Description
12 BALLADS
Book Summary
A carefully curated selection of twelve traditional ballads, masterfully illustrated by Fernando Vicente, introduces young readers to one of the most representative poetic forms of the Iberian oral tradition. This volume, prepared by specialists Antonio Rubio and Manuela Rodríguez, compiles verse stories that have traveled from generation to generation, preserving a valuable cultural legacy. A gateway to popular poetry, folklore, and the collective memory of the peoples of Spain.
What is it about?
The book presents an anthology of twelve ballads, brief poetic compositions of medieval origin that emerged from the fragmentation of ancient epic poems. Transmitted orally by minstrels throughout the Iberian Peninsula, these verse stories have reached the present day thanks to the work of researchers such as María Goyri and Ramón Menéndez Pidal.
The selection includes ballads of different narrative typologies: frontier, which narrate episodes of the Reconquista; Moorish, set on the border with the Arab world; lyrical, with a more intimate and sentimental tone; and novelesque, with plots of adventure, love, and heartbreak. Each ballad is a small story in verse, loaded with emotion, mystery, and beauty.
The illustrations by Fernando Vicente, one of the most renowned Spanish artists, enrich each text and help visualize the scenes and characters of these ancestral poems.
Main Themes
- Oral tradition and the transmission of intangible cultural heritage.
- Popular poetry and medieval metric forms (ballads/romances).
- History and legends of medieval Spain: the frontier, Moors, and knights.
- Love, heartbreak, adventures, and universal feelings in verse.
- Illustration as a tool for interpretation and poetic enjoyment.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at children and young people aged 8-10 and up who are interested in poetry, history, and traditional legends. It is also an excellent tool for parents, educators, and libraries wishing to introduce little ones to the rich heritage of Hispanic oral literature. Especially recommended for those seeking a first approach to the ballad tradition in a visual and attractive way.
What this book offers
- A first contact with one of the oldest and most significant poetic forms of the Spanish language.
- The pleasure of reading aloud, thanks to the rhythm and musicality of the ballads.
- A unique visual experience through the illustrations of a master of drawing.
- Knowledge of stories and characters that are part of the Hispanic collective imagination.
- A rigorous and varied selection that allows for the exploration of different types of ballads.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Antonio Rubio and Manuela Rodríguez (selection)
- Publisher: Kalandraka
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Popular culture, Anthologies (children's/young adult), Poetry (children's/young adult)
- Collection: Illustrated Poetry
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: February 2026
- Number of pages: 36
- Weight: 356 g
Editorial Review
An essential anthology for bringing the traditional ballad cycle to new generations. The selection by Antonio Rubio and Manuela Rodríguez offers a representative and varied sample, while Fernando Vicente's illustrations elevate the work to an exceptional artistic level. Ideal for sparking interest in oral poetry, history, and folklore, both in school and at home. A book that invites readers to be read, shared, and treasured.