Beowulf
Age 7+
Myths & Legends, Traditional Stories Folklore
The epic Anglo-Saxon legend is brilliantly recreated by an award-winning author/illustrator team.
In fifth-century Denmark, a murderous monster stalks the night, and only the great prince of the Geats has the strength and courage to defeat him. Beowulf's terrifying quest to destroy Grendel, the foul fiend, a hideous sea-hag and a monstrous fire-dragon is the oldest surviving epic in British literature. Artfully retold and magnificently illustrated, this companion volume to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is made instantly accessible to children by a formidable children's book partnership.
Creators
Michael Morpurgo was 2003–2005 Children's Laureate, has written over one hundred books and is the winner of many awards, including the Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Smarties Book Prize, the Blue Peter Award and the Red House Children's Book Award. His books are translated and read around the world and his hugely popular novel War Horse, already a critically acclaimed stage play, is now a successful feature film. Michael and his wife, Clare, founded the charity Farms for City Children and live in Winkleigh, Devon. www.michaelmorpurgo.org
Michael Foreman is one of the world's leading illustrators. He has won several major awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal, most recently for War Boy. His titles for Walker Books include Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (9781406348880), Why the Animals Came to Town (9781406329957), Mia's Story (9781844282784), Say Hello (9781406307245) and A Child's Garden (9781406312072). He lives in London.
Reviews
This complete rendition is distinguished by both handsome packaging and a prose narrative that artfully mixes alliterative language reminiscent of the original, with currently topical references…Morpurgo puts his finger on the story’s enduring appeal.
Kirkus Reviews
A fine retelling.
School Library Journal
Accessible adaptation…with vivid illustrations.
Buffalo News
Rousing retelling…the regally cadenced narrative brims with tongue-tingling language and gruesome details.
School Library Journal, Included in “Focus On: Dragons, Knights & Princesses"
In his retelling, Morpurgo retains the poetry and grandeur of ‘Beowulf’ and provides young readers with a taste of immortality.
Hayward Daily Review
A good story.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Brings the story’s grandeur to life for a new generation.
Foreword Magazine
Morpurgo’s prose…will fire imaginations and elicit the heart-pumping, wide-eyed response that has kept this tale alive and vigorous throughout the ages.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Matching the heroic tone of the narrative is Foreman’s elegant watercolor art, which portrays dim, torch-lit medieval settings and epic battles.
Booklist
Bound to attract a wider readership…Michael Morpurgo’s writing in the retelling is such that it begs to be read aloud.
Albuquerque Journal
A stirring and faithful rendition of the Old English epic.
Bloomsbury Review
This adaptation will be beneficial by presenting epics in a language easily understood by those readers who find difficulty in reading the traditional Old English literature.
Library Media Connection
Keeps the tone of the Old English epic while, at the same time, making it accessible and enthralling to 21st-century readers.
Calliope
Morpurgo…preserves much of the oddness and complexity of the original.
New York Times Book Review
The classic British epic…recreated for a younger audience.
Baby & Kids
Featured
www.dyslexia.wordpress.com
A book like this is a treat not just for the kids.
CastleFiction.com
Featured on a list of ‘outstanding reissues that have become classics in children’s literature’
Newton’s Book News
Featured/recommended on “Teen Graphic Novel List Core List”
GraphicNovelReporter.com
