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Paul Revere's Ride: The Landlord's Tale
Longfellow’s classic poem of this historic ride is brought to life through animated illustrations capturing the emotions of the period when the British militia arrived in Boston Harbor, which led to the start of the American Revolution.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2003
About the author
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
2,975 books739 followersAn extremely popular American poet in his own lifetime, Longfellow's best-known works include
The Song of Hiawatha
(1855), a translation of the
Divine Comedy
by Dante Alighieri, done in 1864-67, Paul Revere's Ride and Evangeline. He's one of the New England poets now typically referred to as the Fireside Poets.
Longfellow graduated from Bowdoin College in 1825, and after studying in Europe for several years subsequently became Bowdoin's professor of modern languages and librarian. After further study in Europe, he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts to become professor of modern languages at Harvard in 1836. Meanwhile, Mary Potter Longfellow, his first wife, had died in 1835, following a miscarriage.
His first published collections of poetry were Voices of the Night (1839) and Ballads and Other Poems (1841). In 1854, he retired from teaching to focus on his writing. His second wife, Frances Appleton Longfellow, died in 1861 of burns sustained when her dress caught fire. After her death, for some time Longfellow had difficulty writing original poetry, and focused on translations from foreign languages.
Longfellow wrote lyric poetry noted for its musicality, and often presented stories of mythology and legend. He frequently imitated European poetic styles (and his work was popular in Europe in his day, as well as in the U.S.). As a Romantic poet, he seeks primarily to express and to evoke emotion in his poetry.
Longfellow graduated from Bowdoin College in 1825, and after studying in Europe for several years subsequently became Bowdoin's professor of modern languages and librarian. After further study in Europe, he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts to become professor of modern languages at Harvard in 1836. Meanwhile, Mary Potter Longfellow, his first wife, had died in 1835, following a miscarriage.
His first published collections of poetry were Voices of the Night (1839) and Ballads and Other Poems (1841). In 1854, he retired from teaching to focus on his writing. His second wife, Frances Appleton Longfellow, died in 1861 of burns sustained when her dress caught fire. After her death, for some time Longfellow had difficulty writing original poetry, and focused on translations from foreign languages.
Longfellow wrote lyric poetry noted for its musicality, and often presented stories of mythology and legend. He frequently imitated European poetic styles (and his work was popular in Europe in his day, as well as in the U.S.). As a Romantic poet, he seeks primarily to express and to evoke emotion in his poetry.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 6, 2025
This version is my favorite! Love the illustrations.
Planning a trip to Boston? We just visited and saw several historical sites mentioned in the book: watch my reel!
Ages: 6 - 10
Content Considerations: "bl**dy" is used to mean lots of blood.
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Planning a trip to Boston? We just visited and saw several historical sites mentioned in the book: watch my reel!
Ages: 6 - 10
Content Considerations: "bl**dy" is used to mean lots of blood.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
March 24, 2019
The illustrations tell a story of their own. This was wonderfully done!
April 19, 2025
We've had this book for a long time and I love it, the illustrations are SO minutely detailed and gorgeous. We read it last night (April 18th) for the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride! 🙂
November 10, 2008
Non-fiction - poetry
For 2nd grade and up
Longfellow's classic Revolutionary War poem, full of patriotism, rhyme and action, is accompanied by lush and atmospheric illustrations.
Lashings of history and patriotism are complimented by the moonlit and candlelit illustrations, and the rhythmic meter of the poem is echoed in the scenes showing Paul Revere riding across the colonial landscape. The illustrations do a magnificent job of bringing the world of the poem to life, from the ship with "a huge black bulk, that was magnified/ By its own reflection in the tide" to the close-up illustration of impatient horse and rider awaiting the signal lamps in the belfry. The perspectives are often refreshingly unusual and vary from page to page, as rectangles of text are imposed above the illustrations that take up every other inch of space. The rich midnight blues and splashes of light are only broken at the end, for a daylight battle scene and a final spread of Revere and his horse becoming the stuff of legend and riding through pinkish clouds into a night sky. Santore's note on his illustration process shows the research that went into many of the details; both poem and illustrations would compliment a study of the Revolutionary period for younger readers.
School Library Journal's review notes the match of content and style, saying "Each illustration conveys a tremendous sense of forward movement, not only from Revere's horse as he presses ever onward, but also from the body movements of the colonists as they rouse themselves for battle." It also points out that this version could be studied along with others, and "it should serve as a point of comparison, as a means of introducing young listeners to the many possibilities an artist faces when interpreting a classic piece of literature." Booklist's review compares this version to others, and notes that the "dynamic paintings seem barely contained within the edges of the pages" and "thrust the viewer right into the action."
For 2nd grade and up
Longfellow's classic Revolutionary War poem, full of patriotism, rhyme and action, is accompanied by lush and atmospheric illustrations.
Lashings of history and patriotism are complimented by the moonlit and candlelit illustrations, and the rhythmic meter of the poem is echoed in the scenes showing Paul Revere riding across the colonial landscape. The illustrations do a magnificent job of bringing the world of the poem to life, from the ship with "a huge black bulk, that was magnified/ By its own reflection in the tide" to the close-up illustration of impatient horse and rider awaiting the signal lamps in the belfry. The perspectives are often refreshingly unusual and vary from page to page, as rectangles of text are imposed above the illustrations that take up every other inch of space. The rich midnight blues and splashes of light are only broken at the end, for a daylight battle scene and a final spread of Revere and his horse becoming the stuff of legend and riding through pinkish clouds into a night sky. Santore's note on his illustration process shows the research that went into many of the details; both poem and illustrations would compliment a study of the Revolutionary period for younger readers.
