ROBIN IN THE GREENWOOD: Ballads of Robin Hood

Ballads, but without the musical arrangements that accompany the Malcolmson Song of Robin Hood (1947) and offering fewer (twelve instead of eighteen) adventures albeit in idioms closer to the original. Serraillier begins with ""Among the Lily-Flower,"" recounting the birth of Robin Hood in the greenwood, and introduces two poems not contained in the Malcolmson collection; the others do appear in the earlier volume, although the two versions usually vary, and Serraillier combines ""The Bishop of Hereford"" and ""The Bishop Who Danced in his Boots"" into one ballad. This Robin Hood requires a more sophisticated reader who will find traditional flavor and substance. Ambrus' illustrations add vigor though this hasn't nearly the distinctive appearance of the Malcolmson.