This is a retelling of Beowulf. I normally am ambivalent towards adaptations of classics, but I've decided the negativity doesn't extend toward picture book adaptations. I'm mostly concerned that an adaptation will discourage a student from reading the real thing, and that's not likely to be a problem with a picture book. It tells the story, not merely of a warrior, but of a hero. Thus, Rumford brings out clearly the qualities of the heroic Beowulf: his faithfulness, his persistence in the face of difficulty, his bravery to do right even when he stands alone. Rumford limited himself to using only Old English vocabulary (the book is not in Old English). The text reads well, with an old feel, but without awkward syntax. Rumford even includes a number of kennings from the original (like 'whale road' as a synonym for 'sea.') The illustrations are well done, but they're a little scary. My six year old son loves the book, and they don't bother him.

Beowulf is a graphic reprint of the epic tale, retold by James Rumford. The reinforced binding may not last much use, but the $17.00 book was scarfed up by some boy readers, the ones you want to hook with a good book. They read to the end of it and wrote: Beowulf is about a man named Beowulf. A kingdom is getting torn down by an ogre named Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel and becomes king. Lots of winters pass, then a dragon arises and kills Beowulf. But then Beowulf's friend, Wiglaf kills the dragon. Ages: strong-hearted and up.

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