Psalm Twenty-Three by Tim Ladwig

 
 
TITLE: Psalm Twenty-Three
ILLUSTRATOR: Tim Ladwig
PUBLISHED BY: Eerdmans, 1993
ISBN: 978-0802851604

I love this book.  Ladwig, a very fine realist illustrator, has brought new life and accessibility to the most loved and best known psalm (#23 "The Lord in my shepherd").  He illustrates the psalm with scenes from the every day life of a child living in a city, going to school, sharing meals, etc.  Thus, through these vibrant paintings a child sees what it means to live the psalm, aware always of God's loving mercy and abiding grace.  (Mr. Ladwig has a number of other wonderful illustrated books published by Eerdmans.  Find out more about him by visiting his website.

  You prepare a table before me...in the presence of my enemies

At Jerusalem's Gate by Nikki Grimes and David Frampton

 
 

TITLE: At Jerusalem's Gate
AUTHOR: Nikki Grimes 

ILLUSTRATOR: David Frampton

PUBLISHED BY: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2005

ISBN: 0802851835

I don't want to review this book, other than to say Frampton's woodcuts are amazing, and Grimes free-verse poetry is better suited to a slightly older child--one who has been catechized, and who has been taught some fairly advanced poetry (probably 4-6th grades).  My one complaint is that the book is entirely in free verse.  But Grimes captures the scenes of the Passion very powerfully, and offers rich meditations on the different actors in those fateful days.  To convince you of its merit I am simply going to quote my favorite of the poems, "The Last Goodbye" told in the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

The Last Goodbye
So, this is how
you have him
wrenched from me--
permitting lying lips,

leather lash,

holy men flinging

fistfuls of anger

sharp as the spikes

that split his sweet muscle,

spoiled his smooth skin.

I'd have gladly laid him

unblemished, unbroken

on the altar, had you asked.

You gave me some sway

in his beginning.

Why not his end?

Look at him.

I could never kiss away

half those bruises.

His countless wounds

would dye

all my cloth crimson.

Besides, these human hands

hold no healing.

Maybe it's best

if I go with John now,

if I say goodbye

and let my son fly

to your arms.

For more of a preview, check out the book on Google Books.
 
 

The Passover

Joseph and Chico & Max and Benedict

TITLE: Joseph and Chico and Max and Benedict

AUTHOR: Jeanne Perego

ILLUSTRATOR: Donata Dal Molin Casagrande

PUBLISHED BY: Ignatius Press

It's time for some Papal Love.  Seriously. 

I don't remember how I learned to love and respect the Pope (JPII, of course), but I think it was just the way things were in our household.  Plus, I did get to see him when I was 8.  In Rome.  Which. Was. Awesome.  We've been incredibly blessed to have incredible men as leaders of the Church in our time. We haven't had the Borge popes, or Julius II--instead we've had some of the most remarkable and holy men of the century, as our leaders and shepherds.  

Furthermore, as the papacy has become more and more public--JPII travelled everywhere...more than once!--we have come to know these men intimately, even if we never had the chance to meet them.  Before this time, it seems unlikely that a biography of the Pope written for children would be anything more than the pious (and, lets face it, somewhat dry) books of the 1950s like This is the Mass. 

Instead, thanks to Ignatius Press and Jeanne Perego we have a warm and witty collection of stories about Pope Benedict, told from an unlikely perspective: his pets.  The first, Joseph and Chico, Chico the cat tells about his best friend's life: Joseph Ratzinger.  In a beautiful introduction written by the Pope's own secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein, says "Dear Children, here you will find a biography that is different than others because it is told by a cat and it is not every day a cat can consider the Holy Father his friend and sit down to write his life story."

Max and Benedict is similarly themed: Max is a blue bird who lives at the Vatican, and observes the comings and goings of the Pope.  Both these books manage to distill a sophisticated understanding of the Pope--his loving fulfillment of his duties, his generosity, and his deep and abiding faith.  They encourage devotion to the Holy Father by showing who he truly is: a good, kind, humble prayerful man who loves his children, and courageously carries the Cross, bearing witness to the grace of Christ. 

(I cannot neglect to mention the amazing illustrations done by the Italian water-colorist Donata Dal Molin Casagrande. Without them, this book would loose much of its charm!)

Support the great Catholic publisher Ignatius Press by buying directly from them (prices comparable to Amazon): Joseph and Chico and Max and Benedict

From Joseph And Chico

 

 

From Max and Benedict

Don't forget! It's Library Lovin' Week (2), where I'll be donating a dollar for every commenter on each of my posts. Please help me support my favorite libraries by commenting today. And if you can't think of anything to write, just say: "I love Pope Benedict!"

