Jesus

Gr 1–4—Benedictine Monk and prolific author Grün turns his attention to the synoptic gospels—though the infancy narrative and illustrations suggest that it comes mostly from Luke—in this picture-book collection of episodes from the life of Jesus: his birth in a manger, the kiss of Judas, and the resurrection, to name a few. Each episode is translated into straightforward English and condensed into a few short paragraphs. Unlike typical kids' Bible stories, there is no effort to connect the individual stories to create any sense of a coherent narrative. Instead, Grün's picture book reads rather like the gospels. Large, full-page illustrations accompany each episode, done in a rich, saturated watercolor. A stunning piece of art, this book will appeal to a niche audience looking to explore the gospels with their children. Those seeking more accessible Bible stories for children, though, might not find it suitable.—Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA