- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Tundra Books (Oct 14 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0887766501
- ISBN-13: 978-0887766503
- Product Dimensions: 26.2 x 21 x 0.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 313 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,662,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Paul Gallico is best known as the author of the haunting 20th-century legend The Snow Goose. But during his lifetime, this prolific and versatile American writer also published several enduring children's books, popular novels such as The Poseidon Adventure, and, in 1951, a gem of a story about the power of love. In this enchanting picture book, celebrated Toronto storyteller Bob Barton gives Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle a simple yet lyrical retelling.
Pepino is an orphan boy who lives in a stable in the Italian town of Assisi. His only companion is a donkey with a curious expression around the corners of her mouth that resembles a smile. Together, they deliver wood, water, and olives to pay for their living. "Pepino's hard work and Violetta's smile," Barton writes, "brought them lots of jobs and made people happy." One day, however, Violetta falls ill and stops smiling. Pepino takes her to the doctor and the parish priest and the town's bishop, all to no avail. Pepino's last remaining hope for curing the little donkey is to lead her into the crypt of Saint Francis and ask the famous saint to bless her. But that would require knocking down a wall and only "His Holiness the Pope" can approve such an action. So the boy journeys to Rome, where his innocent faith touches the heart of a pope. Carolyn Croll's charming pencil and watercolour illustrations are reminiscent of those found in the American illustrator's own touching picture book about the magic of faith, The Little Snow Girl. (Ages 4 to 8) --Lisa Alward
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Retold in simple sentences, this is the story of a young Italian orphan whose faith is rewarded. When Pepino's beloved donkey falls ill, the boy must travel from his home in Assisi to Rome in order to ask the Pope for special permission to bring the animal into the crypt of Saint Francis, with the hope that she will be cured. The original tale, Gallico's The Small Miracle (Doubleday, 1952; o.p.), has more detailed, descriptive language and a more deeply layered plot. Still, this abridged version succeeds in a quiet way since the journey of faith remains. Done in watercolors and colored pencils, Croll's illustrations nicely convey the emotions of the characters and the events they experience. The colors are soft and details well chosen. Some pictures are full page, while others are sectioned into four panels, making for effective visual variety. While not a first purchase, this is a lovely addition for Christian or spiritual collections.
Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Touching Story That's All About The Human Heart & The Power of Love, Jan 11 2008
By LawrenceSvetlana - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle (Hardcover)
Paul Gallico (mostly known now for The Snow Goose) was known in his own time greatly because of this little wonder of a book. If you ask me, this book is more about love than faith and determination, although all three of those qualities work side by side throughout this story about a little orphaned boy named Pepino who decides to go to any and all means necessary to save the only friend he has in the world, a donkey named Violetta. He tends to her the way any parent would tend for a child, the way any loving sibling would care for an ailing brother or sister, the way any pure-hearted and uncorrupted child would care for another in difficult times. It is also a story about the realities of the world and how even those who make a profession by acknowledging miracles sometimes have to be lovingly shocked into seeing them. It's really a story about the knowledge that if we say we love someone, then we are compelled by that love to make unselfish and ultimate sacrifices for them no matter what obstacles are in our way. It's also about how undeniably powerful seeing someone truly love someone else can be. Although this book has an undeniable Christian context, the lessons learned from this story transcend mere religion. It's about the human heart. And although Bob Barton's retelling is well done and Carolyn Croll's illustrations are beautiful, I much prefer Paul Gallico's own original text and David Knight's illustrations (Michael Joseph publishers, London, 1951, sometimes listed as 1953). But this story is so wonderful, I think any exposure to the story is worth experiencing. I'm glad this edition is available to toddlers and younger readers, especially.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enchanting book, Feb 20 2007
By S. Mckinney "mom of seven" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle (Hardcover)
My little ones loved this book so much I ordered 2...one to give away. The pictures were done so well and the story is a good one for faith and trust.Beautiful Beautiful!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good rendition for kids, Aug 2 2011
By A. Robertson - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Paul Gallico's The Small Miracle (Hardcover)
One of my favorite stories by Paul Gallico. I love this simplified version and my kids (4 and 9 years) do too.
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