Simon And The Easter Miracle by Mary Joslin

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lion UK (January 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745960588
• ISBN-13: 978-0745960586

Source: A copy was sent by the publisher

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2012 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Together with sophisticated artwork, a picture book retelling of a traditional European tale, with the events and meaning of the first Easter at its heart

Both thought-provoking and engaging, this is the story of Simon of Cyrene —"a man coming in from the country," as the Gospels refer to him—who was ordered to carry Jesus' cross. Over the centuries, his story has been woven into Polish folklore; when Simon the farmer brings his wares to market, little does he expect how he will be involved in the events of that very special day, nor how his produce—of bread, eggs, and wine—will become important symbols of Jesus' passion and resurrection, remembered throughout the ages.

My take on this book:

The story of a farmer named Simon who went to town to sell his wares and wound up being ordered to carry the cross for Jesus. The thing is all Simon knew was that the man was being persecuted for preaching the message of peace. Once Simon helps get the man to the place where the soldiers wanted him   he hurries away because he didn't want to hear the jeering from the man's enemies, or to hear the weeping from the man's friends. 

There were some things that I liked about this book, but also some things that I didn't. First of all I thought the illustrations were very well done. The cover is colorful and would easily capture they eye of a youngster. While I liked reading the story of Simon, I wish that the author would have included the name of the man who was carrying the cross. While I knew it was Jesus I think for it to be a true Easter story I think it should have been mentioned. I also felt like the story ended rather abruptly, and actually the final page faced the back cover of the book, which was a bit different for a children's book.


While this book would be an okay story to read with your child, I would want to discuss with them who the man was carrying the cross. Overall I liked the story, but do believe that I would  probably find a different book if I really wanted to have my child understand the meaning of Easter.


rating 2.5/5