Book Thoughts: Marguerite Makes a Book (Robertson)

• set in Paris in the early 1400s, the daughter of a book illustrator has to step up to finish a very important commission when her father is injured
• describes all sorts of steps in creating the perfect paint colors and what went into this particular art
• religious content mentioned: book of prayer, saints, name day celebrations, mentions a color is as blue as the “Virgin Mary’s robe, the color of heaven itself”
• includes a helpful glossary

Type: long picture book
Ages: 5-8
Author: Bruce Robertson
Illustrator: Kathryn Hewitt

Do you have any children who like to know how things are made? Or ones interested in historical fiction? Even for general book lovers, it could make for a fascinating read–to see how books used to be created. So much time and effort went into each page!

I enjoyed the illustrations more than the text. They definitely helped support the medieval setting of the story, with the recognizable architecture and clothing styles. Overall, it’s a pretty lovely book.