 

Easter by Jan Pienkowski

TITLE: EASTER: The King James Version
AUTHOR + ILLUSTRATOR: Jan Pienkowski
PUBLISHED BY: Knopf, 1989
ISBN: 0394824555

Ah, another Easter book I have concerns about, though these are considerably less grave.  Jan Pienkowski is known for his remarkable silhouette illustrations. In Easter, he takes the story of the Passion from the King James Bible, and illustrates it with those same dramatic silhouettes against vibrant, atmospheric backgrounds. Though stirring and evocative, I think the illustrations are rather terrifying.

We've discussed terror here on LLB before (1 & 2)--though never really satisfied the question.  As Christians we take the words of the Gospel to heart in all that we do, saying "be not afraid."  The cross is both the most horrifying thing imaginable, and the most glorious, because of the Redemption of Christ. Exposing children to the Cross equips them to deal with terror, fear, suffering, and trials.  We should not hide the cross from our children.
However, Pienkowski's silhouettes seem, to me, to be especially grim.  The featureless shadows, with long limbs and distorted posture, are exactly the sort of figures I used to worry were invading my bedroom (they were actually tree branches, of course).  Other children will not be terrified at all--they will rejoice in the text (yay for using the actual bible!) and the glorious floral embellishments on each page.

The book is out of print, so perhaps it is a moot point.  He has published it online, so you can read it online and see for yourself if your children would enjoy it. I would recommend this for older children (7-9 years old, I'd say).

Don't forget! It's Library Lovin' Week, where I'll be donating a dollar for every commenter on each of my posts for the next week and a half. Please help me support my favorite libraries by commenting today. And if you can't think of anything to write, just say: "I love Easter!"

The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher and Stefano Vitale

TITLE: The Story of Easter

AUTHOR: Aileen Fisher

ILLUSTRATOR: Stefano Vitale

PUBLISHED BY: Harper Collins, 1998

ISBN: 978-0064434904

I first discovered Stefano Vitale last Christmas when I saw his sweet Christmas Lullaby; I immediately fell in love with his soft palette and folk inspired style. So I was thrilled to find that he had teamed up with Aileen Fisher to produce a similar book about Easter.

Imagine my disappointment, then, to find that this book is less about Easter--the great feast--and more about the history of Easter. It is essentially a sociological study of Easter--as much as any Children's book is a "study."

It's not wholly bad--which is why I am sharing it with you. It is filled with many interesting facts about Easter, from the ancient (pagan) use of the egg as a symbol for new life ("it is not strange that many of the customs of the old spring festival because part of our celebration of Easter."), to the reason we where new clothes on Easter ("In the days of the early Christians, Easter was the time when new members of the church were baptized. Afterward they put on new white clothes as a sign of their joy."). I love these kinds of facts, and think they are worth knowing and sharing with your children. But Fisher has such an analytical detachment from the facts of Easter. She says it is a day of great joy without sharing this joy with her readers.

Vitale's illustrations, on the other hand, are marvellous. The ones illustrating the life of Christ are inspired by Giotto (yay!) and other early renaissance painters. (His crucifixion is one of the best I've seen in picture books.) I wish he had chosen another book to illustrate--one that better reflects the joy and grace of this Feast, so well captured in his drawings.

Don't forget! It's Library Lovin' Week, where I'll be donating a dollar for every commenter on each of my posts for the next week and a half. Please help me support my favorite libraries, by commenting today. And if you can't think of anything to write, just say: "I love Giotto!"

David's Songs: His Psalms and Their Story by Colin Eisler and Jerry Pinkney

 
TITLE: David's Songs: His Psalms and Their Story
AUTHOR: Colin Eisler
ILLUSTRATOR: Jerry Pinkney
PUBLISHED BY: Dail
ISBN: 978-0803710580


I've been going to mass during Lent at the Dominican House of Studies, where I work.  After Communion, we all say Vespers--the evening prayer of the Church, which includes a reading of three psalms or canticles.  The Psalms are, of course, some of the oldest and most beloved prayers of all history.  "The Lord is My Shepherd" is often read even at secular funerals.  And there is a Psalm for every feeling, wish, desire, or prayer.  They praise, they plead for mercy, they encourage, they strengthen, they speak to God boldly and humbly. 

