From My Library: Kids’ Books (Broadly) Related To Easter
On Friday, I mentioned that April 2 was International Children’s Book Day (celebrated on the birthday of the great children’s writer, Hans Christian Andersen.)
The purpose of International Children’s Book Day is “to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books” and since it has pretty much fallen on Easter this year, I thought I’d highlight a few children’s books from my personal library that I believe tell stories that are broadly relevant to the Christian festival of Easter.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis: I know, I know, it’s the obvious first-up book! But since a significant part of the story clearly parallels the Easter story, it really is the obvious first novel off the blocks. I know a lot of folk have a problem with that parallel but I never have—and yes, even as a very young reader, I didn’t miss it. But in my humble opinion, it’ s possible to enjoy the story being told without either getting or buying into that parallel, so The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe therefore meets the Helen Lowe First Law of Storytelling.
The Witch Of Blackbird Pond (1958) and The Bronze Bow (1961), both by Elizabeth George Speare, were also both Newbery Medal winners. Both are coming-of-age stories that explore differences of belief and religious tolerance (and intolerance.) The Bronze Bow, in particular, is also a story about war, freedom, and a young man’s personal choice between hatred and love, fear and forgiveness.
The Man Who Was Magic (1966) by Paul Gallico. Ostensibly, this is a story about what happens when a young man who is truly magic comes to a city of sleight-of-hand-and-eye magicians—but I have always thought the experience of Adam in Mageia parallels that of Christ with the religious and political hierarchies described in the New Testament.
Simon (1959) by Rosemary Sutcliff is a novel of the English Civil War (1642-1651.) Although it primarily follows the friendship of Simon and Amias who end fighting on opposite sides, the story explores how the civil war was not only about the political divide between King and Parliament, but the almost inseparable religious divisions between the High and Low (Anglican) churches, with Puritans and Levellers, Roman Catholics and Anabaptists also part of the social and political mix.
The Beacon At Alexandria (1986) by Gillian Bradshaw is a story about a young woman who wishes to be a doctor in an age when a life outside the home was largely forbidden to young women. But it also charts the historical period that marked the demise of the Western Roman Empire. The Alexandrian section in particular deals with the divisions between the Arian and Nicean Christian churches as well as the changing relationships between the Empire’s former religions and the (more newly) state-endorsed Christianity.
So there you are, six books for Junior and YA readers: all excellent stories, well told (imho).
Good heavens, I thought I was the only person who remembered Gallico’s work, much less that one. well, the guy in the used bookstore said it was one of his favorites, too, but besides, that…
An Easter story, though? hmmm… I think I see it. Adam brings true magic and the magicians can’t handle it. I love his last enchantment, don’t you?
BTW, I finally noticed your posting with info on publication date for book 3. Yay there is one! boo it’s not sooner, but oh well, at least it is coming. As soon as it turns up for pre-order on Amazon I’ll order it.
Bradshaw has been writing about the English Civil War most recently. I don’t like it as well as her ancient world stuff, but if Simon works for anyone – and I recommend all Sutcliff for historical readers – they might want to look for Bradshaw’s work, too. The title of the first was LONDON IN CHAINS.
I love Gallico’s writing and “The Man Who Was magic” is a favourite from go to whoa.
Yes, the publication date does feel a wee bit like a long engagement, but still, there is a date–and I hope preorder will be available soon.
I haven’t read any new Bradshaw for a while, but I like her writing and am interested in the Civil War period, so shall investigate London in Chains.