3 Great Arthurian Legends for kids
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated March 22, 2024
Sometimes it can be hard to find Arthurian Legends for kids that are age appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students. Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur” is an excellent resource, but a bit high level for most students. Luckily, there are many modern retellings that still manage to capture all of magic and wonder inherent in these tales. Below I share 3 of my all time favorite Arthurian Legends for kids.
For some no-prep resources for your next Arthurian Legends unit, be sure to check out the resources in my TPT shop – simply click on the image or button below!
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What are Arthurian legends?
Arthurian Legends are a group of stories that tell the tales of Arthur, a legendary king in Ancient Britain. While there are many different versions of the legends, most focus on the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere (Arthur’s wife), and Arthur himself. Arthur is often depicted as a king with flaws, making him relatable to readers. Some of the more well know stories revolve around the relationship between Guinevere and Sir Lancelot, Arthur’s mystical sword Excalibur, and the quest for the Holy Grail.
Looking for some ways to introduce Arthurian Legends for kids in your classroom? Check out our post on Arthurian Legend Activities!
Arthurian legends for kids – Favorite legends to read aloud
While my list of favorite Arthurian Legends for kids is extensive, I have whittled it down to the three I find most engaging for upper elementary and middle school learners. All of these stories maintain the magic and wonder of the original tales, but with language and length more suitable for younger students.
Merlin and the Dragons by Jane Yolen
When young Arthur can’t sleep due to disturbing dreams, Merlin tells him the story of two battling dragons. This is a longer picture book, so it is great for upper elementary and middle school students. The pictures in the book are absolutely stunning.
The Kitchen Knight by Margaret Hodges
In this legend, Sir Gareth must save a princess from an evil red knight. This is a fairly typical heroic story with a brave knight and a damsel in distress. It makes for a great classroom discussion about the way females are often depicted as weak individuals unable to save themselves. The text is accessible and engaging, and the illustrations are gorgeous.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Michael Morpurgo
This is a chapter style book that retells the classic legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. This book is a great choice if you are looking for a longer and more extensive read aloud. I love it because it retains all of the key elements of the original legend, made accessible to younger learners.
For additional information about classroom read alouds, check out our guide to planning success and our tips for keeping students accountable during reading time!
Looking for some additional activities for your Arthurian Legends Unit
Click on the images below to check out the Arthurian Legends activities I have available in my TPT shop! All of the resources are no-prep and designed specifically for upper elementary and middle school learners!
Looking for a FREE activity for your Arthurian Legends unit?
Click here or on the image below to snag these FREE discussion question cards from my TPT shop. They make a great classroom warmup or review activity!
Interested in more information on Arthurian legends, and ways to use them in the classroom?
Check out my previous post on Arthurian Legends here.
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