Creswick, Paul. Robin Hood. Illus. N.C. Wyeth. New York: Atheneum, 2003. $18.95. ISBN 0-689-85467-6.
The re-release of books illustrated by Wyeth is cause for celebration --and an opportunity to add a handsome edition such as Robin Hood to your own library or to introduce some new child to this long-lasting legend. Wyeth's oils are so dynamic the people seem to jump off the page, vigorous and vividly personalized. The scenes—villages, forests, etc. are exact and detailed and convey information about life in those times. Creswick does a fine job, telling the story at a swift pace yet retaining medieval overtones by, e.g. using no contractions and by lengthening syntax, but not so as to slow the pace. The story itself is perennially rousing and unambiguous. Interestingly, a couple of books for YA have been published recently telling the story from Marian's point of view—and she's not your mother's Marian. See other reviews at on our site.