This beautiful picture book, illustrated from paper-cut prints and watercolours, is a celebration of Medieval Celtic illumination.

A young monk, Theophane, is sometimes restless during the long days bent over his work, and loves above all to be out walking in the open countryside. From nature, he learns to make inks – yellow from the crocus, blue from woad leaves, violet from bilberries – and early one morning his brother monks come in to find him asleep over his work table, their work glowing with new colour and life. Highly recommended. Medieval life, the joy of colour, and the beauty of nature all brought to life for ages six to adult.