Mary
Grade 3-6–Demi draws on theKing James Version of the Holy Bible, as well as apocryphal sources such asThe Book of MaryandThe Life of Mary: As Seen by the Mystics, to tell her subject's story. By going beyond the traditional Bible, she is able to add details about Mary's childhood and to describe more fully her role in developing the early Church. The art and design of the book is similar to Demi'sMother TeresaandJesus(both S & S, 2005), featuring paintings filled with bright, intricate patterns and bold touches of gold. The perspective is often flat and the pictorial elements on many pages seem to float in space. As inJesus, the images are somewhat traditional in their depictions of winged angels and a white-haired God figure above the frame of several illustrations. The people and angels all have Caucasian features and skin tones. Children will need adult guidance to understand the text. Catholic schools in particular will appreciate this reverent perspective on Mary's life.–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.