Mary: The Mother of Jesus
Recommended. Age: 7+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
This book tells the story of Mary in fifteen short parts. It shows her childhood, the angel Gabriel's visit, the birth of Jesus, and her life beside her Son. At the end she is shown as the Queen of Heaven. dePaola draws on Scripture, Church tradition and pious legend, and keeps Mary a virgin and a Queen. It is a lovely way to bring the Mother of God close. One age: 7+, set by the publisher's back cover and Lumen's read-alone age.
For parents
Age 7+, set by the publisher's back cover and Lumen's read-alone age. Read it aloud from 5. Mary says 'I am a virgin' at the Annunciation, so be ready to explain the word. The flight into Egypt page shows a dead child and a weeping mother. Mary's death is told as gentle sleep; tell your child that God then took her body and soul to heaven. Some early scenes come from old tradition, not the Gospels.