Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children

Originally written for a younger audience, this wonderful retelling of the Old English heroic epic poem Beowulf by master storyteller H. E. Marshall is one of the best introductions to this fine work of classic European mythology. It is without question one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature. Set in Scandinavia, this epic tells the story of Beowulf, a hero of the Geats in Scandinavia, who comes to help Hroðgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall is under attack by a monster known as Grendel. Beowulf slays Grendel, but the monster's mother then also attacks the mead hall in revenge. After another great battle, Beowulf defeats the second monster, and returns home in great glory and becomes king of the Geats. Later in his reign, Beowulf is called upon to battle a dragon. Although he defeats the beast, he is fatally wounded in the struggle, and dies. His people bury the great king in a burial mound in Geatland, and his name passes into legend. H. E. Marshall's clear and concise style make her works easy reading not just for young people, but for all ages, and her books have stood the test of time to become great classics. Her version of Beowulf is no exception.