Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4-7, younger for reading aloud. Osborne tells the story of Jesus with a clear, beautiful narrative of events selectively chosen from the Gospels of the New Testament and with splendid reproductions of paintings by Botticelli, Hieronymus Bosch, Fra Angelico, and other famous Renaissance artists. The words are simple and direct (Joseph wanted "to break his engagement" when he found out that Mary was going to have a baby); at the same time, Osborne retains the reverence and mystery ("Unto you is born a savior, which is Christ the lord," the angel tells the shepherds). The Sermon on the Mount and the Lord's Prayer are quoted in full, woven into the life story. Along with the stirring words are the famous pictures, which children and adults will return to again and again, just as they have done for hundreds of years. The design of the oversize book is great for sharing, with thick paper and large type. On each double-page spread, there is usually one full-page painting opposite a page of text with one or more small inset pictures. At the back of the book, spread over four pages, is the key to the pictures, each small color reproduction captioned with its title, artist, and date. Osborne points out that the pictures date from a time when most people were illiterate, when they learned about the life of Jesus through paintings, sculpture, and stained glass windows. This is a great crossover book, to bring the story to those who don't know it well, and to bring to everyone these masterpieces of narrative art. (Reviewed October 1, 1998)0670873136Hazel Rochman
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Retelling portions of the New Testament, this simplified, rhythmic text is printed in a large, elegant typeface and is sumptuously illustrated with an interesting variety of art reproductions. Included are paintings and pictures from books of hours, breviaries, and a choir book, all glowing with rich colors and arranged dynamically in a number of shapes and sizes. Among the artists represented are Giotto, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Breughel, Poussin, and Veronese. The story of Jesus's early life includes the Annunciation, Nativity, Wise Men, Slaughter of the Innocents, Flight into Egypt, and Visit to the Temple. Accounts of Jesus's baptism, temptations by the Devil, and a few of the better-known miracles and parables follow. The book concludes with a succinct version of Holy Week and Jesus's resurrection and ascension. No scripture references are given. All is woven together smoothly into a continuous narrative. A section reproducing the pictures in miniature and identifying them by title, artist, and date appears at the end.-Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Reproductions of religious paintings by Renaissance artists, as well as a few pieces dated in later centuries, accompany a skillful retelling of the life of Christ, compiled from the King James and Revised Standard versions of the gospels. Two pages at the end identify the artists. Unfortunately, in one portrayal of the Last Supper, Jesus is hidden in the book's gutter, and incidents depicted in a few of the smaller paintings are not mentioned in the text. From HORN BOOK Fall 1999, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
