Brother Bartholomew

by Jan Cheripko

An ambitious monk learns a lesson in humility when he encounters Brother Bartholomew, the old monk who tends the apple grove.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Jan Cheripko is the author of several books for young adults and children. He currently teaches English at The Family Foundation School, a private residential school for at-risk teens.

As he does in his novels, Cheripko focuses his talks to students, teachers, and parents on the choices young people make, the need to identify the principles one stands for, and to place them ahead of personalities.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/jan-cher...

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

While visiting a friend in Pennsylvania in 2004 I had the opportunity to meet the author of this book as my friend was well acquainted with the author (My copy is signed). It had been years since I read this book and my five year old picked it off the shelf today out of curiosity and probably drawn to the lovely illustrations. There are aspects of monks and a monastery that I had to find simple explanations for but nothing out of the ordinary. The theme of pride is well played out as well as wisdom comes with age and experience.

The only thing that I may not really like is that in one aspect it kind of alludes to a reincarnation of the monk into a deer. It basically just says that the deer reminds him of someone. This may or may not bother some people so that is why I put here.

Overall, a sweet story that I will read again to my kiddos. I was surprised my 5 year old and my 2 year old sat through the whole thing as it is a little long for their age range. However, my three year old was back and forth.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's more important to share a garden harvest than to have a perfect apple grove. A young monk with some control issues learns this the hard way, but in the end everybody benefits. The monk learns compassion and the hungry deer that live in the forest that flanks the monastery get something good to eat. A moving story about compassion for animals. This is a good story to pair with Brother Francis and the Wolf.