Illuminations

by Jonathan Hunt

The visual depiction of twenty-six medieval word and phrases in an illustrated volume provides young readers with a glimpse into the world of the MIddle Ages

Genres: Picture Books, Medieval, History, Art, Childrens

Hardcover

First published August 31, 1989

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a separate rating for illustrations -- they would get 5 stars! It is really worth it to borrow this book from the library just to enjoy the glorious illuminated pages. Although the title does not give you a clue, this is an ABC book, using things from the Middle Ages as the ABC words. The words are interesting, but quite obscure, for example, A is for Alchemist, M is for Merlin, O is for Oriflamme, Q is for Quintain, and U is for Unicorn. The book is fun but probably not one worth purchasing. Grades 3-6.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little book! ABC's using words from/related to the middle ages. The illustrations (illuminations) ;) are lovely! Picked this up at the friends of the library store.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this ABC picture book of the Middle Ages that also features illuminated initials.

We revisited this book (3/15) during our Middle Ages history lesson about monks in the Christian Church.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read and pictures. Young and old children enjoyed it.

[Annette Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are just beautiful, and the author hid his initials in nearly every one. See if you can find them while enjoying this wonderful book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at savers for two dollars and the artwork in it is gorgeous!!! I bought it for the artwork alone as I love well illustrated picture books, and sadly most well illustrated picture books seem to be a relic of the past before everything became about quick consumerism at the expense of quality. Even this book proves it as it came out in the 80s!

The book is a picture book, that goes from A-Z and for each letter of the alphabet explains with a paragraph a medieval term starting with that latter for example M for Merlin K is for knight ect. That seems like it would be geared towards very young kids but the text is more 4th grade reading level at youngest as it reads more like an intro facts to the Middle Ages book! Also with the details given and the blurb the artist wrote on the back about his work you can tell he did some in depth studying on the Middle Ages to make sure this book was accurate both in text and in artistic illustration details.

Speaking of the illustrations in this have a keen attention to detail and are done in a style meant to emulate both the middle age art form of illumination and in a style that could remind me of the famous illustrator alphonso muncha. The illustrations are all done in ink and watercolor which is also impressive to me because the illustrator Johnathan hunt manages to make his watercolors look so tight and clean and an artist who has used watercolor will know having control over them is a hard thing to achieve so it shows a lot of skill when an artist can achieve that!

Overall 5/5 stars would recommend will teach anyone looking to know more about the Middle Ages something, has gorgeous artist to reference if your an artist yourself and if your a fantasy fan this is a must since it explores a lot of elements fantasy is rooted in from the Middle Ages!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about the Middle Ages, for all ages! It's in the form of an A-B-C book, but people of all ages can learn a lot and enjoy its illustrations!