Jonah and the Whale (and the Worm) [Hardcover]

Jean Marzollo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3–Marzollo continues her series of accessible retellings of Bible stories. After God releases Jonah from the whale, the prophet remains reluctant to fulfill God's mandate that he preach to the Ninevites. He finally does so, and although they change their ways, Jonah still feels that they should be punished for their past sins. As he waits outside the city, hoping that God will destroy at least part of it, he observes the actions of a humble cutworm and learns a lesson about God's love that convinces him to forgive his enemies. The expressive watercolor illustrations and gentle text provide a solid starting point for collaborative reading and discussion. The text alternates between omniscient narration and dialogue between Jonah and God. Tiny octopuses in the margins also comment on the tale, foreshadowing events and prompting page turns. This book is a fun, unpretentious take on a favorite old story.–Anne M. Holcomb, Los Angeles Public Library
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About the Author

Jean Marzollo is the author of over one hundred books, including the best-selling, award-winning I SPY books (with photographs by Walter Wick). Daniel in the Lion's Den is the first book she has written and illustrated.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (September 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316741345
• ISBN-13: 978-0316741347
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jean Marzollo was born and raised in Manchester, Connecticut.

She says, "As a child, I loved to read and sew dolls' clothes, one outfit after another. I am a graduate of Manchester High School, the University of Connecticut, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. After working as a high school English teacher and editor of Scholastic's "Let's Find Out" kindergarten magazine with Carol Devine Carson for 20 years, I began writing children's books. I have written over 130 books, including the award-winning, best-selling I SPY series for children, written completely in rhythm and rhyme. Rhythm and rhyme are like music without the tune; they lure and excite the ear. Children love rhythm and rhyme, and so do I. Do you know that I SPY actually has the same rhythm as "Old Mother Hubbard" and also rap? I treasure the beautiful, intricate photographs by Walter Wick in the I SPY books. When I wrote the first I SPY book, I automatically thought of kindergarten children so everything that I called for was concrete, something a 5-year-old can find. The result is a hunting game that children and grownups can play together successfully. Sometimes children are better than their parents! In recent years I took up painting and have begun to illustrate my own "books on paper" and "books online." You can see them on my website: jeanmarzollo.com. Writing and illustrating picture books today is as much fun as sewing dolls' clothes was when I was in third grade. As soon as I'm done with one book, I'm happily compelled to start the next."

Jean Marzollo lives in Upstate New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy for Christian parents, June 29, 2005

By 

Sherri R. Myers "book reviewer" (Upper Strasburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jonah and the Whale (and the Worm) (Hardcover)

This book (and the whole series) is a must buy for parents, relatives and friends of young Christian children. I think these books are adorable and I'm almost 40! My kids are 11 and 13 and the books have elicited laughs from them, even thought they groaned when I said we were reading these to review. My 13 yr old son even admitted they were 'pretty cool'. Adorable watercolor pictures go well with the storyline and the words are simple but not childish. I love the idea of Ms. Marzollo's where she uses small creatures to comment at the bottom of each page. The stories are Biblically sound and will be ones your child will beg to have read over and over. This book, and the other 4 in the series, are some of the best I've ever had the privilege to read and review. Great job, Ms. Marzollo! More, more. :)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jonah and the Whale and the Worm, July 27, 2008

By 

J. M. Berry "Jean M. Berry" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jonah and the Whale (and the Worm) (Hardcover)

This is a lovely book for children and well illuustrated. I bought it to read to my grandchildren and I have given it to other children. It's a great way to tell the story of Jonah.