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The Adventures of Robin Hood
"So the outlaws became the first of Robin's merry men. They nicknamed him Robin Hood and dressed him in Lincoln Green."An exuberant comic-strip retelling of Robin Hood's from becoming an outlaw and meeting Little John and Friar Tuck to falling in love with Maid Marian and battling with Guy of Gisborne.Packed with hilarious illustrations, witty narrative and jokes, this book brings the legend of Robin Hood alive."I don't often use the word 'brilliant' but it's tumbling off the end of my quill at the moment like an acorn from a Greenwood bough.' - School Librarian
Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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About the author
Marcia Williams
141 books48 followersMarcia Williams began to develop her distinctive comic-book style at an early age: "When I was about ten and wrote home to my family from boarding school," she says, "I never wrote normal letters. I tried to tell my family about what I was doing in a way that was more fun. Also, my parents didn't let me read comic books, so I decided to create my own."
This former nursery school teacher blends her storytelling skills and humorous illustrations with well-known figures and stories from literature. Her unique style has produced such vivid works and action-packed books as GOD AND HIS CREATIONS: TALES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. "Working on the Old Testament was a joy," Marcia Williams says. "The tales are so rich, it is always possible to find something new within them. Yet, at the same time, they have all the comfort of the familiar." The artist also found pleasure in creating CHARLES DICKENS AND FRIENDS, which presents five retellings of classic Dickens tales. Of her inspiration for this book, she tells of a teacher she once had "who was extremely fierce and angry . . . except when she read the stories of Charles Dickens aloud. Through her, all his characters lived, and I was transported to their Victorian world. I hope that readers will also enter the wonderful world of Charles Dickens through this book."
With BRAVO, MR. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE! and TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE Marcia Williams introduces young readers to the world of William Shakespeare's plays. Another classic she has made much more accessible to children--and more appreciated by them--is THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY. "My mother read me classics, but until I got older I never found them interesting," she says. "If I could make these stories more accessible, I realized, kids wouldn't have to wait until they were grown-up to appreciate them."
Marcia Williams traveled extensively as a child and was educated in Sussex, England, and Switzerland. During her varied career she has worked as an interior designer and has assisted cartoon artist and designer Gerald Scarfe in making papier-mâché and cloth sculptures.
This former nursery school teacher blends her storytelling skills and humorous illustrations with well-known figures and stories from literature. Her unique style has produced such vivid works and action-packed books as GOD AND HIS CREATIONS: TALES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. "Working on the Old Testament was a joy," Marcia Williams says. "The tales are so rich, it is always possible to find something new within them. Yet, at the same time, they have all the comfort of the familiar." The artist also found pleasure in creating CHARLES DICKENS AND FRIENDS, which presents five retellings of classic Dickens tales. Of her inspiration for this book, she tells of a teacher she once had "who was extremely fierce and angry . . . except when she read the stories of Charles Dickens aloud. Through her, all his characters lived, and I was transported to their Victorian world. I hope that readers will also enter the wonderful world of Charles Dickens through this book."
With BRAVO, MR. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE! and TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE Marcia Williams introduces young readers to the world of William Shakespeare's plays. Another classic she has made much more accessible to children--and more appreciated by them--is THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY. "My mother read me classics, but until I got older I never found them interesting," she says. "If I could make these stories more accessible, I realized, kids wouldn't have to wait until they were grown-up to appreciate them."
Marcia Williams traveled extensively as a child and was educated in Sussex, England, and Switzerland. During her varied career she has worked as an interior designer and has assisted cartoon artist and designer Gerald Scarfe in making papier-mâché and cloth sculptures.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 19 reviews
October 7, 2019
Ever since I saw Errol Flynn playing Robin Hood at the pictures (fighting over the stream with Little John has especial memories) I fell in love with the story of the man in Lincoln Green robbing the rich to pay the poor and I loved all the derring-do that he exhibited and his rivalry with the horrible Sheriff of Nottingham and his fights with Sir Guy of Gisbourne (played in the movie by another of my favourites, Basil Rathbone). My folks bought me my own copy of Robin Hood that was much loved and often read. So nowadays whenever I discover a different version, I am a sucker to have to own it; this is one such book!
