Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Civilization, Medieval    4. Europe    5. Historical - Medieval    6. History - Medieval    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Knights and knighthood    10. Medieval civilization    11. Social Science - General    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Civilization, Medieval    5. History - Europe    6. History - General    7. History - Medieval    8. Juvenile History    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Knights and knighthood    12. Medieval civilization   

Subjects:  1. 15th century    2. 16th century    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Civilization, Medieval    7. General    8. History    9. History - General    10. History - Medieval    11. Juvenile History    12. Juvenile Nonfiction    13. Juvenile literature    14. Prisons   

Reviews (2)

History can be fun for kids
This is a well written book with excellent photographs. Colors are bright and eye-catching. Drawings/graphs appear to be accurate. Prose is uncomplicated but interesting to that level of audience. A good book for reading aloud to younger children interested in how knights lived.

My thoughts
This childrens book was a great choice when discussing midieval times.It was an enjoyable read.The book "Days of the Knights, A Tale of Castles and Battles", combined fiction with non-fiction.The storywas told with action and drama while the reality of items that were used tofight such a battle were illustrated and explained. By doing this, theauthor, Christopher Maynard, spun history with fable to create anadventurous escape into midieval times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Civilization, Medieval    4. History - Medieval    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Knights and knighthood    8. Medieval civilization    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Readers / Chapter Books   

Reviews (3)

Done better elsewhere
Mildly amusing and educational, but falls short of the much funnier (and much more informative) "Viking Invader" by Paul Dowswell, a book with the same newspaper concept.

Excellent for Children
Children in the fifth through eighth grades who are studying Vikings would find this book very entertaining.The readings are short, illustrations are plenty and colorful, and the "voice" is usually first person. Good, but short stories
The Viking News is a good book to give to people who don't know anything, or know very little about the vikings, since each story is short, and with out much detail and besides that, it is fun to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - History - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. General    5. History - Medieval    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Vikings    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General   

Reviews (4)

A fun, diverse introduction to the Arthurian myths
THe Arthurian legends continue to fascinate us as a culture and this helps introduce young readers to its many forms.Though the look of the book is a bit jumbled, its layout allows the reader to pick and choose and explore.THere is a central nicely illustrated, re-telling of the story that runs through the book, supplemented by sidebars about movies, plays or lesser known myths and characters.SHould appeal to the younger generation who does research via hyperlinks.I can see both boys and girls being interested in delving into this book.Probably most appropriate to ages 8 and above as the themes of of seduction and infidelity are not ignored.

My favorite story of all time!
If there is one story in history that conjures up romance, valiant knights and visions of a golden age of valor, this story is the one. Wonderful Introduction for Children to this Classic
My daughter and I have been reading (and re-reading!) the DK Classics (of which "King Arthur" is part of) for several years, since she was 5. These books are very colorful, with lots of illustrations and photos of genuine artifacts, maps, and people from the era in which the story is set. Side panel textgives background information about the author, pictures and story. These "additions" (which do not detract from, but only enhance the story) help the young reader (and the adult too!) put the story into context. It is like getting both a classic and a pictorial history book rolled into one! The text is easy to read. My daughter is now 9, and reading the books on her own. Not only has she developed an appreciation for classic literature, but for history as well. These are great books for parents to read with their children. I highly recommend them! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adaptations    2. Arthur,    3. Arthurian romances    4. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Classics    8. England    9. Folklore    10. History - Medieval    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. King    14. Knights and knighthood    15. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Arthurian    16. Social Science - Folklore & Mythology    17. Arthur    18. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    19. Legends   

Reviews (1)

A Beautifully Illustrated Overview of the Middle Ages
The title of this book, Knights and Castles, is a little bit misleading, for the contents of the book cover so much more than merely that. The author does write about what it meant to be a knight and live in a castle, but he also covers many aspects of life in Middle Ages Europe (such as life on a farm, games children played, banquets and jousts)in a way that is interesting and easily accessible to young people. Read more

Subjects:  1. Castles    2. Children's 9-12 - History - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Civilization, Medieval    6. History - General    7. History - Medieval    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Knights and knighthood   

Subjects:  1. Black Death    2. Children's 9-12 - History - General    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Diseases and history    5. Health - Diseases    6. History    7. History - Medieval    8. Juvenile literature    9. Medicine, Medieval   