I was first introduced to the praying of the Divine Office in college.  A family that lived across the street prayed it every day, morning and night, and the Children therefore knew some Psalms before they could even read.  Poetry is wonderful for children--and religious poetry from the mouth of a shepherd boy is doubly so.  And Colin Eisler and Jerry Pinkney's adaptation of David's Psalms is a good way to introduce children to these ancient prayers.

Eisler has written a short little essay about David's life, thus placing these Psalms in context. He re-translates the prayers, sometimes to good effect, and introduces each Psalm with a quick note that points out the theme of the psalm or the historical context.  Accompanying these psalms are Pinkney's generous illustrations depicting a little shepherd boy, and a huge, glorious world.

Interested in other picture book adaptations of the Psalms?  I'd also recommend:
+ Psalm 23 by Tim Ladwig
+ Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval
+ Illustrated Psalms of Praise (Spanish English bi-lingual) by Amy Ribordy Reese

Don't forget! It's Library Lovin' Week, where I'll be donating a dollar for every commenter on each of my posts for the next week and a half. Please help me support my favorite libraries, by commenting today. And if you can't think of anything to write, just say: "I love Jerry Pinkney!"

Petook: An Easter Story, by Caryll Houselander and Tomie dePaola

Suddenly, for sheer joy, Petook lifted his head and crowed.

TITLE: Petook: An Easter Story
AUTHOR: Caryll Houselander
ILLUSTRATOR: Tomie DePaola
PUBLISHED BY: Holiday House
ISBN: 978-0823406814


I have re-written the first sentence of this review about 15 times.  I don't know where to begin.  I am so in love with this book, but I'm afraid my enthusiasm for it will not do it justice--because it is actually a quietly triumphant book, not a "shout from the rooftops" book.  Petook is like the gentle blossoming of spring--when the world wakes up and suddenly it is Easter!  It is like that first quiet "Alleluia" whispered on Easter Morning.  It is sublimely joyful, as well as accessible and immediate.

Tomie dePaola (I love him, have I mentioned?) had long admired the work of the English mystic Caryll Houselander (I love her too, have I mentioned?).  Working with his wonderful publisher, Holiday House, he created this picture book based off one of her Children's stories, Petook.  Petook is a fine rooster, a proud new father.  One day a boy (Christ) comes to his yard, and watches as Petook's wife, Martha, gathers her chicks under her wing. 

Of course, he did not know who was being lifted up there. He did not know that it was the lovely little boy.

 

The farm Petook and Martha live on is at the base of Calvary Hill.  And so, when the day of Christ Passion comes, Petook is involved in the day as well (he is the cock that crows when Peter betrays Christ.)  Indeed, the entire Passion is played out in the background of dePaola's illustrations: we see a crowd of people with torches in the garden at night; high on the hill we see three trunks, waiting their cross beams and victims; later, we see a tomb with a soldier standing guard.  They are not at all prominent, but they are there and anyone who knows the story sees them.

Before dawn on Easter morning, the farmer's wife comes to visit her chickens.  She is shrouded and bent.  But as she picks up one "soft pink" egg under Martha, she stoops to listen.  So does Petook:

So were the blades of grass, the drops of dew on them, so were the leaves on the trees, and the stars that lingered still in the sky.  The world was listening.  Petook knew that.  The trees everywhere were listening.  All the winds held their breath.  Every flower and leaf and bird was still.  It was so quiet that Petook heard the chicken in the eggs tapping softly with their beaks to get out.

Yes, Petook heard that, and he hear life everywhere tapping softly to get out, to come out of the dark into the light, out of silence into sound, out of death into life: bird and beast and seen in the earth and bud on the tree.  Petook heard all that when the chickens tapped to get out.

And suddenly one of them came, a struggling splutter of gold fluff.  The woman laughed, and the sky broke into a splendor of light.

In a note to readers, DePaola betrays his primary motive for illustrating this Houselander tale--because it "breathes new life into the age old symbol of the Easter egg."  While this isn't the best reason to treasure this sublime book, its a good one.  The Easter egg is not a secular symbol--it is a Christian one, and one that has lost much of its meaning.  In Petook DePaola and Houselander cherish these symbols--and the joyful reality of new life--thus transcending their simple story and pointing always to that glorious morning when our Hope was fulfilled.
 

The woman put her hand gently under the hen's breast and drew out an egg.

 


Don't forget!  It's Library Lovin' Week, where I'll be donating a dollar for every commenter on each of my posts for the next week and a half.  Please help me support my favorite libraries, by commenting today. And if you can't think of anything to write, just say: "I love Tomie dePaola!" (Thanks Jenn for organizing this!)

