The Good Man of Assisi by Mary Joslin and Alison Wisenfeld. Library section 9A : Juvenile (gr. K-5), Religion and Values. Long ago in the busy little town of Assisi, a wealthy merchant and his wife had a baby, Francis, whom they showered with all that money could buy. But when Francis had a dream telling him to work for God, he began to love all the unloved and gave away everything he had to serve others. Francis’ life touched everyone and everything – even the birds and animals came to listen to what he had to say about God. For hundreds of years, the story of Francis has brought hope and encouragement to all those who wish to know love and gentleness.
This book’s illustrations look like little stencil prints. Its calm terra cotta, ocher and sage green colors symbolize Francis’s serene, compassionate spirit. Each double-page spread is framed by swaying leaves, Assisi-style buntings or flags, pussy willows, or little snails and geckos. Animals gather around Francis. He visits the peasants as they gather the harvest from the Italian countryside. Assisi’s crenellated walls and towers appear in the distance. Angels hug Francis, and they dance in the sky. What a lovely little book for our little ones.
Read this book to your tots and then in your next trip to the home center, point out to them statues of St. Francis for sale. Can you spot one in a neighbor’s yard? Try making a miniature St. Francis statue with your child out of Play doh to display at home. Help your child make or paint a birdhouse, or put up a hummingbird feeder to take care of the birds. We can all be little St. Francises! ( )