The Easter Angels [Hardcover]

Bob Hartman (Author), Tim Jonke (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

The angel sat in the dark and waited. This was the most unusual assignment he had ever received. Up till now, his missions had always been straightforward, typical guardian angel tasks. But this job was different... and #146;

In this moving retelling, Bob Hartman gets right to the heart of the Easter story and #151;evoking its pain, its loneliness and, at last, its unexpected joy. The changing mood of the story is reflected in Tim Jonke and #146;s dramatic and powerful illustrations. The Easter Angels is a memorable book to return to year after year.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Presents a magical yet accessible approach to the concept of resurrection."  —Times Educational Supplement

"Prestigious illustrator Sophy Williams creates a detailed and vibrant world."  —The Guardian

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Bob Hartman is a professional storyteller and author of the best-selling Lion Storyteller Bible, The Lion Storyteller Bedtime Book, and Cheer Up Chicken. Illustrated by Tim Jonke, who painted the memorable illustrations for both award-winning A Tale of Three Trees and Hartman's Christmas storybook, A Night the Stars Danced for Joy. He was runner-up in the 1991 WILSmith Illustration Award.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lion Publishing Corporation; 2nd edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074593868X
• ISBN-13: 978-0745938684
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,841,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book for all ages, not just the children., April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Easter Angels (Hardcover)

The Easter Angels captures the very essence of our Christian faith and focuses on the beauty of the Risen Christ. For children, it tempers the lessons of the Crucifixion with the true joy and beauty of the Resurrection. I especially loved the ending to this beautiful story. It offers so much hope to all of us who believe in Jesus as our Savior.

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book for Easter, February 27, 2011

By 

Totally Satisfied (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Easter Angels (Hardcover)

This edition is far and away the best one to buy. The other one isn't even close! Illustrations of the angels in this edition were very touching.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great story, but void of biblical accuracy., March 30, 2010

By 

Tanya Dennis "www.TanyaDennisBooks.com" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Easter Angels (Hardcover)

This book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the day of Jesus' resurrection. Rather than following the soldiers or women at the tomb, the gardener or even the disciples, this book tells a story about the angels involved in that day.

Two angels, one a guardian angel, the other the Angel of Death, are paired up for a mysterious mission. While waiting for permission to open their orders, they discuss their vastly different experiences.

When three women approached, they read their charge. The guardian, strong and beautiful, was ordered to roll away the stone and reveal an empty tomb. The other angel, so well acquainted with the sadness and loss of death, was to share the good news with the women. When the Angel of Death saw the empty tomb and recognized that Jesus was alive, he changed. No longer dark and mournful, he instantly became healthy, bright and joyful.

Quoted from the book: "The soldiers said it was an earthquake. They said they saw a flash of lightning. But Candriel knew different. The sound that cracked the morning stillness was a sad whisper exploding into a shout of joy... the Angel of Death became, for evermore, the Angel of Life."

Illustrator Sophy Williams uses dynamic colors and high contrast to infuse the pages with emotion. The illustrations are not crisply defined; they're also darker than most children's books, but these details correspond well with the tone of the text.

WHAT I LIKE: This is an interesting story that depicts the thoughts and experiences of angels, something rarely done in Christian literature. I especially like the redemptive elements. This book clearly shows the power of Christ's resurrection to change individuals!

WHAT I DISLIKE: It's really dark for a kids' book. More importantly, the somber tone of this story implies fact, but there is little to no biblical foundation. The text even suggests there was no earthquake which directly contradicts the account in Matthew 28. Because Jesus' resurrection is a vital foundation to the Christian faith, stories related to it should be obviously fact or obviously fiction. This book walks a dangerous line between those two.

OVERALL RATING: I like it as a fantasy tale or legend, but because its genre is not clear to readers, my theological convictions forbid me to rate it higher.

Tanya -- Christian Children's Book Review