Castles: Old Stone Poems

Children's Literature - Cheri Stowers

Castles, those majestic sentinels of stone, evoke images of brave knights in shining armor, damsels in distress, evil queens, and lunatic kings. This volume of poems showcases castles from many different countries such as England, Scotland, Japan, Romania, Switzerland, and more. Through rhythm and rhyme, secrets of castle lore are divulged. Explore the dark halls of Bran Castle. Was it really the home of Count Dracula? Learn about mad King Ludwig, a brooding, despondent king, whose castle became his hideaway from the harsh realities of life. Legend has it that when the moon is full, his ghost appears. Read about Eric, a brave Danish prince, who could not escape the monstrous jaws of a dragon. Castle lovers of all ages will find this collection to be entertaining and educational. Dan Burr's beautiful, vivid illustrations capture the heart of each poem. From the grim portrayal of captive royalty in a dark dungeon to the magnificent rendering of Catherine's Palace with its luxuriant gold furnishings, every picture is a masterpiece. Includes bibliographic references, a table of contents, a timeline, and a section called medieval minutes that features intriguing facts about the castles.

VOYA - Tina Frolund

This picture book of beautiful paintings and enigmatic poems profiles historic castles and the legends that surround them. From Russia to Ireland to Japan and even to Hearst Castle in the United States, an aspect of each castle is depicted in a lushly evocative painting while a brief poem raises a lingering question associated with the castle: Why do Swiss angels at Chillon Castle whisper, "Bonivard"? Why does lovely Anne Boleyn weep tears at the Tower of London? Who was Empress Matilda? How mad was Mad King Ludwig? Inspired readers might be motivated to take these teasing poems and use them as entry points to further historical research. At the back of the book, a Medieval Minutes section provides intriguing facts about each building and situates each castle in its geographic region and historical era. There is also a world history time line that sets the construction of the castle against the wider scope of world history. A bibliography offers readers further information for expanded stories about the castles, their inhabitants, and the historical eras when castles were an accepted fact in the social order. Although definitely a middle-grade book, older fans of fantasy and history enthusiasts might find value in the intriguing stories of these noteworthy castles and their famous-and infamous-inhabitants. Young artists will find much to appreciate in the paintings.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-History and legend blend in this collection. The mostly European-based selections focus on Bodiam Castle (England), the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle (Scotland), Chambord (France), Bran Castle (Romania), etc., in addition to Himeji Castle (Japan), Catherine's Palace (Russia), and Hearst Castle (U.S.). A section entitled "Medieval Minutes" follows the poems, providing additional facts (many of which are not about medieval times) and a time line for historical context. Burr's oil paintings capture the grandeur, loneliness, and mood of each castle in evocative shades of light and dark. Yet while the subject matter and rich illustrations are ripe for kid appeal, the book's lack of focus may ultimately lose its intended audience. Readers will undoubtedly wonder why the castles themselves are not pictured in a number of the poems. Likewise, the lofty, sometimes awkward verse and cryptic references to historical events will leave most children confused. With adult support to tie together facts and poetic references, a small niche of castle fanatics may be willing to invest the time needed to uncover the juicy tales behind these poems.-Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Adopting similar tones and voices, two poets exchange generally somber observations in verse about 15 stone castles and palaces, plus a "Castle in the Air" from Viking legend. From "Mysterious Bodiam Castle, / Floating upon a pond" in East Sussex to Hearst Castle, occupied by "Sir Prince of Print," each castle has a distinctive character, and receives a tribute laced with historical allusions. Included are Anne Boleyn's sad end in the Tower of London, Leonardo da Vinci's staircase in France's elegant Chambord, Dracula's ("The Count who loved to take blood counts / In very, very large amounts") supposed connection to Romania's Bran Castle, Richard II's imprisonment in Austria's Durnstein and so on. Though readers who want detailed views of each fortress will have to look elsewhere, Burr sets the poems into spread-sized scenes of realistically depicted knights in armor, richly appointed chambers, dim stone passages and glimpses of looming walls or ruins, all of which strongly enhance the overall Romantic atmosphere. Dreamers will latch on to the poems and pictures; for young historians, the poets close with prose notes, a timeline and a robust reading list. (Poetry. 8-10)