King Arthur

April 1, 2017
Gr 1-4-This simplified version focuses on King Arthur, Merlin, and Excalibur. Each page has one or two paragraphs of text describing events in Britain and Arthur's life as he learns to hunt, carry a lance, and use a sword. -These skills all combined to teach young squires the principles of knighthood: service, courtesy, and humility. Arthur notoriously surpassed his fellow squires in all attributes and was known as the most humble, respectful, and hardworking of them all.- Some words are in a different font to emphasize their importance, and the term monarch is defined on a facing page. Spread across both pages, the illustrations are in mostly dreary earth tones, with people drawn in cartoon style with minimal detail and exaggerated expressions. The tones lighten on the pages depicting Arthur, showing the promise of his eventual monarchy. The narrative is wordy, and the terms used are sometime at odds with the character Arthur represents. This brief retelling lacks the magic and mystery of the myth of King Arthur. VERDICT An additional purchase for larger public libraries, where the Disney-esque illustrations will appeal to younger readers.-Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

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