Saint Valentine
Grade 2-5–Tompert skillfully weaves together fact and legend about this Christian priest who was born in Rome during the third century A.D. Speculating that he may have been a nobleman, doctor, or shopkeeper, she describes how he and his Christian flock performed their religious rituals in secret to avoid persecution. Other legends include how Valentine sent parchment hearts to imprisoned Christians, his unsuccessful attempt to convert Claudius II to Christianity, his ability to restore a Roman army officer's daughter's sight through prayer, and his execution on February 14, circa A.D. 270. This clear telling goes a long way toward explaining who Valentine was and how Roman emperors tried to retain power by controlling religious beliefs. An author's note adds more information. The watercolor illustrations, done in earth tones, help to tell the story and depict Roman clothing and architecture. The human figures are a bit strange, however, with unfocused eyes, and joints, nose tips, and Adam's apples too prominently emphasized with carbuncular-looking circles. Overall, this is a worthy addition that complements Robert Sabuda'sSaint Valentine(Atheneum, 1992), which focuses on the story of Valentine curing a blind girl with prayer and salve.–Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.