Margaret McAllister (1)Reviews
Author of Women of the Bible
For other authors named Margaret McAllister, see the disambiguation page.
Margaret McAllister (1) has been aliased into M. I. McAllister.
Reviews
Stories of the saints by Margaret McAllister
For most people, unfortunately, these warnings are difficult to heed, but McAllister's expressive and instructional ( think for older siblings) take on the topic is charming, colorful, and not saccharine. Good tips too!
For most people, unfortunately, these warnings are difficult to heed, but McAllister's expressive and instructional ( think for older siblings) take on the topic is charming, colorful, and not saccharine. Good tips too!
For most people, unfortunately, these warnings are difficult to heed, but McAllister's expressive and instructional ( think for older siblings) take on the topic is charming, colorful, and not saccharine. Good tips too!
But this is not a simply a collection of the ‘girl’ stories. This is an imaginative retelling of some of the Bible’s best love stories. Noah was a righteous man who heard from God and built an ark in obedience to Him. McAllister retells the story from the perspective of Noah’s wife (Mother Noah) and the stress and strain from caring for animals on the ark. Her profile of Rachel retells the Jacob story from the perspective of his beloved but suffering wife. The story of Miriam describes the young Hebrew girl who cared for her baby brother, Moses. Ruth is told from the perspective of Naomi (as retold from the perspective of Ruth and Boaz’s child).
The New Testament stories continue this imaginative exploration. The nativity story is retold in Mary’s voice as she, the humble peasant girl, uses symbolic objects to illustrate the journey from her Annunciation to Epiphany. Martha and Mary of Bethany reflect on Jesus’ visit and the the responsibility of being the host versus sitting at Jesus’ feet. McAllister does not typecast Martha–she is ever bit as eager to choose the ‘one thing that matters’ but felt prevented by her obligation to feed her guests. We hear more of the story of the Canaanite women and the love she has for her daughter and we see the crucifixion through the eyes of Pilate’s wife and the resurrection from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. Lydia closes the collection by recollecting Paul’s mission to Philippi and all that happened to him there.
McAllister doesn’t rehash a Bible story, simplify it and slap a moral on the end of each tale. She expounds on and explores the biblical narrative by shifting the narrative voice. The result is that you hear the story in some fresh ways. What better way to enter the story than to imagine it from the perspective of someone who was there. Sometimes these women are central to the action (i.e. Miriam, Mary, Martha and Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene), at other points these women are eye-witnesses to significant events (i.e. like Lady Procula, Lydia). I absolutely loved this!
I read this book to my little girls. My six-year-old enjoyed this book a lot (my four year old is still in the ‘picture book stage). I think this book is better for a seven or eight year old (as far as reading level) but since some of these stories are familia r my daughter liked reading them with me. I will happily re-read this book with them (or give it to them to read) later.
The art work by Alida Masarri makes this a beautiful book. The cover depicted above, is Ruth. The women profiled are all beautifully painted in scenes from the stories they inhabit. For artwork alone, this book is well worth it!
This is a book I plan to read and re-read with my children. I enjoy as much as them. I give it five stars: ★★★★★
Thank you to Paraclete Press for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Illustrated by Alida Massari whose books I have previously reviwed, Forgotten Bible Stories comes alive in gentle hues rich with reds and blues and designs particular to ancient times and the lands in which these stories took place.
I love the story of the "The Widow" whose cruse of oil kept filling the many large vessels or jugs. She had nothing but ended up with much. And then the story of the "Naboth's Vineyard" is wonderful because it teaches the greed consumes the greedy.
The stories encompass both the Old Testament and New Testament.
As with any retelling for children the wonderful truths from the Bible, care must always be taken to not embellish with additional people, words, or actions. I did feel license was taken in some, but essentially the book is a delight and a wonderful opportunity to share these stories with the young.
My rating: 5-stars for illustrations and writing; 2-stars because I think the stories incorporated people, words, and actions not Biblical.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Kregel and Lion Hudson Publishing to facilitate a review of my opinion which is freely given.
‘The Life Shop’ will sell you everything ... absolutely everything but Lorna just didn’t feel that things were quite right and between Lorna and her brother Charlie things needed changing. There was definitely more to this catalogue and internet shop than met the eye. With a book containing some really well-written characters and not just driven entirely by plot, it was a pleasure to read through this.
Much more information would actually spoil this book as although it is 143pp it is well spaced and a short read. As an avid adult reader, this passed two hours of my time and was completely worth it. It is however, a book I’ll be recommending to children and adults.
Hawk Jankin is determined to regain ownership of his family’s castle, lost to them many years ago. With a group of rough outlaws, he lays siege to the castle, and demands to wed Anna, which will regain him his right to the castle. Anna agrees, in the hope it will bring peace to her people’s lives. But an act of revenge by Hawk results in a terrible loss, and the story goes on to examine issues of guilt, remorse, regret and forgiveness.
The historical details are deftly interwoven into the story, giving a natural flow to the narrative. The cruelty and brutality of the times is confronted boldly and can be quite difficult to read, and the tension of the story makes it a real page-turner.
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.