The Saracen Maid ¦ Khumalo's Blanket
Digital version – browse, print or download
BfK Newsletter
Receive the latest news & reviews direct to your inbox!
Cover Story
The illustration on the front of BfK this month is from Rub-a-Dub-Dub: Val Biro's 77 Favourite Nursery Rhymes (see Authorgraph for details). The book is published by Blackie and we thank them for their help in using this illustration.
PDF
Printer-friendly version
Send to friendThe Saracen Maid
Illustrated by John Talbot
Khumalo's Blanket
Illustrated by Rhian Nest James
These two books are reviewed together as excellent examples of the Simon & Schuster 'Storybooks' imprint - highly attractive stories for the slightly older, newly independent reader - which are notable for the quality of the writing and of the production; they read aloud well, too. With plenty of full-colour illustrations, clearly printed on smooth white paper, both are truly enticing.
In the first, Leon Garfield has written an entertaining story, set in medieval times, about Gilbert Becket, the young man who is saved by a Saracen maid from imprisonment in Tyre. Intelligent, humorous and rewarding for readers of all ages, it finishes on an intriguing note ... 'They had a daughter called Agnes and a son called Thomas, who became a saint. 'Thomas A 'Becket? Can this be true ...?
The second book is equally good. An African story this time, about Khumalo and his quest to restore the water to his village. Brave, lively and full of the sounds and atmosphere of a folk tale, this story, too, indicates the high standard Simon & Schuster have set for this series. Both highly recommended.
