Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe, illustrations by S.D. Schindler from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

About the book: Brother Hugo can't return his library book -- the letters of St. Augustine -- because, it turns out, the precious book has been devoured by a bear! Instructed by the abbot to borrow another monastery's copy and create a replacement, the hapless monk painstakingly crafts a new book, copying it letter by letter and line by line. But when he sets off to return the borrowed copy, he finds himself trailed by his hungry new friend. Once a bear has a taste of letters, it appears, he’s rarely satisfied!

Brother Hugo and the Bear is loosely based on a note found in a twelfth-century manuscript -- and largely on the creative imaginings of author Katy Beebe. Lavishly illustrated by S. D. Schindler in the style of medieval manuscripts, this humorous tale is sure to delight readers who have acquired their own taste for books.

My thoughts: I just love when picture books introduce young children to a different historical world than that which they might normally. Going way back to medieval times is unusual for books to take a young child, but Brother Hugo and the Bear does just that. Drawing from a story that has made its way through the annals of time and was found through the research of the author, the story of Brother Hugo and his encounter with the bear that digested his book.

From this story by Katy Beebe and the delightfully and true-to-history illustrations by S.D.Schindler the young reader can....

• See a form of illuminated illustration that was used in medieval books copied by monks
• Learn that books were few and far between - pretty rare, indeed - and hand written or hand copied.
• That books were written on animal skins and a little bit about the composition of ink used to write and draw
• That when errors were made, the monks would scrap them off the skin
• That a feather was used to write and draw - the tip being sharpened and dipped in the ink
• That people were accountable for mistakes - even accidental such as when the bear ate the book

The words used in the story lend authenticity (and the kids will love the difference). Examples

• "It befell that on the first day of Lent...."
• "..truly, the words of St. Augustine are as sweet as honeycomb to me...."
• "...return the book thither."
• "...Brother Hugo thought he heard lipsmacking full close behind him. Then it must be said that he walked very quickly indeed."

This delightful story shows, also, that with the daunting task Brother Hugo has of re-writing the book, his companion monks pitch in to help. Great teamwork.

I highly recommend this delightful traipse into the medieval world for the young reader. Keep in mind, that the period and the people of the book would have been monks from a Catholic monastery, but that was, after all, what much of this period of history entailed.

The following review was written by the mother of 4 girls who are being home schooled and added here on March 25, 2016:

From the very first words of Brother Hugo and the Bear, the writer captures the attention of each reader.  You can't help but fall in love with a picture book that begins, "It befell that on the first day of Lent, Brother Hugo could not return his library book."   Our family loves the way the book is so beautifully worded, with a wonderful style and rhythm and a gentle current of humor woven throughout.  The illustrations are also delightful.  They are full of detail and perfectly express the emotions of each part of the story.  You will not want to miss the series of notes at the end of the book, as they deepen your understanding of the time period and story.  Brother Hugo and the Bear is a don't-miss Middle Ages tale of the plight of a monk and his library book and the bear that can't resist that book.  (review: B.Suiter)

DISLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for the review.

Ashes to Ashes: The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton by Mel starr

ISBN 9781782641339
$14.99 | Paperback
Lion Fiction

My thoughts: I have thoroughly enjoyed each of my journeys into the 1300s in the company of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon and Baliff. The author, Mel Starr, has a unique style that reads easily; and the prose and droll humor of Singleton makes this reader readily visualize characters as they engage one another and traipse along the countryside solving the mystery and crime of the moment.

Not being encumbered with the fast pace and "stuff" of today's world, Hugh de Singleton thinks deeply and lucidly. Life is more simple in the 1300s than in the year 2015, but the stuff of good and evil still abounds even in the slower pace of life. Men are still evil and some are good.

The church features prominently in the story in that it was prominent in everyone's life, especially in small villages, during medieval times. This is reflected in the heart and mind of Singleton.

Singleton rides his Palfrey (definition: a riding horse with a comfortable gait), eats his maslin loaf or his wheaten loaf (breads of the day), and ends the day sitting in his toft (area around his house planted with vegetables) with his wife whom he loves. And he practices his skills as a professionally (Paris) trained surgeon in addition to seeing that the laws of the village and land are adhered to.

I like that events generate moments of deeper pondering to Singleton. Throughout Ashes to Ashes, as in each of his other books, he frequently crosses Shill Brook at which he pauses and ponders.

"I left Arthur and the palfreys at the castle and walked to Galen House [Singleton's home]. Again I stopped at Shill Brook to gaze into the stream. The psalmist has told men that they should "Be still and know that I am God." I admit that in the busyness of the day, I had not considered Him nor sought guidance of the Lord Christ. I amended the fault there upon the bridge."

Singleton is skilled as a Surgeon but he is equally skilled at deduction and detective work ferreting out wrong doers and bringing them to justice.

It is always a please to read Mel Starr's Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton.

About the book: The morning after the festivities of Midsummer's Eve, the villagers of Bampton make a grisly discovery

Master Hugh, Kate, and their children attend the Midsummer’s Eve fire. The next morning Hugh hears the passing bell ring from the Church of St. Beornwald, and moments later is summoned. Tenants collecting the ashes to spread upon their fields have found burned bones.

Master Hugh learns of several men of Bampton and nearby villages who have gone missing recently. Most are soon found, some alive, some dead. Master Hugh eventually learns that the bones are those of a bailiff from a nearby manor. Someone has slain him and placed his body in the fire to destroy evidence of murder.

Bailiffs are not popular men; they dictate labor service, collect rents, and enforce other obligations. Has this bailiff died at the hand of some angry tenant? Hugh soon discovers this is not the case. There is quite another reason for murder . .

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Ashes to Ashes from Kregel to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.