[The Story of King Arthur & His Knights (Classic Starts)] [By: Pyle, Howard] [March, 2006]

by Tania Zamorsky

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The chapter length and reading level was just right for my five- and seven-year-old, and I appreciate that it was based on the classic Howard Pyle version. However, there are at least a couple places where the modern author has obviously inserted herself. For instance:

"...Merlin made a wish--namely that all who might ever hear this story, including you, would realize that they too may succeed in the things they try. They need only passionately pull the sword of their dreams out from the solid iron of their situation. Think about that, won't you, as this story continues." (p. 25)

No, dear children. Please do NOT think about that. That is not at all the point of this tale. Not all of us are King Arthur, and that is as it should be. And even if we were, the sword would not come out of the anvil for us because we believed in our dreams.

Overall, the retellings were fine, but because of atrocious passages such as that one, I wouldn't recommend it as a great King Arthur adaptation.

[Beth Samuels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this to J&R. Appreciated that it was accessible in language to a younger audience and they seemed to enjoy it and follow. However, I feel like the actual parts of adventure and excitement could have been expanded upon but were instead so briefly stated. Like “and they fought” instead of describing the battle which would clearly appeal greatly to the younger audience it’s aiming for. Was hoping for a version more akin to Margaret Hodges’ St. George and the Dragon in that department and it was not that. Still good for introducing the younger ones to classic tales.

[That Reader (Hadiya) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a slow start. And it had magic. As a Christian I don’t normally read books with magic. I did finish this and it was alright. I normally read faster but this book was so boring. I read 1 chapter and then 2 months later I finished the whole book 😭😂

[s t e p h m i d k i f f · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know a lot of these stories as an adult so I loved getting to read them to my 7 year old son. He gives it 5 stars for the adventure and action. I also loved the conversation starter questions in the back of the book. Really great!

[Janielle · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

It wasn't our favorite of the Classic Starts, but I still feel like it was worth reading. There were stories that I had never heard before. It was also a little hard to follow at times. Maybe my kids will enjoy it when they get a little older. Maybe ages 7-10?

[Lauren Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addie and I enjoyed this story!