The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short

Knights' Tales #2

by Gerald Morris, Aaron Renier (Illustrations)

Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur held court with his gallant Knights of the Round Table. Poor Givret, who is easily the shortest man at court, bears the brunt of their jokes. But what he lacks in stature, Givret makes up for in brains—and before he knows it, his quick thinking has landed him a place at the famous Round Table! And so beginneth the exciting and funny adventures of Sir Givret the Short, Brilliant, and Marvelous.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Humor, Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Arthurian

101 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2008

About the author

Gerald Morris is an award-winning author, best known for his retellings of Arthurian legends for preteen and teen readers.

His first series, The Squire's Tales, focuses primarily on a squire named Terence, alongside his knight, Sir Gawain. The ten-book series began with The Squire's Tale, first published in 1998.

His second series, The Knights' Tales, is for younger readers and began with The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, published in 2008, followed by The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short in the same year.

Morris was born in Riverside, California in 1963, the son of Russell A. Morris. He was educated at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Rebecca Hughes, has 3 children, and now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. He also lived for a short time in Oklahoma. Apart from writing, Morris teaches theology and serves as a pastor for church.

Reviews

[Jim Erekson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, I should have been reading the 4th book in this series (Sir Balin the Ill-Fated), but #2 was available in e-book from the library, so here we go.

This parody of Arthurian chivalry tales is fun to read, mostly because the stories don't take themselves so seriously as the original material often so painfully does. Morris easily subverts the ridiculousness of some of the extremes presented in medieval romance, but still gets me to want to follow his story from that ouvre. The jokes and twists feel like authentic folkish material, and I wouldn't be surprised to open up the Aarne Thompson index and find some of these motifs right there in European folk tales from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Entertaining! I'm also interested in looking at some more of Aaron Renier's work after reading this--he's got a good sense for drawing comical characters and I'd like to see some of his graphic novel work.

If I had to compare this work to anything, it would be Danny Kaye's "The Court Jester" (1955). (Which I still can't believe is not on Netflix--c'mon Ted Turner, cut some of your TCM stable loose!). Anyway, after thinking of Court Jester I couldn't think of any more to say about this book... Sorry.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the smile, this felt like a kid-friendly version of Monty Python's Holy Grail.

Part of my reading goal this year includes exploring a couple kids' chapter books. I stumbled upon this title because I'm a fan of the audiobook narrator (Steve West). He does a stellar job with this short, simple, fun book.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, funny, imaginative and thoroughly enjoyable. The underdog always gets the last laugh. Recommend for the child in yourself or actual children.

[Jolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerald Morris hits it out of the park yet again with another wonderful story! The humor is a little more subtle in Sir Givret's story and the lessons to learn a little clearer (less cloaked) but it is still fun to read and I recommend it to young and old alike.

I was not familiar with the story of Sir Givret prior to reading this book but I am so glad I have learned about him now. Givret is actually not yet a knight when the story begins and yet he is wiser than most of the knights. Unfortunately the knights do not listen to him and in fact go so far as to call him a coward while they set off on an a foolhardy quest. Givret is proven correct about the quest and saves the day but only King Arthur recognizes what Givret has done. King Arthur rewards Sir Givret by knighting him and sends him on a quest but poor Sir Givret wonders if he is actually being punished by this new quest as he is basically a babysitter for another foolish knight. He again manages to save the day, I mean the knight, remains humble and ends the story as a thoroughly likeable and very wise knight unlike most of the knights who are part of King Arthur's table. Don't miss this story.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like Morris' Squire's Tales series, this book chooses to retell an Arthurian story from a side character's perspective. Unfortunately, it also has that big flaw of ST: Morris Caricature Syndrome, where he feels like he needs to justify this change by making the former protagonists—in this case, Erec and Enide—into annoying idiots.

To be fair, it's not as aggressively bad as ST can be at its worst, and the comedic kiddie tone helps. But I kind of wonder what the message is supposed to be. The moral of "Erec and Enide" is that Erec should listen to his wife, but since Morris characterizes her as a vain chatterbox, it feels a bit like a mixed message. Givret getting respect despite his height is set up but not really focused on, and he's basically an OC compared to the Guivret character in the original story, who was a badass warrior king despite being a dwarf. Also, I just don't think Morris' version of this tale is particularly funny or interesting.

Anyway, it's not as good as the Lancelot book, but the actual target audience (middle school kids who don't know much about Arthuriana) will probably be open to it than my nitpicky adult self.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The legend of King Arthur is a very appealing one, and lots of people attempt to cash in on it. Some do it better than others. This is the case of the latter instance. Sir Givret is one of the lesser known knights of the Round Table. He is smart, thoughtful, and short. He helps out a lot of people while fulfilling his quest as a new knight. Lots of humor and adventure. Easy to read. My biggest issue with this book is that it mixes even more unknowns into the Arthurian legend than already exist and I think it would be really hard for a kid to tell which is which. I think it is important to keep the legend more "pure" for lack of a better word.

[Clara! · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Morris of height diversity. I do love how Morris shows how swordplay isn’t all that, but wisdom, patience, and dry humor IS all that. The best characters (excluding Arthur and Gawain) are usually those who are poor swordsmen.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are some very charming and nice Knight adventures for children.

