From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?Neither a history nor a craft book but a synthesis of both, Knights & Castles makes a lively introduction to the Middle Ages. Children are invited to travel back through time and imagine life in the past. Each chapter explores a segment of medieval society (the feudal system, the life of a noble, the role of the church, etc.) and provides a selection of related activities and craft projects (e.g., make an hourglass, build a catapult, a recipe for Rose Petal Bread). Food, living conditions, and the constant warfare and its subsequent influence on how people lived and played are described. The underlying theme is that the Middle Ages was a period characterized by extreme opposites, as the ideals of the time were often in strong contrast with the realities. The text is written in a breezy tone and illustrated with a combination of line drawings and blue- or purple-ink reproductions of medieval art and woodcuts. The format is a little cluttered, but not to the point of confusion. Fun and educational, this is a worthy addition.?Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OHCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Card catalog description
Introduces the Middle Ages, including activities and crafts that are representative of medieval life, for example creating an hour glass, a catapult, a coat of arms, and a code of honor.
Knights and Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities To Experience The Middle Ages ANNOTATION
Introduces the Middle Ages, including activities and crafts that are representative of medieval life, for example creating an hour glass, a catapult, a coat of arms, and a code of honor.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Dozens of games and celebrations invite kids to investigate the Middle Ages, while through descriptions of food, clothing and more, they can become part of a mythical time of castles and kings, cathedrals and conquests.
FROM THE CRITICS
Another fun, useful book from Williamson, loaded with facts bit with the extra value of 50 hands-on projects to further understanding of the Middle Ages. A must-have for teachers and curious children.
American Bookseller
Another fun, useful book from Williamson, loaded with facts bit with the extra value of 50 hands-on projects to further understanding of the Middle Ages. A must-have for teachers and curious children.
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
This period of history, with its knights, castles and the Crusades, continues to fascinate. Hart and Mantell weave plenty of history and thought provoking questions into their book of activities. They shed light on the true meaning behind nursery rhymes, the life of a young noble as compared to a serf, and they also reveal the unsanitary and uncomfortable living conditions of the ordinary people. It is a great book for teachers, homeschoolers, and libraries. Contains a bibliography, index, and addresses for castle web sites.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-6--Neither a history nor a craft book but a synthesis of both, Knights & Castles makes a lively introduction to the Middle Ages. Children are invited to travel back through time and imagine life in the past. Each chapter explores a segment of medieval society (the feudal system, the life of a noble, the role of the church, etc.) and provides a selection of related activities and craft projects (e.g., make an hourglass, build a catapult, a recipe for Rose Petal Bread). Food, living conditions, and the constant warfare and its subsequent influence on how people lived and played are described. The underlying theme is that the Middle Ages was a period characterized by extreme opposites, as the ideals of the time were often in strong contrast with the realities. The text is written in a breezy tone and illustrated with a combination of line drawings and blue- or purple-ink reproductions of medieval art and woodcuts. The format is a little cluttered, but not to the point of confusion. Fun and educational, this is a worthy addition.--Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Art & Photography
Book Info
