Product Description

Traces the life of the Italian who turned his back on his family's wealth to help the poor and teach about God. Discusses Francis' role in the making of the first cráeche.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1385554 in Books
• Published on: 1989-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover

From Publishers Weekly
Cole lovingly re-creates the story of the young man from Assisi who turned his back on his parents' wealth in order to be closer to God. This moving portrait of Brother Francis's selfless way of life, his concerns for those less fortunate than himself, the love he lavished on birds and animals--all of these elements are effectively presented in a straightforward, inspirational style. Cole does not preach, but lets the real humanity of this man emerge clearly. Lemieux's glowing, medieval-style paintings are a perfect complement, and her flattened perspective and burnished palette are appropriate to the period. Brother Francis finds a special way to bring the Christmas story to life when, with the aid of a few villagers, he restages the Nativity on a hillside near the Italian village of Greccio. Highly recommended as a Christmas gift, this work will encourage readers to reflect on the beauty and true meaning of the holiday season. All ages.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Saint Francis and His Gift of the Creche
This story is half about the life of Saint Francis and half about how the first creche came to be.
The first part of the book covers Francis' love for the poor, separation from his father, preaching to the birds, and his love of Christmas, which leads into the second half about his creating the first Creche.
The pictures are beautiful and simple earth tone paintings that seem to capture what things really looked like at the time when Sr. Francis was walking the streets of Assisi. There are three pictures fully covering their facing pages. On the remaining 2 facing pages of the book there is one page which is fully a picture (except for one place) and the other, on the average has 12 lines of typing taking 1/3-1/2 of the page (sideways). The reading is on a third grade level. I think that it would be enjoyed by young children (3-4 years old) to third grade.