The Magic of Falconry: Blending Fact with Fiction in Children’s Books

It’s often said that writers should “write what they know.” For me, this advice isn’t just a suggestion, it’s the heart of my book, The Hawk of the Castle. This story is a love letter to my childhood, a time filled with the unique and captivating world of falconry.

My father was a falconer, and I spent countless hours by his side. For us, training birds of prey wasn’t just a hobby; it was a way of life. I learned everything from him, watching as he mentored other aspiring falconers, patiently teaching them the intricacies of the sport. I was fascinated by the connection he had with these incredible creatures. I can’t remember a time when my dad was relaxing—whether watching TV or sitting on the porch without a hawk or a falcon perched on his gloved fist. This constant, gentle handling was a key part of taming and training the birds.

When I decided to write about this experience, I knew I wanted to take the core of our story—a father and daughter sharing the art of falconry—and make it accessible to a broader audience. To do this, I chose to blend our real-life memories with the magic of fiction. This is where the idea of setting the story in a medieval castle came from.

While my father and I lived in the modern day and nowhere near a medieval castle, my research revealed that many castles did indeed have a dedicated falconer. This wasn’t a part-time job; it was a full-time position held by a highly respected individual whose skills were essential for both hunting and maintaining the castle’s prestige. This historical fact was the perfect backdrop for my mostly non-fiction story. In The Hawk of the Castle, my father becomes the castle’s master falconer, and I become his daughter, learning the ropes of the trade.

Through this creative choice, real life truly meets fiction. I was able to weave my personal experiences with a captivating historical setting to create a story that is not only heartfelt but also educational. Each lyrical page of the book tells our story, and each one also provides more information via a sidebar for a child who is ready to learn more. It’s a book designed to grow with its reader, offering a deeper look into the world of falconry and medieval times as they get older.

The Hawk of the Castle is more than just a book to me. It’s a tribute to my father and the world we shared, brought to life in a way I hope captures interest and joy in others.

While I was writing my book, my father dealt with dementia, but remained conscious of the process and reviewed it before losing touch with us. It broke my heart that, two years later, when the book was beautifully illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline and released by Candlewick Publishers, Dad could no longer communicate. However, as I read it to him beside his bed, I noticed a tear in his eye. I like to believe that he recognized this was our book and was proud of me. ❤️

Awards and Honors

• Starred Review School Library Journal
• Starred Review Publishers Weekly
• 2018 Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
• Junior Library Guild Selection
• National Council for the Social Studies Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
• Imagination Soup’s Best Nonfiction Books of 2017
• Chicago Public Library Best Books for Children and Teens
• Rhyme Revolution’s Best in Rhyme Award Top 20 List

Raves and Reviews

Booklist 2/22/2017 The fictional narrative gives the book structure, while the details of falconry add interest and purpose. In the author’s note, Smith tells of learning “the ancient sport” from her father, a falconer. A beautifully designed and illustrated volume.
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Kirkus Reviews 12/20/2016 A trained hawk serves as fierce centerpiece to broad, sweeping views of castle and countryside in this rhapsodic tribute to the craft of falconry…An idyllic picture of an ancient practice.
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Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 3/23/2017 Ibatoulline’s lush, painterly spreads work in harmony with the text, tantalizing viewers with visual details of the garb and accouterments (both bird’s and falconer’s) of the sport, and immediately supplying answers as quickly as a listener can formulate a question.
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San Francisco Chronicle 6/29/2017 Here a Northern California author writes with special affection for falconry…Both enthusiastic and knowledgeable about this ancient sport, Smith concludes with a caveat: “Birds of prey must always be treated with care and respect.”
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Buffalo News 4/27/2017 Acclaimed artist Bagram Ibatoulline takes us back to medieval times with his glorious, detailed paintings in this fascinating story about falconry, as told by the young daughter of the falconer at a castle.
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Publishers Weekly (starred review) 2/10/2017 Ibatoulline’s (The Matchbox Diary) stunningly realistic acrylic and gouache scenes illustrate from all angles, offering close-ups of the hawk, pastoral panoramas, and breathtaking aerial vistas…What young readers may appreciate most, though, is the story, beautifully presented, of the bonding between a daughter and father.
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School Library Journal (starred review) 3/16/2017 Ibatoulline’s stunning illustrations depict the father/daughter pair hunting and learning together in a landscape of brilliant color and detail…An imaginative and unique title to introduce elementary schoolers to hawks and falconry in a medieval setting—an ideal read-aloud selection, too.
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The Wall Street Journal 4/27/2017 Mr. Ibatoulline’s fine, realistic pictures of castle, landscape and soaring predator have a wonderful feeling of sweep and drama. In small panels, Ms. Smith supplements her poetry with falconry facts and historical context.
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The New York Times Book Review 5/17/2017 Ibatoulline invites you into his sweeping, realistic scenes with cleverly shifting perspectives. But perhaps most thrilling is a book with a castle featuring a girl who’s curious and accomplished, with her social status and marital prospects blissfully beside the point.
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School Library Connection 3/09/2017 The author presents the story in lyrical form and includes information boxes on each page, which goes into more detail about each subject…I would recommend this book for children in fifth grade, but it would be a nice read aloud for fourth graders. This book belongs in all libraries.

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I’d love to hear about the real-life experiences that have inspired your favorite stories. What are some of the most memorable books you’ve read that blend fact and fiction?