Marguerite Makes a Book (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kathryn Hewitt (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his first book for children, art historian Robertson imparts a wealth of information on 15th-century book illumination via a sweet if somewhat hackneyed story. Papa Jacques is the most admired book illustrator in all of Paris, but he is growing old; his shaking hands and poor vision have delayed his work on an important prayer book. And when his glasses break, daughter Marguerite realizes that she must be the one to complete Papa's work. Robertson's descriptions of the materials used in creating an illuminated manuscriptAanimal skins dried for parchment; goose feathers plucked for pens; madder root, parsley, saffron, vermilion and lapis lazuli mixed to make the vivid paints (shown in a four-page gatefold)Aare sandwiched into transparently didactic prose ("Lapis lazuli stone!... To think these came from over mountains and deserts, across rivers..."). Departing from the sly caricatures she created for Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Writers, etc. Hewitt offers realistic watercolors that give a lively sense of the bustling Paris of nearly 600 years ago. Best of all are the illuminated borders she creates for chapter openers, portraying the illustration style described in the text, and the judicious use of gold ink to set off her compositions and her projections of Marguerite's manuscript. Ages 8-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-Careful attention to detail is demonstrated in this artful presentation of the story of a young French girl who carries on her father's book-painting tradition in 15th-century Paris. Papa Jacques is unable to complete a commissioned prayer book for his patron, Lady Isabelle. In four chapters, readers follow Marguerite as she assembles the needed materials: the parchment made from calfskin, the goose feathers used for pens, the eggs used for mixing paints, and apothecary roots and herbs for paint colors. Marguerite's ultimate success gains her the gratitude of her proud father and the attention of Lady Isabelle herself. The process of producing the vivid pigment used in manuscripts is described in a four-page center foldout. Brilliant gold highlights, originally produced by the delicate process of gluing gold leaf onto parchment, are reproduced in luminous decorated margins and page frames. Oversized illustrations are richly hued and realistically rendered; page color simulates parchment. This elegant picture book provides a wealth of educational detail and successfully conveys the spirit and beauty of medieval manuscripts. It's a useful and attractive addition to studies of medieval times and to the art of early manuscripts.
Mary Ann Carcich, Suffolk County Community College Library, Riverhead, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 44 pages
• Publisher: Getty Publications (October 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089236372X
• ISBN-13: 978-0892363728
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #212,568 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Story and Illustrations are wonderful, December 3, 1999

By	Kimberly A. Herbert (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Both the story and illustrations in this book are wonderful. The story explains how books were illuminated. A fold out section explains how the different color paints were created. The story may be a little long for beginning listeners in a read aloud situation. The book has a glossary of technical terms that expands on the meaning given in the text. Inspired by a group of Parisian Manuscripts in the Getty Museum.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maguerite Makes a Book, September 6, 2001

By A Customer

Wow, this book has the most beautiful illustrations I have seen in a long time! My daughter and I just love the story and the fold out pages! We have been inspired to do more digging into this topic. I am going to share this book with my Grade 2 and 3 art students. A definite must for little artists.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating book about the Middle Ages, November 20, 2003

By	L O'connor (richmond, surrey United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Marguerite's father Jacques is the most famous manuscript illuminator in Paris, when he is injured and cannot finish the book he is working on, Marguerite sets out to do it for him. We see Marguerite travelling round Paris buying the things she needs to complete the book, then we see her preparing the pages, mixing the paints, and completing the picture her father was working on. The story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations showing life in medieval Paris and details of illuminated manuscripts. This charming book is an ideal intoduction to the middle ages for children (especially girls) showing that there was more to the period than knights in armour and plague. A lovely and unusual book.