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The Clown of God: An Old Story
 
 
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The Clown of God: An Old Story (Hardcover)

by Tomie dePaola (Author) "He would juggle lemons and oranges, apples and eggplants, and even zucchini ..." (more)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 18.00
Price: CDN$ 13.14 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 39. Details
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The Clown of God: An Old Story + Katy and the Big Snow + Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
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  • Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

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Product Description

Review

In this retelling of the old French legend, a juggler offers to the Christ Child the only Christmas gift he has. “The full-color pictures with subtle tonal modulations are an integral part of the design of the lumious pages full of movement and vitality. The Italianate aspects of the setting are beautifully realized."
(The Horn Book )


Product Description

In this retelling of the old French legend, a juggler offers to the Christ Child the only Christmas gift he has. The full-color pictures with subtle tonal modulations are an integral part of the design of the lumious pages full of movement and vitality. The Italianate aspects of the setting are beautifully realized.--The Horn Book
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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
He would juggle lemons and oranges, apples and eggplants, and even zucchini. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4.0 out of 5 stars A good story, not just for Catholic children, Jan 18 2004
By K. Olgren (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Clown of God (Paperback)
I read about this book here on Amazon.com, and wasn't sure I'd like it. We are not Catholic, and just from the review here alone, I knew that Catholicism was almost presumed. How would I explain the multitude of differences in our faiths to my five year old son? A priest versus a pastor. What on earth is a "brother," or a monk? Offering gifts to a statue of the Christ child, when we don't believe in making any graven image of God?

I checked the book out of the library to see what I thought. Yes, its Catholic flavor cannot be missed, but the message was an excellent one. The lesson the brothers taught Giovanni was one that I took to heart, that everything we do should be done for the glory of God. Though Giovanni wrote it off at the time, he ultimately got the message, and gave the best gift that he could to the Lord Jesus.

The only reason why I didn't give it five stars, was that my son didn't like the ending. He thought it was sad that Giovanni died, and therefore didn't especially want to hear it again. I used it, however, as an opportunity to teach him about death. Giovanni came to love the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus loved him, so he went to be with Jesus when he died. That isn't a bad thing; rather it is good! There is no need to be sad that Giovanni died, because he went to a place where things were much better for him.

Part of me wants to give it five stars for the teaching opportunity about death that it provided! But I guess I'll leave it as I did. Too bad I couldn't give it a 4.5!

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4.0 out of 5 stars The Clown of God written by Tomie de Paola, Mar 9 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Clown of God (Paperback)
This story takes place in a town called Sorrento. There is really only one main character, and his name is Giovanni. Giovanni was a poor boy who didn't have any parents. he could juggle very well,and would juggle for food. He would juggle different kinds of fruit like zucchini, lemons, eggplants, oranges, and apples. Signor Baptista's wife gave him the food because he brought people in to buy her fruit.
Then one day a traveling circus comes to town. Giovanni enjoyed it so much, that he asked the Maestro if he could become a part of the performance. The Maestro agreed that he could join them, but doesn't get paid, just a place to sleep and some food. Then, later, the Maestro gives him a costume and lets Giovanni perform for the crowd. Giovanni would juggle sticks, plates, clubs, rings, and burning torches. Then he would do his most famous act; with a red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and then a violent ball. When he got all the balls going at a good pace, he would throw "the Sun in the Heavens" ball that was gold. The crowds loved this act the best.
Over the years, Giovanni got very famous performing for dukes and princes. Then when he was a teenager, he ran into two Brothers. They asked him if he would share his food with them. Giovanni said yes to them. They told him that with his juggling, he was bring God glory. Giovanni didn't reallt think so, and laughed. Then he told the Brothers fairwell and left.
Then, Giovanni got old and no one wanted to see him juggle anymore. They started to throw vegetables and stones at him, so he had to leave. He decided to go back home to Sorrento. Then Giovanni reached the church of the Brothers that he met years ago. The Church was filled with people who were carrying beautiful gifts. He asked someone what was going on and they said it was the Holy Child's birthday.
He decides that he will juggle for the stern Child sitting in his mother's arm, for that was the only gift he could give. He did this when everyone was gone. So, Giovanni does his usually acts; the clubs, the plates, and the flaming torches. Then he does his most famous act, "the Sun in the Heavens." A brother sees him and goes to get a priest. When they get to Giovanni, they see him lying on the floor dead. Then the brother turns around and looks at the statue of the Lady holding her Holy Child. Read the book to see what happens.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Kids Story: Reveals God's Love, May 30 2002
By George J. Kloss "George Kloss" (Butler, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Clown of God (Paperback)
This easy to read and beautifully drawn children's story shows the intensity and power of God's love. The book's vision is that God's love is simple, straight-forward and more powerful than we could ever expect.

My 3 and 5 year old children love the book and want me to read it again and again. They say "'Read God's Clown' again daddy ...".

The ending deals with death but it is not death in misery or emptiness. The Clown of God reaches God's heart and I think it will reach your heart and your child's heart too.

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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars just MY opinion
A masterpiece in both story and pictures. It should have received Caldecott honors when it was eligible. DePaola will be remembered for several achievements in books... Read more
Published on May 14 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story for Children
Tomie de Paolo's The Clown of God is by far, one of the most beautiful stories for children around. I was read this story as a child and it still is one of my all time favorites... Read more
Published on Mar 12 2001 by Karen Spring

5.0 out of 5 stars lovingly spiritual
Giovanni is a orphaned street urchin, begging from door to door and jungling for his food. One day he joins a traveling group of actors and begins his career as a juggling clown,... Read more
Published on Nov 14 2000 by readertoo

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all-time favorite Christmas read-alouds!
I'd just like to add my endorsement to all the other enthusiastic reviews of "The Clown of God. Read more
Published on Oct 19 2000 by Volkert Volkersz

5.0 out of 5 stars powerfully moving story
The Clown of God is one of the most powerfully moving books I have read in a long time. This is the story of the adventures of Giovanni, a poor boy whose ability to entertain... Read more
Published on Oct 12 2000 by NotATameLion

5.0 out of 5 stars A story that deserves to be told
What an astonishingly beautiful story! The messages that it gives -- that God is pleased with our gifts, even if they seem simple in comparison to the gifts of others; that it is... Read more
Published on Aug 14 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars It made me cry.
As I read this book, I was astonished by the simple messagethat God-given gifts or abilities, no matter how simple are all weneed to bring meaning to life --to please God. Read more
Published on April 7 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellently written and illustrated
Like all off de Paola's books, this one is excellently written and superbly illustrated. A nice blend of art, culture and history with a religious theme that is neither... Read more
Published on Feb 28 2000 by esar

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beutiful and touching story
Tomie is the king of picture books and this one proves it. I don't know which is better the way he tells this lovely story or his beautiful illustrations. Read more
Published on Oct 2 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!
A friend of mine says her father used to tell the story of the juggler who gave the only gift he had to the baby Jesus. Read more
Published on Nov 30 1998

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