Being a child who's just grown very very old, I can still appreciate such tales.
Also I just happen to love knights - especially the unrealistic, sympathetic and chivalrous Arthurian knights.

[Tess Jones-Orta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous but slightly inappropriate for younger kids

[GoatRobe]

Ditto

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short is the second book in Gerald Morris's Knights' Tales series, and it is more enjoyable than the first installment, The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great. Sir Givret's tale is charming and relatable, with a protagonist who stands out for his intelligence and normalcy rather than traditional heroics. This makes the story feel more grounded and accessible.

The book is a quick read, perfect for children who enjoy humor and adventure, or for parents to read aloud to their elementary or preteen kids. The chapters are short, making it easy to read in segments, and the illustrations by Aaron Renier add to the book's appeal. It’s well worth the time for parents and children to enjoy together.

For adults, The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short can serve as light, entertaining fluff, even without the company of kids. However, the book's brevity and silliness may make it less satisfying for adult readers seeking more depth. Nonetheless, its humor and charm make it a delightful read for the right audience.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

While ostensibly we follow the titular Sir Givret around, this story is actually mostly a retelling of de Troyes' Erec and Enide romance. Some of Erec's original deeds are given to Givret, but mostly Givret goes around fixing sticky situations by being clever. He is actually a minor character from the original poem, given a starring role here. The most memorable part of the Erec and Enide story is when Erec takes her with him on a quest but orders her not to speak because he is angry about the rumor that he's given up being a knight to stay at home with her. She disobeys several times to warn him of danger. Eventually lessons are learned about sometimes someone's worth lying beyond their appearance, that cleverness can solve problems without fighting, and that married couples should listen to and respect one another.

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Givret is often overlooked until he helps King Arthur out of a sticky situation. Rewarded for his quick thinking with knighthood, Sir Givret the Short sets out on his first quest. Along the way he encounters an evil count, a talkative lady, a hapless knight, and a curious peddler. In each situation Sir Givret uses his quick thinking to avoid disaster and earn respect throughout the kingdom. Morris brings his Arthurian tales to the young readers with simple chapters, lively text, and interesting characters. Full page and small in-text illustrations in simple black ink add to the stories charm.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Givret is a brilliant, underestimated, loyal knight who avoids fights with his wits when he can help it. His adventures revolve largely around helping mishaps of his friends. Givret is a faithful friend indeed.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great hit with our family!

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series so much.

[Lisa Beth Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! My kids and I loved it! It was funny and just a great story.

[Allyson Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think is one is my favorite. Because the Knight uses logic and his people skills to get things done. Not just swords and fighting.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite knight, but not my favorite story.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun and entertaining series. Highly recommend for reluctant readers and those that love the medieval time period.

[Lagobond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unreasonably entertaining. Clever, funny, beautifully written. I love this series so much.

[Carla May · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read aloud for me, my 8 year old and my 5 year old!

[Wynona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the medieval times period.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to the kids. They are enjoying these stories. They are sweet and funny and cute.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun and quick read about King Arthur’s knights.

[the_bookish_took · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reread from long ago—this one I remember nothing about. Only knew that I enjoyed this series as a kid. Delighted to find that I'm enjoying them again!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Givret is smart and puts up with too much, otherwise this was just an amusing addition to the series, but not a favorite. Quickly got over the constant beauty contest storylines.

[Anu Warrier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gerald Morris has done it again! With his quirky sense of myths and legends, and tongue in cheek humour, he brings to life the court of King Arthur and his knights, in yet another hilarious adventure. While they have nothing to do with the story, except to provide the setting, the king and his better-known knights such as Lancelot and Galahad often make a walk-through appearance in his books, though the starring parts are handed out to characters plucked out of his own imagination.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Gerald Morris’ writing ever since my eyes fell on his Squire’s Tales, the first of which I picked up for my elder son a couple of years ago, and truth be told, enjoyed quite as much as he did. In fact, after that first book, I borrowed every other title I could find in subsequent visits, so I could read them first. His irreverence is contagious.

The entertaining Knight’s Tales series are equally good, written as they are for younger readers. This, The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short, the second in the series, is laced with his trademark humour, though the tales are shorter and simpler, keeping in mind his target audience (Ages 4 - 8). Aaron Renier’s illustrations are in keeping with the quirkiness of the tale.

Givret is short, and therefore bears the brunt of the court’s jests. However, when every one is quick to take up a seemingly innocuous quest, he is the only one who has the intelligence to see that the completion of the quest may not be such a good thing after all. Recognising Givret’s foresight, when he sees the resultant chaos, King Arthur makes Givret a knight, much to the bewildered amusement of the Knights of the Round Table.

Wanting to know what Givret should be called, when he is a knight of the Round table, Arthur is upset when a fellow knight, amidst much merriment, says ‘Call him ‘Sir Givret the Short’. The king wants to call Givret ‘Sir Givret the Brilliant’ and he is taken aback when the new knight, not a whit out of countenance, admits to preferring ‘short’ as a tag. Givret's explanation? It is an easier tag to live up to, because “… he cannot promise to be always ‘brilliant’.”