  

Library Lovin' Week!

Children at the Guatemala mission that sponsors La Biblioteca de la Florcita waiting for story-time 

 

 

Tomorrow is the beginning of the Library Lovin' Blog-Challenge!

Spurred by the creative efforts of blogger Jennifer Hubbard, a bunch of book-bloggers are getting together to help support libraries and other literacy charities!

I will be donating a dollar for every comment on my posts from March 23 to April 1st (when I'll be taking a short break for Easter). I'll be donating to The Biblioteca Project, to my local Arlington County Library, and to the Theological Library at my office, The Dominican House of Studies. The original challenge only counts one comment per person, but I'd like to hear from you guys, so if you can comment every day, and I'll still count it (but just one comment per person per day). I will have to cap my donation at $300.

These next few days I'll be posting about Easter books, specifically religious ones, so I really hope you all comment! And you can do more by spreading the word: please link to this post, tweet about it, and send your friends here so they can comment and we can raise more money for these great organizations (and hopefully discover some really great books in the process).

If you’re moved to make a flat-fee donation to your library, or to start your own challenge, you are quite welcome, and please leave that information in the comments, and contact Jenn through her site below. For a complete list of participating bloggers (and to visit other sites where you can help libraries just by leaving a comment!) visit the writerjenn blog today! (Thanks, Jenn, for organizing this!)

Secular Easter Books

NB: This is a repeat of my post last year, with a few additions. The rest of the week (through Holy Wednesday, in fact) I'll be doing reviews of religious books. I'll be taking Holy Wednesday to Easter Tuesday off, giving myself a little break from the blog world. Also, check back at noon for a special announcement!


When I was in Kindergarten, the first day back at school, we were all kept outside to play in the sunshine. Finally the teacher let us in, and our room had been transformed--there were candies and Easter eggs everywhere, a a spilt can of blue paint, with bunny footprints running out the back door of the classroom. We all rushed to the door, and saw the back of a big pink bunny, as tall as the principal, running across the yard. Since then (before then I'm sure), I've always loved the Easter Bunny, and all the celebratory spring aspects of Easter. It's not surprising, then, that I also love a great many non-Religious Easter books. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes is another classic Easter story that has recently been republished. It is about a country bunny, mother of 21 little baby bunnies, who ends up becoming the exalted Easter Bunny. There is nothing really remarkable about this book, but it is sweet, and fun. It's comfortable, and good, and easily found in big box bookstores. Best of all (is it any wonder) are the illustrations by the brilliant Marjorie Flack.

Easter Treat by the beloved Roger Duvoisin, is sadly out of print. If you find it, buy it. Duvoisin was hugely popular in the 50s, but except for his well loved Petuniathe plucky duck, is mostly neglected today. It is a real shame, because Easter Treat is indeed a treat. Santa Claus, tired of the snow and cold, decides to visit the city for Easter, and see what spring is like. Though he goes "IN-COG-NITO" children tease him, and he ends up going to court (Miracle on 34th Street style) to defend his name, and prove that he really is Santa Claus. Duvoisin's cheery tri-color illustrations are a perfect match for Santa's adventure in the Spring sunshine.

The Easter Egg Artists, another classic, is also sadly out of print. Though Amazon lists it pretty high in price, I have found it at almost every library sale I attend.  The hero of the story is young Orson Abbot, who loves decorating things with his family. The entire family paints eggs, and houses, and so forth, till one day Orson gets to paint an entire bridge. The illustrations are detailed and sweet, and the story is dear. It teaches the child to persevere in a creative venture, and the parent to encourage them in such creative outlets. And besides, it's really fun.

The Egg Tree is another classic, and brilliantly illustrated at that. This Caldecott Award Winner of 1951 explores the old and by that tie mostly forgotten tradition of the Egg Tree, which a young girl revives upon discovering her grandmother's collection of painted eggs. Milhous, a Pennsylvania native, adopts the style of the Pennsylvania Dutch in her rich (non pastel!) illustrations. This book is credited with the revival of the egg tree tradition here in the US. The book should definitely be adopted into your Easter tradition, too.

The Happy Egg by Ruth Krauss is not really an Easter Tale.  But I always get in the mood to read it around Eastertime, so I think I'll share it here anyway.  Like most books by Krauss, The Happy Egg is a perfect balance of silliness and grace.  With bright colors and joyful cartoonish figures, Crockett Johnson's charming illustrations are as minimal as Krauss's text (a mere 13 sentences).  I dare you not to be charmed by this book.

