Our last piece of music for composer study this year was the William Tell overture from Rossini’s opera, prompting me to look up books about William Tell at the library. I found two picture books from the 1990s, both fine retellings with great illustrations.

William Tell by Margaret Early (Harry N. Abrams, 1991)

The legend of Swiss folk hero William Tell, traditionally taking place in 1309, is both retold and illustrated by Margaret Early. She first sets up the context of the Austrians having occupied three tiny counties on the shores of Lake Lucerne. When William Tell refuses to bow before the hat of governor Gessler, which has been set up on a pole, he is forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head or be executed. Early not only describes the incident but the aftermath, including Gessler’s death and the formation of the country of Switzerland. Her illustrations are reminiscent of Pieter Bruegel’s paintings (16th century) and both text and pictures are bordered with geometric patterns and gold paint. Recommended for ages 8 to 10.

William Tell by Leonard Everett Fisher (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1996)

Another retelling by an author-illustrator, this one is more focused on the central incident with lots of dramatic dialogue. (“This is mean and stupid,” William Tell said to Jemmy. And later, “Kneel, you say. Walk on, I say. Neither I nor my son shall kneel before the hat of a bully.”) It does explain what happened after the famous shot, though I found the ending quite abrupt. The bold paintings fit the story well. (Side note: I don’t know why Tell’s son is called Jemmy, rather than Walter as is traditional). Recommended for ages 7 to 10.