God's Little Flower : The Story of St. Therese of Lisieux
Ages 4-8. This story of the saint whose "little way" of changing the world through Jesus' love is simply yet compelling told. It begins with a small, impatient girl, who was often ill and whose life was shadowed by her mother's death. As Therese grew older, she made it her mission to understand what it means to be loved by Jesus and to return that love to the world. Life in a convent brought her joy, but she was also very ill and used her pain as prayer to help others. Despite the effectiveness of the text, an author's note would have been helpful: Is the poetry in the text Therese's? What were some of the miracles that led her to be named a saint? Despite the questions, though, children will be both moved and inspired by the story. The pictures, which have the smooth, shiny appearance of computer-generated art, have a direct, almost unsettling look, especially the one of Therese's coughing into a bloody handkerchief. Most, however, show a girl longing for God.Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved