Harold the Herald; a Book about Heraldry
Grade 4-7-- In this companion to Sir Dana--A Knight (Dutton, 1988), Fradon introduces readers to the intricacies of medieval and contemporary heraldry. On the plus side, his explanations of heraldic terminology are clear and well supported with illustrations. He begins simply, then builds, term by term, thus keeping pace and sustaining readers' interest. Color-coded footnotes extend the text. The duties of heralds outside their familiar roles of developing, recording, and monitoring coats of arms are laid out with specific examples, both real and fictitious. Fradon's familiar New Yorker -style cartoons are overlaid with bright watercolors. On the negative side, the use of named characters and dialogue makes the book look like a work of fiction, lessening its authority. The humorous bent of the narrative and the illustrations veers close to cuteness at times, and the use of a talking suit of armor to introduce the subject is contrived and distracting. There's a grammatical error, coming from the teacher no less, when she uses the phrase "different than." Details on the parts of a coat of arms (motto, mantling, etc.) are lacking. An acceptable addition for general interest and for curriculum support. --Barbara Hutcheson, Greater Victoria Public Library, B.C., CanadaCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.