Arthur, the Always King - by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Translated, adapted, told, and retold, the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table have captivated imaginations across time. Now comes a lavishly illustrated, masterful retelling sure to enthrall a new generation of readers. From the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the quest for the Holy Grail, stories both familiar and unfamiliar are woven into a vivid tapestry of Arthurian lore that spans from the king's conception to his final battle"--

Book Synopsis

In this pulse-quickening retelling, Carnegie Medalist Kevin Crossley-Holland and former British Children's Laureate Chris Riddell welcome another generation to Camelot.

Translated, adapted, told, and retold, the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table have captivated imaginations across time. Now comes a lavishly illustrated, masterful retelling sure to enthrall a new generation of readers. From the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the quest for the Holy Grail, stories both familiar and unfamiliar are woven into a vivid tapestry of Arthurian lore that spans from the king's conception to his final battle. Merlin, Guinevere, Lancelot, and other timeless characters come to life as complex men and women in a rich and atmospheric feat of storytelling that feels at once historical and fantastical, otherworldly and fully human. A compelling collaboration between internationally acclaimed author Kevin Crossley-Holland and three-time Kate Greenaway Medal winner Chris Riddell, this beautiful volume is sure to be treasured by readers of all ages.

Review Quotes

A stately rendition of the Arthurian legend. . . . Visually stunning.
--Kirkus Reviews

Crossley-Holland (Norse Myths) recounts myriad Arthurian legends in this evocative, episodic telling. Intricately detailed full-page artwork by Riddell (Pirate Stew), rendered in swathes of muted color highlighted by regal blues and vivid gold, accompanies succinct literary text. . . . lyrically developed.
--Publishers Weekly

[Crossley-Holland] presents a retelling of several Arthurian stories and parts of Thomas Malory's sweeping Morte d'Arthur. . . challenging and thought-provoking.
--The Horn Book

Mr. Crossley-Holland includes enough courtly language and historical references to keep the stories situated in their time, but otherwise he writes with a freshness and economy that will make these centuries-old tales accessible to the modern reader. Mr. Riddell's illustrations, which sometimes dominate the page and sometimes decorate its margins, help make this striking volume special--ideal for reading on a beach holiday after the sand is washed off for the day.
--The Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Kevin Crossley-Holland is a Carnegie Medal-winning author as well as a poet, librettist, reteller, and teacher. His world-renowned Arthur trilogy has sold well over one million copies and been translated into twenty-five languages. His retellings include Across the Rainbow Bridge: Stories of Norse Gods and Humans, illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love; Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland, illustrated by Frances Castle; and Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki, illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love. After seven years teaching in the US, Kevin Crossley-Holland now lives with his wife in England.

Chris Riddell is an award-winning illustrator, a writer of children's books, and a political cartoonist. He is the illustrator of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver, retold by Martin Jenkins, as well as A Great Big Cuddle: Poems for the Very Young and Honey for You, Honey for Me: A First Book of Nursery Rhymes, both by Michael Rosen. The winner of three Kate Greenaway Medals and a former British Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell lives in England.