It is Paris in the 1400s. A young girl named Marguerite delights in assisting her father, Jacques, in his craft: illuminating manuscripts for the nobility of France. His current commission is a splendid book of hours for his patron, Lady Isabelle, but will he be able to finish it in time for Lady Isabelle's name day?

In this richly illustrated tale, Marguerite comes to her father's aid by secretly completing his commission. She journeys all over Paris buying goose feathers for quills, eggs for mixing paints, dried plants and ground minerals for pigments, and gold leaf; then she expertly finishes the illumination of Lady Isabelle's book, to the pleasure of her father and his patron.

This delightful book, written by Bruce Robertson, professor of art history at the University of California at Santa Barbara, was inspired by an illuminated manuscript in the collection of the Getty Museum. Kathryn Hewitt, whose exquisite, finely detailed paintings bring this book to life, has illustrated numerous volumes for children, including Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Presidents, and, most recently, Flower Garden. For ages eight and up.

Read A Conversation with Illustrator Kathryn Hewitt.

Price: $19.95