Blacksmith

Children's Literature

How a blacksmith worked and lived in Europe during the Middle Ages is a fascinating subject. The easy-to-read text of Blacksmith is written in the first person, which helps to create the feeling that the reader is actually a part of the Middle Ages. There is a detailed description of how one young boy became an apprentice, what he learned and how long it took for him to earn his official title of blacksmith. The format is scripted in such a way that it assists readers to feel the story in 'today's time,' allowing them to further understand the history of the blacksmith. The full-color illustrations are vibrant and detailed, with reproductions of medieval manuscripts and the items that were made during the period. Throughout the book there are various important facts, dates, and locations presented in an educational and lively format that helps to keep the readers attention and facilitate learning. This is a great book to help introduce history to young children and could be used to explain different roles of people living during medieval times. It is part of the "People of the Middle Ages" series. 2003, Rourke Publishing LLC,
— Christy Oestreich