stone to the quest for the grail. The narrative is clear, readable, and sustains the heroic tone of the legend, while asides within the jolly cartoons twit the legend amiably. The telling stops before the events become too dark for humor. Brilliant ink-and-watercolor illustrations hold readers and move the story along. These are equal-opportunity caricatures: everybody looks goofy. All the characters seem to have a serious overbite or a perpetual pucker. Merlin looks like a court jester, which seems somehow appropriate and, strangely enough, magical. His occasional transformations are wildly imaginative. The layout leads the eye logically from frame to frame, aiding the flow of events and showing how Williams has grown since her Don Quixote (Candlewick, 1993). Each tale is tied together by a distinct, yet related double-page spread framed by intricate borders, with a different motif and design for each adventure. Close to 150 paintings with a wealth of detail make returning to the book a joy. For search-puzzle fans, one reading could be devoted to finding the almost ubiquitous parrot. Comedy is the most delicate, underrated, and difficult art. Williams's treatment is a breath of fresh air.?Helen Gregory, Grosse Pointe Public Library, MI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 189 pages
• Publisher: Modern Publishing; Ill edition (February 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766631796
• ISBN-13: 978-0766631793
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Popular Characters > Book Characters > King Arthur

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Adaptation of Le Morte d'Arthur, May 21, 2010

By 

Fan of Time-Life Books "Chris" (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Treasury of Illustrated Classics) (Hardcover)

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is an adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. Though this adaptation is written for children, adults will find this book to be a great introduction to the characters and stories of Arthurian legends. Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot, Galahad, Guinevere, and others are featured in this abridgement which is divided into three parts: The Making of a King, Brave Knights and Strange Adventures, and The Holy Grail. The book concludes with a brief biographical profile of Sir Thomas Malory who died in 1471. Despite its brevity, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table captures the spirit and themes of Arthurian literature.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great into to King A, April 29, 2006

By 

reading teacher "abw" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Paperback)

A great introduction to King Arthur. Rich language and illustrations. Abbreviated versions of the most famous King Arthur stories. Graphic novel format, but illustrations are high quality.