Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen
Rating: Very Good
Houghton Mifflin, 2007, $17.00
ISBN: 978-0618496424
Age/Grade Level: 6-9 years
A Middle Ages Tale of a young orphan named Simon, whose education fell to Brother William, a monk who worked in the monastery's scriptorium. Simon learned how to make parchment, cure quill pens and grind pigments to paint, but most of all he wanted to draw pictures on his own.
The young apprentice is challenged by Father Anselem to use both skill and vision, and most of all his imagination. "Begin by capturing mice," directs the good Father. These mysterious words send Simon on a mission that leads to his understanding of how great artists are not those who merely copy pictures, but create wonderful images from their imaginations.
The text is framed in decorative illustrations resembling those found in the early illuminated manuscripts. These pages should surely motivate the young artist to try creating his own illuminated story. The afterword provides useful information about this period.
Reviewer: Jane Yarbrough, Library Consultant
