Customer Reviews

To Every Thing There Is A Season

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a treasure of representative illustrations of artistic styles from a wide variety of cultures. Although the text comes from a specific time and culture, it demonstrates that its message is applicable to all members of the human family. I have made this a standard gift for friends and family with new children. The colorful pictures are stimulating and captivating for the very young who have not yet learned to read, while the timeless text provides a new level for children to experience the book as they get older. As an adult, I find this book to be something I enjoy over and over for myself and to give as a gift.

There's an enjoyable specialness to this beautiful rendition of "To Every thing There is a Season" by Leo and Diane Dillon. Author and artist raise the sensory awareness of traditional Biblical text. They transpose exquisite simple Ecclesiastes prose from the traditional to the modern. They take the well-known and breathe new life into verse by adding cultural diversity and the beauty of artistic interpretation. I keep at least two copies of this beautiful book in my house at all times because, although it might be perceived as a stunning children's book, I actually use this book as a bereavement gift for families experiencing the loss of a loved one, regardless of age. Start a tradition in your family by giving this book to those you love who are experiencing personal losses of any kind. This is a high brow children's rendition of Biblical text worthy of an adult's attention.

Ecclesiastes comes to life in the stunning multi-cultural illustrations of the verses. It should be on your gift-giving list for young AND old alike. The cultural portrayals are so pure students will enjoy naming them as the pictures are shared. The information about the illustrations in the back adds a special touch.

As an art teacher this is one of my favorite children's books. Using the famous verses from Ecclesiastes the book comes alive with beautifully rendered pages of civilizations often using art historical themes. It is a beautiful and simple presentation with profound meaning. I highly recommend this book for anyone who teaches elementary school children. I read it to my seventh grade class as an introduction tho my course on the Great Religions of the World. Whenever anyone I know has a baby this is my baby gift to them. I have nothing but enthusiasm for the illustrations in this book and the message it imparts. I am so glad it is still in print!

This book as a different type of cultural art for each verse. One of my all time favorites for adults and children alike.

This is one of the most perfect and beautiful children's books I've ever seen. The words from Ecclesiastes reflect truths about the variations in life that I've found young children understand. The illustrations, each representing a different artistic style, from a variety of time periods and cultures, is exactly what I'm always looking for in children's books -- a truly multicultural encounter.

We first received this a present when our daughter was young, it has become an enduring classic in our house. The illustrations reveal styles from around the world and give much to discuss in relation to the text. This is a book you will want to hold on to! We have given it to many friends as a baby gift over the years.

A beautiful book that uses some of the most familiar and meaningful passages from the Bible to illustrate the universality of basic human experiences. You don't have to be religious to appreciate the sentiments behind these words. A great book in every regard.

Beautiful styles of art from around the world. Adults and children alike will enjoy this read!

Althought the illustrations are beautiful, I think it's deeply problematic to take Judeo-Christian theology and then attribute it to other cultures. At least 2/3 of the illustrations represent times, places, and peoples who wouldn't have been familiar with the text being illustrated. And, since the explanatory notes in the back are so thin, no real appreciation of the other cultures being invoked is achieved. Mixtec human sacrifice as an illustration of "A time to kill, and a time to heal?" Just how will this promote cross-cultural understanding/respect? There's clearly enough historical/cultural/national diversity among people who have read/believed in these verses from Ecclesiastes to produce a celebration of difference within a common faith. That would have been a much more responsible approach. As it is, this book is either an assertion of the universality of sectarian beliefs or just an attempt by some talented illustrators to show that they can imitate a wide variety of artistic styles. For an example of someone (writing for elementary school aged children) who handles multiculturalism (within a Judaic tradition) well, see Barbara Goldin's _Journeys with Elijah_. And if you just want a picture book of these verses, consider Barner's To Everything.