Subjects:  1. Castles    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Civilization, Medieval    5. History - Medieval    6. History - Other    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature   

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - Coloring Books    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. History - Medieval   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. General    4. History    5. History - Medieval    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Middle Ages    9. Cultural studies    10. History, American    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Medieval   

Reviews (1)

Very lovely coloringbook
I like the pictures and scenes a lot, they represent medieval life fairly well.There is lots of variety and lovely pictures.I only wish there was more detail in the characters faces as other period coloring books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - Coloring Books    2. Children's 9-12 - Coloring & Design Books    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. History - Medieval    6. Social Science - General    7. Social Studies - General    8. Juvenile Fiction / Royalty   

Reviews (3)

Wonder Book on Saint Columba
The only thing that I can add to the professional and reader reviews is that St. Columcille is also known as St. Columba. All the other reviews do a great job of describing this book.

Recommended for readers of all ages
Deftly written and superbly illustrated by Don Brown, Across A Dark And Wild Sea is the true story of Columcille (also known as Columba), a beloved figure from Celtic history. Columcille loved books so much that he secretly copied a volume of psalms from Rome against it's owner's wishes. The resulting and bitter fallout in 521 A.D. caused Columcille to deliberately leave Ireland in a tiny boat, vowing never to return. He founded a famous monastery on the Scottish island of Iona and left a legacy that endures to this day. Brought to life with moody, windswept color illustrations, Across A Dark And Wild Sea is a most engaging picture book and recommended for readers of all ages.

The Man Who Loved Books.....
"Columcille was born in 521.He was the son of a king, from a corner of Ireland scrubbed hard by ocean winds, in a time that came to be known as the dark ages..."So begins Don Brown's marvelous picture book biography of the scribe and monk, known now as Saint Columba.Brown traces the Celtic legend of thisremarkable man who desperately wanted to bring learning and books back into the world after much was lost with the fall of the Roman Empire.After a bloody war was waged over the copying and ownership of a special book of psalms, Columcille left Ireland forever and with twelve followers "set sail on a dark and wild sea."Landing on the tiny Scottish island of Iona, he and his followers built a monastery and scriptorium where books were copied and scribes were trained."Books were made and dispatched, like small boats on a dark and wild sea, to places where reading and writing had been forgotten or ignored.The books made colonies of learning, and people's minds, once dark with ignorance, were brightened."Mr Brown's poetic text is filled with imagery, is rich in history and drama and complemented by powerful and evocative artwork in quiet and subdued tones.Together word and art bring Columcille's inspiring story to life with passion and respect.Perfect for youngsters 8 and older, or as a read aloud for younger children, Across A Dark And Wild Sea includes an Author's Note to enhance and complete the story, the Unical alphabet used by scribes, and a bibliography.This is a rare and wonderful story celebrating books and learning, that shouldn't be missed."Columcille, the man who loved books, helped the world love books.So we remember him and retell his story." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 521-597    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Religious    4. Books and reading    5. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    7. Children: Grades 2-3    8. Christian saints    9. Columba,    10. History    11. History - Exploration & Discovery    12. History - Medieval    13. Ireland    14. Juvenile Nonfiction    15. Juvenile literature    16. Language Arts - Handwriting    17. Religion - Christianity    18. Religion - Christianity - General    19. Saint,    20. Saints    21. Juvenile Nonfiction / Literary Criticism & Collections    22. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (12)

The Great Book
This book is one of the best castle books I have. It is very detailed and informitive yet is great for children because of the colorful illustations. The layout is very good-starts in the front of the castle, moves throught the inner parts of the castle and eventually ends in the back. Though some picture are a little bit graphic, thats how medieval times were. I think if your looking for a castle book that is not to broad or in-depth than look no further than here.

