Island of the Mighty (Oxford Myths and Legends) - Hardcover

Middleton, Haydn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0192741330 ISBN 13: 9780192741332

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1987

Synopsis

Here's a fresh and readable retelling of the Welsh legends--a story of giants and kings, of mysterious Celtic magic, enchanted castles, Old King Cole, Merlin the eternal magician, and the promise of a once and future king. This is the story of Britain beyond the mists of history, when it was known as Island of the Mighty. Full color and black and white illustrations combine with the text to appeal to young readers while retaining the power and poetry of the old stories.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-6 High drama and adventure characterize this retelling of Welsh leg ends about the last days of the Island of the Mighty when it was ruled by giants and the world was filled with magic and creatures with strange powers. The book is written in a way that suggests the stories are being told aloud, and it opens with a compelling invitation to draw close to the fire and listen, a mood which is sustained throughout by brief interludes between stories. From the story of Bran the giant king and his bat tle with the island of Tara to the final tale showing the complete fall of the kingdom and a promise of a new Britain under Arthur, readers will feel the bat tle between good and evil. There is plenty of action, magic, well-described battles, and examples of the power of both courage and hatred. The telling is lively, vivid, and readable. The illustra tions, in black and white and color, are not exceptional, but they capture well the majesty and mood of the legends. Readers of high fantasy should espe cially enjoy this book because much of contemporary high fantasy has drawn heavily on these legends. Jane Gardner Connor, formerly at South Carolina State Library, Columbia
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

A third features a favorite character of medieval French storytellers, Renard the Fox by Rachel Anderson and David Bradby, pictures by Bob Dewar, ISBN 0-19-274129-2; and Island of the Mighty by Haydnstet Middleton, illustrated by Anthea Toorchen are legends from Welsh and Celtic sources, ISBN 0-19-274133-0; all are $13.95, ages 8-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0192741330
• ISBN 13: 9780192741332
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 82
• Illustrator: Toorchen Anthea