The Angel and the Donkey [Hardcover]

Katherine Paterson (Author), Alexander Koshkin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

In this story from the Hebrew Bible, a stubborn donkey delivers an important message from the angel and helps her master, a powerful curse-layer, save the Israelites from the King of Moab.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her informative afterword to this sprightly retelling of a story from the Book of Numbers, two-time Newbery Medalist Paterson explains that the tale is notable in that it is one of two in the Bible that concerns a talking animal; and that, unlike most Old Testament entries, it is not told from the perspective of the Jews. The author keeps her fluid, narrative tone appealingly lighthearted as she relays the frustration of Balak, king of Moab, who calls on the soothsayer Balaam to lay a curse on Moses and the Israelites who, under his leadership, are seeking to cross Moab on their way out of Egypt. Seduced by the promised reward of riches, Balaam ignores an angel's command not to curse the Israelites "for the Lord has blessed them." But the greedy soothsayer soon recognizes the error of his ways. Rendered in watercolor, tempera and gouache, Koshkin's (illustrator of Stolen Thunder and Atlanta's Race) dramatic, vibrantly hued paintings feature an intriguing range of ancient symbols and motifs. Kids will be especially charmed by Balak's talking donkey, who emerges a hero while many of the human characters are decidedly asinine. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-The prophet Balaam, ordered by the King of Moab to curse the invading Israelites, is visited by an angel who warns him that the Lord has blessed those very people. Tempted by a rich reward, he sets out anyway on his faithful donkey, who unaccountably balks and bumps, causing the man to beat him. Finally the beast halts and speaks reproachfully. Thereupon Balaam sees again the angel, now with a flaming sword, who tells him to go on to Moab, but to speak God's words. Balaam then enrages the king by blessing the Israelites, as God inspires him to do. This faithful, graceful retelling is embellished with many equally graceful watercolor, tempera, and gouache paintings executed in a detailed and realistic manner. Winged lions, hawk-headed gods, hoofed fire-pots, and elaborate ornaments and dress exhibit Egyptian and Assyrian motifs. Rich colors and exotic settings emphasize the antiquity of the story (though Balaam's venality makes it timeless), while the androgynous angel, with wings, sandaled feet, halo, and sword, still meets conventional expectations. This beautiful book merits a place on Bible-story shelves.?Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (March 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395689694
• ISBN-13: 978-0395689691
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,098,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Katherine Paterson has twice won both the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award. She received the 1998 Hans Christian Andersen Medal as well as the 2006 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for the body of her work. An active promoter of reading and literacy, she lives with her husband, John, in Barre, Vermont. They have four children and seven grandchildren. Visit Katherine Paterson on her web site at www.terabithia.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommend, January 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Angel and the Donkey (Hardcover)

This is a very well-done bible story book, one of the best i've seen. The illustrations are gorgeous, and make an attempt to be accurate - eg the Israelites are camped in twelve tribes, three on each side of the tent of meeting, there are assyrian-inspired motifs under the assumption that these would have influenced the Moabites, etc. The retelling follows fairly closely the account in Numbers, but with the lengthy oracles consisely summarized, and Balaam's motivations particularly emphasized. It makes clear Peter's comment "Baalam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness." (2 Pet 2:15)