WIZARD OF WIND & ROCK

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1990. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/As New. Laura Marshall. CONDITION: UNREAD 1990 Atheneum hard cover (gold foil title front board) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. DJ has been price-clipped. Wonderful, bright color illustrations by Laura Marshall. The story of the boy Merlin and how he found his magic. CONTENT: A retelling in modern language and picture-book format of Merlin's childhood. Inevitably, the local children tease him for his lack of a father, and he is forced to seek friends among the creatures of the forest and hillside. The chieftain Vortigern seizes the English throne during this period (mid fifth century) and attempts to hold it with the aid of Jutish mercenaries, but they force him into exile in Wales. He is told by his magicians that only the blood of a fatherless boy can provide him the fortress he needs. Merlin's mother, unaware of the danger, agrees to take him to Vortigern's camp. At a critical point, Merlin realizes his magical powers and reveals to Vortigern the would-be king's overthrow and the rise of King Arthur. Among the strengths of this presentation are the brilliantly colored, textured illustrations, the humor in the characters' faces, and the accurate depiction of details of the Celtic setting. The story is one that has not been overexposed through numerous retellings, and a note of reverence for the land will strike a chord in youthful environmentalists. K-3.