The Song of Francis and the Animals [Hardcover]

Pat Mora (Author), David Frampton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2005 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

With lilting verse and playful imagery, award-winning author Pat Mora celebrates the tender relationship between the beloved saint and the animals he loved. Woodcut artist David Frampton captures the exuberant songs of Francis and the animals in charming, colorful woodcuts that underscore the harmony between humans and the natural world. Inspired by Saint Franciss own reverence and love for animals, this book will encourage readers young and old to join in with the clucks of the chickens, the whirring of the cicadas, and the songs of the nightingale. For ages 3 and up.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Mora's narrative about the Saint and his tender relationships with wild creatures is more poetry than story. The lyrical text describes how Francis speaks with birds, tames a wolf that threatens the people of Gubbio, and re-creates the manger scene with the help of villagers, lambs, an ox, and a donkey. Throughout, the animals sing and call back to him. Some Italian phrases are included, with a translation at the front of the book. The variety of species that populate Frampton's vibrant, detailed two-page woodcuts will delight youngsters. The animals are full of character and personality and emphasize Francis's belief in their gentleness. The fierce wolf turns into a fawning supplicant and a falcon shelters the sleeping man with spread wings. While this book may be more relevant to parochial than secular schools, its message of treating all living things with kindness is universal. Francis's compassion for a worm shows children an example of having respect for even the lowliest of creatures.–Jane Barrer, formerly at Washington Square Village Creative Steps, New York City
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From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. Written in occasionally rhyming poetry, this evocative title isn't for readers seeking a traditional biography of St. Francis. The somewhat disjointed text wanders through oblique references to specific St. Francis stories, such as the Wolf of Grubbio, and many children without any background in the saint's life may need help puzzling out the allusions. What's most powerful here is the poetry that brings close the spiritual connection between Francis and the animals. Particularly memorable is his sunset duet with a nightingale: "Their voices twirled and whirled . . . over the hills . . and over the world . . . like ribbons in the wind." With bold, swirling lines and spreads teeming with blooming plants and animal figures, Frampton's colored woodcuts extend the messages of peace, joy, and equality among creatures. Pair this with more straightforward tellings, such as Margaret Hodges' Brother Francis and the Friendly Beasts (1991) and Richard Egielski's excellent Saint Francis and the Wolf (2005). Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers; Library Binding edition (August 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080285253X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852533
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,239,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pat Mora, born in El Paso, Texas, is an award-winning poet and author of books for adults, teens, and children. Her awards include a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Golden Kite Award, American Library Association Notable Book Awards, and honorary doctorates. A former teacher and university administrator, she is the founder of the family literacy initiative El día de los niños / El día de los libros, Children's Day / Book Day (Día). The year-long commitment to linking all children to books, languages and cultures, and of sharing what Pat calls "bookjoy," culminates in celebrations across the country in April. Pat lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and invites you to visit her at www.patmora.com and http://sharebookjoy.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Song Of Francis And The Animals is popular with pre schoolers, June 16, 2009

By 

William T. Sublette (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Song of Francis and the Animals (Hardcover)

The Song Of Francis And The Animals is the most popular children's book sold in our Church book store. Texts and illustrations are outstanding.