Tales of King Arthur: Excalibur (Books of Wonder) [Hardcover]

Hudson Talbott (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Books of Wonder | Publication Date: September 27, 1996

When the young Arthur pulled the sword from the stone and became High King of all Britain, he didn't realize that an even greater task lay ahead: that of uniting his country behind him. Wielding the great Pendragon sword, Arthur leads his men to victory in the Battle of Bedegraine. Afterward, his knights disperse in pursuit of individual glory and Arthur stays behind, listening wistfully to the older knights' tales of daring and heroism. All the time he wonders, Why can't I go questing as they have?

But soon he does discover a quest of his own, and despite the warnings of his adviser, Merlin, he sets out to challenge the rebellious warrior King Pellinore in a fight that could prove to be his downfall.

In this third volume of his Tales of King Arthur series, Hudson Talbott continues the thrilling story of the young king begun in The Sword in the Stone and King Arthur and the Round Table, showing Arthur's struggles to become a king not only in name but to the depths of his being.

Exciting scenes from the days of chivalry and heroism burst from every page, from Arthur's encounter with Pellinore to his meeting with the mysterious Lady of the Lake, guardian of the splendid sword Excalibur. Hudson Talbott's masterful storytelling and dramatic paintings will enthrall fans of his previous books and win many new ones besides.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An often bewitching but occasionally insipid visualization of an ancient tale, the third in Talbott's series of Arthurian legends (after King Arthur and the Round Table) traces young King Arthur's maturation as he battles King Pellinore and receives the sword Excalibur. The story is recounted prosaically, even awkwardly: "I need a quest!" complains Arthur. "A knight has more fun than a king." However, the pictures, composed in a traditional and romantic style, gracefully portray the hero's transition from a pretty, wistful youth to a reverent, confident king. Panoramic spreads of Arthur with his army convey a time-honored spirit of honor and adventure. The distinctly bloody fight scenes and a Barbie-esque Lady of the Lake are less than compelling, but Talbott is at his vivid best with animals: rearing horses, eager dogs and a miraculous Questing Beast. The intriguingly misty landscapes lend the classic story an air of mystery. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?Filling in more of the story begun in his King Arthur and the Round Table (1995) and The Sword in the Stone (1991, both Morrow), Talbott describes Arthur's maturation from an impulsive, glory-seeking boy to a young king, ready to serve others. The pictures are as colorful as the tale, yet both illustrations and words leave something to be desired. Sharp-eyed readers may spot inaccuracies, inconsistencies, or awkwardness in the watercolors (the Saxons' ships and helmets are Viking-style; horseless Pellinore steals Arthur's roan, but "next morning" is riding a black steed; Arthur is in a fancy crown with Pendragon insignia on shield, saddle, horseblanket, etc., but Pellinore asks forgiveness because he didn't recognize his king when they fought; the figures are poorly proportioned, etc.) The language is awkwardly suspended between the casual ("A knight has more fun than a king," Arthur whines early on), and the pontifical ("As for death, I welcome it, if it is my time," he intones a few pages later). Instead of this bland offering, slightly older readers should look for Robin Lister's The Legend of King Arthur (Doubleday, 1990), while younger ones will have more fun with Marcia Williams's King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Candlewick, 1996).?Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688133800
• ISBN-13: 978-0688133801
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,154,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging books for King Arthur lovers, February 11, 2010

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Picky Mom (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Excalibur (Books of Wonder) (Library Binding)

Each of the books in this collection by Hudson Talbott is excellent. My 5 year old son developed an interest in knights after a visit to Medieval Times. From there, he discovered King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Of the many books we have on this topic, there are the best written. The illustrations are wonderful. I highly recommend the entire collection. (Note: his 3 year old brother enjoys them too)