Product Description

Not just anyone can be a knight, and this spell-binding collection of action- packed stories from around the world will show you why. From the familiar court of King Arthur to the distant realm of Prince Vladimir of Kiev, this enticing collection reveals that being a good knight is harder than it may seem. Not only are a brave heart and a strong arm required, but it is also necessary to know your own weaknesses, learn to cooperate with others and even, at times, have a good sense of humor!

Giovanni Manna brings his warm, colorful characters to these adventurous tales that are sure to delight young would-be knights across the land.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1040098 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 79 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The Barefoot Book of Knights by John Matthews, illus. by Giovanni Manna, a collection of seven stories from as many nations, is framed as a series of anecdotes told to a young page. Full-page and vignette ink-and-watercolor illustrations resurrect a bygone era, offering a glimpse of landscapes and architecture from Russia to Japan.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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.

From Booklist
Gr. 4-7. Enhancing the practical skills taught in such manuals as O'Brien's The Making of a Knight (1998) or Garrett' s Knight's Handbook: How to Become a Knight in Shining Armor (1997), Matthews offers seven retold legends that illustrate proper knightly behavior. A gruff, well-traveled instructor of medieval pages introduces each tale: the Arthurian story of the Kitchen Knight points up humility; kindness to animals leads to a samurai's victory in "Yogodayu and the Army of Bees"; humor (grim humor, to be sure) serves in the Russian "Three Journeys of Ilya of Murom." Others stories exemplify cleverness, courage, and, in the French episode "Sir Cliges and the Cherry Tree," Christian generosity. Manna's informally posed, puppetlike figures, placed in sylvan settings, reflect neither the violence nor the high tone of these versions, but modern young knights-in-training will still find this a salutary introduction to chivalric virtues. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Enchanting
Fancy a brave adventure filled with knights and chivalry? The Middle Ages might be over, but John Matthew's captivating tales might make you think otherwise. Coupled with actor Anthony Head's magnificent storytelling, and Giovanni Manna's delightful illustrations, these seven stories come alive! Children and adults alike will love to revisit this CD and paperback collection time and time again.

Great find!
This book completely captivated my 5 year old son. We both loved the stories of adventure, bravery, resourcefulness and honor. We found it at the library but plan to add it to our own collection soon. This would also make a great gift.