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Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Bayport Public Library | Q J 232.91 DEM | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Anna your wife shall bring you a daughter, and you shall call her name Mary; She shall, according to your vow, be devoted to the Lord from her infancy, and be filled with the Holy Ghost from her mother's womb. . . . As she shall be in a miraculous manner born of one that was barren, so she shall, while yet a virgin, in a way unparalleled, bring forth the Son of the most High God, who shall, be called Jesus, and, according to the signification of his name, be the Savior of all nations. T HE B OOK OF M ARY, C HAP . 2:9-12
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Demi draws on the King James Version of the Holy Bible, as well as apocryphal sources such as The Book of Mary and The Life of Mary: As Seen by the Mystics, to tell her subject's story. By going beyond the traditional Bible, she is able to add details about Mary's childhood and to describe more fully her role in developing the early Church. The art and design of the book is similar to Demi's Mother Teresa and Jesus (both S & S, 2005), featuring paintings filled with bright, intricate patterns and bold touches of gold. The perspective is often flat and the pictorial elements on many pages seem to float in space. As in Jesus, the images are somewhat traditional in their depictions of winged angels and a white-haired God figure above the frame of several illustrations. The people and angels all have Caucasian features and skin tones. Children will need adult guidance to understand the text. Catholic schools in particular will appreciate this reverent perspective on Mary's life.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
For older children interested in learning more about Mary's life, Demi has created another sparkling entry in her line of picture-book biographies of spiritual figures with Mary. The author culls from such texts as the King James Bible, The Lost Books of the Bible and The Life of Mary: As Seen by the Mystics to present a thorough and well-rounded portrait of the mother of Jesus. Demi's signature paintings, careful in their detail, delicately framed and accented with gold, help make this a reverent and worthy addition to her canon. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Demi continues her highly regarded series of biographies of spiritual leaders with this reverential, exquisitely illustrated depiction of the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The format is similar to others in the series, with highly detailed paintings in jewel tones set off by patterned borders against ivory backgrounds that suggest ancient parchment. The use of intricately designed fabrics in costumes and touches of bright gold for haloes, emanating rays and additional borders are used as unifying elements throughout, adding to the volume's elegant style with the composite effect of an illuminated manuscript. The accompanying text focuses on chronological milestones of Mary's life from her own conception to her assumption and coronation in Heaven. The lengthy text includes familiar passages from the King James Version of the Bible as well as passages from several additional sources (which are not accepted by all Christian denominations). An Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II reproduced on the back cover emphasizes the volume's Roman Catholic orientation, though Demi's superb paintings and the exemplary design elevate the work above these potential concerns. (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Last year, Demi added Jesus to her list of distinguished books about religious figures. Now, she turns her considerable artistic talents to Jesus' mother, Mary, Queen of Heaven. Demi begins her story before Mary is born, when her parents, Anna and Joachim, learn that their prayers have been heard, and that they will have a child whom they will dedicate to the service of the Lord. Nor does the story end as it traditionally does--at the Crucifixion--instead it follows Mary's ascension into heaven. The information comes from The Book of Mary and Pseudo-Melito among others), both noncanonical sources, which Demi blends with more familiar gospel stories: the annunciation, Jesus' birth, and the wedding at Cana. The more obscure texts are credited, but never really explained, even in a note, and the writing throughout is sophisticated, with only a nod toward the intended audience. Yet, in some ways that barely matters; the words simply serve as a backdrop for the glorious artwork, which seems even more ornate and gilded than in Demi's previous books. Along with her familiar beautiful borders and diminutive characters, she incorporates many Jewish and Christian symbols that tie the religions together. Some of the pictures are almost whimsical, as in one delightful scene in which a garland of angels surrounds Mary. The moment of Jesus' death is moving and stark, with Mary huddled alone at the foot of the cross. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2006 Booklist
