Arthur and the Sword (Hardcover)

~ (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Noted author/illustrator Sabuda recreates the glory of the legend of Excalibur with startlingly powerful stained glass illustrations. Detailed swirls of liquid color-regal blues and purples, deep greens, a fiery amber-saturate each lead-veined image. As suggested by the unprepossessing title, Sabuda personalizes the epic tale, filtering the events through his eager, naive young hero: "Long ago in a time of great darkness, a time without a king, there lived a fair boy named Arthur." Tinged with drama, the narrative succeeds in conveying both the grandeur of the legend and the personal transformation of a boy-king unaware and unsure of his gift. The final, radiant image of the sword conveys the splendor of the story: "So in the quiet of that day in the small churchyard, the young boy lofted the mighty sword, raising high the country out of darkness and bring forth a new world." A page of notes following the story outlines the history of Arthurian legend, crediting this version to Sir Thomas Malory. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Sabuda's stunning illustrations for this best known Arthurian story make it an extraordinary effort. The retelling is solid with language that conveys the voice of the legend while remaining easily readable. In this short form, characters are sketchy. Sir Kay, usually providing comic relief and conflict with his pomposity, dishonesty, and churlishness, is here merely an opportunist. The tale of pulling the sword from the stone has so many interpretations that the writing alone doesn't warrant a new edition. The artwork is actually painted on glass, done predominantly in purples, blues, and russets with gold. Each double-spread generally provides one full-page and one smaller picture, all outlined in black leading, resembling medieval stained-glass windows. Here, Sabuda masters yet another medium in order to suit his story perfectly. Again, giving as much thought to the medium as to delivery, he has produced an outstanding piece of art?pictures that delight and really tell the story.?Helen Gregory, Grosse Pointe Public Library, MI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689319878
• ISBN-13: 978-0689319877
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #601,173 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Step through a stained glass window into the medieval world., April 10, 2000

By	MLPlayfair (Ravenna, OH) - See all my reviews

This is, quite simply, a beautiful book. I wish it had been a little longer! The story, as the author admits at the end, comes right out of the Malory version of the Arthurian legend, which is perhaps the best known. This story, therefore, comes as no surprise to those of us who love King Arthur. The surprise here is in the illustrations. He has put us into the medieval tale in a new way by illustrating the story with stained glass windows. Well, that's how they look, anyway. And we are drawn through them into Arthur's time. Sabuda admits that he wrote and illustrated this one especially for the boys, and I can see how it would appeal to them. But there's nothing here that would turn off a girl's interest, either.

Sabuda is well known for his amazing pop-up books, and I have copies of all of them. I'm glad I've added this book to my collection. Although it's not a pop-up, it's a very interesting concept, and it's beautifully executed. I know the kids will love it! END

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, June 21, 2000

By	Frank Murphy (Warrington, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur and the Sword (Library Binding)

The stained glass window illustrations and simple, straightforward text allow readers to learn about young King Arthur. This book is a staple for me each year, as I read it to my second graders. Each year they love it! Sabuda provides a cool author's note too! Sabuda is a gifted storyteller/book creator!