A Child's Book of Saints

Christopher Doyle

Rating:

I particularly liked the presentation, format and illustrations in this book, and feel sure children within the five to eleven age range would enjoy the beautiful illustrations, the simple text and count this a book to treasure. 

Each page tells the story of a saint. Its 26 saints are well chosen; as the introduction states, it ‘includes men and women from different times and places who have shared one common goal: to live for God as far as they were able and to put God and other people before themselves.’ There are saints from every century up to the present day.

The text is uncomplicated, providing the saint’s story and relevant dates and place. The introduction suggests ‘different traditions’ hold different definitions of the term ‘saint’. It doesn’t explicitly present the reader with questions, but the small amount of information in the introduction and on each saint could stimulate deeper thought and discussion.

One aspect that disappointed me was a lack of Bible references where appropriate, to help the reader engage with sources. However, the excellent illustrations tell a story in themselves; they are colourful and full of clear meaning and detail. They are complemented by attractive page borders conveying powerful symbolism to illuminate the text. This is a book to savour as special, as saints are.

For school use, it is not a resource that could stand alone, but provide food for contemplation and further investigation into the meaning of sainthood. 

Reviewer: Cathy Davie, RE Advisor, Southwark Diocesan Board of Education, London

Review posted on: 23 March 2009

Product information:

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