Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle [Hardcover]

Bob Barton (Author), Paul Gallico (Author), Carolyn Croll (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

The first-ever picture- book version of Paul Gallico's classic story of friendship and faith

"Once there was a boy named Pepino who lived in the mountain town of Assisi. He had no mother. He had no father. He lived in a stable with his donkey, Violetta.
Violetta was everything to Pepino."

Then one day Violetta gets sick, and nothing seems to help. Pepino is sure that if he can just bring her into the crypt of Saint Francis, who loves all animals, she will get well. But can he convince the priests to let him try?

Paul Gallico's tale of one little boy's pilgrimage of faith has touched hearts the world over. Master storyteller Bob Barton's lyrical adaptation, beautifully illustrated by Carolyn Croll, will introduce a whole new generation of readers to this moving classic.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Retold in simple sentences, this is the story of a young Italian orphan whose faith is rewarded. When Pepino's beloved donkey falls ill, the boy must travel from his home in Assisi to Rome in order to ask the Pope for special permission to bring the animal into the crypt of Saint Francis, with the hope that she will be cured. The original tale, Gallico's The Small Miracle (Doubleday, 1952; o.p.), has more detailed, descriptive language and a more deeply layered plot. Still, this abridged version succeeds in a quiet way since the journey of faith remains. Done in watercolors and colored pencils, Croll's illustrations nicely convey the emotions of the characters and the events they experience. The colors are soft and details well chosen. Some pictures are full page, while others are sectioned into four panels, making for effective visual variety. While not a first purchase, this is a lovely addition for Christian or spiritual collections.
Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NY
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Review

"The watercolor-and-colored-pencil illustrations bring Pepino and Violetta to life against the backgrounds of Assisi, Rome, and the lush, rolling holls of the Italian countryside." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A] lovely edition to Christian or spiritual collections." --School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805067450
• ISBN-13: 978-0805067453
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,704,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching Story That's All About The Human Heart & The Power of Love, January 11, 2008

By 

LawrenceSvetlana (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle (Hardcover)

Paul Gallico (mostly known now for The Snow Goose) was known in his own time greatly because of this little wonder of a book. If you ask me, this book is more about love than faith and determination, although all three of those qualities work side by side throughout this story about a little orphaned boy named Pepino who decides to go to any and all means necessary to save the only friend he has in the world, a donkey named Violetta. He tends to her the way any parent would tend for a child, the way any loving sibling would care for an ailing brother or sister, the way any pure-hearted and uncorrupted child would care for another in difficult times. It is also a story about the realities of the world and how even those who make a profession by acknowledging miracles sometimes have to be lovingly shocked into seeing them. It's really a story about the knowledge that if we say we love someone, then we are compelled by that love to make unselfish and ultimate sacrifices for them no matter what obstacles are in our way. It's also about how undeniably powerful seeing someone truly love someone else can be. Although this book has an undeniable Christian context, the lessons learned from this story transcend mere religion. It's about the human heart. And although Bob Barton's retelling is well done and Carolyn Croll's illustrations are beautiful, I much prefer Paul Gallico's own original text and David Knight's illustrations (Michael Joseph publishers, London, 1951, sometimes listed as 1953). But this story is so wonderful, I think any exposure to the story is worth experiencing. I'm glad this edition is available to toddlers and younger readers, especially.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting book, February 20, 2007

By 

S. Mckinney "mom of seven" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle (Hardcover)

My little ones loved this book so much I ordered 2...one to give away. The pictures were done so well and the story is a good one for faith and trust.Beautiful Beautiful!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Good rendition for kids, August 2, 2011

By 

A. Robertson (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle (Hardcover)

One of my favorite stories by Paul Gallico. I love this simplified version and my kids (4 and 9 years) do too.