Charlemagne didn't care. He was so powerful that he had conquered an empire that stretched all the way from Europe to Asia. Despite that, Charlemagne wasn't happy.
This post is part of my focus on past CBCA winners and short listed titles - treasures of the past. The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the Kind was a Notable title in 1998. I wonder why it didn't make the short list. Titles that year were The Two Bullies (Winner), Josh (Honour Book), Detective Donut and the Wild Goose Chase (Honour Book), Grandad's Teeth, Queenie the Bantam and Great Escape from City Zoo (Short listed). It is interesting to ponder which of these titles I continue to share with my library groups. If I am honest it would only be Queenie the Bantam and The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the King.
In 2018 the CBCA slogan was Find your Treasure and The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the King was a perfect book to use with this theme. Take a look here to see the comments by reviewers.
Beginning with the cover you can see Charlemagne resting his head on his hand surrounded by so many special and valuable gifts but these seem to be of no interest to him. Behind the king, stands a monk. He is smiling and looking slightly to his left. On the title page there is a cape and set of long john underwear. Two cats are looking out at the view. Another day is beginning for the king.
Charlemagne tells his counsellors and courtiers he wants a "source of happiness that can last for the rest of my life." Treasures arrive from all over his kingdom. It would be fun to compare all the gifts given to the King with those given in The Quiltmaker's Gift and The Glassmaker's Daughter.
Here are some of the gifts:
- A wheelbarrow full of gold coins
- A camel, an elephant, a fiery bull, a swan and two dancing bears
- Honey Bees and a bat from Transylvania
- A crystal bath
- A cheese and pickle sandwich on thick black bread wrapped up in a red spotted handkerchief
Meanwhile the monk has been sitting the corner and his presence and happiness begin to infuriate the king. The monk is called Alcuin and he is a librarian from York.
"He had come to the palace today because he wanted to ask for some money to fix his library roof. And of course he had bought a book with him on his journey because he was a sensible person and never went anywhere without one."
Alcuin explains that treasure can be found in books but Charlemagne cannot read so Alcuin offers to teach him. It is a struggle.
Charlemagne : I don't know how to read
Alcuin : I could teach you
Charlemagne : Is it hard?
Alcuin : Well, it's not easy but it's worth the trouble. If you learn to read and love books, I can promise you will never be bored or lonely.
Charlemagne : When can we start?
Then Alcuin explains there are so many books but they are spread across the kingdom, and without the invention of the printing press it will take years to copy them all by hand and collect them. And so the library grows.
This is a timeless story with a quiet wisdom and it is a joy to read aloud. It is also a must read for every Teacher-Librarian and another book that simply should come back into print. You can read more about Alcuin and Charlemagne here. Original illustrations from this book can be seen in the State Library of Victoria. It would be fun to compare Deborah Klein's work with the formal painting I've included below.
Image source : http://www.medievalists.net/2015/08/questions-and-answers-with-alcuin/
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