Caedmon's Song

by Ruth Ashby, Bill Slavin (Illustrator)

Long ago, when hardly anyone knew how to read or write, people recited stories by heart. They sat around the hearth at night, telling of heroes and monsters, great battles fought, and fortunes made and lost. On feast days, they passed the harp around the room so that everyone could sing a poem. But when the harp reached Caedmon, his thoughts dried up. He opened his mouth and nothing at all came out. It was embarrassing. No wonder he hated poetry.A quiet man who loved tending his cows, Caedmon couldn't recite poetry because he thought he had no stories to tell. Then after one especially upsetting experience, Caedmon stormed home, fell asleep in the barn, and began to dream. That night, everything changed for Caedmon . . . With jovial, heartwarming illustrations and beautifully illuminated letters, this tale is based on the true story of Caedmon, the seventh-century cowherd who became known as the first English poet.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Religion, Medieval

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2006

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caedmon's Song imagines the story of Caedmon and his hymn. I enjoyed the background knowledge of Old English literature and storytelling and the glimpse of St Hilda. The art style wasn't my favorite, but I liked the illuminated capitals and the portrayal of daily life.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the emphasis on storytelling. Reference to Beowulf. Very good illustrations. Includes a biographical note at the end.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated children’s version of the story of Cædmon based very closely on Bede. Nicely and simply told—and immediately relatable for anyone who has ever felt awkward participating in what for others are fun party activities—with some subtly developed themes of conversion. Thanks to Cædmon, the people of Whitby go from singing of warriors and dragon-slayers to the creator, but in their own terms (God is the heafonrices Weard, the guardian of the heavenly kingdom).

The illustrator clearly did the homework to make this a realistically rendered mid-7th century England. That was a treat for me, at least. I especially liked the glimpses of the abbey overlooking the sea, the scriptorium (where they have a realistically tiny but precious library), and the great hall, warm and bright in the depth of winter.

Includes the Anglo-Saxon text of Cædmon’s Hymn in the back, and St Hild, abbess of Whitby and one of the great figures of early English history, makes an appearance, offering parents an opportunity to tell yet more stories from this wonderful world. (Not to mention Beowulf, who is explicitly invoked as well.)

Highly recommended.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very beautiful book. My only complaint is that the illustrator didn't draw brunettes. England is mostly brunette, especially before the vikings started invading. Actually, the west coast has the vast majority of blondes because of this. 29% of Brits (whole UK) are blonde. Please represent the brunettes.

The story is beautiful and educational.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: The story of a cowherd who hated poetry who became the first English poet.

Why I Read This: It was on a list of books to read before St. Patrick’s Day.

Review: It was fine. The story moved a little bit too quickly for my tired mind to fully understand, ut otherwise it was fine.

[Roe Tell-Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely retelling of the early poet's life as well as a good introduction to abbeys and Old English. Story points up how we could sing of simple joys instead of singing of war. Appropriate for Twelvetide as the story takes place on St Stephen's feast day.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated picture book that tells the story of the first English poet. Loved the details, like the illuminated letters.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about the first English poet, Caedmon. As a picture book it starts well, engaging the reader in Caedmon's anguish as he struggles to find something to say when it is his turn to tell a story while sitting around the fire. Yet when the climax comes—he has a dream and his heart fills with the beautiful words of his song—the book does not inspire as much wonder and awe as might be expected. It lapses into telling rather than showing: after his poem is said he goes to the Abbey, becomes a monk and we are told he continued to sing of Jesus and his history. Thus it leaves you somewhat less moved than one might hope from the promising theme. The subject is still a most worthy one, however, and could ignite discussions with children about poetry and language. Reveiwed for www.GoodReadingGuide.com

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I liked this so much because I learned a lot about Caedmon that I didn't know. It saddens me to think that all we have left of his poetry/songs is one poem. If only the Vikings and Henry VIII hadn't burned so many manuscripts in the monasteries! Think of all the literature we would have today. Recommended.

[Charis · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did not appreciate the Catholic flavor of the story, it was nevertheless enjoyable. Caedmon is portrayed sympathetically, allowing the young reader to root for him as he tries to find his poetry.

[April Rudolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children's books ever based on the very first English poet.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely children's book about the first English poet, a cowherd named Caedmon. Beautiful illustrations.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of Caedmon, the first English poet.