Saint Patrick [Hardcover]

Ann Tompert (Author), Michael Garland (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up

This stunning picture book biography brings young readers the remarkable story of the man whose mission to Ireland changed history. Basing her text on one of two letters Patrick wrote, Ann Tompert lifts the veil on Patrick's life, creating a swiftly moving and simply told story that interweaves the words of Patrick himself. Full color .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?This biography marshals what little material is available about the man who Christianized the Irish into a simply written, straightforward narrative unembellished by the various legends that have been associated with the saint. It is mounted in an exceptionally handsome format, with a formal presentation of the text on yellow backgrounds richly framed by borders of brown and gold, facing full-page, mixed-media illustrations of power and distinction, gleaming with brilliant color. The artistic style is decorative yet forceful, with an interesting variety of landscapes and flat, simple, but very expressive human figures. An author's note is included. Eileen Dunlop's Tales of St. Patrick (Holiday, 1996) and Margaret Hodges's St. Patrick and the Peddler (Orchard, 1993) are attractive titles that deal with the legends. Tomie dePaola's Patrick (Holiday, 1992), also an excellent, easy-to-read biography, has stiller, less dramatic artwork with a more sober and eternal air.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5, younger for reading aloud. Tompert concentrates on facts rather than legend for her text in this appealing look at the life of Ireland's patron saint. In the author's note, she says that she has relied on Patrick's letter of confession and interpretations of it for her biography. Without the tale of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland and the legend of the shamrock (although these do appear in the note), Tompert must turn to Patrick's real life for drama, and she finds plenty there. Kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery, Patrick came to his calling to convert Ireland through visions. Garland's artwork--a full painting facing every gilt-edged page of text--does a good job with detail and texture; there is also a folk-art feel to the pictures that makes the book accessible to children. A nice addition to both religion and biography shelves. Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563976595
• ISBN-13: 978-1563976599
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #932,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explains wonderfully!, March 19, 2003

By 

Sam Henry "SHenry" (Tulsa, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saint Patrick (Hardcover)

This is a great book for people who wan't to know a little basic information about the life of St. Patrick. It explains wonderfully for children and adults! It talks from birth to death. There is little information about his childhood, but Ann Tompert covers it best she can.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids loved this book!, April 4, 2008

By 

M. Gregory "ByHisGraceAlone" (Durango, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint Patrick (Hardcover)

We used this book in a "Five in a Row" style the week before St. Patrick's day and my kids got so much out of it. It's a little book full of great information about a great Christian. It was an introduction for them to missions, persecution, slavery, Ireland, the Trinity, and more. We followed up our study with Celtic music and a meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, green shamrock-shaped honey rolls and green lemonade just for fun.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man Saint Patrick, November 24, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Saint Patrick (Hardcover)

Ann Tompert, an excellent author of children's books, has done it again in her wonderful style of writing. It will be most enjoyed by those 5-10 years old, with 3rd to 5th graders being able to read it for themselves. She wrote this book based on the facts present in one of St. Patrick's letters. It is primarily about his life to when he got home from his slavery, and prepared to return to Ireland. Only one page is spent on his ministry in Ireland. Then it talks about his days of slavery and incarceration later in his life ending with how his being in Ireland has continued to affect it. There is only one page of writing for every two pages open. Most pages of writing only have 7-12 lines of typing on them. The illustrations are great. As the School Library Journal Editorial Review states it: "It is mounted in an exceptionally handsome format, with a formal presentation of the text on yellow backgrounds richly framed by borders of brown and gold, facing full-page, mixed-media illustrations of power and distinction, gleaming with brilliant color. The artistic style is decorative yet forceful, with an interesting variety of landscapes and flat, simple, but very expressive human figures."