Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages (Kaleidoscope Kids) [Paperback]

Avery Hart (Author), Paul Mantell (Author), Michael Kline (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Kaleidoscope Kids

This title is suitable for ages 9 to 12 years. Fire up the imagination for a fantastical journey through Europe's medieval past, where kids become part of a mystical time of castles and kings, cathedrals and conquests.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?Neither a history nor a craft book but a synthesis of both, Knights & Castles makes a lively introduction to the Middle Ages. Children are invited to travel back through time and imagine life in the past. Each chapter explores a segment of medieval society (the feudal system, the life of a noble, the role of the church, etc.) and provides a selection of related activities and craft projects (e.g., make an hourglass, build a catapult, a recipe for Rose Petal Bread). Food, living conditions, and the constant warfare and its subsequent influence on how people lived and played are described. The underlying theme is that the Middle Ages was a period characterized by extreme opposites, as the ideals of the time were often in strong contrast with the realities. The text is written in a breezy tone and illustrated with a combination of line drawings and blue- or purple-ink reproductions of medieval art and woodcuts. The format is a little cluttered, but not to the point of confusion. Fun and educational, this is a worthy addition.?Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Another fun, useful book from Williamson, loaded with facts but with the extra value of 50 hands-on projects to further understanding of the Middle Ages. A must-have for teachers and curious children."

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Williamson Pub (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885593171
• ISBN-13: 978-1885593177
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Children's Books > History > Medieval

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last an activity book that says for ages 6-12 & means it!, September 4, 2001

By 

S. Leathers (Binghamton, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

As a homeschooling parent, I am always on the lookout for interesting and fun learning resources. This book was not a disappointment for our family. The activities truly range in age ability and interest from 6-12. So while a six year old fashions her knight helmet (one of the activities included), her older brother might discuss or write his opinion in response to one of the several interesting discussion topics sprinkled throughout the book. And many of the activities are enjoyable for kids of all ages, including adults. The norm with kid activity books is to state they are for kids ages 6-12, while in reality, they are geared more towards kids in the 6-9 age range. This book is full of fun activities, interesting information, and food for thought for learners of all ages! Can't wait to bake and paint the bread!

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars the extremes tell it all, October 16, 2007

By 

T. Clarkson (Southeast, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

Notice the extremes of the reviews. On one side, "KelleyG" gives it 5 stars and complains about "obvious religious zealots who feel they have a right to shove their beliefs down the throats of everyone else in this country", and 4 Christians give the book 1 star for its anti-Christian themes and statements. They're both right. The book does nice activities, but its strong point is the background info provided for each activity. I value how it asks us to think about living life in the Middle Ages, like how heavy armour would feel, living without modern technology, and how short life spans lowered the marriage age. I can do an activity AND present questions that help my child relate to the Middle Ages. But, the anti-Christian perspective is flawed to the point of giving an inaccurate perception of the Middle Ages. Pointing out the failures of the church is valuable and needed. Ignoring the contributions of the church is historically inaccurate. For example, nearly every expert credits the church as being the only source of learning and scholarship during the Middle Ages. The handwritten manuscripts of the monks preserved great texts, both Christian and secular, that would have been lost forever. This vital fact is one of many that the authors ignore. Notice that "manuscript" is nowhere in the index, but "minds, open vs. closed" is an index entry. I appreciate that the book is more than just page after page of activity in that it provides historical and philosophical points. I really like it, and will use it. But, as a Christian, in the end, as I am using it with my child, I'll also be able to use it as an example of how bias distorts historical accuracy. We'll be able to talk about whether the church-bashing passages are really true, why somebody would write thus, and what is a more accurate position to take. I am absolutely not afraid to point out the failings of the church. I just wish the authors had been willing to consider the valuable contributions, also. If the church defined much of the Middle Ages, then the distortion is inexcusable.

I own the book, I like it, but I'll call it what it is--biased historical perspective--and educate my kids accordingly when we read those passages.

32 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There are better choices., June 1, 2003

By 

A Homeschool Mom (Lake Orion, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

I found this book sadly lacking in substance and quality activities. Spend your money on Days of Knights and Damsels by Carlson.