The Story of Robin Hood

by Robert Leeson, Barbara Lofthouse (Illustrator)

Recounts the life and adventures of Robin Hood, who, with his band of followers, lived as an outlaw dedicated to fighting tyranny

Genres: Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Born in Cheshire in 1928, Robert Leeson was a journalist for forty years, interrupted by army service in Egypt. He began to write for children in the 1960s and has had over 65 books published. In 1985 he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children's literature.
Also published as R.A. Leeson

Reviews

[Child960801]

I read this out loud to the children and we all enjoyed it. Quite readable with lovely pictures. I don't know much about the legends of Robin Hood, so I don't know how true to source material it is, but it was interesting and entertaining.

[Charlie]

Truth, Justice, Courtesy

[Farnz]

"The message of Robin Hood and his followers, that truth, justice, and courtesy, should be defended, if need be against the law, is as valid for the present as for the past." (Leeson 160)

This was a really quick read and interesting enough. However at the beginning, I disliked many characters in the book. In my eyes, Robin Hood was a reckless, cowardly man who would call upon his servants whenever he knew he could not win a fight and who would have constant mood swings. But for all this, he was a man of his word and never hurt a woman. He eventually grew on me. Moreover, even though I did not like Marian, what she said about a women being able to do anything a man can do and then fighting to prove it, earned her my respect. As for Robin Hood's men, at times they were nothing more than brutal thieves but I admire their loyalty. Overall, the characters annoyed me but proved their self worth. I felt like I knew these characters (their virtues and vice). They were well planned out. I also liked the death of spring-summer by autumn-winter represented and enjoyed the illustrations and writing style.

At the end of the day it entertained me and made me feel pity and even sad for the fate of Robin Hood and that is why it earns 4 stars.

[Adam]

Really good book, a different take on the legend of robin hood, never shows why he became an outlaw, he's just an outlaw and that is that

[Daniel]

Great telling of a great story! Very inspiring. Beautifully written, too.

[Nate]

great interesting telling

[Alabama Rose]

This was alright, but I didnt really get into the story and the writing style was not the greatest.