JOAN OF ARC

by Josephine Poole ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1998

Stately picture-book pages chronicle the life of the maid of OrlÆ’ans in measured language that mutes only some of the intensity of the story. It's the stuff of history and legend: how Joan heard heavenly voices in 15th-century France, risked her honor to convince soldiers to take her to the beleaguered and uncrowned king, led armies in battle, and, though wounded, saw the king crowned at Rheims. In liturgical cadences, Poole (Snow White, 1991, also illustrated by Barrett) recounts how Joan was betrayed by the king, tried and burned at the stake as a witch, and eventually declared a saint. The pictures, somewhat reminiscent of the classic Boutet De Monvel illustrations, make exquisite reference to millefleur tapestries, Dutch genre painting, and illuminated manuscripts. Because the treatment is of a saint rather than a hero, both text and images have a certain still quality, all the better to pore over. This is a good introduction to Joan: ""A saint is like a star. A star and a saint shine forever.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1998

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1998

Categories: CHILDREN'S