Review
Full of interesting facts and illustrations for KS1. The recipes included sound very tempting. (Bookseller )
This is more of an 'educational' book than we normally recommend but it charmed me. Beautifully illustrated, it takes you through the simple but full life that the community of monks in the abbey led. (Angels and Urchins )
This book is a luminous delight - the story is told simply, accessible enough for young readers yet interesting and amusing for anyone of any age. Perfect for anyone interested in picture books, gardening or simply understanding how our lives used to be guided by the seasons. (Ultimate Book Guide )
Book of the Month: The text and illustrations interweave together creating a magic that will inspire children to love gardens and take an interest in the history around them. (Child Care )
The large pages burst with colour, humour and charm. (Church Times )
This delightful heardback picture book has been produced by the Head Gardener at Westminster Abbey… From its beautifully illustrated endpapers and dust cover to every single page of the book, the reader will be intrigued and enchanted by its contents… In the primary classroom this would be a gem of a resource, not only for teaching but also for associated creative enterprises ranging through painting, drama, cookery, music and singing, gardening and games. it could form the basis for a whole term's exciting activities and provide a great time for both teachers and pupils. (Ibby Link )
Jan Pancheri's love for the Abbey, its history and gardens shines through in this charming and unusual title. As well as literacy work, the book lends itself to studies in both RE, including projects on Easter, and history, or even as a prelude for a visit to Westminster Abbey. (Literacy Time plus )
The book has been well researched and it is the fascinating details that will grip the young imagination. (Books for Keeps )
As an introduction to medieval monasticism, this account with its concentration on a particular aspect of the monks' lives gives humanity to a what can often appear a rather strange way of life. (School Librarian )
Well researched and it is the fascinating details that will grip the young imagination. (Books for Keeps )
Narrated by a fourteenth-century monk, this lightly informative picture book takes readers through his activities during 12 months at Westminster Abbey: making “a snowmonk and a snowdog” in January; beginning his restricted Lenten diet in February; taking daffodils to a sick Brother in March; washing the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday in April; welcoming novices to the monastery in May; napping in the garden on a sunny June afternoon, and so on. Every month is represented by several activities illustrated on a double-page spread with a number of small gouache paintings in a naive style. Two of the entries include modern recipes for medieval dishes, Lenten leek soup and cherry pottage. An appended note comments on the building of the monastery in Westminster, London, and aspects of a monk’s life in 1383. Written and illustrated by the current head gardener at Westminster Abbey, this attractive picture book captures the rhythm of a monastery year. (Booklist )
This is more of an 'educational' book than we normally recommend but it charmed me. Beautifully illustrated, it takes you through the simple but full life that the community of monks in the abbey led. (Angels and Urchins )
This book is a luminous delight - the story is told simply, accessible enough for young readers yet interesting and amusing for anyone of any age. Perfect for anyone interested in picture books, gardening or simply understanding how our lives used to be guided by the seasons. (Ultimate Book Guide )
Book of the Month: The text and illustrations interweave together creating a magic that will inspire children to love gardens and take an interest in the history around them. (Child Care )
The large pages burst with colour, humour and charm. (Church Times )
This delightful heardback picture book has been produced by the Head Gardener at Westminster Abbey… From its beautifully illustrated endpapers and dust cover to every single page of the book, the reader will be intrigued and enchanted by its contents… In the primary classroom this would be a gem of a resource, not only for teaching but also for associated creative enterprises ranging through painting, drama, cookery, music and singing, gardening and games. it could form the basis for a whole term's exciting activities and provide a great time for both teachers and pupils. (Ibby Link )
Jan Pancheri's love for the Abbey, its history and gardens shines through in this charming and unusual title. As well as literacy work, the book lends itself to studies in both RE, including projects on Easter, and history, or even as a prelude for a visit to Westminster Abbey. (Literacy Time plus )
The book has been well researched and it is the fascinating details that will grip the young imagination. (Books for Keeps )
