Bestiary: An Illuminated Alphabet of Medieval Beasts
on Goodreads (70)
What’s inside...
An alphabet bestiary featuring mythical animals such as the amphisbaena, basilisk, and catoblepas. A collection of twenty-six medieval myths, stories, and legends, from amphisbaena to ziphius, is embellished with vivid illustrations, fascinating details, a pronunciation guide, maps, and a bibliography.
Discussion points
Which mythical creature in the book intrigued you the most and why?
If you could create your own mythical beast, what qualities would it have?
How do you think the characteristics of these creatures influence the stories they are in?
What do you think the illustrations add to our understanding of each mythical creature?
If you were living in medieval times, which beast would you be most curious or frightened to meet?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe each beast in their own words, fostering creativity and vocabulary expansion.
Ask your child to draw their favorite mythical creature from the book and then describe it to you, enhancing their connection to the story.
Discuss the historical context of the beasts, helping your child understand the cultural significance of mythology in medieval times.
Create a family storytelling night where each member picks a beast from the book and tells a short tale about it, promoting active participation and a love for storytelling.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of history and culture
Explanation: Through the exploration of medieval beasts in an illuminated manuscript style, the book offers a glimpse into historical artistic traditions and mythologies.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect different historical periods and cultural backgrounds, enhancing their understanding and empathy towards diverse heritages.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The depiction of fantastical creatures encourages children to use their imagination and think creatively about the world around them.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage in creative activities such as drawing, storytelling, or inventing their own mythical creatures, fostering a creative spirit.
Example Lesson: Vocabulary expansion
Explanation: The book introduces niche vocabulary related to medieval times and mythical beasts, enriching the child's language skills.
Real-World Application: Enhanced vocabulary can improve communication skills and academic performance, as well as inspire a lifelong love for reading and learning.
Example Lesson: Attention to detail
Explanation: The detailed and intricate illustrations require careful observation, teaching children to pay attention to detailed artwork and textual descriptions.
Real-World Application: This skill can translate into better focus and observation skills in academic settings and everyday tasks.
Example Lesson: Understanding symbolism
Explanation: Many of the creatures in medieval bestiaries carry specific symbolic meanings. By learning these, children can gain insights into how symbolism is used to convey deeper messages.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop skills in interpreting symbols and deeper meanings in other areas of their studies and daily interactions.