Very detailed cross-sections of a Medieval Castle
I was reading Michael Crichton's "Timeline," which involves an attack on a medieval castle, and was looking for something to help me better appreciate the details.One of the most useful books I found was "Castle: Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections," because in addition to showing how castles were built and how they lived and worked, there is something of a narrative to this book.At the beginning we see an enemy army approaches and people from the town flee to the heavily fortified gatehouse to enter the shelter of the "Castle."At various points in the book we see the enemy attack and the castle being defended. Educational and Fun!
Just seeing a castle from the outside, hardly does it justice. I mean, the things going on in this castle...you just can never imagine.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Castles    3. Children's 9-12    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Civilization, Medieval    6. General    7. History - Medieval    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Science & Technology - How Things Work   

Subjects:  1. 16th century    2. 17th century    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History - Medieval    7. History, Modern    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Middle Ages    11. World - Colonial Studies    12. History, World    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Medieval   

Reviews (3)

Wonderfully Outrageous!
An anthology of Medieval Women who accomplished great things during their lives.My favorite is Trotula Platearius, an Italian woman, (around 1050-1080). She studied at the University of Salerno (the Johns Hopkins of her day) and became a doctor. She specialized in women's health after realizing that many women would rather suffer than explain their problems to a man. She originated many techniques for surgeries, and she noticed that good hygiene kept patients alive longer.Trotula wrote many books which were hand-copied, translated, and used all over Europe. 2.Outrageous Women of the Middle Ages is very well done. The women are arranged by the area in which they lived, each unit has a map of the area.There are greatinformation boxes to help explain points and places of importance. The back of the book has suggested reading, with a note about the primary resources for the book. There is also a timeline on the very last page placing the women in chronological order. If I were to use this book in an upper elementary or lower middle school classroom, I would let students read about one or two women and research her more in depth. I would also use this book to get children interested in biographies.

Feminism
This book is about women in the middle ages who were under twenty and had significant recognition in the outside world.It is appropriate for readers of all ages.Its content being educational and yet fun.Its subjects vary in greatness and culture, having everyone from infamous tofamous characters who left written records.Their achievements have helpedto modernize the role of women.

A Fun, Kinda' Silly, Useful Book!
This is yet another fine history book by the fabulous author, Vicki Leon. I have all of her books and always look forward to her newest ones. This one will be loved by children and it is exactly the kind of book that kids like. Who says history can't be fun? With Leon, all of histry is a riot!Iliked it a lot and so did my children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biographical - General    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Girls & Women    7. History    8. History - Medieval    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Middle Ages, 500-1500    12. Women    13. Historical figures    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Medieval    15. Women & girls    16. World history: c 500 CE to c 1500    17. c 1000 CE to c 1500    18. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (1)

Great Overview of Medieval Period
Simple, straightforward text and pictures give a terrific overview of what was going on in the Medieval World. A jumping off place for getting more in depth. Maps and graphics are beautiful. The internet links are very helpful as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. History - Medieval    4. Juvenile Nonfiction   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Encyclopedias    3. Gothic & Romance    4. Gothic novels    5. Gothic revival (Literature)    6. History - Medieval    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Literary Criticism    9. Literary Criticism & Collections    10. Literature (Young Adult)    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Reference    13. Reference - Encyclopedias    14. Language, Literature And Biography   

Reviews (8)

A quick, delightful read about a fascinating monarch
I recently bought this book for a paper I had to do for school. I had read Polly Schoyer Brooks' book about Joan of Arc last year, and had enjoyed it, so I was hapy to find one on Eleanor of Aqutaine. This book was clear and easy to understand, but explained the fascinating life of Eleanor in detail. Each chapter highlighted a different section of her life, from her childhood in Aqutaine, to her marriages and rules as Queen of France and England, and finally to helping her sons rule as kings of England. I was amazed by her long life in the medieval times. This book is a treasure and one I would read again. I especially enjoyed the references to the King Arthur tales and how Eleanor influenced them as a model for Guinevere!

Good Basic Life Of Eleanor
Brooks copyrighted this herself in 1983 and, although there is no useful biographic information, I get the impression she wrote it for the k-12 school library market.The book feels like it is written for an 8th grade audience but with an admirable extent to the vocabulary and historical contexts.Brooks has done a good job on relating geography, medieval culture and art, and history in an enjoyable and informative read. Awesome Book!
Queen Eleanor is a women who never gives, even in the last few years of her life. She gave birth to two famous kings, King Richard the Lionhearted and King John Lackland. She was married to King Louis and then to King Henry. The story is very well put together and gave the feeling of being at the place where Eleanor was. The book gave a lot of interesing facts but it told a story as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Biography    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. France    6. Great Britain    7. History - Medieval    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Kings, queens, rulers, etc    11. Queens    12. Europe    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Europe    14. Monarchs & royalty    15. c 1000 CE to c 1500    16. Ages 12 & up    17. Grade 7 & up   

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - Coloring Books    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. History - Medieval