Castle: Medieval Days and Knights (A Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-up Book) (Hardcover)

by Kyle Olmon (Author), Tracy Sabin (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5–Chatty text and cleanly designed pop-up illustrations provide a hasty overview of life during the Middle Ages. Spreads briefly cover the construction and exterior footprint of a fortress; rooms (from the chapel above to the dungeon below); jobs performed by craftsmen and inhabitants; knighthood, armor, and weapons; a tournament; and a feast. Information is presented in a smoothly flowing narrative that tends toward the enthusiastic (Without an impressive and impregnable castle, you'd be in danger of losing your crown, your title, your lands…even your head!). There is no glossary, but terms such as parapets, oubliette, and trebuchet are defined in context. Featuring scenes such as a multifloored castle interior, a shiny suit of armor, and a joust (with a pull-tab that moves horses toward one another), the pop-ups are colorful and sturdily constructed. Eye-catching details abound in the cartoon-style illustrations; two men nap after a meal on the fortress roof, an extremely unhappy gong farmer cleans the garderobe pit, and a serving woman receives an unwanted pinch during a feast. Libraries having the dough for solteties (sugar-sculpted desserts served by the wealthy) should consider purchasing this fun-to-browse book, while those starved for funds should stick with meatier fare.–Joy Fleishhacker,School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
This striking pop-up book published under the imprimatur of paper engineers Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, introduces a medieval European castle and the activities within it. Open the first double-page spread and up pops a three-dimensional castle, including its walls, courtyard, and drawbridge, with two smaller gatefold pages revealing other pop-up scenes. From the alchemist in the tower to the prisoners in the torture chamber, the vision of medieval times seems romanticized and the text secondary to the pleasing artwork and paper engineering. Still, Olmon provides plenty of interesting facts about the castle, its inhabitants, and their activities, and what other book includes a working, pop-up catapult that can shoot a spitball three feet? Though primarily a bookstore item, this volume can also serve as an enticing addition to curriculum units and library displays on the Middle Ages. Pair it with Jan Adkins' What If You Met a Knight (2006) for a more realistic view of the period. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 6 pages
• Publisher: Orchard Books; Pop edition (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 043954324X
• ISBN-13: 978-0439543248
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.7 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,606 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #17 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Medieval
  #21 in	Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Architecture
  #38 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Science > Customs, Traditions, Anthropology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for All Ages, August 4, 2006

By	K. L. Groh (Cornwall, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We have a few Robert Sabuda pop-up books. Most are amazing but some are a disappointment. This is a great one. The pop-ups are wonderful, some are interactive and the supporting text is interesting but not too complex for a younger child - most 6 year-olds and up would enjoy the text.
I have a 7 year-old and a 2 year-old and both really enjoy looking through the book (although obviously each getting different things from it.)
It was well worth the price and nicely finished. I especially like the 'stained glass window' in one of the scenes.
There is also a 'metallic' knight in a suit of armour complete with a look of surprise on his face, peering out of his helmut.
I would recommend this for children of most ages and also for adults who enjoy the craftsmanship of a good pop-up book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Beautiful Pop-Up Book, May 9, 2007

By	Sandra "getting healthy" - See all my reviews

Stunning artwork and a paper-engineering marvel that brings to life the romance of the Middle Ages. I consider my copy a collectors item, if not museum quality. Purchased as a gift for a favorite nephew, will need to purchase another copy for him.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Kids!!, November 2, 2006

By	Patricia L. Hutchison (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My son loves this book. It takes at least 30 minutes to look at everything in the book. Each page is filled with 3-D pictures, and some pages even have flip out pages with more moveable 3-D medieval things. I think it is a great purchase for any youngster interested in this time period.