Jesus [Hardcover]

Demi (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–Brilliantly colored artwork and text based on the King James version of the Bible tell the story of the life of Jesus, beginning with the prophesies and the annunciation and ending with his ascension into Heaven. Demi's paintings are full of bright, intricate patterns, and bold touches of gold produce a feeling of awe and splendor. The images are somewhat traditional in their depictions of winged angels and a white-haired God figure above the frame of several illustrations. This book is a beautiful creation, and a reverent tribute. However, it does not have a lot of appeal for children. The art, all enclosed in a series of frames, looks static and self-contained. The small size of the text makes it difficult to read. The biblical passages have an undeniable beauty, but no adjustments or simplifications have been made to make the language more accessible to a young audience. This volume will be a source of inspiration for readers already familiar with the story of Jesus. To introduce the topic to children, consider Sally Grindley's The Life of Jesus (DK, 2003) or Brian Wildsmith's Jesus (Eerdmans, 2004).–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Demi has used her considerable artistic talents in books about many great religious figures. Now, she turns her attention to Jesus, using as her text pieces from the four gospels, and lacing them into a touching narrative of life, death, and resurrection. Anyone familiar with children's books will immediately recognize Demi's style. All of the hallmarks of her art are here: striking design, diminutive figures, jewel-tone colors, intricate borders, and brilliant streaks of gold signifying holiness. Jesus is something of a disappointment--a blond, wispy Lord, whose strength comes from the golden rays that surround him and are emitted from him. But the scenes, each a small play of its own, are thoughtful and often moving. The text does not use the exact language of the King James Version of the New Testament, but the simplified presentation adds to the child appeal. Using the most vivid sections from the different gospels, Demi creates a brisk yet profound rendition of the greatest story ever told. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (October 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689869053
• ISBN-13: 978-0689869051
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Biographies

More About the Author

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Yarrow Point, Washington. Demi is the author and illustrator of more than one hundred children's books, including picture-book biographies. Her work has received numerous awards and accolades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Illustrations Accent Passages From the King James Version of the Bible, June 13, 2008

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jesus (Hardcover)

This book is beautiful. It tells the story of Jesus based on the King James Version of the Bible. I would have preferred some easier language so I could read it to children or children could read it at a younger age. Alas, this is difficult to read due to the language but for what it's worth, it is a beautifully done version. I was just looking for something a bit easier for kids to relate to.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not something for your kids., July 29, 2008

By 

A Reader (Steinbach, Hessen Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus (Hardcover)

As usual there are the lovely Demi illustrations, but not much thought and effort was put into planning the text (once again!). This book is much too wordy, and used language too complicated and boring to connect with children. I do believe the audience for the book was supposed to be children, but I find this book cumbersome, and I may never really read it very often to my kids. You are better off with a children's bible.

1 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jesus, May 3, 2010

By 

E. Siftar "knoeloveski" (BETHLEHEM, PA, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jesus (Hardcover)

Even though it was described in the description, I was not expecting the book to be as warped as it was. Does not lay flat and is really not usable.