Castle Diary Book

Castle Diary is an unusual, surprising book that, by looking at the world through the eyes of 11-year-old Toby Burgess as he begins his apprenticeship as a page in the year 1285, allows the reader to wander the halls and hidey-holes of a living, breathing castle. As he writes in his diary, Toby explores the truth behind the imposing walls, discovering new ideas and emotions as he encounters the many characters who breath life into his new home, ranging from the Constable who guards the gates to the Gong-farmer who cleans the toilets. Vivid descriptions of the key events in the young Toby's life-- his first boar hunt, the tournaments, the feasting--are brought dramatically and effectively to the fore by Chris Riddell's stunningly detailed illustrations, each carefully researched to add to the effervescent and realistic feel of the mediaeval romp that springs from every page. A clever, behind-the-scenes peak at a life that until now had perhaps been difficult to imagine, Castle Diary is hot on history, story telling and illustration and is one book that anyone with a curiosity about mediaeval life should not miss. (Age 10 and over) --Susan HarrisonRead More