Christopher: The Holy Giant (Paperback)

~ Tomie dePaola (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

DePaola's retelling of the story of St. Christopher may be the artist's "most distinctive work to date," said PW in a starred review. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 4-A retelling of the legend of St. Christopher. Because of his stature, Reprobus the giant wishes to serve the most powerful ruler in the world. During his travels, he meets a mighty king, the devil, and a hermit before understanding that it is Christ he must serve. To do so, the giant uses his impressive strength to carry travelers across a fast-flowing river. One stormy night, he risks his life to help a small child across. With each step, the river rises higher, the wind blows harder, and his passenger grows heavier. Finally safe on the other side, the child reveals that he is Jesus, and renames Reprobus Christopher, or "Bearer-of-Christ." dePaola uses his impressive storytelling skills to convey the action, describing miraculous events with simplicity and dignity. The illustrations, with their clean lines and carefully balanced presentation, are vintage dePaola. The giant's size, accentuated by his massive head and large hands, is gentled by his sorrowful eyes. The devil is depicted as a winged beast. The dramatic image of Reprobus, painfully doubled over as he struggles under his burden, suggests the power and mystery of medieval religious paintings. An author's note explains why Christopher was removed from the Catholic Church's Calendar of Saints. Religious debates aside, this story, with its fluently integrated text and illustrations, stands solidly on its own.
Joy Fleishhacker, New York Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 26 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823411699
• ISBN-13: 978-0823411696
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,079,767 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully drawn, good parable, December 21, 1999

By	Will B Bell (Arlington, TX USA) - See all my reviews

I learned about Tomie de Paola from watching Barney, of all things, and this was the first book of his we bought.

The drawings are bright and well done, and match the text perfectly.

This is a good book for introducing religious concepts (devil, Christ Child) to little kids without overtly proselytizing. Also, if your child happens to be named Christopher (as mine is), it is fun for the child to learn what his name means.

I would recommend this book and plan to buy more by this author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Christopher/Bearer of Christ, November 5, 2009

By	annie "grannieannie" (Mid-MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher: The Holy Giant (Hardcover)

This book tells a story that happened a long time ago about a giant, named Reprobus, who wished to serve the greatest king. He set off on a journey to find this king. First, he came to a great city and thinking that the king of this city was the greatest, he served him. Every time this king heard the devil's name, he made the sign of the cross because he feared him. Reprobus then decided to serve the devil. After finding the devil, he traveled with him and they came upon a cross, and the devil shook with fear. Learning that the devil was afraid of Christ, who is even more powerful, Reprobus decided to serve Christ.

Wandering through the desert Reprobus met an old hermit, who taught him about Christ. The hermit told Reprobus to go to a mighty river on the other side of the desert and help all who wished to cross and so he did. He carried many people across the river, and one stormy night a small child appeared and asked to be carried across the river. As they crossed the river, the waters became higher and the child became heavier. Reaching the other side of the river, Reprobus sat the child down and told him he felt as if he had been carrying the whole world on his shoulders. The child then revealed that he was Jesus and told Reprobus that from that day on he would be know as Christopher, Bearer-of-Christ.

This is a great book about St. Christopher for young children.