Monday, February 11, 2008

Children's Book Monday- and a Book Drawing!

(Would you like to own one of the children's books I've reviewed? All you have to do is leave a comment for me with your name (even if you aren't a blogger, just watch for the drawing so you can e-mail me with your address!) and I will have Eliana draw a winner on Sunday evening, the seventeenth.)


The Song of Francis and the Animals
by Pat Mora
Woodcuts by David Frampton








So calming, this story... the gentle cadence and lyrical prose bring such peace, and the woodcut illustrations, gorgeous yet simple, are a joy to behold.

This book is about St. Francis of Assisi, who "preached to people and dogs and flowers and fish and frogs". We follow his sandals, chicks and lambs parading behind him, as he saves a worm, tames a wolf, and even re-enacts the manger scene at Christmas time with his animal friends.

Interspersed throughout the story are Italian phrases, kindly translated for us at the beginning of the book... Cantiamo- Let us sing... Ti canto- I sing to you... il lupo- the wolf. And of course, there are animal sounds, which are our favorite; the falcon calls, Kek, kek, kek. Kek, kek, kek. The wolf growls, Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. (Followed by mimicking and giggles from your children.)

The poetic descriptions are delightful- As the sun set, Francis and the nightingale sang a duet in their brown robes. And the story, at it's end, invites you in it's simplicity to learn more about this saint, who devoted himself to a life of poverty in order that God may be glorified. Did you know that St. Francis was the first to create a Nativity scene, using live animals? His preaching to man, as well as beast, was regarding the duty of all creatures to praise God.

We so enjoyed getting to know St. Francis of Assisi through this story- and spent a good portion of the rest of our day learning more! I hope you do, too.

Happy reading!

32 fellow travelers shared:

Kim said...

I love the artwork on the cover. Is it as beautiful inside. Not too many illustrators use woodcuts anymore.

Inspiration Station said...

So fun to have a drawing this week! I love your idea of sharing books on Children's book Monday. I just got The Light at Tern Rock and hope to read it after we finish our current read aloud. Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions Elise!
Mindy :)

Stacy said...

Dear Elise,
You always recommend such good books. Our library stack always has a recommendation or two from you in there. ~smile~ I love that. Elise's books... :)

Bless you, sweet friend!
~Stacy

EEEEMommy said...

I finally got organized enough to post my very first Children's Book Monday review. :)
This book sounds delightful. I always appreciate when we can learn words from a different language! :)

laurel said...

Wow, that book sounds awesome! I am going to have to add it to my amazon list. I wonder if the library would have it? I love your children's book reviews!

Melissa Groat said...

Count me in!!

Melissa said...

Oh - we have two books on St Francis but this looks like an even better one.

~nanashouse~ said...

Growing up Catholic, St. Francis was like one of the uncles! We had a statue in our yard of St. Francis opening his arms to the birds and animals. What a beautiful illustration of God's love for "even the least of these". Thank you for your beautiful post.

laura said...

i'm always game for a new book, to the dismay of my dear husband!! if only i had enough bookshelves. thanks for sharing all your book choices, they are always delightful. i'd like to do my own book posts- but i have a question- do you scan the picture/cover or do you find it online?

jenny said...

Oooh! Count me in, please. We love books at our house! :)

Anonymous said...

The focus for our church this year is St. Francis' prayer "Make me an instrument...". I would love to have this book to teach my little ones more about such a dedicated follower of Christ.

Blessings!
Aimee

Anonymous said...

Elise,
I love the look of this book. We'll be sure to look for it. Of course, I'd love to be entered in the drawing! :) The more children's books the merrier at our house!
~Anna

Andrea said...

Looks like a gorgeous book, Elise.
OF course I would*love* to be entered into the drawing for all your wonderful book choices!! yay!

Beverly said...

whoopee! a drawing :-) Elise, as others have said, you have supplied us with great inspiration for our library trips! We appreciate you!

Renee said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for hosting this meme. Have a wonderful week.

Jessica said...

Another book to add to my library list, lol.
Great review as usual and I can't wait to check out all the other links.;

Brenda Arce said...

Thanks for the review...book sounds great!

Anonymous said...

I love the books you choose. We read three different times a day for about an hour and my boys LOVE to read! This book sounds wonderful...thank you!

Anonymous said...

My kids would love a new book!
Sarah C.

girlwithmoxy said...

Every Monday night, I get on our public library's site and enter whatever you recommend. By the end of the week, we've also read whatever you blogged about! Phooey was an all time favorite!

Anonymous said...

Elise,
OK, I guess I'll enter. I've not before since I'm in a foreign country. However, if I won, you could send it to my mom's.
You are so cool. What a cool thing to do. I have added several of you recommendations to my wish list!
Thanks.

Karly

Laura said...

I'm going to check my library's catalog now-fingers crossed that they'll have this one. So many ones that I read about have to be requested from nearby towns and thus I wait. :-)

Anonymous said...

It looks like a great book. Thanks for sharing and for the fun of entering!!
~Sarah

Joy said...

Elise,

Thank you for doing these book reviews...we too have a stack from the library based on your recommendations. The kids new favorite is Phooey...

Blessings,
Joy

Bethany said...

Hey Elise!
I miss you! I thought about trying to convince Jeremy and Amy to allow me to stowaway by bribing them with a free babysitter all day long so you all could double date but didn't think my argument would work! Love to you all!
Beth

JB Bricks said...

I have just found your blog and love it.
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks so much!
Blessings,
Carrie

Living Life said...

Hi!
Love your blog... My friend Randi at "I have to say" recommended your blog to me since I'm new to the blogosphere. I love the quiet, reflecting atmosphere at your blog. I know God wants us to quietly enjoy life with Him. It's the best way to live. May God bless you on your time away. Michelle

Anonymous said...

Hi Elise,
I love the books you review. I keep a list of them to look for at the library. It was so good to see you again! Love you, Amy Kircher

CC said...

Cool! This really reminds me of another saint children's book we own. I'll write about it and leave a Mr. Linky!

Amy @ The Q Family said...

I just found your blog and it's such a great idea. I always have problem looking for good book for my kids from the library. Thank you!

Amy @ The Q Family

Bake Me A Cake! said...

I LOVE your blog!! Thank you so much for all you share. My heart was touched by the post about Cinderella and Daddy. I love the song, too. We have four little girls...they grow up so fast...

Jess said...

What a beautiful book! Thanks for the lovely review, I need to get to my local library asap!

Related Posts with Thumbnails