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Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 UpThe 20 saints and martyrs gathered here are, with few exceptions, either biblical figures central to the Christian story (John the Baptist, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene) or heroes of the early church. The biographies are brieftwo or three paragraphs at most. Most of the selected martyrs lived under the pagan Roman emperors and proved their piety by dying in bizarre and horrendous ways. Some are famous for their legendary deedsChristopher, for example, and Saint George. Also included are the two great medieval figures, Francis of Assisi and Joan of Arc. Details from works by Raphael, Giotto, and lesser known artists of the 14th to 16th centuries show the veneration in which these saints were later held in Europe. However, the confusion of Renaissance costumes and details with events that occurred back in the Roman Empire takes the book out of the realm of history and places it firmly in the category of religion, with some application to art history. The emphasis, both in text and in the artistic renderings, is on legend and miracle; the stories are drawn from church tradition and hagiology. The volume concludes with an index of the paintings and a complete calendar of the saints venerated on each day of the year. Handsomely designed, and with a text that elaborates on the curious and intriguing legends that surround the Catholic saints, the book is particularly appropriate for church schools and public libraries with extensive and balanced religious collections.Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Compiled by an artist and museum educator, this handsome and useful collection of glimpses into the lives of twenty saints includes full-color reproductions of some of the world's masterpieces. The succinct biographical overviews incorporate explanations of the content of the paintings, including the symbols that represent each subject's particular claim to sanctity. Ind. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Brief biographies take a secular and historic approach to the lives and attributes of 20 saints. Readers won't need a religious background to find it fascinating that Martin of Tours is the patron saint of France, beggars, and soldiers; Jerome takes librarians and scholars as his special charge; and Apollonia looks after dentists and those with a toothache. Those who thought the Power Rangers were brutal may want to preview the stories before sharing them with very young readers: As punishment for refusing to renounce her God, Apollonia had her teeth pulled out one by one before leaping to her death in a bonfire; Lucy plucked out her eyes and sent them to a despondent suitor. Sublime paintings by Giotto, Zurbarán, Raphael, and others illuminate the saints' lives and remind readers how frequently they have inspired artists as well as writers, poets, and musicians. At the end of the book is a four- page listing of the paintings and the locations of the originals as well as a ``Calendar of the Principal Feasts of Saints'' that provides at least one saint for each day of the year. A ravishing glimpse of a complex subject; it leaves readers both enlightened and craving more. (Picture book/nonfiction. 8+)
Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-7, slightly younger for reading aloud. Children have always been intrigued by the lives of the saints, but rarely have they had so glorious a book with which to indulge their interest. Using paintings from such museums as the Louvre, the National Gallery, and the Prado, the book introduces 20 saints, most well-known and beloved, though there are a couple of fascinating exceptions. For instance, there's St. Lucy, who plucked out her eyes in order to deter a suitor. (Not to worry, God restored them). Of course, this mix of mystery and martyrdom is what has captured imaginations over the centuries and is the subject matter of a healthy helping of the world's art. Here, young people can pore over Caravaggio's painting of St. Paul almost being trampled by his horse after being blinded on the road to Damascus; Raphael's interpretation of St. George slaying his dragon; and St. Joan in full battle dress as portrayed by the French artist Ingres. Armstrong does a fine job of making each introduction brief, yet full of enticing detail. An index of the paintings and a calendar of the saints complete the well-designed and carefully thought-through package. --Ilene Cooper
