Jesus: He Lived Among Us by R.F. Palavicini and Steve Cleary

The story of Jesus has been recounted in many different ways over the last 2000 years. For many people, the definitive version of his story is found in the Bible. Drawing from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus: He Lived Among Us tells the story of Jesus from his birth to his death. It explores his faith, the miracles that he performed, and the relationships that he had with his disciples. Paired with illustrations and a bit of a framing narrative, this book is told in a way that will be meaningful for young readers.

As the cover of the book makes clear, this book is based on an animated film. The illustrations inside the book are taken from the movie. It does have a bit of a feel of a companion piece, but the movie can stand on its own. I'm not sure how easy it would be to follow for someone who didn't have prior knowledge of Jesus and his life; knowing a bit about the Bible definitely helped me to keep some of the stories, people, and events straight. Similarly, someone who knows a lot about the Bible and Jesus might not find much that's new in this book, at least in terms of content. The style of the book, the accessible language, and the artwork make this a book worth exploring, especially for parents and caregivers who are looking for a book about Jesus for a young reader.

I received a review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Warner Press.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Meet Jesus by Lynn Tuttle Gunney
Stories from the Life of Jesus by Celia B. Lottridge
The Life of Jesus by Mary Billingsley

Humpty Dumpty by Salina Yoon

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall...and it didn't end well. Or did it? In this new version of an old rhyme, Salina Yoon creates an Easter-themed story that might just have a happy ending.

I think it's fitting that Humpty Dumpty has an Easter theme. He's probably one of the most famous eggs in literature, certainly an egg that is also a character (and not just featured, like green eggs). Is there any connection between this egg being put back together on Easter, the same holiday that celebrates Jesus' resurrection from the dead? Probably, but it's likely best not to think too much about that. Instead, think about the bright colours and fun images that will appeal to kids and the holiday tie-in that makes it a natural fit for parents to add to Easter baskets.

Find out more about Salina Yoon.

Find it at IndieBound. 

Read it with:
Who Do I See? by Salina Yoon
Humpty Dumpty and Other Rhymes by Iona Opie
Where Are Baby's Easter Eggs? by Karen Katz

The Donkey That No One Could Ride by Anthony DeStefano and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

This little donkey is very small and weak. He isn't strong enough to support people, or carry things, or really do much of anything! His owner is fed up and decides to get rid of him. What's a poor donkey to do? But when two men approach him and tell him that they have a special job for him, he has no idea how his life is going to change!

The animals in the Christmas Nativity and the donkey who carries Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem have long been popular in children's stories, so it's nice to see a new story about Christ's life as told through the eyes of an animal. The illustrations in this book are very strong; there are humorous pages (like the donkey in a ditch, or being hefted into the air by a heavy load) and there are sad pages (like when the donkey cries or is sent away by his owner). Hints in the background also suggest that while this (spoiler alert!) ends up being a joyous time for the donkey, it's a very different time for Jesus (see the determined expression on Jesus' face as they enter the city or and the three crosses in the background in the last pages of the book). This makes it a good choice for families to read and discuss together. I can see this being a favourite Easter gift for religious families, and a popular seasonal pick that public libraries might want to have on their shelves.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Harvest House Publishers.

Check out Anthony DeStefano and Richard Cowdrey's websites.

Find it at IndieBound.

Read it with:
Animal Lullabies by Pam Conrad
Animals of the Bible by Mary Hoffman
The Donkey's Christmas Song by Nancy Tafuri
This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano
Little Star by Anthony DeStefano