The Book of Jonah

Any librarian wanting to add to the 200s would do well to consider this re-released version of Peter Spier's 1985 story of Jonah. Detailed pen and ink and watercolor wash illustrations add to a rich text that explains why Jonah ended up in the belly of the whale (God had given him "a job to do that is too hard" so he ran away from God, boarding a ship bound for Ninevah. In punishment God sent a storm that put a the ship and its sailors in grave danger. Upon Jonah's admission, the other sailors cast Jonah out to sea whereupon he ended up in the whale.

Back matter gives scholarly details about The World of Jonah's Voyage, which deepens students' knowledge of the era. A great choice for Catholic Schools.

The book of Jonah is a story from the bible. It is about a man named Jonah who disobeys God and flees on a ship. God does not like that Jonah ran away and disobeyed him, so he sent a storm upon the ship. The only way to stop the storm was to throw Jonah off and into the water. The crew of the ship prayed to God and threw Jonah overboard. As soon as Jonah hit the water, the storm calmed and the crew was safe. While in the water, Jonah was eaten by a very large fish. He spent three days and three nights in the stomach of the fish. While in the fish, Jonah prayed to God asking for his forgiveness. God had the fish vomit and Jonah came out of its stomach. Jonah now had to fulfill his promise to God. God warned that the city of Nineveh was show more going to be destroyed. Jonah warned the people. The people of the city begged God for forgiveness. God changed his mind and decided to spare the lives of the people and their land. This angered Jonah and he ran away. Jonah no longer wanted to live. God told Jonah he had no right to be mad at God for sparing 20,000 people. The lesson of this story is to obey God and to forgive people when they do wrong. God forgave Jonah and the people of Nineveh for their sins. It is important to forgive others and to listen to what God says. This lesson is portrayed through the key details of the text and the trials that Jonah faced because he disobeyed God. The illustrations assisted in understanding the story and the lesson of forgiveness. show less

A reissue of Spier's richly illustrated version of the Old Testament story. Originally published in 1985.

Large format picture book retelling of the story of Jonah. Section at end shows the route of Jonah's voyage, a map of Ninevah, and a detailed drawing of the the boats used back then. End section also describes the modern search for the ancient site of Ninevah and the destruction of the tomb by modern warfare.

If you're gonna read Moby-Dick, read this and Coleridge's Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner first. It's not like it takes super long or anything.

(I did not actually read this children's illustrated version...this is just the only book that's only the story of Jonah that I could find. I read the King James version.)