A wonderful retelling of the Old English Classic-- Liner notes detail the research Rumford did into the legendary epic itself, as well as the linguistics behind the history of english that are very much a part of the modern student's study of the tale. The language is strong and dynamic, luscious and poetic, with- more amazingly- Rumford using only english words derived from anglo saxon-- (with the exception of 3 words from old norse). The dark and powerful retelling mirrors the language of a storyteller, and is enhanced by Rumford's own illustrations-- muted blues and green and grays that evoke misty, sunless lands of northern europe. Celtic knots and ancient symbols float in the people, clothing and landscape, ripped open by the occasional brilliant black, gold or red, where the curve of the dragon's tail mirrors the prow of a viking ship. Please understand, I never liked this poem as a highschool student who had to study it in english class. But this is different--a fabulous retelling of the ancient classic, full of action and power and made accessible to kids today. strong recommendation for upper elementary and older.
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