Arthur and the Sword - Hardcover

Sabuda, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689319878 ISBN 13: 9780689319877

Publisher: Atheneum, 1995

Synopsis

A retelling of the events that culminated in Arthur's ascent to the throne depicts his dramatic removal of Uther's sword from the stone and is accompanied by illustrations made to look like stained glass. Children's BOMC Alt.

About this title

From the Publisher:

"Long ago in the time of great darkness, a time without a king, there lived a fair boy called Arthur..."

So begins this dramatic tale of a humble boy destined to be king of all England. Each year young Arthur travels with his family to the old church of Londontown to attend the celebration of Christ's birth. But this year something magical occurs: In the snowy churchyard there appears a sword buried in a steel anvil in the center of a stone. Only he who can pull the sword from the stone and anvil can claim the right to the throne. Each knight in turn, including Arthur's older brother, is challenged to remove the sword but none succeeds. It is only when Arthur returns from a jousting tournament to fetch his brother's sword, that his true identity and the mystery of his royal destiny are revealed.

In this re-telling of a story at the heart of Arthurian legend, Robert Sabuda shares his artistic gift with beautiful stained glass artwork that subtly evokes the context of the story.

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0689319878
• ISBN 13: 9780689319877
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Sabuda Robert