Saint Patrick
Kindergarten-Grade 3?This biography marshals what little material is available about the man who Christianized the Irish into a simply written, straightforward narrative unembellished by the various legends that have been associated with the saint. It is mounted in an exceptionally handsome format, with a formal presentation of the text on yellow backgrounds richly framed by borders of brown and gold, facing full-page, mixed-media illustrations of power and distinction, gleaming with brilliant color. The artistic style is decorative yet forceful, with an interesting variety of landscapes and flat, simple, but very expressive human figures. An author's note is included. Eileen Dunlop's Tales of St. Patrick (Holiday, 1996) and Margaret Hodges's St. Patrick and the Peddler (Orchard, 1993) are attractive titles that deal with the legends. Tomie dePaola's Patrick (Holiday, 1992), also an excellent, easy-to-read biography, has stiller, less dramatic artwork with a more sober and eternal air.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VACopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.