THE DUCHESS BAKES A CAKE & OTHER MEDIEVAL STORIES...

"A long time ago there lived over the waters
A Duchess, A Duke,
and their family of daughters -- Madeleine, Gwendolyn, Jane
and Clothilde,
Caroline, Genevive, Maude and Mathilde,
Willibald,
Guinevere, Joan and
Brunhilde,
And the youngest of all was the baby,
Gunhilde."
Children 3 years old and up will love this story of fun and rhyming (and, no, it's not a medieval version of MADELINE) as they hear about a Duchess who is trying to bake a "lovely light luscious delectable cake." Hilarity and chaos ensue when the Duchess - who won't listen to the Cook - adds too much yeast. THE DUCHESS BAKES A CAKE was written and illustrated by Virginia Kahl.


A MEDIEVAL FEAST by Aliki (ages 5 & up) is another fun book set in medieval times. My kids were engrossed by this detailed book of everything that goes into preparing a feast for the king's visit. Gorgeous watercolor artwork...

A third Medieval picture book that I'd like to mention is CHANTICLEER AND THE FOX, for ages 5 & up, adapted and illustrated by Barbara Cooney (from Geoffrey Chaucer's CANTERBURY TALES). In this story, a rooster almost becomes a sly fox's feast! In this wonderful re-telling and Caldecott Medal winner, you'll learn how proud Chanticleer learns not to trust in flattery - or foxes.