Love One Another: The Last Days Of Jesus

Recalls how Jesus taught people to love, how he was crucified for his teachings, and how his resurrection brought hope to the world.

Grade 1-3-Although the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus are among the most difficult events of Christianity to interpret to children, the author deals with this portion of his life in an effective, simple, straightforward way. Thompson emphasizes Jesus's radical teaching about God and love and the offense taken by the temple priests over his assumption of this authority. The details of Holy Week are briefly described. The positive ending, as the tomb is emptied and Jesus appears to his despondent disciples, stresses his universal message of peace, love, and forgiveness. The book is appropriate for non-Christian readers, as no mention is made of Jesus's divinity or the exclusivity of Christianity. Yet, the uniqueness of his extraordinary charisma and inclusive love for others is recognized. The text has a fine read-aloud rhythm, while the sentences are short enough and the vocabulary familiar enough for early readers as well. The oil-on-canvas illustrations, with a sweep and agitation reminiscent of van Gogh, are almost overpowering with their bold lines, gleaming stained-glass colors, and dramatic movement across the double-page spreads. The flat, foreshortened, distorted figures with their large, almond-shaped eyes and expressive faces are exciting and moving. Blood, pain, and sorrow are all depicted vividly, but they are part of Jesus's story, with all its horror and hope.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The traditional Easter story suffers from a flat retelling in this overly simplistic picture book. Although the author strives to make the disciples come to life by focusing on their emotional anguish over their betrayal of Jesus, the text is uninspired and forced. Even the lettering chosen for the narrativea thick, bold face and heavy fontdetracts from, rather than enhances the story. Although the illustrations are beautifully colored and expressive, they are also rather heavy-handed with their thick outlines and stylized faces. Not an essential purchase for any but the most comprehensive collections. (Nonfiction. 6-8) -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.