Saint Francis [Hardcover]

Brian Wildsmith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 1996 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

This is the story of a rich man’s son who gave up his wealth and lived and worked among the poor. He loved all God’s creatures and called them his sisters and brothers. His name was Francis.

In this beautifully illustrated and sensitively written book, Brian Wildsmith tells the story of Saint Francis. Combining fine black pen and ink with the luminous colors of stained glass, he infuses each illustration with the serenity and sincerity of Saint Francis’s message. This elegant, over-sized picture book is sure to be treasured by the entire family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Renowned illustrator Wildsmith has turned his considerable talents to the life of the 12th-century Christian monk who renounced an affluent lifestyle and took to the streets, restoring ruined churches and preaching to animals (including human ones). Children and adults alike will delight in that story and in these colorful, detailed illustrations, each page appropriately framed in gold. The clean and intricate style of the drawings, suggestive of a gloriously enhanced Waldo book (complete with an angel to track), provides a visual feast for individual or communal meditation. The text itself requires some explanation, but in this handsome volume that will prove no chore for adults. A gorgeous book and an ideal gift, Francis teaches all of us the beauty of both the natural and the spiritual world. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Highlights of the gentle saint's life are told in a simple, straightforward first-person narrative, and the celestial glories of his spirituality are reflected in the lavish, panoramic ink-and-watercolor double-page spreads. Framed in gold, they gleam with brilliant colors and are filled with action and detail. Francis is almost a minor figure amid the sweeping landscapes, monumental 13th-century architecture, and splendidly dressed medieval people, all depicted with precise delicacy. Clouds of birds hover, hop, and perch. A multicolored angel watches over the saint's every move, and crowds swirl about him. Tomie dePaola's Francis (Holiday, 1982) is elegant but restrained, his figures frozen in eternal time. Joanna Cole's A Gift from St. Francis (Morrow, 1989; o.p.) is simpler, with blocky, richly colored paintings by Michele Lemieux. Margaret Hodges's Brother Francis and the Friendly Beasts (Scribners, 1991) has a sweeter text that emphasizes his deep love of animals, with powerful illustrations by Ted Lewin.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 34 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (February 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802851231
• ISBN-13: 978-0802851239
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Art Beautiful Story, August 22, 2005

By 

Miryam Shoresh (Adirondack Mountains, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint Francis (Hardcover)

I could tell that the author and illustrator, Brian Wildsmith has a special affection for this saint. Indeed, Brian's appreciation for St. Francis comes through every picture he has painted for this book. The paintings take up the whole of the pages. The cover of the book is a good example of the detail and joy which is throughout the paintings of this book. I am not one for enjoying art, but I could not help but look at the art of each page before I read the words on it. Brian then has added about 4 lines of story to each of his 9" by 12 inch pages. It is as though the words on the page - the story - serves as a label for the painting of the page, rather than the painting simply illustrating the words. Unique to this book is the fact that the words are written in the first person "I" rather than the third person and it tells a story that children, as well as adults, are sure to love as much as they love the pictures. It is a wonderfully beautiful book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richly illustrated, October 25, 2007

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Saint Francis (Paperback)

Prolific author and illustrator, Brian Wildsmith, presents a beautiful book for children of all ages. The lavish art work is beautiful and extremely detailed for a young persons book, so therefore, people of all ages can appreciate this rich story of St. Francis. The author tells how St. Francis gave up his worldly possessions and dedicated his life to helping the poor, his love of God and all it's creatures. His repair of the church at San Damiano(at God's suggestion), his various soujourns preaching the word of God, his meeting with the Pope and his time in prison are all included in this abbreviated biography of the great St. Francis of Assisi. The Franciscan Order later took his message of love to all parts of the Earth. Naturally his special relationship with animals is a highlight of the book and children will undoubtedly find this particularly interesting. The art work is just marvelous and may be shared with the young reader to discover all the intricate details on each page. For those children just establishing a vocabulary it is especially useful for playing the "what do you see" game with the art work. Recommended for personal, community, grade school and church libraries.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, September 15, 2007

By 

C. A. Camacho (Agana Heights, Guam) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saint Francis (Hardcover)

Since receiving this book as a gift, I have bought many more to pass on as gifts. The words are poetic and the pictures are beautiful as the author tells the wonderful story of St. Francis (and a bit about St. Clare, too)!