In the days of this story, printed books were very few, and almost unknown to most people, as printing presses had been invented only a few years earlier. So by far, the greater number of books in the world were made by the patient labor of skillful monks.
And so these brothers, who lived in monasteries and abbeys, made it their chief work to preserve and multiply all the books worth keeping. They ornamented the with beautiful borders of flowers, birds, saints, angels, and such lovely initial letters; all in bright pleasing colors and gold.
Gabriel, a young peasant, was proud to grind and mix the ink colors for the monks. When King Louis XII requested a beautifully illuminated hour book for his future wife, Lady Anne of Bretagne, Gabriel gladly assisted Brother Stephen in creating it.
This thoughtfully written story of friendship, faith, and kindness makes for a wonderful family read-aloud during Christmastime.
Illustrated in color by Adelaide Everhart.
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