Castle. The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. In the 13th century, when England was attempting to conquer Wales, the English built impressive fortresses with adjoining towns. In the long run, these towns proved to be more effective in bringing about the desired conquest than the castles themselves. With typical zest and a wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town. He takes you from the hiring of a skilled master engineer to the actual test of castle defenses when hundreds of Welsh soldiers launched a direct attack. Generous illustrations full of explicit details and unusual perspectives masterfully combine with the straightforward text to guide you though his engrossing exploration. Recommended for ages 9 to 12. A 1978 Caldecott Honor book.
The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.
David Macaulay is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books have sold millions of copies in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages. Macaulay has garnered numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal and Honor Awards, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Christopher Award, an American Institute of Architects Medal, and the Washington Post–Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award. In 2006, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, given “to encourage people of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations.” Superb design, magnificent illustrations, and clearly presented information distinguish all of his books. David Macaulay lives with his family in Vermont.
"What David Macaulay can draw -- churches, cities, pyramids -- he does better than any pen-and-ink illustrator in the world. Castle once again goes through a brick-by-brick assembly, employing cross-hatches and thin black lines to evoke a medieval place and period." Time Magazine
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