Days of the Knights: A Tale of Castles and Battles

DK Eyewitness Readers

by Christopher Maynard

This new multi-level Eyewitness reading program uses DK's dramatic non-fiction style to entice children into reading. From ducklings and dinosaurs, to farm animals and firefighters, the subjects have been carefully chosen to appeal to beginning readers at four different reading levels. Stunning photography and simple, informative narratives ensure that even the most reluctant reader will want to learn to read while reading to learn.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Medieval History, Picture Books

48 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Lanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been writing my own story set in the Middle Ages, so I picked up some nonfiction books about castles and knights at the library to do a little research. And you know, see if I could learn something new. I've Read a lot of articles on Robin Hood online and read a ton of fiction. But I thought some books would be Fun.

I only picked out ones from the juvenile section though. Because, who cares if I'm 21 and some people think I should only read "adult" books? Middle grade educational books are the best. :) lots of pictures and fair simple vocabulary that makes the information very graspable to most anyone reading it.

I loved the artwork mixed in with the photos of artifacts. That was cool. :)

I also loved that there was a fictional story mixed in with the facts to spice up the book. Adding a story definitely helps hold younger readers attention.

I did notice a few errors though. Like saying that they poured oil on invaders. -_- that's actually highly romanticized. Most people couldn't have afforded to throw oil out the window. Mostly, it would have been boiling water, or sometimes hot sand.

Also, there was a picture of a trebuchet. But they called it a catapult. They are similar. But work slightly differently. Get your facts right, nonfiction book!

Other then that, it was pretty good. :) entertaining and educational. I'd definitely recommend this to teachers or parents who have kids in older elementary school and early middle school looking to learn about castles and Knights.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple story, complex words. I got this book because I liked the illustrations and didn't think of getting much off the story, but being a ESL person I ended up learning a few words I'd never heard before (such as moat, scaffolding and mummers), which is always nice.

[Selina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this aloud to add to our knights and castles study for homeschool. It got the job done, but didn't have beautiful language or a great story line. It was trying too hard to slip in as many facts as possible. Not really a living book. imo.

[Marcus.Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing i loved it. It is fiction but still the book was amazing.

[SethRoessner · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book but it was slacking colity

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t mean to select this book. At least it was short.

[Connie Gunderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific. It's got a fictional storyline that it uses to explain the ins and outs of knighthood including details about weaponry and architecture and politics. If there's any tricky vocabulary ("mace" or "peddler" or the like), usually that word will have a little footnotey thing explaining what it means. Usually a small illustration of the item, too. Loved this book a lot.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

We had to get some medieval books to read after visiting the Renaissance Faire! This had some interesting tidbits of info. I've never been a huge fan of the DK style of putting pictures and short info and labels, but my boys like it.