What do you think?
Rate this book
Saint Francis and Brother Duck
Fun and informative! See the life of Francis come to life as never before in this graphic novel based on the real-life events of the saint’s life, set in the mountains of Italy. Francis saves the life of an innocent duck, the only fictitious character in the story, and the two become each other’s inspiration. As they grow in faith and friendship, Francis recognizes in Br. Duck everything that he desires in living the Gospel humility, poverty, and a childlike imagination. Readers of all ages will enjoy the humor as well as the ageless wisdom offered as the story of Francis’s life is vividly told, scene-by-scene.
- GenresGraphic Novels
137 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 20, 2022
This book projects an anachronistic (progressive) view of the Crusades onto Francis. Hardly anything is known about the episode of Francis going to meet the Sultan, but it is unlikely that he went as antiwar pacifist who was more concerned about saving lives than souls. The book portrays Francis as seeing the Crusades as senseless violence -- incredibly ironic since it was the Franciscans who became the guardians of every site we still have access to in the Holy Land. No, Francis would have understood well what was at stake and why Christians were risking their lives to do it.
As Dr. Benjamin Vail writes, "St. Francis was a man of peace, but there is no evidence that he opposed the crusades. The notion that the crusades were contrary to Franciscan spirituality is belied by the fact that one leader of later crusades was St. Louis IX, the king of France, a Franciscan tertiary who is now patron saint of the Secular Franciscan Order. Obviously, he and the Church saw no contradiction between Christian faith and morals, or Franciscan principles, and fighting a war of defense against Muslims." (https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2...)
Finally, a more minor point of criticism is that the book's attempts at humor fail almost entirely. The duck sidekick alternates between lame jokes and rude, put-down humor one would be subjected to in a bad sit-com. There are actually some well-crafted and touching moments in the book, but they are not outweighed by the historical inaccuracies.
As Dr. Benjamin Vail writes, "St. Francis was a man of peace, but there is no evidence that he opposed the crusades. The notion that the crusades were contrary to Franciscan spirituality is belied by the fact that one leader of later crusades was St. Louis IX, the king of France, a Franciscan tertiary who is now patron saint of the Secular Franciscan Order. Obviously, he and the Church saw no contradiction between Christian faith and morals, or Franciscan principles, and fighting a war of defense against Muslims." (https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2...)
Finally, a more minor point of criticism is that the book's attempts at humor fail almost entirely. The duck sidekick alternates between lame jokes and rude, put-down humor one would be subjected to in a bad sit-com. There are actually some well-crafted and touching moments in the book, but they are not outweighed by the historical inaccuracies.
November 5, 2022
Paraclete Press has published a new way for children to familiarize themselves with St. Francis of Assisi in Saint Francis and Brother Duck . It is the first graphic novel adaptation of the real life of St. Francis of Assisi. The author, Jay Stoeckl, a secular Franciscan, was inspired to use his skills as a cartoonist in his first book.
You might be like me and thinking a graphic novel (comic book style) about St. Francis of Assisi and a Duck? Huh? And in truth, it is an adorable book that easily relates the story of Saint Francis in a colorful, visual way to young readers.
When we received Saint Francis and Brother Duck, my nine year old son picked it up instantly due to his curiosity of a graphic novel about a Saint he was familiar with. The added bonus that made him sit down to read it immediately was the humor brought to the story by the fictional character of Brother Duck. He so enjoyed the book, my son wrote about it for a school book report.
Once he was done with the book, my 11 year old daughter read it cover to cover, not able to put it down. Most recently my 6 year old daughter has started reading it. She has given it a thumbs up, though I think a bit of it goes over her head.
My family and I honestly enjoyed the book. In an appealing way, Saint Francis and Brother Duck introduces young readers to St. Francis of Assisi and the way he chose to live out the Gospels.
You might be like me and thinking a graphic novel (comic book style) about St. Francis of Assisi and a Duck? Huh? And in truth, it is an adorable book that easily relates the story of Saint Francis in a colorful, visual way to young readers.
When we received Saint Francis and Brother Duck, my nine year old son picked it up instantly due to his curiosity of a graphic novel about a Saint he was familiar with. The added bonus that made him sit down to read it immediately was the humor brought to the story by the fictional character of Brother Duck. He so enjoyed the book, my son wrote about it for a school book report.
Once he was done with the book, my 11 year old daughter read it cover to cover, not able to put it down. Most recently my 6 year old daughter has started reading it. She has given it a thumbs up, though I think a bit of it goes over her head.
My family and I honestly enjoyed the book. In an appealing way, Saint Francis and Brother Duck introduces young readers to St. Francis of Assisi and the way he chose to live out the Gospels.
April 17, 2020
This kid-friendly biography of Saint Francis of Assissi is both charming and informative. It covers the basics of his life--his attempt to be a soldier, his misinterpreting the dream about rebuilding the church, his founding of the order, his visit to the Holy Land to stop the war, his love for the poor, and his love for animals. The one obvious literary license is Brother Duck, a talking duck that accompanies Francis during his adventurous life. The duck mainly cracks jokes and provides a way for Francis to monologue without monologuing, especially in scenes where he'd otherwise be alone.
It's an honest, simple, humble, and joyous book that well reflects the life and spirituality of Saint Francis.
Highly recommended.
It's an honest, simple, humble, and joyous book that well reflects the life and spirituality of Saint Francis.
Highly recommended.
October 2, 2016
Great book
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews