Customer Reviews

Read and Listen Books: Robin Hood (Read & Listen Books)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like most people, I've heard the Robin Hood story many times. No real surprise there! What makes this rendition unique is Mr. Gruffudd's wonderful voice, the book that doubles as a resource, and, of course, the wonderful story of a man more determined to do what was "right" over what was "legal".

Mr. Gruffudd just has a way with British accents. Robin's band of men apparently come from all over the UK - Cornwall, Irish, King's English accents (plus more that I couldn't easily identify) were used. And of course, Mr. Gruffudd's natural Welsh accent told the story.

The book was great. Lots of pictures, lot of sidebars of information. From obsolete jargon to modern pictures of people in costume, these pages in the book help to explain a lot.

The story, of course, is a classic. I would caution parents of sensitive children to consider editing the last chapter or so. Instead of ending the story with the "happily ever after" once Robin and Marian are married, this book follows Robin until his death at the hand of his cousin, who betrays him.

All in all, it was highly enjoyable. A definite recommend!

As a former elementary school librarian, I heartily recommend this audio book. It's beautifully read by Ioan Gruffudd (TV's Horatio Hornblower - more great audio books he's narrated!) and should be enjoyed by a wide range of listeners, even through high school-age students.

The book is a Dorling Kindersley publication, so it's chock-full of visual information and provides outstanding explanations of medieval culture, terms, and expressions. The subject matter ties in with several topics, including folk tales, British culture, adventure, and history. The tape and book should encourage lively classroom discussions.

I can visualize playing this audio book during classroom art time or as a reward. It could also be the inspiration for a classroom play. And, of course, it's a wonderful purchase for children or grandchildren for home enjoyment. Best of all, the price is quite reasonable and delivery couldn't be easier.

My daughter and I have been reading (and re-reading!) the DK Classics (of which "Robin Hood" is part of) for several years, since she was 5. These books are very colorful, with lots of illustrations and photos of genuine artifacts, maps, and people from the era in which the story is set. Side panel text gives background information about the author, pictures and story. These "additions" (which do not detract from, but only enhance the story) help the young reader (and the adult too!) put the story into context. It is like getting both a classic and a pictorial history book rolled into one! The text is easy to read. My daughter is now 9, and reading the books on her own. Not only has she developed an appreciation for classic literature, but for history as well. These are great books for parents to read with their children. I highly recommend them!

I found this book tape an excellent work, the reader IoanGruffudd makes a great job with the change of voices, it makes you enjoy the reading. Recommend to anyone who hasn't read it yet. Won't be dissapointed!

The book I'm going to review is Robin Hood by Neil Philip. The setting of the story is Nottingham, England. The characters are Robin Hood, Marian, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, Lord Fitzwalter and King Richard. Robin wants freedom, Marian and his title and lands back. His first big problem is the sheriff wants to kill him. So he harasses the sheriff. Robin gets 30 comrades to help him and lives in Sherwood Forest. The king comes back and gives Robin's title, lands and Marian back to him.
The new problem is King Richard is dead and Robin is now an outlaw. Robin kills Sir Guy in self-defense and tricks the sheriff and scares them away. The next problem is that Robin gets captured in St. Mary's Church and thrown in a dungeon. The solution is that Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet and Little John frees him. The last problem is Robin's cousin tricks Robin and lets his blood and never closes the cut. The resolution is he dies with peace in his heart because Robin begs Little John not to harm the nuns.
I would recommend this book to certain kinds of kids who can handle the happiness and the suffering in this book. The maps were helpful to me because they had information about where things were happening. The diagrams were helpful to me because they told about the cycle of families in the Middle Ages and what kind of jobs the kids did when they grew up.

My children- 3 & 5 years- love this- they can actually listen to it multiple times a day and have started acting out and reciting bits from it- so cute! We actually use the cd alone- as it's on lone from their cousin who still has the book. The reader does have an accent ( which makes it a bit more authentic) but you may have to help them identify some of the words that sound different. The language is quite sophisticated but the story keeps them enthralled. Great for rainy afternoons, or tired ones- and great for a tv alternative. We also bring our stories on cd in the car for trips or just to make the errands less painful! I highly recommend this and any of the others in the Read & Listen series.

This is just a wonderful book, the reader Ioan Gruffudd makes a magnifique job with the voices of the different characters. I recommend to buy this book to anyone who hasn't bought it yet, is a must have.

This Robin Hood presents Robin as a man falsely accused and living independently of the restrictive feudal society around him in Britain. Being an outlaw let Robin Hood flout society's customs and do as he liked.

This book does what all DK books do -- add gorgeous photographs and illustrations to an interesting and memorable text, to make a book that is both entertaining and educational. Side captions and blurbs add context and historical relevance to the story. YOur child gets SMARTER as he or she reads the book.

The reading level for this book is harder -- 4th or 5th grade, maybe. The book is well written. No index. No glossary.

For younger ages, try "Robin Hood" by Angela Bull.

We have other "Eyewitness" books which we enjoy very much. This one is a disappointment. The writing was less inspired, the research less extensive, even the illustrations seemed lackluster. I don't know what happened when they produced this book, but it just isn't what I have come to expect from DK.

The setting and characters of Robin Hood are unforgettable. The setting of the story takes place in northern and central England. The story mostly takes place in Sherwood Forest. Robin Hood is the main character in the story. He is a nice man who cares about the poor and gives them money when he sees them. Maid Marian is Robin Hood's fiancée. Little John is a big strong man who helps Robin Hood on his journeys. Friar Tuck is one of Robin's friends. King Richard is the king of England. Sir Guy of Gisborne is one of Robin's enemies who does the sheriff's dirty work. The Sheriff of Nottingham is a cruel person who doesn't like Robin and tries to kill him when Robin turns to an outlaw.

The problem is that Robin is declared an outlaw. Worman is Robin's treacherous steward who then lies about Robin setting a plot to kill the king. At Robin's wedding the sheriff of Nottingham says that the prince has declared him an outlaw. Now Robin loses his land and title and he's living in the greenwood and can't marry Maid Marian. There are four things that Robin wants. First, he wants to marry Maid Marian. Second, he wants his title and his land back. Third, he doesn't want to be an outlaw. Finally, he wants all of the people to stop treating the peasants badly.

The solution ends up being really complex. Robin runs into the forest and puts together a group of merry men. Then he writes a letter to the sheriff to threaten him in his own castle. Then the king returns and restores everything that Robin had lost when he became an outlaw. Maid Marian and Robin get married. When King Richard dies, King John takes his place and Robin becomes an outlaw again. When Robin goes back to the greenwood he starts to fight Sir Guy and kills him. After, Robin threatens the sheriff, saying that if he will not leave the woods, he will kill him. Later, he goes to St. Mary's to confess his sins but he is betrayed and captured. When the merry men hear the news they go to the prison and free Robin.

Robin goes to the Kirklees Priory because he knows that Maid Marian and his cousin are there. His cousin lets Robin's blood and she never seals the wound because she is in the pay of the sheriff. There he dies in Maid Marian's arms.

I recommend this book for several reasons. The first reason is the pictures and the notes that Neil Phillip put in there. I also liked it because of all of the action in the book. Some other features are the diagrams of the castles and people and the CD to read along. Finally, when you listen to the CD, you can hear the sound effects of swords and the birds singing and how the voices of different people sound. This is why I recommend this book to other kids.