Reviews
Somehow, DiCamillo manages to fit a medieval epic into just over 250 pages--and that includes many glorious black-and-white illustrations by Blackall that one can easily envision stitched upon a tapestry. DiCamillo fills her narrative with humor and love, never getting in the way of her characters (or Answelica's boney head) as they work through difficult choices and display many forms of bravery. It's a gently feminist tale where stories carry the same power as magic and are, perhaps, one and the same. --Booklist (starred review), Somehow, DiCamillo manages to fit a medieval epic into just over 250 pages--and that includes many glorious black-and-white illustrations by Blackall that one can easily envision stitched upon a tapestry. DiCamillo fills her narrative with humor and love, never getting in the way of her characters (or Answelica's boney head) as they work through difficult choices and display many forms of bravery. It's a gently feminist tale where stories carry the same power as magic and are, perhaps, one and the same. --Booklist (starred review) The story is told in language as clear and beautiful as an illuminated manuscript, with characters who spring instantly to life. The fairy-tale conventions give it a sense of timelessness and omnipresence without once becoming twee or unwieldy. Blackall's luminous black-and-white illustrations and medieval-style spot art add to this feeling and are wonderful at conveying emotion through posture, pose, and delicate linework. . . . A book with an angelic soul: large, sharp, and uncompromising. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Set "during a time of war" when "terrible things happen everywhere," Newbery Medalist DiCamillo's engrossing medieval fable verges on darkness while examining what changes a world. . . . Tenderly illuminated by Caldecott Medalist Blackall's atmospheric, fine-lined b&w art, this compassionate tale rejoices in "the wonder of being known," the protective powers of understanding one's identity, and the strength found in the hard head of a beloved goat. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) The pairing of two-time Newbery Medalist DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Blackall is a magical alchemy. Blackall's black-and-white pencil drawings and ornamented initials convey a medieval setting, while DiCamillo's elegant, honed prose weaves a beautiful tapestry of true friends, a feisty goat, and a road to a castle where destiny will unfold. --The Horn Book (starred review) Melding the language of prophecies with that of fairy tales and whispered dreams, Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo's latest novel for young readers is both feminist and sweet. . . a gentle and wondrous tale that celebrates knowledge, kindness, and the boundless power of the imagination. . . . Delicate illustrations and rich fairy tales run throughout the book, which stirs hope and joy at every turn. --Foreword Reviews (starred review) In The Beatryce Prophecy , the talents of two-time Newbery medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott medalist Sophie Blackall combine to create an unforgettable medieval epic that illustrates the magical and myriad ways that love and stories change the world. Delightfully unexpected allies find profound connection through a common belief in the importance of compassion, even in the face of evil. . . . With her trademark lyrical language and flair for storytelling, DiCamillo ( Flora & Ulysses ; Because of Winn-Dixie ) writes like a patient knitter untangling a ball of yarn as she knits. --Shelf Awareness, Kids' Maximum Shelf The descriptive text results in vivid settings that could serve as a fictional component to a medieval unit. This title also fits the bill for teachers looking for a heroine that uses her brains and courage instead of a sword, and one who is not objectified for her physical attributes. --School Library Connection, Somehow, DiCamillo manages to fit a medieval epic into just over 250 pages--and that includes many glorious black-and-white illustrations by Blackall that one can easily envision stitched upon a tapestry. DiCamillo fills her narrative with humor and love, never getting in the way of her characters (or Answelica's boney head) as they work through difficult choices and display many forms of bravery. It's a gently feminist tale where stories carry the same power as magic and are, perhaps, one and the same. --Booklist (starred review) The story is told in language as clear and beautiful as an illuminated manuscript, with characters who spring instantly to life. The fairy-tale conventions give it a sense of timelessness and omnipresence without once becoming twee or unwieldy. Blackall's luminous black-and-white illustrations and medieval-style spot art add to this feeling and are wonderful at conveying emotion through posture, pose, and delicate linework. . . . A book with an angelic soul: large, sharp, and uncompromising. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Set "during a time of war" when "terrible things happen everywhere," Newbery Medalist DiCamillo's engrossing medieval fable verges on darkness while examining what changes a world. . . . Tenderly illuminated by Caldecott Medalist Blackall's atmospheric, fine-lined b&w art, this compassionate tale rejoices in "the wonder of being known," the protective powers of understanding one's identity, and the strength found in the hard head of a beloved goat. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) The pairing of two-time Newbery Medalist DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Blackall is a magical alchemy. Blackall's black-and-white pencil drawings and ornamented initials convey a medieval setting, while DiCamillo's elegant, honed prose weaves a beautiful tapestry of true friends, a feisty goat, and a road to a castle where destiny will unfold. --The Horn Book (starred review) Melding the language of prophecies with that of fairy tales and whispered dreams, Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo's latest novel for young readers is both feminist and sweet. . . a gentle and wondrous tale that celebrates knowledge, kindness, and the boundless power of the imagination. . . . Delicate illustrations and rich fairy tales run throughout the book, which stirs hope and joy at every turn. --Foreword Reviews (starred review) The deeply satisfying conclusion finds villains properly vanquished, the prophecy fulfilled with a clever spin, and happily-ever-afters grounded on friendships and strong ethics all round. --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) In The Beatryce Prophecy , the talents of two-time Newbery medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott medalist Sophie Blackall combine to create an unforgettable medieval epic that illustrates the magical and myriad ways that love and stories change the world. Delightfully unexpected allies find profound connection through a common belief in the importance of compassion, even in the face of evil. . . . With her trademark lyrical language and flair for storytelling, DiCamillo ( Flora & Ulysses ; Because of Winn-Dixie ) writes like a patient knitter untangling a ball of yarn as she knits. --Shelf Awareness, Kids' Maximum Shelf The descriptive text results in vivid settings that could serve as a fictional component to a medieval unit. This title also fits the bill for teachers looking for a heroine that uses her brains and courage instead of a sword, and one who is not objectified for her physical attributes. --School Library Connection