Someone asked about which Robin Hood book to use with their young children on a discussion board that I am on. I decided to copy most of my answer here as well:
I’m not as picky about unabridged vs abridged with Robin Hood books as they are all based on ballads and tales so there’s not one definitive version (in that sense). We have three good versions in our house.
Robin Hood DK Illustrated Classic – Neil Philip
I like starting this one as it gives an in depth story, beyond the Disney version anyway! It also has information, in typical DK style, down each margin about historical things of the period. Other pages scattered throughout are devoted to topics of interest, such as King Richard and the Crusades, the Feudal system, portrayals of Robin Hood (in movies and plays) throughout history.
I like starting this one as it gives an in depth story, beyond the Disney version anyway! It also has information, in typical DK style, down each margin about historical things of the period. Other pages scattered throughout are devoted to topics of interest, such as King Richard and the Crusades, the Feudal system, portrayals of Robin Hood (in movies and plays) throughout history.
Picking this up again for a quick flick to review, I think we will leave it out for a while 
The Adventures of Robin Hood – Roger Lancellyn Green
Puffin or Penguin Classic
Puffin or Penguin Classic
My eldest son enjoyed this one the most. After getting a taste for Robin Hood with the DK book, he wanted to know more details about Robin, the man and his exploits. Now 11, he read this version two or three years ago. I still remember him stopping, quoting sections from the book to me and then going on with his reading.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood – Howard Pyle.
Interestingly, I bought this one first! My eldest tried this one out at 6 or 7 and found the "thee"s and "thou"s too hard. As he had enthusiasm for Robin Hood, I searched out the easier books for him. He would probably be alright with it now so I might try him on this one again soon. Pyle has great passages of prose and the most detail of all the versions. I must confess that I haven’t read this one from cover to cover. From what I have skimmed through and others have said, it is worth getting.
Interestingly, I bought this one first! My eldest tried this one out at 6 or 7 and found the "thee"s and "thou"s too hard. As he had enthusiasm for Robin Hood, I searched out the easier books for him. He would probably be alright with it now so I might try him on this one again soon. Pyle has great passages of prose and the most detail of all the versions. I must confess that I haven’t read this one from cover to cover. From what I have skimmed through and others have said, it is worth getting.
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