Robin Hood Stories

by William Kottmeyer

Book by Kottman, Wm

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

William Kottmeyer has served in the St. Louis Public Schools as teacher, principal, reading specialist, and superintendent. A nationally recognized educational innovator, Dr. Kottmeyer has created a wide variety of basic language-skills materials.

Reviews

[Óscar Daniel]

"Don't be silly", said Robin. " I can put an arrow between your ribs before you lift that cudgel."

Sin más, una historia de aventuras entretenida y rápida de leer. La valoro como el clásico que es, el que rompió con el esquema de héroe perfecto. Las pequeñas historias que acontecen, aunque pueden llegar a ser repetitivas, le van conformando una identidad al grupo de ladrones que acompañarán al protagonista.

Esta serie de cuentos (que más bien son una novela corta) propone a un tipo de protagonista más real y con defectos, razón por la cual es importante dentro de la cultura infantil. La trama no tiene, sin embargo, la fuerza que sí tienen otras historias, y el planteamiento inicial se va diluyendo entre las historias secundarias conforme avanza la lectura.

3,5 / 5

[Lauren]

Stories about Robin Hood are, and will always be, some of my most cherished childhood stories. :) So it was quite interesting reading it now that I am older. I won't waste time explaining what Robin Hood is about... if you or I can't remember what it is, then it's probably time to read it again! ;)

While I was reading, something surprised me: the stories were a lot more violent that I expected. I know the Robin Hood stories well, so it wasn't surprising to me that Robin Hood and his merry men were often fighting each other/bad guys. But there was something odd about it-- the violence was written so casually, the fights started so trivially. For example, at one point Robin and his men are playing a game, and if you lose, you get punched in the face. That would not be a game I would want to play! Another example is the many times Robin Hood meets an unknown man in the forest. They begin by exchanging a few words, in which one insignificantly insults the other, and then they start to fight. Sometimes with sticks, sometimes with swords, and usually with much enthusiasm. If the fight is against a good guy/soon-to-be-Merry-Man, then Robin will win or lose (it's about a 50/50 chance) and the two men will walk off jovially laughing. And of course, if the fight is with a bad guy, then Robin Hood will eventually win and the bad guys eventually lose (there may be a pause in their battle or a distraction that will weaken Robin, but he will eventually win).

The violence is inevitable in any fight against a bad guys--Robin has to protect himself. But what about the violence between Robin and other good guys? I do understand that the idea is that they are winning each others' trust. But I know that if I was in their position, I would not feel that way! If I was silly enough to get in a fight like them, after the battle (whether I'd won or lost) I'd feel grudgingly impressed and bruised, and I'd walk off. I wouldn't become immediate friends like Robin/his fellows do! Maybe I'd become friends with my opponent after I'd recovered... but not directly after a fight.

Perhaps I'm looking at this in the wrong way. Maybe it's just a male thing: I punch you, you punch me, now let's me friends! ;)

[Sarah]

Lovely collection of short stories for young readers featuring my all-time favorite hero, Robin Hood. Picked up this 68 yo treasure at a used book sale but never got around to reading it. Can’t wait to share it with the kiddos.