Margaret Wise Brown's The Golden Egg Book combines Easter's favorite animals, the bunny and the chick, with a silly story, almost too sweet illustrations, and a lesson about freindship.  Like the cadbury creme eggs* (I can only eat one per year), I find this book is only good in the surgary bliss of Easter.  All the same, it is the classic, and I can't fail you by leaving it off my list.

Are there any secular Easter books I'm missing that you guys really love?
 

*They sell Cadbury Eggs on Amazon! Dangerous!

One More St. Patrick + Sale + Library Week!

  

   

My friend + LLB reader Renee told me yesterday about Margaret Hodges (of Saint George and the Dragon fame) has a book about St. Patrick!  It's called Saint Patrick and the Peddler, and, while I have not read it, I'd take Renee's word that it's good.  So I had to share it all with you.

Also, the blogger behind the brilliant and fun Vintage Kid's Books My Kid Loves is having a spring break sale in her Etsy Shop.  Buy $20 worth of books, and she'll refund shipping.  Her selection is small, but good, and her prices are good too.  (I just bought 4 books!  Yipee!)

Finally, I'm out tomorrow because my Aunt is having surgery.  (Prayers please!)  I'll be back Monday with the inauguration of LIBRARY WEEK.  There's still time to join us for Library Week, fellow kid-lit-book-bloggers, so go here to find out more.  It's going to be awesome, so please come back monday and join in on the fun!

P.S. Friend and Illustrator Ben Hatke has been doing some fun comics recently, part of one is pictured above.  Check them out on his blog Art & Adventure.

UPDATE:  This video is beyond awesome.  You *must* watch it!

The Books of the Irish (2): Ireland's Saints

:

 

Darlings: it's St. Patrick's Day. Did you notice? Everyone on the metro was wearing green (actually, that's not true. I was surprised how few were wearing green. But I was, that's for sure.). Anyway, this year I am going to focus on Celtic themed religious books. Plus a video treat at the end. (For more Irish Books, check out last year's post.) I love the Irish saint books because, as you'll see, every one of them uses the rich tradition of Celtic art and embellishment to create beautiful as well as wondrous tales of some of the early Saints of Ireland. Your child will be enchanted, and not by leprechauns.

+  Let's start with the man himself, St. Patrick. My favorite St. Patrick book is, surprise surprise, Tomie DePaola's Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. His mastery of folk art techniques serves him well as he integrates a rich tradition of Celtic art with the powerful story of Ireland's most beloved saint.

+  Across A Dark & Wild Seaby Don Brown: This stunning and beautiful book tells of the life of King Columcille, an Irish King in the 6th century, who was educated at a monastery, and was exiled from Ireland protecting a hand lettered psalter. This book illustrates not only Columcille's remarkable life, but also the worth, power, and spiritual blessings of education and learning.

+  Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Storyby Bryce Milligan and illustrated by Helen Cann: This tells the story of another ancient saint, Brigid of Ireland. Perhaps mostly the stuff of legend, it is an engaging tale of Christian courage and charity, and a perfect gift for a young lady this St. Patrick's day. (The illustrations are mixed-media, and include lots of Celtic motifs, which is fun!)

+  The Blackbird's Nest: Saint Kevin of Irelandby Jenny Schroedel and Doug Montross: Another Irish saint (7th century), the young Kevin loves animals more than even other kids. But soon he learns how to not be a bully, thanks to the surprising instruction of a blackbird. Again combining lovely art with Celtic motifs, and a spiritually rich story, The Blackbird's Nest will delight and instruct again and again.

+  Caedmon's Song by Ruth Ashby and illustrated by Bill Slavin: This is the joyful story of Caedmon, the eighth century Celtic monk who sang hymns of Glory to God. Slavin includes lovely illuminated letters in his illustrations--which is always a quick way for a story book to win my heart.

Speaking of illuminated letters: here's a video treat for all of you. This is in my netflix queue (so I get it as soon as it comes out on video.) Though I hope it will also come to Washington theatres. The Secret of Kells was one of the nominated "Best Animated Feature" Academy awards.
 




UPDATE:  The Secret of Kells is playing in the following places this friday: IFC Center (NYC), Village East (NYC), Criterion Cinema (Greenwich CT), Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville, NY), Landmark Kendall Square (Boston MA - with director Q&As!), Landmark Ritz at the Bourse (Philadelphia PA)--one of my favorite theatres.  And it opens in DC at Landmark E Street on Good Friday, April 3rd.