The Three Musketeers

Gr 2–5—Told in first person from d'Artagnan's point of view, this very complex story is compressed into a typical picture book. If children already know the tale of the Musketeers well, then this edition will be fairly easy to follow and will not disappoint. However, considering that even abridged chapter book adaptations usually exceed 300 pages, this one is quite ambitious. For those unacquainted with the original novel, it will take a knowledgeable adult to help sort out the numerous intricate relationships, characters, and events that are packed in tightly with little contextual explanation to ease the transition from one fantastic feat to the next. For example, American children may be unfamiliar with the historical role of a cardinal and, given the lack of context and details, may question why he is cast as nefarious throughout this version but at the end is hosting an event where Rochefort announces to everyone that d'Artagnan is now an official Musketeer. What is not lacking is the characterization of d'Artagnan as an overconfident, rambunctious, I-can-do-anything personality that shines through from the opening page right to the end, when he shouts the well-known "One for all and all for one!" André's illustrations are lush and full page, with an abundance of black and amber tones that convey much of the sinister goings-on, but they are also somewhat romantic in style and punctuated by occasional swaths of color.