Saint Francis

This book was so much more than I expected. It is fabulously illustrated and beautifully printed. It is certainly a collector's item. Highly recommended.

Prolific author and illustrator, Brian Wildsmith, presents a beautiful book for children of all ages. The lavish art work is beautiful and extremely detailed for a young persons book, so therefore, people of all ages can appreciate this rich story of St. Francis. The author tells how St. Francis gave up his worldly possessions and dedicated his life to helping the poor, his love of God and all it's creatures. His repair of the church at San Damiano(at God's suggestion), his various soujourns preaching the word of God, his meeting with the Pope and his time in prison are all included in this abbreviated biography of the great St. Francis of Assisi. The Franciscan Order later took his message of love to all parts of the Earth. Naturally his special relationship with animals is a highlight of the book and children will undoubtedly find this particularly interesting. The art work is just marvelous and may be shared with the young reader to discover all the intricate details on each page. For those children just establishing a vocabulary it is especially useful for playing the "what do you see" game with the art work. Recommended for personal, community, grade school and church libraries.

Since receiving this book as a gift, I have bought many more to pass on as gifts. The words are poetic and the pictures are beautiful as the author tells the wonderful story of St. Francis (and a bit about St. Clare, too)!

I could tell that the author and illustrator, Brian Wildsmith has a special affection for this saint. Indeed, Brian's appreciation for St. Francis comes through every picture he has painted for this book. The paintings take up the whole of the pages. The cover of the book is a good example of the detail and joy which is throughout the paintings of this book. I am not one for enjoying art, but I could not help but look at the art of each page before I read the words on it. Brian then has added about 4 lines of story to each of his 9" by 12 inch pages. It is as though the words on the page - the story - serves as a label for the painting of the page, rather than the painting simply illustrating the words. Unique to this book is the fact that the words are written in the first person "I" rather than the third person and it tells a story that children, as well as adults, are sure to love as much as they love the pictures. It is a wonderfully beautiful book.

A beautiful book that tells about a man who has so much love to give. Just what the world needs now, an antidote to hatrid and war and the evildoers that push them.