As an introduction to medieval monasticism, this account with its concentration on a particular aspect of the monks' lives gives humanity to a what can often appear a rather strange way of life. (School Librarian )
Well researched and it is the fascinating details that will grip the young imagination. (Books for Keeps )
Narrated by a fourteenth-century monk, this lightly informative picture book takes readers through his activities during 12 months at Westminster Abbey: making “a snowmonk and a snowdog” in January; beginning his restricted Lenten diet in February; taking daffodils to a sick Brother in March; washing the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday in April; welcoming novices to the monastery in May; napping in the garden on a sunny June afternoon, and so on. Every month is represented by several activities illustrated on a double-page spread with a number of small gouache paintings in a naive style. Two of the entries include modern recipes for medieval dishes, Lenten leek soup and cherry pottage. An appended note comments on the building of the monastery in Westminster, London, and aspects of a monk’s life in 1383. Written and illustrated by the current head gardener at Westminster Abbey, this attractive picture book captures the rhythm of a monastery year. (Booklist )
Product Description
Brother William is a kind-hearted 14th-Century monk gardener at Westminster Abbey responsible for providing food for the other monks. This diary of his year shows what happens month by month in delightful words and pictures. There are decorative endpapers of the Abbey and gardens, an introduction to the Abbey of Westminster and a note on the life of Benedictine monks - all meticulously researched, written and illustrated with warmth and humour by Westminster Abbey's very own Head Gardener.
'Brother William's Year by Jan Pancheri is a gorgeous book and offers an interesting lesson on medieval history for anyone. It will be useful not only for history lessons but also as away of demonstrating the 'journal writing' genre and the power of the first person voice. The print book is not in danger while works of this quality continue to be published by insightful publishers like Frances Lincoln.'
- Dr Margaret Mallet, Judge of the English Association Awards
'Brother William's Year by Jan Pancheri is a gorgeous book and offers an interesting lesson on medieval history for anyone. It will be useful not only for history lessons but also as away of demonstrating the 'journal writing' genre and the power of the first person voice. The print book is not in danger while works of this quality continue to be published by insightful publishers like Frances Lincoln.'
- Dr Margaret Mallet, Judge of the English Association Awards
From the Author
There is a paperback version of this title which can only be found by making sure you put in the apostrophe - that is 'Brother William's Year' not 'Brother Williams Year'. Thanks
About the Author
JAN PANCHERI has been Head Gardener at Westminster Abbey for many years and has made a study of the monks who lived there. She was brought up in Worcestershire. Her grandfather, an Italian immigrant, and her father were both woodcarvers. She qualified as an art teacher in 1989, and has written and illustrated two picture books, The Twelve Poodle Princesses and The Little Angel. She also runs children's summer workshops, and is passionate about introducing children to gardens, nature and the history around them.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Brother William is my name. My home is Westminster Abbey and the year
is 1383. I am a monk and I am also the Abbey gardener. I grow all the food we eat and the herbs we use for medicine, and I keep the garden looking neat and tidy.
To help me, I have a friend called Rufus, who shares my home and my food.
About 80 other monks live in the monastery. We call each other Brothers, and each of us has a job.
We live by the rule of St Benedict, which means we all work very hard. Everyone’s job is equally important, to make the monastery run smoothly.
The clothes we wear – called habits – used to be black but they have faded after washing. Only the Abbot’s habit is really black because his doesn’t get as dirty as ours.
is 1383. I am a monk and I am also the Abbey gardener. I grow all the food we eat and the herbs we use for medicine, and I keep the garden looking neat and tidy.
To help me, I have a friend called Rufus, who shares my home and my food.
About 80 other monks live in the monastery. We call each other Brothers, and each of us has a job.
We live by the rule of St Benedict, which means we all work very hard. Everyone’s job is equally important, to make the monastery run smoothly.
The clothes we wear – called habits – used to be black but they have faded after washing. Only the Abbot’s habit is really black because his doesn’t get as dirty as ours.