This author illustrated comic-strip retelling of the Robin Hood legend covers 11 incidents in his life beginning with how Robin of Locksley became an outlaw after he had tussled with some foresters after being ejected from Locksley Hall because of non-payment of a debt. He fought with them, killed one of them but then, after he had beaten them in an archery contest, they joined forces to help the poor until King Richard returned from the Crusades.
He met Little John over a stream and got a ducking for his trouble in not letting the big man pass. His outlaw colleagues arrived to defend and protect him but Robin knew it had been a fair fight and asked Little John to join them, which he did.
There always has to be a pretty lady in these stories and along came Maid Marian to join the merry outlaws and to share all their adventures. Much the Miller's son did the same and along with him was Will Scarlet to be followed by Friar Tuck, who had a tussle with Robin after carrying him across a stream. The jolly Friar duly joined the gang! And they needed some song to keep them merry so when the minstrel Allan-a-Dale turned up, he was soon integrated into the outlaw band.
Sir Richard of Legh was to be ruined by a greedy abbot from St Mary's Abbey but Robin sorted that mess out and thereafter Sir Richard's house was always open to Robin and his Merry Men. And always a superb archer Robin went into the camp of Prince John, who had arranged an archery competition in order to trap Robin. But Robin was wise to his wiles, turned up in disguise, won the competition, defeating the Sheriff of Nottingham's champion, took the prize and later that evening sent an arrow into Prince John's castle to let him know that it was he who had won the competition. Prince John was furious!
Sir Guy of Gisborne [sic] went to Sherwood Forest determined to slay Robin Hood but, needless to say, despite rumours to the contrary he failed. Robin and his band's laughter rang through the forest as the sheriff and his men fled back to Nottingham Castle. Robin celebrated his latest triumph with a feast in the forest and shortly thereafter a hooded palmer arrived. It turned out to be someone special who was able to give his blessing to Robin and Marian's marriage.
Finally Robin was old and left to die but his last act was to fire an arrow through his window and he told Little John 'Bury me wherever the arrow falls.' And an acorn was planted close to where the arrow landed and over the years it grew into a great oak tree and since then generations of merry outlaws have gathered under its boughs to sing ballads of their great hero Robin Hood. The spirit of Robin Hood lives on in Sherwood Forest!
All these exciting tales are told in comic-strip style with text underneath each element of the story and with suitable amusing comments within the cartoon box from the main protagonists. It is a lovely, enjoyable production.
This author illustrated comic-strip retelling of the Robin Hood legend covers 11 incidents in his life beginning with how Robin of Locksley became an outlaw after he had tussled with some foresters after being ejected from Locksley Hall because of non-payment of a debt. He fought with them, killed one of them but then, after he had beaten them in an archery contest, they joined forces to help the poor until King Richard returned from the Crusades.
He met Little John over a stream and got a ducking for his trouble in not letting the big man pass. His outlaw colleagues arrived to defend and protect him but Robin knew it had been a fair fight and asked Little John to join them, which he did.
There always has to be a pretty lady in these stories and along came Maid Marian to join the merry outlaws and to share all their adventures. Much the Miller's son did the same and along with him was Will Scarlet to be followed by Friar Tuck, who had a tussle with Robin after carrying him across a stream. The jolly Friar duly joined the gang! And they needed some song to keep them merry so when the minstrel Allan-a-Dale turned up, he was soon integrated into the outlaw band.
Sir Richard of Legh was to be ruined by a greedy abbot from St Mary's Abbey but Robin sorted that mess out and thereafter Sir Richard's house was always open to Robin and his Merry Men. And always a superb archer Robin went into the camp of Prince John, who had arranged an archery competition in order to trap Robin. But Robin was wise to his wiles, turned up in disguise, won the competition, defeating the Sheriff of Nottingham's champion, took the prize and later that evening sent an arrow into Prince John's castle to let him know that it was he who had won the competition. Prince John was furious!
