Customer Reviews

The Hero Beowulf

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

 

 

I almost didn't post a review here because I prefer not to give this version of Beowulf a rating. The problem, you see, is that I'm conflicted. On the one hand I like mythology and think children should be exposed to more of it. And on the other hand, I couldn't get my kids --currently boy and girl; 6 and 8 -- interested in this book.

Our observations:::

Appearance: the book is a large format hardback with colorful artwork that runs from edge to edge. It's the sort of artwork that doesn't present a great deal of detail, and perhaps this is why it didn't serve to grab my children's attention. [I would have thought it would. I mean on the first pages there's a sea monster chowing down on some sailors. Go figure.]

The story: the story, of course, is about Beowulf and his battle with Grendel. Great kid stuff when you think about it. Grendel is mysterious and murderous and Beowulf is the only one brave enough to face him.

The narrative isn't stellar, but I thought the story would be good enough to engross the small fry. Apparently, it's not a good read-aloud.

Which might have to do with topic of my big complaint. That this book has no pronunciation guide. Really ridiculous when you think about that the likelihood that kid reader's (and most adults) will know how to pronounce names like Wealhtheow and Ecgtheow is next to nil.

In any case, do consider this book. Perhaps my two were just too young for the story. Or perhaps the artwork just wasn't their style. But it's definitely worth a trip to the library, and from there you might decide to add it to your selves.

Pam T~

The Hero Beowulf is a children's picturebook retelling the legend of the Nordic hero Beowulf. Narrated in simple prose, it tells of how Beowulf came to the aid of the Danish king Hrothgar, whose men were being devoured nightly by the monster Grendel. Depicting Beowulf's mortal battle with the monster, the story tells how Beowulf bested Grendel by tearing off its arm, as its hide was enchanted and could not be pierced with mortal weapons. Grendel never gave mercy to its victims, and so Beowulf showed no mercy to it. The art is colorful and in a slightly simplistic but realistic style, the better to convey the gut feeling of a classic struggle between good and evil. An excellent introduction to a classic legend, retold faithful to the spirit of the original.

I read this version to my 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter. While both kids liked the story it was a bit much for my daughter. Of course most parents wouldn't be reading this to thier kids at these ages but my 6 year old loved it!! This was our intro. to Beowulf and since we read this version, we have read 3 other versions (each more detailed and scary than the one before). My son can not get enough and I credit it to this child friendly(ish) version.

As many know, "Beowulf," which can be traced back hundreds of year, is the oldest known poem in English literature. The hero is a Viking, and his story is divided into three parts, the first of which is presented in "The Hero Beowulf." The original manuscript of "Beowulf" is housed in the British Library, and is regarded as a great treasure. Now, Eric Kimmel, remembered for "Don Quixote and the Windmill" joins with illustrator Leonard Fisher to offer a treasure for young readers.

Our story opens with a description of Beowulf's childhood, noting that at the age of ten he took his father's sword to rout a nest of savage trolls who were attacking the innocent. When the sword's blade broke, young Beowulf "ripped up an oak tree by its roots and battered the trolls until they lay dead."

Next, he's engaged in battle with sea serpents, and then he learns of a brutal monster, Grendel, who is ravishing King Hrothgar's land. The monster is so powerful that he comes each night to the hall and carries off the mightiest warriors. No one dares to challenge Grendel until Beowulf appears.

Fisher's full-color double page illustrations are stunningly stark, especially when depicting the monster Grendel. "The Hero Beowulf" deserves a place in every young reader's library.

- Gail Cooke

Legends and Hero Tales. Picture book with early elementary looking print and picture.

Beowulf is an old Scandinavian tale. At age 10, Beowulf killed a bunch of trolls who were bothering tourists. As he grew, he destroyed various sea serpents and monster. He was called to help defend a king from Grendel, a terrible monster. He cleverly did, ripping his arm off, so Grendel left and never came back.

Simple pictures of the Vikings.