Status
Available
Local notes
E Bee
Collection
Genres
Publication
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (2014), 34 pages. $17.00 (Sept 2017).
Description
Brother Hugo can't return his library book - the letters of St. Augustine - because, it turns out, the precious book has been devoured by a bear! Instructed by the abbot to borrow another monastery's copy and create a replacement, the hapless monk painstakingly crafts a new book, copying it letter by letter and line by line. But when he sets off to return the borrowed copy, he finds himself trailed by his hungry new friend. Once a bear has a taste of letters, it appears, he's rarely satisfied!
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2016)
Parents' Choice Book Award (2015)
CCBC Choices (2015)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Five to Nine — 2015)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
34 p.; 9 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member bogreader
Brother Hugo faces an unfortunate event, the loss of a library book. More unfortunately, the book was lost to a bear with a taste for them and Brother Hugo must reproduce the book by hand because it is the Middle Ages. Brother Hugo is assisted by his friends to gather the materials and begins to
This book provides an overview of book making in the Middle Ages, along with a glimpse of monastery life. Light humor is sprinkled throughout the book.
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copy the text with thoughts of the hungry bear. When it is time to return the copied text, Brother Hugo's friends provide him with items to keep the bear at bay.This book provides an overview of book making in the Middle Ages, along with a glimpse of monastery life. Light humor is sprinkled throughout the book.
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LibraryThing member amysing75
I received this book as an early review copy through LibraryThing. I read it to my children and we really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. We could relate to Brother Hugo having to replace a lost library book. The book includes a historical note and glossary that we found interesting and
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informative. This is a great book for any library. Show Less
LibraryThing member JoClare
Firstly, I received an advance copy which is loose-leaf style, not a regular hardcover finished book. So let me say that this will be an awesome book. The illustrations are wonderful, done similarly to an illuminated manuscript, so the pages are glorious! I love that this story is based on actual
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events because the tale is so fun and engaging, no one could say history is boring! To top it off, the story ends with a bit of humor, those of us who love libraries will surely be able to relate to the final words of the story. At the end of the book there are historical notes, a glossary and author and illustrator notes as well, so for those that desire more information on the creative process then and now won't be disappointed. All in all, I truly enjoyed "Brother Hugo and the Bear" and I think you will too. Show Less
LibraryThing member sullijo
Katy Beebe's Brother Hugo and the Bear is a children's story based on an incident recounted in a letter by Peter the Venerable, abbot of the Benedictine monastery at Cluny, to the prior of La Grande Chartreuse:
"And send to us, if you please, the great volume of letters by the holy father Augustine,
With this kernel Beebe spins a delightful tale of the young monk who must gather the materials and copy the letters of Saint Augustine, all the while pursued by the bear who has acquired a taste for the scribe's works. In addition to laughing at the impish humor of the story children will also learn a little about how monks created beautiful works of art in their illuminated manuscripts.
The artwork by S. D. Schindler is a wonderful compliment to the text, with quirky illuminations and plenty of details for children to pour over. The book also contains some short historical notes, a glossary, and notes from the author and illustrator, making this an ideal classroom book.
I heartily recommend Brother Hugo and the Bear for parents, children, teachers, and catechists.
Disclaimer: I received a free pre-publication copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
"And send to us, if you please, the great volume of letters by the holy father Augustine,
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which contains his letters to Saint Jerome, and Saint Jerome's to him. For it happens that the greater part of our volume was eaten by a bear."With this kernel Beebe spins a delightful tale of the young monk who must gather the materials and copy the letters of Saint Augustine, all the while pursued by the bear who has acquired a taste for the scribe's works. In addition to laughing at the impish humor of the story children will also learn a little about how monks created beautiful works of art in their illuminated manuscripts.
The artwork by S. D. Schindler is a wonderful compliment to the text, with quirky illuminations and plenty of details for children to pour over. The book also contains some short historical notes, a glossary, and notes from the author and illustrator, making this an ideal classroom book.
I heartily recommend Brother Hugo and the Bear for parents, children, teachers, and catechists.
