Clare and Francis [Hardcover]

Bimba Landmann (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

Around the year 1200 Francis and Clare were born in Assisi, Italy. Although born into wealthy families, they chose lives of poverty instead. Francis preached to both people and animals throughout the towns, while Clare cared for the sick in the convent of San Damiano. Both gave a joyful face to the spirituality of the Middle Ages and set examples that live on even today. Here the story of Clare and Francis is told in simple words and illustrated through striking images adorned with gold. Opening with a short chronological biography accompanied by miniatures and closing with Franciss Canticle of Brother Sun, this inspiring book will bring the tale of Assisis two great saints to life for readers everywhere

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4–While many have heard the legends associated with Saint Francis, few know the second saint from Assisi–Clare. Both were born to noble families and exhibited sensitivity to those less fortunate, even in their youth. Both ultimately rejected their families' wealth and founded religious orders known for humility, generosity, and devout faith. This book details what is known about their early and mature years, as well as their relationship with one another. Landmann's paintings recall the nonlinear perspective, figural style, and narrative frescoes of the 14th-century artist Giotto. She alternates between multiple panels on a page to lavish spreads. Gilt highlights add a richness to the scenes. Initial pages present a pair of illustrated time lines, comprising significant moments in the saints' lives. The closing offers two translations of Francis's "Canticle of Brother Sun." To extend children's enjoyment of stories about Francis and to help them understand the legacy introduced in this artful picture-book biography, share Margaret Mayo's Brother Sun, Sister Moon (Little, Brown, 2000) and Frances Ward Weller's The Day the Animals Came (Philomel, 2003) with them.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 4-7. Unlike many books about saints Clare and Francis, this picture book for older children begins as Clare gives her bread to the poor. The focus then quickly shifts to Francis, a young man as kind as he is generous, who dreams about becoming a knight, but decides to serve a higher lord. The familiar story of Francis (and to a lesser extent, Clare) is beautifully treated in this book, with luminous iconic artwork and a text that is both down-to-earth and stroking the stars. Children will be caught up in the struggles of the saints, which will seem relevant to their own lives: the quest for material pleasures, disagreements with family, spiritual hunger. Visconte's incisively written text explains how Francis infused life's practical moments with the sacred, the words heightened by Landmann's extraordinary artwork. With overtones of Byzantine style, a medieval sensibility, and ripples of Marc Chagall's mysticism, the pictures, all dappled with gilt, beg children to look closely at the full and double-page spreads and at the pages with small squares that explain Francis' ministry. "The Canticle of Brother Sun," its words gloriously drenched in gold, makes for a shining ending. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852696
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852694
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #772,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Illustrations are worth a thousand words...., July 1, 2004

By 

N. Curtis LeMay (River Falls, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clare and Francis (Hardcover)

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated children's books I've ever seen and I've been a librarian for over 30 years. Few books bring tears to my eyes and this did. A treasure!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding, April 23, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Clare and Francis (Hardcover)

This is the most gorgeous children's books I've ever seen--the illustrations are rendered like classic iconography. The text is decent as well, though the real reason to have this book is not to read it but to look at it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unforgettable biographical portrait, June 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clare and Francis (Hardcover)

Clare And Francis by Guido Visconti is an incredible, beautifully illustrated picture book about the lives of both Francis and Clare, two people who were born in Assisi, Italy around the year 1200. Although both Francis and Clare were born into wealthy families, both of them deliberately chose to live lives of dedicated poverty. Francis preached to people throughout towns and villages, while Clare cared for the sick in the convent of San Damiano. Both Francis and Clare wholeheartedly embraced spirituality and Christian faith, and their lives set an example in the Middle Ages that is remembered down to this very day. Stunning, colorful illustrations by Bimba Landmann in an offshoot of medieval painting style help make Clare And Francis an unforgettable biographical portrait, one which is meant to be treasured and shared between readers of all ages and generations.