Jesus

Product Description Award-winning artist Demi celebrates the life of Jesus in this beautifully illustrated picture book biography perfect for young readers of all ages. With reverence, splendid majesty, and grace, Demi brings the biography of Jesus to life through beautiful language and vibrant illustrations. Presented in the language of the New Testament from the King James Version of the Bible, this inspirational picture book takes readers from Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary to Jesus’s crucifixion. From School Library Journal Grade 3-6–Brilliantly colored artwork and text based on the King James version of the Bible tell the story of the life of Jesus, beginning with the prophesies and the annunciation and ending with his ascension into Heaven. Demi's paintings are full of bright, intricate patterns, and bold touches of gold produce a feeling of awe and splendor. The images are somewhat traditional in their depictions of winged angels and a white-haired God figure above the frame of several illustrations. This book is a beautiful creation, and a reverent tribute. However, it does not have a lot of appeal for children. The art, all enclosed in a series of frames, looks static and self-contained. The small size of the text makes it difficult to read. The biblical passages have an undeniable beauty, but no adjustments or simplifications have been made to make the language more accessible to a young audience. This volume will be a source of inspiration for readers already familiar with the story of Jesus. To introduce the topic to children, consider Sally Grindley's The Life of Jesus (DK, 2003) or Brian Wildsmith's Jesus (Eerdmans, 2004).–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Gr. 3-5. Demi has used her considerable artistic talents in books about many great religious figures. Now, she turns her attention to Jesus, using as her text pieces from the four gospels, and lacing them into a touching narrative of life, death, and resurrection. Anyone familiar with children's books will immediately recognize Demi's style. All of the hallmarks of her art are here: striking design, diminutive figures, jewel-tone colors, intricate borders, and brilliant streaks of gold signifying holiness. Jesus is something of a disappointment--a blond, wispy Lord, whose strength comes from the golden rays that surround him and are emitted from him. But the scenes, each a small play of its own, are thoughtful and often moving. The text does not use the exact language of the King James Version of the New Testament, but the simplified presentation adds to the child appeal. Using the most vivid sections from the different gospels, Demi creates a brisk yet profound rendition of the greatest story ever told. Ilene Cooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved About the Author Demi is the award-winning creator of numerous books for children, including The Empty Pot; Buddha; The Dalai Lama; The Legend of Saint Nicholas; Gandhi, which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and received an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award; and Muhammad, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice selection, a Booklist Editors’ Choice selection, one of the Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth, and a Book Links “Lasting Connections” selection, and was cited in a Publishers Weekly starred review as a “timely, exceptionally handsome biography [that] serves as an excellent introduction to Islam.” Demi lives in Carnation, Washington.