A Boy, a Quest and the Meaning of True Heroism

Reading Room : Amazing Books Every Kid Should Read

T he Book of Three (1964) is the first book in Lloyd Alexander's famous Chronicles of Prydain series. It is a fantasy adventure inspired partly by Welsh mythology.
The main character is Taran, a young assistant pig-keeper who lives in the peaceful land of Prydain. He dreams of becoming a great warrior and hero, but his life is far from heroic. His job is to look after a special pig named Hen Wen, who has magical powers.
One day, Hen Wen escapes. While trying to find her, Taran becomes involved in a much bigger struggle. An evil ruler, Arawn, is threatening Prydain through his terrifying army of undead warriors, the Cauldron-Born. Taran meets a group of unusual companions, including the proud and powerful Princess Eilonwy, the wild bard Fflewddur Fflam, and Gurgi, a strange but lovable creature. Together, they face danger and begin a quest that changes Taran forever.

Why this book
is important
The book is important because it takes the familiar idea of a young boy becoming a hero and gives it a deeper meaning.
Taran begins by wanting the appearance of a hero - fame, adventure and glory. But his experiences teach him that being a hero is really about doing the right thing when things are difficult.
The story also shows that heroes do not have to be perfect or powerful. Taran makes mistakes, becomes frightened and sometimes acts foolishly. Yet he learns, accepts responsibility and keeps going.
That makes the book especially meaningful for children: you don't have to be extraordinary to do something extraordinary.
What kids should learn from the book
True courage means acting even when you are afraid.
Humility is more valuable than showing off.
Friends can give us strength when we cannot find it ourselves.
Everyone makes mistakes; what matters is learning from them.
Being responsible is part of growing up.
Don't judge people by how they look or where they come from.
A real hero helps others rather than seeking attention.
Final words
The Book of Three is much more than a fantasy adventure about magic and monsters. It is a coming-of-age story about a boy discovering that becoming a hero is not about being special - it is about becoming a better person.
The book was adapted into Disney's 1985 animated film The Black Cauldron, which combines elements from The Book of Three and the second Prydain novel. There has not been a direct major TV adaptation of The Book of Three itself.

Best quotes from the book :

"The truth is always the strongest weapon."

"A hero is not necessarily a man who is strong."

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Some memorable lines and ideas from the book include:

The last quotation is not from The Book of Three, but it is sometimes wrongly associated with the book online. A safer way to remember Alexander's message is this: heroism is shown through choices and actions, not through titles or appearances.

About the Author : Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007)

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was an American writer best known for children's and young-adult fantasy. He grew up in Pennsylvania and developed a love for mythology, literature and storytelling.
His travels and his interest in Welsh mythology strongly influenced the world of Prydain. Alexander eventually wrote five Chronicles of Prydain books, beginning with The Book of Three.
His writing is often funny and adventurous, but underneath the fantasy are serious questions about courage, responsibility, friendship, growing up and what makes someone worthy of being called a hero.