The beauty of this book are the wonderful reproductions of Giotto's frescos of the life of Jesus, but the text with it's gentle, joyful wonderment greatly enhances the experience. I can easily imagine reading this to a child to introduce them to Giotto's art, the New Testament and Jesus.

Very neat book to look at all the frescos that Giotto painted while reading the story of Jesus. Great book to look at when your doing a study on Giotto...krb 12/20/17

This beautiful book worked out perfectly as an Advent reading of sorts for me this year. It was a nice addition to my morning Bible reading during this season of waiting. I enjoyed studying the art, as well as reading the text. I like the way the author interspersed her own thoughts and questions alongside the Biblical story; to me, this made it feel very natural, as if I was being read a story by a friend. It also was an interesting and fruitful exercise to read from the Annunciation all the way through to the day of Pentecost, dwelling on the sweep of Christ’s life, during a season when we mostly focus in on the birth of Christ. I really love the way she points out the Glorious Impossibles found throughout the entirety of Christ’s life, and, frankly, throughout the whole of God’s redemption plan for us, His redeemed. Highly recommend!! (Now I want to visit the chapel someday!!)

The book's essence is captured in its title. L'Engle elucidates the life of Christ beautifully, elegantly, and simply. Giotto's iconic art reflects the prose perfectly. Having read a copy from my local library, I'm now looking for a copy to add to my personal library.

But certainly not just for children.

The story of Christ's life from the Annunciation to Pentecost retold for children by Madeleine L'Engle and paired with Giotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel.

"In Scripture, whenever an angel appears to anyone, the angel's first words usually are, "FEAR NOT!" --which gives us an idea of what angels must have looked like."

As other reviewers have noted, L'Engle and I disagree on some points of theology but this is a beautifully done volume that does make one think and offers some new insights into the major points of the Savior's life.

Giotto's works on the life of Christ and L'Engle's words, although she largely lets the Gospels speak for themselves. Although the Nativity cover suggests that this is a Christmas book, the illustrations and text span the life of Jesus, so it works as well as a book appropriate for Epiphany or Lent or the rest of the liturgical year. The reproductions of Giotto's paintings are also glorious, making me wonder what it would be like to stand in the chapel and see them unmediated through a book. If there is an underlying theme, it is the love that motivated God to send his Son, love that motivated the Son to give his life, and love that the Holy Spirit now fills Christians with. Alleluia!

Amazing, amazing artwork.