Once there was a goat called Answelica. She lived in a monastery with many monks who feared her temper, horns and teeth. One of these monks named Brother Edik, finds a little girl curled up asleep in Answelica’s stall, the goat’s ear in her hand. From this moment Brother Edik cares for the little girl, marvelling how she has tamed the vicious goat.

The girl’s name is Beatryce. That’s all she can remember of herself. The rest of the monks want rid of her, and the goat too if possible, but Brother Edik hides her by shaving her head and dressing her as a monk. When an opportunity arises for them to leave, they ensure she will never return.

Brother Edik knows why the others fear her so. There is a prophecy – one in fact that he penned himself many years before. A girl will come and unseat the King.

The King himself knows of this prophecy, and he had it all under control – until he doesn’t. The search is on for Beatryce.

Beatryce has skills she shouldn’t have, deemed important by her mother many years before. These skills are another reason she must hide from the King. As her memories return to her, she decides her own destiny. Not one of swords, blood or revenge, but one of love.

Set in medieval times, with several threads of story cleverly connecting in true DiCamillo style, The Beatryce Prophecy reminded me of one of her Newbery Medal winners – The Tale of Despereaux.

Whilst Beatryce’s way of kindness and calm tames not only a grumpy goat but brings fierce loyalty from others, a villainous King and Counsellor plot her downfall. Revenge and power is what drives them, and even though Beatryce could be driven by the same emotions, she chooses another way. 

This story has a feel of fable and fairytale, driven by words on a page written many years before. Words and literacy are an important part of the story, as is a mother’s love.

Another Kate DiCamillo treasure.

Author – Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator – Sophie Blackall

Age – 8+

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(2021, Walker Books Aust, Medieval, Historical, Kindness, Love, Literacy, Loyalty, Kingdom, Revenge, Friendship, Goat, Animals, Monks, Monastery, Robbers, Villains, Murder)