Sir Guy of Gisborne [sic] went to Sherwood Forest determined to slay Robin Hood but, needless to say, despite rumours to the contrary he failed. Robin and his band's laughter rang through the forest as the sheriff and his men fled back to Nottingham Castle. Robin celebrated his latest triumph with a feast in the forest and shortly thereafter a hooded palmer arrived. It turned out to be someone special who was able to give his blessing to Robin and Marian's marriage.
Finally Robin was old and left to die but his last act was to fire an arrow through his window and he told Little John 'Bury me wherever the arrow falls.' And an acorn was planted close to where the arrow landed and over the years it grew into a great oak tree and since then generations of merry outlaws have gathered under its boughs to sing ballads of their great hero Robin Hood. The spirit of Robin Hood lives on in Sherwood Forest!
All these exciting tales are told in comic-strip style with text underneath each element of the story and with suitable amusing comments within the cartoon box from the main protagonists. It is a lovely, enjoyable production.
December 3, 2014
An OK retelling of the classic Pyle version of Robin Hood done in a Sunday comics style.
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October 29, 2013This book's format was very interesting to me. Each page was a different chapter in Robin Hood's life and those chapters were formatted like comic strips. Each strip had a sentence underneath it, but there were also words on the individual pictures as well. With so many things to keep your attention and to read and look at it was hard to get bored with this book. The illustrations were simple but the were also silly and caught the mood of this retelling.
November 26, 2015
Marcia's books are great, especially for reluctant readers. I had a lovely time teaching Shakespeare using her books for reluctant teens. Not only does it help with the older language, but also the imagery is fun and whimsical and goes well with her abbreviated text. I love the stories of Robin Hood, and this version is great. Fantastic for kids and adults alike.
December 4, 2012
This book retells the story of Robin Hood in a comic strip form. It shows eleven adventures of Robin Hood who robs the rich in order to give it to the poor. Student's will love book!
December 10, 2014
REally good version for kids with the stories summarised well and humourous cartoons to support it.
March 5, 2015
this book took me back to my young years and I enjoyed this time around as I did the first time I read it
July 22, 2015
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13461452
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13461452
December 3, 2015
Enjoyable tales of Robin Hood.
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August 31, 2016I have no memory of this one.
July 23, 2020
I remember owning the Knights of the Round Table version when I was little, but only dimly. The jokes in here, as well as the illustrations and story itself, are wonderful.
Honestly, I needed a break and I think it works great for both children and adults to read. The text is easy to understand, but there are also pictures / comic illustrations to go with them. (They're just as fun if not more so than the actual story!)
I'm happy to have teleported to this era of my childhood and I hope a lot of children will make it part of theirs as well.
Honestly, I needed a break and I think it works great for both children and adults to read. The text is easy to understand, but there are also pictures / comic illustrations to go with them. (They're just as fun if not more so than the actual story!)
I'm happy to have teleported to this era of my childhood and I hope a lot of children will make it part of theirs as well.
January 9, 2023
These drawings and sense of humour, so embedded with my childhood, now gave me another hero to worship; Robin Hood. Marcia Williams really has a gift, to uplift and enlighten even the most serious stories. Yes, even the darkest story has a silver, and happy lining, and Marcia Williams finds it, every time!
I hope I run across more of her books!
I hope I run across more of her books!
March 20, 2019
I appreciate how this story is set out. The comic strip style is more engaging (in some cases) that just a page of text. Can be a real gateway book for children, who often read magazines etc.
August 4, 2021
Just no.
