The Story of a Castle

by John S. Goodall

In delicate watercolors, Goodall re-creates interior scenes and the surrounding landscape from the 1170s to the 1970s of a typical English castle. Full-color illustrations.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, British Literature, Historical

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

John S. Goodall (7 June 1908 – 2 June 1996) was a British author, watercolour painter and illustrator, best known for his wordless picture books such as The Adventures of Paddy Pork, although his output included more conventional pictures, and illustrations for a wide range of publications (including the Radio Times) and books by the "fictitious village schoolmistress Miss Read". Goodall became one of England's most beloved artists due to the subject matter of his works, the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larger than other Goodall books (almost A4) but still with the full page/half page format. No text with the illustrations but a page at the front tells you a little about each era. As the title suggests this story starts in Norman times with the construction of a castle and then we see the castle over the years with it's varied occupants and uses.

We loved the center flaps to each picture and enjoyed watching banquets arrive and scenes change. We liked the fact there were so many small dogs around the castle and it turned into a bit of a dog spotting story. We were glad to see the same dog, or perhaps a descendant at the end of the book when nearly a thousand years had passed.

[Karen Witzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story of a Castle by John S. Goodall is a wordless picture book suitable for children and adults. Goodall did the black and white illustrations for the Fairacre series by Miss Read and has a keen grasp of the English countryside and village life through the ages. Half pages inserted between each pair of whole pages serve as the bridge through time as Goodall tells the story of an English Castle from the Norman founding in the 1170s to the 1970s when the family opens it to tourism.

Very well done with the same vistas, same view through the same arch, and the same eternal river flowing as wars, pageants, balls, jubilees progress through English history. Memorable pages reflect the joy of a fair and later in the year, Christmas caroling, as well as, the destruction wrought by Civil War, and the transformation of the castle into a hospital during WWI.

Worth seeking out at your library.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful sweep through English history—all with beautiful pictures.

[What April's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising book. The captions are listed in the front, but the book itself, is pages and half-pages of paintings depicting the progression of a castle from about 1170 to 1970. Very interesting and one that I would own.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story Of A Castle by John S. Goodall traces the history of an eight-hundred year old Norman castle in Britain.

Goodall's detailed illustrations in watercolor carry this wordless book. The half page inserts really advance and extend the story by allowing more action and changes to the castle to be shown while interactively engaging the reader. My favorite images are building, banquet, attack, sacking, ball, wedding, hospital, army, and coronation party.

All that is impressive, but the brief description of each picture before the beginning of the book gives valuable historical insight into the changes in the castle over its history. Readers will feel they have observed 800 years of history in just 30 pages. My only quibble is that I would have liked a bigger font for the description. Recommended for school and public library collections. 4.5 stars.

For all ages, castles, Great Britain - history, architecture, wordless, and fans of John S. Goodall.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flip page kids book of beautifully rendereed watercolors depicting the history of a Norman castle, from its building in the 11th century to the mid-1980s. Gently beautiful history lesson, enchanting to this adult.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps not every spread was equally suited to the use of the half-page gimmick that Goodall uses, but all the flipping does slow one down, engage one more thoroughly. I think my favorite pages, and the most effective, were those of The Great War and WWII.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers good information via pictures! Great for reluctant readers!

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative was nicely conceived, and the flap device propelled the “reading” forward to find out what was under the next flap. The pleasant watercolors also helped. The production of this book is also an interesting challenge in order for the images to flow after the flap is flipped.

[Lana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cool concept! It is thousands of years of history in one place. I am trying to get a collection of these.

[JKR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unexpectedly, I did not find most of the pictures in this picture book particularly interesting or engaging. A low three-star book.

[SmokingMirror]

Argghhh! Damaged beyond hope. A quest for a new copy will follow.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful pictorial description of a castle over the centuries in England.