*Big sigh*.
Hello, little place. Hello, little chicks, scratching about for food underneath my toadstool. You look familiar...
Testing the waters... dipping in a toe, watching the ripples spread. Think it'll get warmer the longer I'm here? ~smile~
Let's talk about books, shall we?
Marguerite Makes a Book
Written by Bruce Robertson
Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt
This beautiful piece of historical fiction is a favorite among all the ages in our family. (Seriously, Kevin just walked through here and saw what I was reviewing and said, You're reviewing that? Oh, I love that book!) We just couldn't resist a story that begins with a sprawling overhead map of Paris, depicting Notre Dame Cathedral, the Libraire, the River Seine... And when a glossary of technical terms on the last page is followed by a note about how this story was inspired by a group of Parisian manuscripts in the Getty Museum's collection that date from around 1400 to 1425... well, it's all over.
The story sent my little artist, Eliana, into a flurry of paint brushes and scraps of paper. She sported stained fingers for days, and even wore a ring on her second finger, just like Marguerite!
The oldest and most famous book painter in all of Paris is Papa Jacques. He illuminates manuscripts for the nobility of the day, even the King and Queen! His daughter, Marguerite, watches over him anxiously as he works to finish a book of hours for Lady Isabelle; when the deadline fast approaches and the threat of no pay begins to loom, she even offers to help her father finish. But when his glasses are broken in a close call while they are out running errands, Marguerite must step up to the task!
As she fetches eggs for mixing paints, and parsley, dried saffron flowers, madder root, vermilion, and lapis lazuli for color, we get an up-close look at the marketplace of the day, as well as an apothecary. But the magic really comes as Marguerite begins to illuminate a manuscript. As she crushes roots and herbs and mixes them with egg whites, the process is laid out so simply, step by step- you almost imagine you could make paint of your own, just like this! Eliana sure did...
The kindness of a daughter protecting the reputation of her father by serving him in this way, and the gratitude of a father who passed on his art to his daughter, spills onto the pages of this story as surely as the artwork. The pictures are what children fall in love with first, I believe, and the delightfully informational story only enhances the simply beautiful watercolors. Paint pots and ingredients for homemade paint like Marguerite's? On the wishlist.
Happy Reading!
Hello, little place. Hello, little chicks, scratching about for food underneath my toadstool. You look familiar...
Testing the waters... dipping in a toe, watching the ripples spread. Think it'll get warmer the longer I'm here? ~smile~
Let's talk about books, shall we?
Written by Bruce Robertson
Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt
This beautiful piece of historical fiction is a favorite among all the ages in our family. (Seriously, Kevin just walked through here and saw what I was reviewing and said, You're reviewing that? Oh, I love that book!) We just couldn't resist a story that begins with a sprawling overhead map of Paris, depicting Notre Dame Cathedral, the Libraire, the River Seine... And when a glossary of technical terms on the last page is followed by a note about how this story was inspired by a group of Parisian manuscripts in the Getty Museum's collection that date from around 1400 to 1425... well, it's all over.
The story sent my little artist, Eliana, into a flurry of paint brushes and scraps of paper. She sported stained fingers for days, and even wore a ring on her second finger, just like Marguerite!
The oldest and most famous book painter in all of Paris is Papa Jacques. He illuminates manuscripts for the nobility of the day, even the King and Queen! His daughter, Marguerite, watches over him anxiously as he works to finish a book of hours for Lady Isabelle; when the deadline fast approaches and the threat of no pay begins to loom, she even offers to help her father finish. But when his glasses are broken in a close call while they are out running errands, Marguerite must step up to the task!
As she fetches eggs for mixing paints, and parsley, dried saffron flowers, madder root, vermilion, and lapis lazuli for color, we get an up-close look at the marketplace of the day, as well as an apothecary. But the magic really comes as Marguerite begins to illuminate a manuscript. As she crushes roots and herbs and mixes them with egg whites, the process is laid out so simply, step by step- you almost imagine you could make paint of your own, just like this! Eliana sure did...
The kindness of a daughter protecting the reputation of her father by serving him in this way, and the gratitude of a father who passed on his art to his daughter, spills onto the pages of this story as surely as the artwork. The pictures are what children fall in love with first, I believe, and the delightfully informational story only enhances the simply beautiful watercolors. Paint pots and ingredients for homemade paint like Marguerite's? On the wishlist.
Happy Reading!
6 fellow travelers shared:
I'm so happy you haven't abandoned your blog. While I enjoy visiting with you on facebook it is here where we can really sit awhile and savor the moments.
Pictures, yes. I remember the pictures from my childhood; they told the stories so much more completely...
Oh my sweet Elise...Please tell me that you have seen these amazing illuminated manuscripts in person at the Getty. If you have not, you MUST the next time you are in SoCal for the lectures. The Museum is free you just have to pay the $15 for parking. Its a magical place with amazing view (you must stay til sunset) and world renowned art. -Anna
My friend...
Thank you for sharing. I know my little ones will love.
Blessings and love,
Carrie
Looks wonderful. I'm enjoying learning about that time period from Ambleside Year 2...warmly from Mary Brooke
Yes, I found that book secondhand for this year's Middle Ages studies and we pored over each page. A delight!
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