April 29, 2025
when I was a little girl this book frightened the life out of me
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November 8, 2016Title: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Author: Marcia Williams
Illustrator: Marcia Williams
Genre: Legend, Picture Book
Theme(s): Justice, Adventure, Strength, Bravery, Good vs Evil
Opening line/sentence: Times were hard in medieval England. Good King Richard was away fighting the Crusades, and his evil brother Prince John was gaining wealth and power.
Brief Book Summary:
This book is a collection of eleven Robin Hood legends, such as “The Golden Arrow” and “Friar Tuck.” Marcia Williams retells these classic tales in comic book form, each legend having a different color scheme. Robin Hood’s persona and life story is developed throughout the various tales, each adding to his mystique.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Deborah Stevenson (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, May 1995 (Vol. 48, No. 9))
Williams, who very successfully adapted Greek myths into near-comic-strip panel narratives (BCCB 11/92), here gives the Robin Hood legend the same treatment. It's rather a daring move, because kids tend to hold Robin Hood dearer than they do Perseus, but the breezy approach keeps up the pace without cheapening the romantic hero. Most episodes ("Robin of Locksley Becomes an Outlaw," "Robin Gets a Ducking," "Marian Arrives in Sherwood") fit into a single oversized double spread, while the text tells the story straight. Williams' energetic line-and-watercolor illustrations have an appealing slyness to them, including entertaining details such as Robin's peculiar dog, and a multitude of sassy speech balloons offer often-sarcastic banter so there's as much wordplay as swordplay. The format softens the impact of some of the direr deeds of the sheriff and others, so that kids can shed a tear or two over Robin's death without having nightmares about it. Although she's included most of the classic Robin Hood stories, Williams hasn't mentioned her sources; it's a pity she didn't append a reading list either, because this will whet kids' appetites for more. R--Recommended. (c) Copyright 1995, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1995, Candlewick, 26p, $17.95. Grades 2-6.
(PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press (Cambridge Mass.,), PUBLISHED: 1995.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
George Hunt (Books for Keeps No. 102, January 1997)
A very large format picture book which recounts in cartoon strip style the major events in the life and death of Robin Hood and his band. The treatment is light and humorous, with radiantly good goodies and pantomimic baddies, but the historically authentic brutality of the times is not trivialised. This would be a good companion volume to weightier accounts by Sutcliff or Trease. My only reservation lies with the rather cramped arrangement of print under the strips, where erratic line breaks produce a sometimes staccato effect. Category: 5-8 Infant/Junior. Rating: *** (Good). ...., Walker, 32pp, 5.99 pbk. Ages 5 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: 32pp 5.99 pbk., PUBLISHED: Walker)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews take into account the benefits of a comic book style retelling of Robin Hood— it makes even the darkest stories become brighter. However, I agree with Hunt that this book feels cramped. I felt overwhelmed by the density of details in the pictures and printed text. Still, Stevenson is right that the “sassy speech balloons” add humor and clarification to the story.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The Adventures of Robin Hood relies jointly on printed text and illustrations, so it is a decent choice for both visual and verbal learners. Williams created frames surrounding the stories featuring clues of what the story will be about, which is a good way to teach readers how to search for context clues. The speech bubbles (in this book, they are not actually in bubble form) provide clarification of characters’ thought processes as well as humorous jokes.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Williams’ retelling of Robin Hood can serve as a jumping point into a unit on legends. Robin Hood is a rather famous legend, but there are other less well-known legends a class could explore. Students could make trading cards of characters from The Adventures of Robin Hood and other legends they explore (such as Arthurian legend) and have characters from separate literary universes face off based on the strengths written on the cards. Students could then use these duels to inspire new stories which mix characters and make for a more modern take on classic tales. These stories could be created in the style of Williams’ or in any other media.
Author: Marcia Williams
Illustrator: Marcia Williams
Genre: Legend, Picture Book
Theme(s): Justice, Adventure, Strength, Bravery, Good vs Evil
Opening line/sentence: Times were hard in medieval England. Good King Richard was away fighting the Crusades, and his evil brother Prince John was gaining wealth and power.
