raoionna's review
3.0
Lovely colored pencil illustrations show medieval actors performing the play of Valentine and Orson, which is also told in Troubadour style poetry. It is wonderful to read aloud, but long for a child to listen to.
maiakobabe's review
5.0
The story of Valentine and Orson dates back to the mid-1400s if not before. The creator of this book fell in love with the tale and condensed it down into a 9 chapter poem in iambic pentameter, clarifying its central themes. Her gorgeous illustrations show a travelling family of actors performing the story on a small makeshift stage, in the era and style of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The story starts when Bellisant, the sister of King Pepin of France marries Alexander, the Emperor of Greece and goes to live in his capital city of Constantinople. A terrible betrayal occurs, and the Emperor casts out the pregnant Bellisant believing that she has been unfaithful. With only one trusty servant, Blandyman, she tries to make her way back to her brother's court. She gives birth to twin boys all alone in the forest, and one of them is stolen by a bear. Chasing after her stolen son she leaves his twin behind. He is found and adopted by a squire of King Pepin. It takes twenty years, and many plot twists and turns, before the unlucky mother is once again reunited with her children.
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