A Medieval Feast (Reading Rainbow Books)

Another hit by Aliki. Aliki has the gift of ushering the reader into another place and time when she writes of history long past. In "A Medieval Feast" she takes the reader into the life of a Lord as he prepares a spectacular feast for all the senses of his king. We see the gorgeous fabrics for clothing, the tents & tapestries, the hunting, the house cleaning and the cooking. We sense the air of anticipation as the king finally arrives. Then we long to taste those fanciful foods we have only just read about: the Cockentrice, trenchers, and Subtleteys. Maybe we are even tempted to use our little fingers to dispense salt on our food. It is with longing we watch the feasting. Then she ends our feast with a huge dose of reality: When the king announced he was going to visit a lord, the lord was struck with fear. To host the king meant he could quite possibly lose his entire fortune as many before him had done. This is the beauty of Aliki, she brings the magic of the past to the present but won't neglect to remind us that it's opulence had a price and consequences. And yet the magic is not broken...it still lingers in our senses like the scent of a lovely perfume. Wonderfully done!

I was expecting more recipes than was in it. I didn't realize it was a story about a Medieval Feast, which I pretty much already knew. Otherwise it was a good book.

Really enjoyed reading this with my 7 and 4 year old. The art work tells a story in itself and adds to the narrative. I wonderful little insight to medival life.

The lord and and lady of Camdenton Manor are dismayed when they learn the King and his party are coming to stay with them, they know what a lot of work this will mean for everybody. Throughout the book you see everyone working like mad to get the manor ready in time. Delightful pictures show all the work involved in stocking up with food, hunting, fishing, harvesting, brewing, baking, men, women and children all joining in with the work. The pcitures are full of fascinating details of the lives of medieval people, nobles and commoners alike. Any child interested in history should enjoy this book, if you don't have a child, buy it for yourself. Warning: This is NOT a cookery book! (see first review)

This is a wonderful book about mideval times for this age group!