Godfrey, a young peasant boy in Medival England, happens to glimpse a Beastiery as he's going about his chores. He entertains himself by spinning a story about brave Sir Godfrey and the beasts he encounters, unaware that every time he says an animal's name it appears from the book! Chaos ensues as Godfrey tries to get his chores done and more importantly - hide the beasts from his mother!
I love the art style in this book - lots of picture books are stylised, but this is very realistic, even though it's dealing with some fantastical topics. Godfrey is good natured and I enjoyed following the story. Kids will love pointing out all the chaos he's oblivious to as he goes about his day. A great read.
Young Godfrey and his family toil for the lord and lady of the castle. But when Godfrey stumbles upon an unfinished Book of Beasts, its splendid pictures of animals make him forget his chores. He invents the story of a brave knight, Sir Godfrey the Glorious, who battles a lion, tames a unicorn, defeats a griffin, conquers a bonnacon, and triumphs over a dragon. Godfrey does not realize that each time he says the name of an animal, it magically emerges from the book, causing mayhem and inadvertently accomplishing his chores. Written by award-winning author Julie Berry, and featuring fantastical illustrations by April Lee, this children's book also contains engaging back matter with information on life in the Middle Ages and a mini-bestiary showing animals from original thirteenth-century manuscripts. Don't Let the Beasties Escape This Book! brings the Middle Ages, legendary beasts, and the medieval imagination to life. Ages 5 and up.
Young Godfrey and his family toil for the lord and lady of the castle. But when Godfrey stumbles upon an unfinished Book of Beasts, its splendid pictures of animals make him forget his chores. He invents the story of a brave knight, Sir Godfrey the Glorious, who battles a lion, tames a unicorn, defeats a griffin, conquers a bonnacon, and triumphs over a dragon. Godfrey does not realize that each time he says the name of an animal, it magically emerges from the book, causing mayhem and inadvertently accomplishing his chores. Written by award-winning author Julie Berry, and featuring fantastical illustrations by April Lee, this children's book also contains engaging back matter with information on life in the Middle Ages and a mini-bestiary showing animals from original thirteenth-century manuscripts. Don't Let the Beasties Escape This Book! brings the Middle Ages, legendary beasts, and the medieval imagination to life. Ages 5 and up.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for this great review.
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