Jessie Orton Jones (1886–1983)

Verse from the King James Bible is paired with adorable 1940s artwork in this beautiful picture-book from 1943, which was chosen as one of five Caldecott Honor Books in 1944. From Psalms - including the beloved twenty-third psalm - to Deuteronomy, Matthew to Ephesians, the textual selections here are taken from both the Old and New Testaments, while the artwork by Elizabeth Orton Jones depicts (then) contemporary children enjoying God's creation. A brief list of sources is included at the rear, for the reader unable to identify the texts used.

Having practically learned to read with the 1944 What Miranda Knew, which was also illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones, reading this book felt like coming home. Done in the same style as those in the Adshead book, these paintings are lovely - sweet and appealing and old-fashioned. Old-fashioned in style, that is, rather than content, for the cast of children depicted is surprisingly diverse for a book published in the 1940s. A young African-American boy, an Asian girl, and what could be (it's hard to tell) a Latino boy, are included in the group of children, playing together with all of their peers, and enjoying the world around them (as they should be!). I don't know that this is a book with strong appeal for a general audience, but for those looking for quality books with Christian content - Sunday Schools, perhaps? - this title is surely a winner.… (más)