School Library Journal's review notes the match of content and style, saying "Each illustration conveys a tremendous sense of forward movement, not only from Revere's horse as he presses ever onward, but also from the body movements of the colonists as they rouse themselves for battle." It also points out that this version could be studied along with others, and "it should serve as a point of comparison, as a means of introducing young listeners to the many possibilities an artist faces when interpreting a classic piece of literature." Booklist's review compares this version to others, and notes that the "dynamic paintings seem barely contained within the edges of the pages" and "thrust the viewer right into the action."
Read
March 23, 2015Nice illustrations.
April 11, 2023
We read this book before a visit to the Wayside Inn restaurant in Massachusetts. I chose this book rather than all the other children's book versions of this poem at our local library because of its subtitle -- which is the original title of the poem. I was hoping that this book might discuss some of the backstory behind the poem, and I was not disappointed. I also appreciated that the artist used historical sources to add authenticity to his paintings.
August 16, 2018
When the writing is already done for them I rate the art and Santore is a MASTER
October 29, 2019
Beautiful paintings/ illustrations.
April 19, 2021
The illustrator's work makes the famous American poem by Longfellow come alive! An absolute must read for all American children.
June 7, 2026
My 4 year old would give this 15-hundred stars if he could he told me.
July 16, 2026
I’m pretty sure this book was in my school library growing up.
The familiar poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow along with some beautiful illustrations.
The familiar poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow along with some beautiful illustrations.
September 6, 2023
Poetry
3rd-6th grade
I enjoyed this book because of the way it took the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and added detailed images. The poem itself is beautifully written, explaining in great detail the daring, adventurous ride of Paul Revere. The excellent writing is highlighted and expanded upon by the illustrations, which give even more depth to the story being told. This was a very entertaining read.
3rd-6th grade
I enjoyed this book because of the way it took the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and added detailed images. The poem itself is beautifully written, explaining in great detail the daring, adventurous ride of Paul Revere. The excellent writing is highlighted and expanded upon by the illustrations, which give even more depth to the story being told. This was a very entertaining read.
February 24, 2014
Description: The British are coming and Paul Revere sets out on his historic journey to warn his countrymen and set his place in history.
Genre: Poetry
Intended Audience: 2nd Grade - 8th Grade
Curriculum Connection: As a US History teacher I would definitely add this to a lesson the Revolutionary War. In the 6th Grade curriculum, Paul Revere is a key individual that the students need to know. This poem is a classic, but with the illustrations, a good overall picture is presented to the students.
Personal Reaction: I am personally interested in history and love when it is integrated into literature for young children. Since it was the original poem, I found some of the language and phrasing difficult for young readers to follow. They would understand the story starting at maybe 2nd grade, but the older grades would be better able to understand reading alone.
Assessment of Visual Appeal: The pictures filled the pages and used bold deep colors since the action is taking place at night. They are captivating images and each is mid movement so you can see the urgency of the characters' actions that the illustrator is trying to portray.
Genre: Poetry
Intended Audience: 2nd Grade - 8th Grade
Curriculum Connection: As a US History teacher I would definitely add this to a lesson the Revolutionary War. In the 6th Grade curriculum, Paul Revere is a key individual that the students need to know. This poem is a classic, but with the illustrations, a good overall picture is presented to the students.
Personal Reaction: I am personally interested in history and love when it is integrated into literature for young children. Since it was the original poem, I found some of the language and phrasing difficult for young readers to follow. They would understand the story starting at maybe 2nd grade, but the older grades would be better able to understand reading alone.
Assessment of Visual Appeal: The pictures filled the pages and used bold deep colors since the action is taking place at night. They are captivating images and each is mid movement so you can see the urgency of the characters' actions that the illustrator is trying to portray.
June 28, 2011
Paul Revere’s Ride-The Landlord’s Tale is the most beautifully illustrated depiction of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem that I have ever seen. Lavishly illustrated by Charles Santore, this 40 page hardcover book is a must have for every family who wants to share American history with their children. This book will fast become a favorite night time read and be a wonderful springboard for telling the history of the founding of our country. I just happened to be fortunate enough to find a copy of this book through Christian Book Distributors. It is well worth looking for.
June 26, 2011
Unbelievable illustrations. Double page illustrations for each stanza or two. Our older girls are memorizing this poem and looking at the illustrations as we recite the poem makes the process more enjoyable for them.
Read
August 11, 2009This was a great way to mix poetry and art. The illustrations were amazing and Longfellow's classic lines together made a wonderful book.
December 3, 2012
I as a grown up really liked this book. My 6 year old only liked the pictures and thought the poem went on a little long. Overall I think my 11 year old liked it better.
July 9, 2021
A brilliant American classic.
July 18, 2019
This is a nice edition; I seek out children’s books illustrated by Ted Rsnd.
Want to Read
July 29, 2019CURRICULUM: RR/Classics
April 30, 2017
Beautifully illustrated version of Longfellow's poem
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews