Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 3-6, younger for reading aloud. Librarians and other adults looking for New Testament stories to share with children will find these one-page adaptations clear and understandable. Stories of 12 miracles including Christ's walking on water, calming a storm, changing water into wine, raising Lazarus from the dead, and healing the eyes of a blind man appear juxtaposed with richly colored, imaginatively stylized, full-page illustrations. The same format is used for the Parables; here are 17 retellings, such as ``The Good Samaritan,'' ``The Prodigal Son,'' ``The Mustard Seed,'' and ``The Sower.'' Given without further eludication, some of the parables may need adult interpretation to bring about the fullest understanding. In Parables dePaola's illustrations are more interpretative but are executed with the same accomplished hand. Each title has a list of the New Testament chapters and verses used. These offerings should help satisfy requests for biblical material in nonformidable formats. BE.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Decorative Romanesque-inspired illustrations illuminate familiar Bible stories in a masterful blend of art and idea. DePaola uses soft, chalklike colors and repetitive geometric shapes to create a rich and satisfying tapestry. The rhythm of waves, wind, fabric folds, and rich patterns of leaves, animals, and people provide a feast for the eyes. In Miracles, a double-page layout is used for each story, creating a unit with a distinct mood and thought. ""The Wedding at Cana,"" ""The Ten Lepers,"" and ""The Loaves and Fishes"" are among the 12 miracles adapted from the New Testament. Parables presents 17 brief stories, including ""The Good Samaritan,"" ""The Prodigal Son,"" and ""The Mustard Seed."" Children without exposure to Bible stories may have difficulty with the vocabulary: Pharisee, publican, leaven, sower. The illustrations are more complex, often several to a page, and require careful reading, Sometimes in sequences from left to right or top to bottom. In ""The Laborers in the Vineyard,"" the scenes form a tapestry with narrow lines of color used to indicate the time sequence from early morning to evening. Striking and evocative creations by a master craftsman. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
