From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6–Demi draws on the
King James Version of the Holy Bible, as well as apocryphal sources such as
The Book of Mary and
The Life of Mary: As Seen by the Mystics, to tell her subject's story. By going beyond the traditional Bible, she is able to add details about Mary's childhood and to describe more fully her role in developing the early Church. The art and design of the book is similar to Demi's
Mother Teresa and
Jesus (both S & S, 2005), featuring paintings filled with bright, intricate patterns and bold touches of gold. The perspective is often flat and the pictorial elements on many pages seem to float in space. As in
Jesus, the images are somewhat traditional in their depictions of winged angels and a white-haired God figure above the frame of several illustrations. The people and angels all have Caucasian features and skin tones. Children will need adult guidance to understand the text. Catholic schools in particular will appreciate this reverent perspective on Mary's life.
–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Last year, Demi added
Jesus to her list of distinguished books about religious figures. Now, she turns her considerable artistic talents to Jesus' mother, Mary, Queen of Heaven. Demi begins her story before Mary is born, when her parents, Anna and Joachim, learn that their prayers have been heard, and that they will have a child whom they will dedicate to the service of the Lord. Nor does the story end as it traditionally does--at the Crucifixion--instead it follows Mary's ascension into heaven. The information comes from
The Book of Mary and
Pseudo-Melito among others), both noncanonical sources, which Demi blends with more familiar gospel stories: the annunciation, Jesus' birth, and the wedding at Cana. The more obscure texts are credited, but never really explained, even in a note, and the writing throughout is sophisticated, with only a nod toward the intended audience. Yet, in some ways that barely matters; the words simply serve as a backdrop for the glorious artwork, which seems even more ornate and gilded than in Demi's previous books. Along with her familiar beautiful borders and diminutive characters, she incorporates many Jewish and Christian symbols that tie the religions together. Some of the pictures are almost whimsical, as in one delightful scene in which a garland of angels surrounds Mary. The moment of Jesus' death is moving and stark, with Mary huddled alone at the foot of the cross.
Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