Disclaimer: I received a free pre-publication copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
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LibraryThing member dutchgirldtd
Brother Hugo borrows a copy of St. Augustine's Letters, but before he returns it to the library, a bear eats it...so Hugo has to copy it out himself.
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are detailed but not distracting, and beautifully help tell the story. The book has the look of an old
At the end of the book is an informative historical note about monks, manuscripts and the the real-life event on which the story was based, along with a glossary that explains some of the old terms used.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to when my grandchildren are old enough for me to read it to them!
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are detailed but not distracting, and beautifully help tell the story. The book has the look of an old
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manuscript, with the first letter of a new paragraph being large and decorated, as well as curlicues and leaf designs livening up the pages. At the end of the book is an informative historical note about monks, manuscripts and the the real-life event on which the story was based, along with a glossary that explains some of the old terms used.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to when my grandchildren are old enough for me to read it to them!
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LibraryThing member theresearcher
Well, it certainly gives new meaning to "your words are like honey" ... a bear ate Brother Hugo's homework!
This book is fantastic~~ the illustrations style is evocative of an illuminated manuscript, and the story is all the more amusing for its historical basis! The historical notes are excellent,
This book is fantastic~~ the illustrations style is evocative of an illuminated manuscript, and the story is all the more amusing for its historical basis! The historical notes are excellent,
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but the story itself provides an introduction to monastery life and the book-making process as well as cooperation and tenacity. The language was accessible, but still evocative of the medieval setting-- very well done! My review copy arrived unbound and with severe creases, but I am inclined to purchase a copy when they are available, because I will want this one in my library--and not be lent out, lest it be consumed by a wild animal :) Show Less
LibraryThing member kmctigue2002
This is such a beautiful book! I loved the illustrations which fit well with the medieval story and add a nice richness to the language. As a librarian and a lover of books, I found the story clever and engaging, one that children will love to hear and adults will enjoy reading. The generous back
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matter (historical note, glossary, author's note and illustrators note) are all interesting and offer more insights into the history and context of the story. Definitely a book I will recommend! Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
This beautifully illustrated book about monks in the Twelfth Century echoes the look of manuscripts they produced.
According to a Historical Note at the end of the book, this story was inspired by correspondence between Peter the Venerable of the Benedictine monastery of Cluny, and Prior Guigo of
"… send to us, if it pleases you, the great volume of letters by the holy father Augustine, which contains his letters to Saint Jerome, and Saint Jerome's to him. For it happens that the greater part of our volume was eaten by a bear.”
In this adaptation, Brother Hugo confesses to the Abbot that he cannot return the letters of St. Augustine to the library:
"‘Father Abbot,’ said Brother Hugo, ‘truly, the words of St. Augustine are as sweet as honeycomb to me. But I am afraid they were much the sweeter to the bear.”
Brother Hugo is sent to fetch another copy of St. Augustine from the brothers at the Grande Chartreuse, and assigned with copying the hand-written, illuminated, and bound volume. When he is done, he must return the one he borrowed. The story recounts his painstaking work, simultaneously teaching readers how these books were made.
The story continues with Brother Hugo setting out for the monastery of the Grande Chartreuse to return the original. But the bear, finding the words of St. Augustine irresistible, is following him also, adding both drama and humor to the story.
The only part that gave me pause was a picture of sheep next to Brother Caedmon providing a “fluffy sheepskin” to Brother Hugo. One would think this might bother some of the aged 5-9 recommended audience who might ask about or figure out the fate of those sweet-looking fluffy sheep.
The illustrations by S.D. Schindler are delightful, and quite apt. The capital letters of each paragraph, for example, are illuminated in gold-colored ink and wash and adorned with embellishments in the style reminiscent of actual medieval illuminators. The capital letters as well as the bright white background set off the muted tones of the pictures.
In addition to the Historical Note at the book’s end, there is also a glossary, an Author’s Note, and an Illustrator’s Note.
Evaluation: Overall a fun story and great way for children to learn about some aspects of medieval life.
