Product Description

Radiant watercolor illustrations enhanced with gold tones set the scene for this simple retelling of the Easter story as seen through the eyes of a little donkey who carried Jesus through the streets on Palm Sunday. The creative perspective will engage your children; and youll savor the artwork and reverent tone.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #308736 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .35" h x 9.74" w x 12.33" l, 1.07 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From Amazon.com
Brian Wildsmith, well-known illustrator of more than 30 picture books (including Brian Wildsmith's ABC, for which he won the venerable Kate Greenaway Medal), has this to say about the traditional Easter legend: "It is the world's greatest story, burning with history, passion, and tragedy."

Wildsmith's own passion for the story of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection is unmistakable in his glorious, metallic-gold-hued illustrations, which tell the story more vividly than words ever could. In fact, to his credit, Wildsmith adapts the story of Jesus's last days in as simple and straightforward a manner as possible, allowing young readers to glean the substance from the paintings, symbolism, and, most likely, discussion with grownups who may be reading along. The donkey's-eye-view of the events allows a slightly different perspective from the standard, without being overly intrusive as a literary device. Lush jewel tones capture the richness of the narrative, and mesh in a strangely beautiful way with the simple paintings of Jesus, the angels, Mary Magdalene, and others in the biblical cast of characters. The Easter Story will make a gorgeous addition to any Easter basket. (Ages 5 and older)

From Publishers Weekly
Wildsmith has masterfully condensed and simplified the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ for young readers, and provided luminous paintings as accompaniment in his latest picture book. The child-friendly text describes seminal events, as when Jesus rides a faithful donkey into Jerusalem and celebrates the Last Supper with friends. Although the miracles depicted here hold particular significance for Christians, all readers can appreciate Wildsmith's gently rendered artwork and its judiciously applied metallic paints. Expansive scenes of the Holy Land sites are awash in soft watercolors and often flecked with gold. Hovering winged angels and throngs of people wear brilliant, multicolored garments. An ornate purple and gold spread in the Garden of Gethsemane is especially stunning. This sumptuous volume serves well as an introduction to the Bible and also allows room for private interpretation. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-The events of Holy Week are viewed by a little donkey who carries Jesus into Jerusalem among waving palms and excited onlookers. He watches the cleansing of the Temple, peers through a window at the Last Supper, waits in the Garden of Gethsemane, and then follows the prisoner to Caiaphas's house and Pilate's court and along the Via Dolorosa to the Crucifixion. He bears Jesus's body to the garden tomb and then witnesses the Resurrection and Ascension before returning to his home. These essentials are told rather sketchily but adequately in a simple text, but the focus is on the huge panoramic double-page spreads lit by sumptuous greens, purples, blues, and reds and highlighted in gleaming gold. The city, rising starkly on its hill, is the walled, arched, and domed Jerusalem of Crusader times. The stylized figures of the angels, soldiers, followers of Jesus, and curious onlookers are splendidly and vividly costumed; and each scene is full of action and detail. The effect of regal splendor and beauty is tied to everyday life by the presence of the wistful, bewildered little donkey who gazes astounded at the events both cruel and celestial. This is a completely different treatment from Elizabeth Winthrop's He Is Risen (Holiday, 1985), also magnificently but realistically illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak and using a more Biblical text.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.