First Communion 2013 Book Review
Book Review by Ann Jonas, Tradebook Buyer - CSB/SJU Bookstores
this review was published in the St. Cloud Visitor
The Lion Bible to Keep For Ever, Retold by Lois Rock, Illustrated by Sophie Allsopp; Lion Publishing; April 2013; 319 pp.; $17.99
Author Lois Rock has authored numerous religious books for children; she is well-known for her books of prayers and Bible stories. Her newest title is a beautiful children's Bible in which she retells 50 stories from the Old and New Testaments. Each story begins with a brief introduction to explain its setting. The charming pencil and watercolor illustrations add interest to every story, all of which are taken or adapted from the Good News Bible. The Lion Bible to Keep For Ever contains a presentation page for gift-giving. This hardcover book of Bible stories is an appealing keepsake for First Communion.
The Life of Jesus, Retold by Sophie Piper, Illustrated by Angelo Ruta; Lion Publishing; April 2013; 128 pp.; $16.99
Much respected for her charming retellings of Bible stories, author Sophie Piper's new book The Life of Jesus contains over fifty stories from the Gospels. The book begins with the Annunciation and ends with Pentecost along with a brief summary and map of where Jesus lived. Each story, retold for early readers and adapted from the Good News Bible, is just a few pages long, and contains beautiful illustrations that add interest. Hardcover, with a clear plastic jacket, The Life of Jesus has a presentation page and index. This book makes an attractive and meaningful First Communion gift.
A Child's Book of Values: Classic Stories from Around the World, adapted by Esteve Pujol I Pons, Illustrated by Adria Fruitos; Paulist Press, September 2012, 112 pp.; $19.95
"We do not tell stories to educate; we educate by telling stories." This statement in the introduction to A Child's Book of Values helps to explain the book's objective: to tell stories that have a moral lesson, without making the tale a sermon. The book consists of twenty-six classic stories from different cultures around the world, addressing twenty-six different values. Some of the stories may be familiar (The Musicians of Bremen on friendship) and (George Washington and the Cherry Tree on honesty); others will be lesser known (By the Bridge on patience) and (The Blind and the Elephant on tolerance). The book ends with a quotation about each of the values in the book. This hardcover collection of values will make a nice gift for many occasions, including First Communion.