According to a Historical Note at the end of the book, this story was inspired by correspondence between Peter the Venerable of the Benedictine monastery of Cluny, and Prior Guigo of
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the Cistercian priory of La Grande Chartreuse. Peter wanted a loan to replace a book:"… send to us, if it pleases you, the great volume of letters by the holy father Augustine, which contains his letters to Saint Jerome, and Saint Jerome's to him. For it happens that the greater part of our volume was eaten by a bear.”
In this adaptation, Brother Hugo confesses to the Abbot that he cannot return the letters of St. Augustine to the library:
"‘Father Abbot,’ said Brother Hugo, ‘truly, the words of St. Augustine are as sweet as honeycomb to me. But I am afraid they were much the sweeter to the bear.”
Brother Hugo is sent to fetch another copy of St. Augustine from the brothers at the Grande Chartreuse, and assigned with copying the hand-written, illuminated, and bound volume. When he is done, he must return the one he borrowed. The story recounts his painstaking work, simultaneously teaching readers how these books were made.
The story continues with Brother Hugo setting out for the monastery of the Grande Chartreuse to return the original. But the bear, finding the words of St. Augustine irresistible, is following him also, adding both drama and humor to the story.
The only part that gave me pause was a picture of sheep next to Brother Caedmon providing a “fluffy sheepskin” to Brother Hugo. One would think this might bother some of the aged 5-9 recommended audience who might ask about or figure out the fate of those sweet-looking fluffy sheep.
The illustrations by S.D. Schindler are delightful, and quite apt. The capital letters of each paragraph, for example, are illuminated in gold-colored ink and wash and adorned with embellishments in the style reminiscent of actual medieval illuminators. The capital letters as well as the bright white background set off the muted tones of the pictures.
In addition to the Historical Note at the book’s end, there is also a glossary, an Author’s Note, and an Illustrator’s Note.
Evaluation: Overall a fun story and great way for children to learn about some aspects of medieval life.
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LibraryThing member pataustin
LOVE IT! So many books this year are just another little story that has little meaning. Kids learn nothing from them. THIS book is different; from its illuminated manuscript style of illustration to its diction, it envelops readers into the Middle Ages, with a charming story about a Brother who
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can't return his library book because a bear ate it. Show Less
LibraryThing member melodyreads
medieval tale, with a book eating bear
LibraryThing member 4hounds
I loved this...but I have to wonder who the audience is. The language is beautiful (and funny), but it doesn't seem like kids of picture-book age will get it. Maybe I'm underestimating kids? Anyway, that's why it's 4 stars and not 5. Personally, I think it's a fabulous picture book for adults! The
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description of making the book, the sneaky, lit-loving bear hiding on the pages, and the lovely language...all great. And the fact that it's based on a real event - icing on the cake. Show Less
LibraryThing member MaowangVater
On the first day of Lent, in medieval France, Brother Hugo confesses to his Abbot that he cannot return his library book because a bear ate it. The penance imposed on him is to travel to another monastery and borrow its copy of the same book, and make another copy to replace the one the bear ate,
To her gently humorous tale of Brother Hugo’s trials scholar Beebe adds a historical note about monasteries and manuscripts, a glossary, and a note about the inspirations for her tale. Schindler, borrowing many of the elements of medieval illuminated manuscripts for his illustrations, also tells how his artistic process in the twenty-first century differed and in some ways was the same as Brother Hugo’s would have been in the twelfth.
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and get it done within forty days. But on the way there and back Brother Hugo is bothered by the same bear who has developed a taste for literature inscribed in bundles of tasty sheepskin. To her gently humorous tale of Brother Hugo’s trials scholar Beebe adds a historical note about monasteries and manuscripts, a glossary, and a note about the inspirations for her tale. Schindler, borrowing many of the elements of medieval illuminated manuscripts for his illustrations, also tells how his artistic process in the twenty-first century differed and in some ways was the same as Brother Hugo’s would have been in the twelfth.
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Pages
34