Peter's First Easter [Hardcover]

Walter, Jr. Wangerin (Author), Tim Ladwig (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

From the author of The Book of God comes a lavishly illustrated picture book about Easter for children ages 4-8.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In a companion volume to their bestselling Mary's First Christmas, author/illustrator team Walter Wangerin, Jr. and Timothy Ladwig once again bring biblical times to life. In Peter's First Easter, they tell the story of Jesus's last days on earth through the eyes of one of his disciples. In a conversational tone, disciple Peter tells the story of Judas's betrayal and his own shameful denial of his savior in his time of need. Lively, full-color pictures illustrate the sometimes gruesome, sometimes joyous events of Jesus's crucifixion, resurrection, and forgiving of Peter.

Wangerin's retelling of the earthly relationship of Jesus and Peter is ideal for families to read together at Easter or anytime. The humanity in the story will touch young readers as they begin to understand the significance of the life and death of Jesus. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter END

From the Publisher

Leave it to Walter Wangerin to convey the significance of Christ's death and resurrection in a way that is accessible to children. Doing for children what The Book of God did for adults, Wangerin tells the story of Peter and the stirring events that rocked his life at the time of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion.

With simple, vivid prose, the author shows children ages 4?8 the wonder of God's forgiveness. Peter's First Easter probes human feelings, especially those of Peter. Children will sense Peter's deep love for his Lord, his shame at betraying him, his desolation at Jesus's death, and his joy when Christ rises from the dead and again beckons him, Follow me. They will understand the depth of friendship between Peter and his Savior.

Lavishly illustrated by Tim Ladwig, this companion volume to the best-selling Mary's First Christmas is ideal for parents and grandparents to read aloud to the children they love. Sharing this poignant book at Easter brings the true meaning vibrantly alive and builds a family tradition with eternal significance.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310222176
• ISBN-13: 978-0310222170
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #569,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Walter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Starting with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin's writing career has encompassed most every genre: fiction, essay, short story, children's story, meditation, and biblical exposition. His writing voice is immediately recognizable, and his fans number in the millions. The author of over forty books, Wangerin has won the National Book Award, New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallions, including best-fiction awards for both The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. He lives in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving, and easily engages my pre-schoolers, March 10, 2000

By 

Good Yarns "Tuckertribe" (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter's First Easter (Hardcover)

I just read this book last night. It tells the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of Peter. It opens at the last supper (he didn't know it was the last) and draws the reader into the events at a gut-level but appropriate way for children. I've told my children the easter story before, but the emotion and drama here make it clearer. The outstanding illustrations illuminate the story even more fully. I encourage you to buy it and make it an easter tradition at your house.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, March 1, 2006

By 

C. Ballous - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter's First Easter (Hardcover)

Peter's First Easter lends itself to being read aloud. There is so much emotion. Last year, I had friends over for a Lent get-together. I read this aloud to the kids and my *adult friends* actually cried at the rendering. Peter's point-of-view in the story makes it fresh. And his guilt and desire to be forgiven are so human.

Mary's First Christmas is similar in emotion and read-aloud-ability. My kids laugh when the Child Jesus says, "Elefunk."

Both of these are must-reads for Lent and Advent. Kids love them from preschool to ... well ... to 100!

5.0 out of 5 stars Checked it out from the Library, must buy it now., November 7, 2011

By 

sahvirginiamom - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter's First Easter (Hardcover)

I fell instantly in love with this book. The emotion and the perspective are truly unique, and bring the story alive in a new way. The children were fascinated, and identified with the main character. I love the pictures, they are so well drawn, my little kids thought they were photos. I have never heard the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus so succinctly and emotionally explained, with great depth, yet appealing to young kids and adults at the same time. I felt something reading this book, and so did my kids. I read it aloud with tears running down my face, we were laughing and rejoicing, and weeping with all the characters. I must own this book!