More a few quick stabs at the topic than a solid bashing—but lively despite its relatively light load of bells and whistles
A charge through the glory days of knighthood, led by a latter-day Master of the Secret Order of the Round Table.
Presented as an updated facsimile of an Elizabethan-era volume that was embedded in a stone until pulled free by one of the publisher’s children, this lap-sized manual offers scattershot commentary on an array of knightly topics illustrated with modern painted views of heavily armored figures, weaponry, and castles. Would-be young squires will get basic lowdowns on knights of both yore—particularly William Marshall, a warrior of the 12th and 13th centuries who served five English kings—and lore, knightly training, chivalric behavior, jousting, and select early Crusades. Along with an introductory missive in an envelope, special features include a few sliding panels, overlapping flaps that allow readers to (partially) undress a knight, and mounted booklets containing abbreviated accounts of famous medieval battles, a version of “Gawain and the Green Knight,” and like fare. For budding knights-errant coded clues throughout purportedly lead to the Holy Grail, which is depicted at the end as an elaborately decorated chalice with an inset “jewel.” All of the figures are white, European men aside from the odd horse, damsel (also white), or olive-skinned Saracen.
More a few quick stabs at the topic than a solid bashing—but lively despite its relatively light load of bells and whistles . (Fictionalized informational novelty. 9-11)Pub Date: Nov. 14, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9848-5
Page Count: 30
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
It’s not the first time old Ben has paid our times a call, but it’s funny and free-spirited, with an informational load that...
Antics both instructive and embarrassing ensue after a mysterious package left on their doorstep brings a Founding Father into the lives of two modern children.
Summoned somehow by what looks for all the world like an old-time crystal radio set, Ben Franklin turns out to be an amiable sort. He is immediately taken in hand by 7-year-old Olive for a tour of modern wonders—early versions of which many, from electrical appliances in the kitchen to the Illinois town’s public library and fire department, he justly lays claim to inventing. Meanwhile big brother Nolan, 10, tags along, frantic to return him to his own era before either their divorced mom or snoopy classmate Tommy Tuttle sees him. Fleming, author of Ben Franklin’s Almanac (2003) (and also, not uncoincidentally considering the final scene of this outing, Our Eleanor, 2005), mixes history with humor as the great man dispenses aphorisms and reminiscences through diverse misadventures, all of which end well, before vanishing at last. Following a closing, sequel-cueing kicker (see above) she then separates facts from fancies in closing notes, with print and online leads to more of the former. To go with spot illustrations of the evidently all-white cast throughout the narrative, Fearing incorporates change-of-pace sets of sequential panels for Franklin’s biographical and scientific anecdotes. Final illustrations not seen.
It’s not the first time old Ben has paid our times a call, but it’s funny and free-spirited, with an informational load that adds flavor without weight. (Graphic/fantasy hybrid. 9-11)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-101-93406-7
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2017
“By March 5, 1770, it was dangerous to be a soldier in Boston.” In a few lines of terse prose illustrated with densely hatched black-and-white pictures, Decker lays out the causes of the tension between Bostonians and British troops, and then delivers a blow-by-blow account of events on that March night and the ensuing trials. Along with casting a grim tone over all, his dark, crowded illustrations capture the incident’s confusion and also add details to the narrative. Despite some questionable choices—he names most of the soldiers but none of the casualties, and except for a row of coffins in one picture, never mentions how many actually died—the author leaves readers with a general understanding of what happened, and with a final scene of John Adams (who defended the soldiers in court) pondering the necessity of protecting true Liberty from the “lawless mob,” some food for thought as well. (Informational picture book. 9-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59078-608-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2009
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