Customer Reviews

The Circle of Days

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The editorial review explains a lot so I won't duplicate that content. Yes, this is a thanks to the Lord for all the creatures on the Earth, and the Earth itself. For those that have not yet read it, I want to tell you that it is not overly religious but instead is more of communicating the wonder and beauty of nature and our world. This would definitely appeal to environmentalists, one example being that one passage states the hunter and the hunted are "both the same" rather than the usual Catholic-religion idea that man rules over nature. The text rhymes and so has a singsong quality that children love. The book is large format with most pages having a large illustration spread across both pages. I love that on most of these pages there are 5-6 little cubes on the bottom with smaller illustrations that correspond very closely to the text. One example is "praise for brothers wind and air, serene or cloudy, foul or fair" the small illustrations are a windmill, a weathervane, a sailboat on white-capped waves, a boy holding a balloon in windy weather, clothes drying on the clothesline in the breeze, and a kite flying. I love these illustrations as they give the parent more to talk about and to teach new words (weathervane was one that my 3 year-old had not yet learned). This book is unlike most that are available. People are shown in many different skin tones and some are very obviously from non-American countries (India, Africa). The collage type illustrations are lovely and this illustration method is not commonly seen.

This is my current favorite gift to buy for baby christenings and showers. Its thoughts are profound, but accessible to all. I imagine that this is a book to be shared between parents and children for many years, even handed down to future generations. If you're looking for that special, meaningful gift that will last throughout childhood and beyond-- this is the one!

'Nuff said in the earlier reviews about the text portion...so on to the illustrations:

As an artist and homeschooling-mom I constantly look for ways to share the love of Things-Artistic with my child [and the children of homeschooling friends]. This volume goes to the top of my growing list of shining show-and-tell examples of "why you might want to become an 'Artist' when you grow up."

I contend that this book will please many, many more than simply those with a "preschool eye" as another reviewer noted. And for the individual who rated Felstead's work as "...dull, static, cluttered..." I suggest they've been watching way too much television!

I for one feel the artwork alone makes this a Must Have volume, and further suggest and contend that a serious study of it would make for a challenging and rewarding semester [or more] in the Fine Arts.

Patrice Stanton, Extremist Art

As a church librarian, I bought this book for our pre-K students and I am glad I did. This is a lovely interpretation of St. Francis's Canticle of the Sun, with Lindbergh's words thrown in. All of creation is expressed through the lovely collage paintings which , with their bright colors and shapes, should please the pre-school eye. Very colorful, artistic message that God's creation is always there for us to admire and praise.

This is one of my children's favorite books: the illustrations are gorgeous, the words lovely, the thought profound and cathartic. It's not your "thanks for my swingset and new toys" sort of prayer, but one that takes into account the cycle of day and night, the elements, the earth, the prey and the hunter, life and death. A baby appreciates the sounds and warmth of color; a child the unblinking address of those things which really matter.

Reeve Lindbergh has thoughtfully rewritten Saint Francis' Canticle of the Sun for the enjoyment of younger readers. Her tribute to the original keeps the feeling and simplicity while making it accessible to modern readers. The collage illustrations are dull, static and cluttered rather than bright and three-dimensional. The bright cover, one hopes, will attract readers of all ages to this beautiful celebration of our natural world.

My children adored this book at storytime - we spent countless hours pointing out things in the detailed pictures, learning words. It's a prayer, and a poem, and I've given it as a Christening gift to numerous nieces and nephews... so sad it's not in print anymore.

This book is so beautifully done. The illustrations are incredible and make for a very moving book. This is a family favorite for all of us- kids, parents, uncles, and grands. I whole-heartedly recommend this book and feel that it would make a wonderful addition to any family library.

The Circle of Days is a short work beautifully illustrated. It can be read by either adults or children and we have made it part of our daily blessing for each meal.