BARRY MOSER’S PSALM 23

The main character in this fine interpretation of the beloved psalm is a modern-day shepherd boy from the Caribbean island of Antigua. Beneath the title words set in shiny blue type, the simple but striking cover shows the smiling boy protectively holding his charge, a lamb that appears throughout the volume. The shepherd boy’s care for the lamb cleverly echoes the words of the psalm as he provides food, water, shelter and protection from danger. Moser’s masterful watercolors evoke the tropical heat in sunny green pastures and the welcome cool of shadows falling on sleeping sheep. His thoughtful illustration of the valley of the shadow of death shows two lost sheep at the bottom of a dark chasm. Sharp-eyed readers will note mysteriously malevolent eyes peering out from crevices, with a single yellow butterfly providing a glimpse of hope. Though his conceptualization of the psalm is simple in nature, the overall effect is powerful, concluding with a spread of misty purple skies and sea behind one white dove taking flight. An introductory artist’s note explains Moser’s connection to the Antiguan setting and his interpretation of the psalm’s text. (publisher’s note) (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-8)