This image is the cover for the book Adventures of Sir Givret the Short, The Knights' Tales

Adventures of Sir Givret the Short, The Knights' Tales

“With his quirky sense of myth and legend and tongue-in-cheek humor, [Morris] brings to life the court of King Arthur and his knights.” —Curled Up with a Good Kid’s Book

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.

“Brush and ink illustrations, both full-page and vignettes, are scattered throughout, adding interest to the humorous story line. The combination of a peddler with a long, hooded black cloak; an evil, self-proclaimed count; a young woman who talks too much, or just enough; and a reckless young knight out to prove himself results in an entertaining tale that is sure to please young readers enamored with medieval derring-do.” —School Library Journal

“This is often quite funny, and just exciting enough to capture the attention of budding young Arthur-philes.” —Booklist

Gerald Morris, Aaron Renier

When Gerald Morris was in fifth grade he loved Greek and Norse mythology and before long was retelling the stories to his younger sister and then to neighborhood kids. He began carrying a notebook in which he kept some of the details related to the different stories. The joy he found in retelling those myths continued when he discovered other stories. According to Gerald Morris, “I never lost my love of retelling the old stories. When I found Arthurian literature, years later, I knew at once that I wanted to retell those grand tales. So I pulled out my notebook . . . I retell the tales, peopling them with characters that I at least find easier to recognize, and let the magic of the Arthurian tradition go where it will.” Gerald Morris lives in Wausau, Wisconsin, with his wife and their three children. In addition to writing he serves as a minister in a church.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (www.hmhco.com)