Immediately after knighting Givret, King Arthur sends him on a quest – to save an erstwhile colleague. Sir Givret is a reluctant hero and would rather fight dragons than save his fellow-knight, since, in his opinion, his colleague “is an idiot”. However, his King is unwilling to listen to him and thus, start Givret’s comical adventures. He seems to spend much of his time trying to save his fellow knight and his beauteous lady, both of whom have a tendency to fall from the frying pan into the fire, having more courage than brain, and it is interesting to notice how he comes to the conclusion that there is place for both in the world.

And so, Givret continues on his madcap adventures, and at the end of them, he is called Givret the Wise, Givret the Brilliant, and Givret the Marvellous (read the book to find out why) though his adventures have only strengthened his opinion that Givret the Short is the best tag he can have.

Add a herald who loves to use big words, a peddler who sells useless stuff such as finger bowls and salad forks, knowing full well that people will buy the most useless things as long as he can convince them that it is the latest fashion, a villainous count with a weakness for beautiful ladies and a superstitious fear of enchanters, and an enchanter who is not what he seems, and you have a simply un-put-down-able book that affectionately mocks the classic legends of courage, even as it imitates them.

Overall, a book worth reading, and one that tells children, without preaching that battles are not always won on the battlefield.

(First published on curledup.com)

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short (Knights' Tales #2) by Gerald Morris is a tale of a little-known Kinght of the Round Table who thinks before he acts and who solves problems using clever solutions.

As the story begins Givret is not a knight. When King Arthur's knights hear of the legend of hunting the white stag and the rewards that catching it would bring, Grivet counsels against hunting the stag. Many consider this cowardice. When the rest of the knights leave on their quest, Givret volunteers to remain near the castle to protect Queen Guinevere.

Sir Yoder arrives in the kingdom and mistakenly insults the Queen. When one of the King's knights, Sir Erec, hears of the insult, he sets off after Sir Yoder (to Scotland) to cleanse Queen Guinevere's name.
When the rest of the knights and the King return, Givret tells of the story. Because Givret used his intelligence to dispatch Sir Yoder, King Arthur grants knighthood upon Givret, much to the amusement and bewilderment of the remaining Knights of the Roundtable.

King Arthur gives Givret a quest. He must follow after Sir Erec to Scotland. Though small in stature and not known for his brute strength, Givret the Short proves to the rest of the knights that being brave and true means more than simply fighting a foe with brute strength, and that thought, reason and cleverness can save the day.

The text uses the Arthurian legend and setting to tell this story of thought and cleverness.

Aaron Renier's illustrations add humor.

This humorous tale of adventure, knights and quests will attract beginning chapter-book readers. It has a positive massage of solving problems through thinking and planning rather than brute strength and fighting. As useful as this story may be, I wish that Morris had concentrated on tales of the major knights first, rather than bringing in such an unknown knight's tale and his supposed quests so early in the series. (In a brief search I couldn't find any mention of Givret with that spelling.) Although I think the illustrations seem overly exaggerated and don't care for some of the expressions, the target audience will likely find them amusing. Readers should still enjoy this tale.

For grades 2 to 4, knights, King Arthur, adventure, fantasy, chapterbook, humor, easy chapterbooks, and fans of Gerald Morris and Aaron Renier.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

THE ADVENTURES OF SIR GIVRET THE SHORT is the second story in the entertaining THE KNIGHTS' TALES series. However, the reader does not have to have read THE ADVENTURES OF SIR LANCELOT THE GREAT to understand or enjoy this story. It is able to stand alone on its own content.

When we first meet Givret, he is simply Givret, not a knight. When King Arthur's knights hear of the legend of hunting the white stag and the rewards that catching it would bring, all of them, but for Givret, leave on their quest. Givret volunteers to remain in the castle to protect Queen Guinevere.

All should be quiet, but the traveling Sir Yoder arrives in the kingdom and mistakenly insults the Queen. When one of the King's knights, Sir Erec, hears of the insult, he sets off after Sir Yoder (to Scotland) to cleanse Queen Guinevere's name.

When the rest of the knights and the King return, Givret tells of the story. Because Givret used his intelligence to dispatch Sir Yoder, King Arthur grants knighthood upon Givret, much to the amusement and bewilderment of the remaining Knights of the Roundtable.

Upon knighthood, King Arthur gives Givret a quest. He must follow after Sir Erec to Scotland. Though small in stature and not known for his brute strength, Givret the Short (later to be called Givret the Wise or simply Givret the Marvelous - you have to read the story to learn about THAT one!), Givret proves to the rest of the knights that being brave and true means more than simply fighting a foe with brute strength.

Mr. Morris, aided with the entertaining illustrations by Mr. Renier, writes a quirky tale for young readers to enjoy. Using the King Arthur characters and setting, Mr. Morris lets readers know that thinking things through can oftentimes provide the result that is desired. Brute strength doesn't always solve problems. Sir Givret is different from the rest of the knights, but it's his difference that saves the day in the end...many times!