Barefoot Book of Knights (Tell Me a Story) (Hardcover with CD) - Hardcover

John Matthews

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846863074 ISBN 13: 9781846863073

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 2009

Synopsis

Being a good knight is harder than it seems! Not only do you need a brave heart, a strong arm, and a keen eye, but you also need to know your weaknesses, cooperate with others and be undaunted by defeat. In this story-within-a-story we join young Tom of Warwick as he embarks on his noble adventure to become a knight. Tom is comforted by the legends of those who came before him as he learns the ways of knighthood under the guidance of Master William. Stories in this collection hail from Britain, Germany, Russia, Brittany, France, Japan and Persia. This edition comes with an audio CD read by Anthony Head.

About this title

About the Author:

John Matthews is a master storyteller and draws from his wide experience of folk tales to find stories that will be new to many young readers. He is the author of numerous highly acclaimed books on Arthurian legends and Celtic mythology, and has co-written a number of books with his wife Caitlin. John is also the author of The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins (1999) and The Wizard King & Other Spellbinding Tales (1998), published by Barefoot Books.

Giovanni Manna's distinctive illustrative style has been exhibited worldwide, and in 1996 he won first prize at Italy's Chioggia International Exhibition. This is Giovanni's fifth title for Barefoot Books, joining First Morning: Poems About Time (2001), Someone I Like: Poems About People (2000), You and Me (2000) and The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins (1999). He currently lives in Bologna.

Anthony Head was born in Camden, North London, England, to an actress and documentary producer. He and his elder brother, Murray - also an accomplished actor and musician - grew up in Hampton. Anthony combined his musical and acting talents with a variety of stage roles such as Frank N Furter in the Rocky Horror Show and Freddie Trumper in Chess. However, it was the will they/won't they romance played out in the series of commercials for Gold Blend coffee in the 1980s that brought Anthony into the public eye. More recently, his best-known role has been as Giles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, a series which has become a worldwide success. Anthony currently lives near Bath with his partner Sarah and their two daughters.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-5-This book introduces Tom, a 10-year-old who is beginning his training at a castle, gives some historical information about knights and knighthood, and then returns to the boy. There is almost no real story line to his experiences. Certain events, such as disliking kitchen work, prompt Master William to tell a story to assist him in understanding the role and behavior of knights. All of the tales are adaptations of knight tales from around the world and all of them teach a lesson. This is not the best introduction to chivalry, knighthood, or the folklore surrounding it. The author does give sources but these are not the best adaptations available. The illustrations are quite stylized. In color, with some good detail, they often have an odd perspective. Characters seem to be always looking out of the corners of their eyes and their faces are a strange shape. Too many angles create an uncomfortable feeling. There are many great books on knighthood and many great collections of folklore representing this period in history, making this one unnecessary in most libraries.
Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1846863074
• ISBN 13: 9781846863073
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 80
• Illustrator: Giovanni Manna