Does anyone know of some interesting stories for children, based on medieval and renaissance theme? I don't mean fairy tales, I mean something a bit more historical. Elementary school age preferred. Something historical, but on a child's level would be good too. Thanks.
(We have already read the Harry Potter series)
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! (http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Ladies-Voices-Medieval-Village/dp/0763615781) by Laura Amy Schlitz.
It depicts life in a medieval village, and won the 2008 Newbury (http://newberryproject.blogspot.com/2008/01/good-masters-sweet-ladies.html) Medal.
Morgan Llywelyn not only has a tremendous series of Celtic history books (Druids, Red Branch, Bard, Finn MacCool, Grania, Lion of Ireland, etc, etc), but she also has written a number of Celtic/Welsh history books for adolescents.
Thank you for those suggestions. I will definitely look into them! :)
I found some stuff on Borders.com that might interest you. One is a coloring book called "Life in a Medieval Castle" by John Green.
The other book, also titled "Life in a Medieval Castle" by Michele Pianini looks like a nice book made for young kids. It's partly a die-cut board book with pop outs depicting the inner layers and details of a European castle. There's a pretty good description of the book on the site.
If none of these suggestions help, you might want to try your local library. The childrens reference librarian should be able to find something for you.
Thank you for the suggestions, Lady Neysa. Unfortunately, in this small town the children's book section is quite limited.
I do like those pop up books and bought several for my grandaughters. I think they have the Life in a Castle one, I know it has cut away views of the castle. It is a very cool book. They have a fairy one too.
I was thinking more about an actual story with characters. Something like Harry Potter, but set in the Renaissance era. Maybe what I am thinking about doesnt' exist, I don't know.
Here's an extract from Llywelyn's "Strongbow" -- http://www.obrien.ie/book117.cfm (http://www.obrien.ie/book117.cfm). It's pretty much as you describe (being a story with character's and such), just that it's based on real events. It's not geared towards the "pop up" crowd, but if they've been through Harry Potter, they'd have no problems with any of Llywelyn's books.
THE PERILOUS GARD by Elizabeth Marie Pope (fabulous book; very highly recommended)
A PROUD TASTE FOR SCARLET AND MINIVER by E.L. Konigsburg
CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY and THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE by Karen Cushman
I AM MORDRED and I AM MORGAN LE FAY by Nancy Springer
THE SEA OF TROLLS by Nancy Farmer
JUNIPER, WISE CHILD and COLMAN by Monica Furlong
Kevin Crossley-Holland's Arthur series (THE SEEING STONE, AT THE CROSSING-PLACES, etc)
THE HUMMING OF NUMBERS by Joni Sensel
My daughter is sitting here reading this thread with me, and she's eager to chime in. Here's Emily:
i would recomend the "Lady Grace" series. they are more directed towards young adults but still would be okay for kids in third grade. there are six books(maybe more) and are all mysteries set in Queen Elizabeth's court.
This guide is written for 2-5th graders.
The Midde Ages : From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance (Story of the World: History for the Classical Child)
Factual events based books in my Princess' library include the following:
-Knight (Eyewitness Expert)
-Explore within a Medieval Castle (Silver Dolphin)
-Castle, Medieval Days and Knights (Sabuda & Reinhart)
-Knight, A Noble Guide for Young Squires (Candlewick Press)
-Princess, A glittering guide for young ladies (Candlewick Press)
-Knights & Castles (Groovy Tube Book w/chess game)
-Knights & Castles (Insiders Book)
And some legendary ones too:
-King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table ( Great illustrated Classics)
-Tales of King Arthur (Barnes&Noble)
All done for younger readers. ;D
We're still looking for one on the Crusades! ;)
It's getting late and I'll be heading to bed, but let me know if you want historical stories or fact books, because I actually own several because they have great illustrations they get to the point and the facts are readily accessible instead of having to read a whole bunch to get a short quick fact out of the text. The one's I own are great reference books, one is a book that cuts a castle into sections and each page reveals a different area of the castle and explains what's being done there. I found out about these books because I search the bargain bins and children's books end up in the general readers areas, and so I find they are great reads. For I'm a child at heart and I love pictures. So let me know I have quite an extensive list.