Robin Hood

There's always room for a skillful variation on a classic tale, as Early (William Tell) demonstrates by matching condensed versions of well-known tales about Robin Hood with suitably ""medieval"" art. Fourteen one-page episodes sketch the high points of the legendary outlaw's career, from ""How Robin Hood Became an Outlaw"" through his meeting with Little John, the marriage of Alan a'Dale and the visit of a disguised King Richard to Robin's camp. (No source is given, although all these dramas will be familiar to anyone who has read Howard Pyle's The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood.) Facing the stories, and tied to them by matching borders, are the illustrations. Their style evokes medieval illuminated manuscripts, complete with gold highlights, patterned backgrounds, flat perspective and stiff, posed figures. Detailed and richly colored, they should suit this book's primary audience--not children, though they may enjoy having the stories read to them, but those adults who are already familiar with the Robin Hood cycle and who appreciate lavish, gift-book presentations. All ages. (May)