Brief Book Summary:
This book is a collection of eleven Robin Hood legends, such as “The Golden Arrow” and “Friar Tuck.” Marcia Williams retells these classic tales in comic book form, each legend having a different color scheme. Robin Hood’s persona and life story is developed throughout the various tales, each adding to his mystique.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Deborah Stevenson (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, May 1995 (Vol. 48, No. 9))
Williams, who very successfully adapted Greek myths into near-comic-strip panel narratives (BCCB 11/92), here gives the Robin Hood legend the same treatment. It's rather a daring move, because kids tend to hold Robin Hood dearer than they do Perseus, but the breezy approach keeps up the pace without cheapening the romantic hero. Most episodes ("Robin of Locksley Becomes an Outlaw," "Robin Gets a Ducking," "Marian Arrives in Sherwood") fit into a single oversized double spread, while the text tells the story straight. Williams' energetic line-and-watercolor illustrations have an appealing slyness to them, including entertaining details such as Robin's peculiar dog, and a multitude of sassy speech balloons offer often-sarcastic banter so there's as much wordplay as swordplay. The format softens the impact of some of the direr deeds of the sheriff and others, so that kids can shed a tear or two over Robin's death without having nightmares about it. Although she's included most of the classic Robin Hood stories, Williams hasn't mentioned her sources; it's a pity she didn't append a reading list either, because this will whet kids' appetites for more. R--Recommended. (c) Copyright 1995, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1995, Candlewick, 26p, $17.95. Grades 2-6.
(PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press (Cambridge Mass.,), PUBLISHED: 1995.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
George Hunt (Books for Keeps No. 102, January 1997)
A very large format picture book which recounts in cartoon strip style the major events in the life and death of Robin Hood and his band. The treatment is light and humorous, with radiantly good goodies and pantomimic baddies, but the historically authentic brutality of the times is not trivialised. This would be a good companion volume to weightier accounts by Sutcliff or Trease. My only reservation lies with the rather cramped arrangement of print under the strips, where erratic line breaks produce a sometimes staccato effect. Category: 5-8 Infant/Junior. Rating: *** (Good). ...., Walker, 32pp, 5.99 pbk. Ages 5 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: 32pp 5.99 pbk., PUBLISHED: Walker)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews take into account the benefits of a comic book style retelling of Robin Hood— it makes even the darkest stories become brighter. However, I agree with Hunt that this book feels cramped. I felt overwhelmed by the density of details in the pictures and printed text. Still, Stevenson is right that the “sassy speech balloons” add humor and clarification to the story.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The Adventures of Robin Hood relies jointly on printed text and illustrations, so it is a decent choice for both visual and verbal learners. Williams created frames surrounding the stories featuring clues of what the story will be about, which is a good way to teach readers how to search for context clues. The speech bubbles (in this book, they are not actually in bubble form) provide clarification of characters’ thought processes as well as humorous jokes.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Williams’ retelling of Robin Hood can serve as a jumping point into a unit on legends. Robin Hood is a rather famous legend, but there are other less well-known legends a class could explore. Students could make trading cards of characters from The Adventures of Robin Hood and other legends they explore (such as Arthurian legend) and have characters from separate literary universes face off based on the strengths written on the cards. Students could then use these duels to inspire new stories which mix characters and make for a more modern take on classic tales. These stories could be created in the style of Williams’ or in any other media.
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April 28, 2017This book takes you along a journey of adventures of Robin Hood. Robin Hood was brave and fought the injustice of law. Robin is known best for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Which is a major reason Sheriff of Nottingham wants to catch him.
February 21, 2019
Marcia William's best book so far in my opinion is this book that I am writing about now. In this book all of Robin's adventures take place from The recrutment of Little Jon and Friar Tuck to the death of Robin And his wife Marian. This book is amazing so I sugest you read it now. There are also alot of hilarious pictures that make you laugh your head off
Displaying 1 - 18 of 19 reviews