Marguerite de Angeli

I came across the Newbery winner: The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli. What a gem!!! Set in medieval England, it follows Robin, a child of a nobleman who becomes disabled while his parents are away. The servants desert him and poor Robin is left alone. A monk rescues him and we see Robin growing not only in strength and skills, but also patience and bravery. And it is Robin who saves the town when it is attacked.

And look at these marvelous illustrations!!!

 

 

I had to find what else she'd written and there are a number of books. But when I saw she had an autobiography, Butter at the Old Price, I promptly purchased a used copy and what a wonderful book it is, filled with details about life of a by-gone era. But most of all, what I loved is how honest she is about the joys and challenges of writing and illustrating when it seems there is no time to do so. But Marguerite and her husband Dai not only raised their five children (and buried one), but found time to share music and art and of course, the writing of books. A full and beautiful life.