Life Of Jesus For Children (The Light Of The World) (Hardcover)

by Katherine Paterson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"When the people looked at all the sadness and evil in the world, they had trouble believing that God was in charge. 'God's kingdom,' said Jesus, 'is as tiny as the smallest of seeds, but when it is planted it grows into such a huge tree that the birds make their nests in its branches.'"

Newbery Medalist & minister's wife Katherine Paterson retells the life of Jesus in simple, beautiful language for all ages, making the story new again through her trademark generosity and compassion. Iconic images from Jesus's life light the text with the same warmth and directness. A perfect gift book!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Library Binding edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545011728
• ISBN-13: 978-0545011723
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #411,648 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars NOT for CATHOLICS, July 8, 2008

By	Dan E. Buoy "theater buff" (OH United States) - See all my reviews

François Roca is a renowned illustrator of over 30 children's books; his artistry is extraordinary. He lives in Paris, and subsequently most of the books he illustrates are written in French. When his beautiful illustrations on the life of Jesus were to be given English text, the publisher selected Katherine Paterson.

Unfortunate selection.

Ms. Paterson took it upon herself to change Jesus' words at the last supper to suit her own agenda.

Instead of children reading, "this is my body," they now get "this is LIKE my body." (Emphasis mine). Instead of reading, "this is my blood," they now get, "this is LIKE my blood."

What's next, "I am LIKE the light of the world"? "I am LIKE the savior"?

I bought this book to read to my daughters, based on the strength of a national reviewer's syndicated column, which, unfortunately, omitted Ms. Paterson's embroideries upon the text. I write this review to inform Christians of the writer's non-textual based insertions.

The Bible (King James version quoted below) is unambiguous regarding the words of Jesus at the last supper:

Mark 14:22 reads:

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.


Luke 22:19 reads:

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.


Matthew 26:26 reads:

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.


John 6:52-55 reads:

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.


John 6:58 reads:

This is that bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.


1 Cor. 11:27-29 reads:

"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.


Suffice it to say Ms. Paterson's additions to Jesus' words will be offensive to Catholics such as myself, and ruin an otherwise gorgeous publication. But I would suspect that non-Catholic Christians who consider scripture sacred, particularly the words of Jesus being read to children, will likewise appreciate being informed when a writer decides to augment Jesus' words.

If you buy this book for the beautiful illustrations, it would be truer to sacred scripture to white out Ms. Paterson's additions to Jesus' words.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful art, but a note to Catholics... , May 14, 2008

By	Bean13 "Bean13" (USA) - See all my reviews

This book is beautiful - in terms of artwork, and the story is simple and straightforward. As a Catholic, however, I was disappointed that at the last supper Jesus says the bread is "like" His body, and the wine is "like" His blood... My faith doesn't teach that the bread is "like" His body, but IS His body. So even though the book is beautiful, I won't be reading it (or I'll be editing how I read it) to my kids.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Book, December 5, 2007

By	R. Widmer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an absolutely stunning book about the life of Jesus! There is rich imagery in the text and the illustrations are gorgeous. I am so pleased that Jesus is not depicted as Caucasian. The birth of Jesus, his ministry on earth, his death and resurrection are truly written by a gifted author! I am purchasing copies for all of my grandchildren and families in our church. Children through grade school will find this book meaningful.