The 22 illustrations that accompany my story were painted by the distinguished Canadian artist, Laszlo Gal, whose own unique visions of Grendel, Grendel's haggish mother, and the mighty dragon whom Wiglaf must help Beowulf kill, will stay with the reader for a long, long time.

Comments on publication of Beowulf:

"...graceful prose retelling... completely absorbing."
--American Library Association, Booklists, December 1, 1999

"Welwyn Wilton Katz's prose retelling of this poem is, quite simply, stunning."
-- Globe and Mail, October 2, 1999

"If this book is your first introduction to Beowulf, I can see it making for a long and fond acquaintance."
-- Quill & Quire, July 1999, starred review

"Will have readers on the edge."
-- The Toronto Star, October 31, 1999

"This is an absorbing, well-realized retelling of Beowulf, a welcome version for young children not yet familiar with this timeless epic to read and savour, or to listen to enthralled."
-- Books in Canada, October 1999

"The Katz-Gal Beowulf should become the standard version for a young audience. It's enthralling to read to older children, and is captivating for teens. But it reawakens the power of this old story for all readers."
--Canadian Children Literature, no. 97, vol. 26:1

"In this beloved retelling of a legendary epic, young readers follow the adventures of Beowulf, Wiglaf, and Aelfhere, all of whom are endowed with a different magical ability. Far from a gift, their magic is actually a terrible burden. Beowulf’s superhuman strength makes him clumsy and even overpowers his own weapons. Aelfhere’s ability to read minds reveals disturbing truths. And Wiglaf’s life-like dreams foretell disaster. Welwyn Wilton Katz recounts the Beowulf legend from the point of view of Wiglaf, who hears about Beowulf’s many adventures: the seven-day swim in which he kills nine monsters, the battle in the mead hall with the wicked troll Grendel, the underwater struggle with the sea serpents, and the confrontation with Grendel’s evil mother. Wiglaf doesn’t just hear about adventure — he even participates in the final battle with a dragon. Laszlo Gal’s magnificent paintings, vividly reproduced in the pages of this rich book, are some of his finest work. Based on the art of the Vikings, they have the brilliant color and sinuous line of an illuminated manuscript."
--From allsalebooks.com

Reviews from Goodreads.Com

“Las ilustraciones de Laszlo Gal en esta edición son una maravilla. Tanto para aquellos que no hayan leído esta obra como para los fanáticos, vale mucho la pena.” (Mariana) “Lizzy and I really enjoyed this rendition of a classic. Who would have thought since it's pretty much a guy book.”  (Carolyn)

Hardcover edition, Groundwood Books, Toronto, Buffalo, 1999. ISBN 0-88899-365-X. In Print.

Soft coverr edition, Groundwood Books, Toronto, Buffalo, 1999. ISBN 0-88899-365-X. Out of Print.

Hardcover edition, Groundwood Books, Toronto, 2007. ISBN 0-88899-807-4. In Print ( Cover shown above).

Foreign Editions:
Beowulf (Dutch), facet, Antwerp, 2000. ISBN 90 5016 286 X.