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Mary
Anna your wife shall bring you a daughter, and you shall call her name Mary; She shall, according to your vow, be devoted to the Lord from her infancy, and be filled with the Holy Ghost from her mother's womb. . . . As she shall be in a miraculous manner born of one that was barren, so she shall, while yet a virgin, in a way unparalleled, bring forth the Son of the most High God, who shall, be called Jesus, and, according to the signification of his name, be the Savior of all nations. T HE B OOK OF M ARY, C HAP . 2:9-12
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2006
37 people want to read
About the author
Demi
179 books179 followersDemi (September 2, 1942) born Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt, is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. During her career she has published over 300 titles.
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the great-grand daughter of the American painter William Morris Hunt, and the great-grand niece of architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi earned her nickname as a young child when her father started calling her demi because she was half the size of her sister.
She studied art at Instituto Allende, Mexico, and with Sister Corita at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She was a Fulbright scholar at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India where she received her Master’s degree.
Demi is known for her biographies for spiritual figures including Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.
In 1990, Demi and her husband Tze-si “Jesse” Huang represented the United States at the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing.
Source: Wikipedia
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the great-grand daughter of the American painter William Morris Hunt, and the great-grand niece of architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi earned her nickname as a young child when her father started calling her demi because she was half the size of her sister.
She studied art at Instituto Allende, Mexico, and with Sister Corita at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She was a Fulbright scholar at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India where she received her Master’s degree.
Demi is known for her biographies for spiritual figures including Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.
In 1990, Demi and her husband Tze-si “Jesse” Huang represented the United States at the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 6, 2024
Now and truth be told, while Demi's detailed painterly artwork for her 2006 biographical picture book about the Virgin Mary in jewel tones set off by patterned borders against ivory backgrounds suggest ancient parchment, are absolutely gorgeously visually stunning, and with their intricate fabrics and golden haloes also and most definitely remind me of illustrations and statues (icons) of Mary, of Mary's mother Anna and of Mary's father Joachim I have seen in Catholic and Orthodox churches (and are as such a real and delightful visual treat for my eyes), sorry, but Demi's narrative for Mary, how she presents the life of the mother of Jesus, is in my humble opinion rather majorly problematic at best (and in particular since as a picture book, Mary is obviously geared towards children, towards young readers and/or listeners).
For although Demi's featured text for Mary (about Mary’s life from her conception to her assumption and coronation in Heaven) includes familiar passages from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the many passages from non canonical sources might well be interesting for adult biblical scholars but are actually not accepted by most Christian denominations (and that frankly, this therefore needs to be made clear by Demi within the text proper of Mary, so that children reading Mary or having Mary read to them will not suddenly consider Gnostic Marian sources as being biblical, as being canonical, and that indeed, it does rather majorly bother me how Demi fails to do this, that nowhere in Mary are there any explanatory notes regarding for example the Gnostic Gospel of Mary or that letter by Pseudo-Melito).
And finally, but importantly, since the prayer to Mary as intercessor (on page forty-six of Mary) and the Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II on the back cover emphasise Mary's Roman Catholic orientation (and would therefore also make Mary potentially an issue for some and perhaps even many Protestants), it equally needs to be pointed out that both Protestants and Catholics alike (and likely also Orthodox Christians) depending on how staunch their faith is would or at least could be uncomfortable with how Demi is textually using Gnostic sources and Catholic non biblical sources quasi as Gospel so to speak and sans discussion and criticism. So yes, and for me personally, I for said reason can and do really only consider Demi's artwork for Mary as something truly worthwhile and as something visually delightful and that my low three star rating indeed is only for the pictures (as with the text for Mary I really do find Demi's words too problematic and too uncritical regarding non canonical sources of the Virgin Mary's life to consider more than one star).
For although Demi's featured text for Mary (about Mary’s life from her conception to her assumption and coronation in Heaven) includes familiar passages from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the many passages from non canonical sources might well be interesting for adult biblical scholars but are actually not accepted by most Christian denominations (and that frankly, this therefore needs to be made clear by Demi within the text proper of Mary, so that children reading Mary or having Mary read to them will not suddenly consider Gnostic Marian sources as being biblical, as being canonical, and that indeed, it does rather majorly bother me how Demi fails to do this, that nowhere in Mary are there any explanatory notes regarding for example the Gnostic Gospel of Mary or that letter by Pseudo-Melito).
And finally, but importantly, since the prayer to Mary as intercessor (on page forty-six of Mary) and the Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II on the back cover emphasise Mary's Roman Catholic orientation (and would therefore also make Mary potentially an issue for some and perhaps even many Protestants), it equally needs to be pointed out that both Protestants and Catholics alike (and likely also Orthodox Christians) depending on how staunch their faith is would or at least could be uncomfortable with how Demi is textually using Gnostic sources and Catholic non biblical sources quasi as Gospel so to speak and sans discussion and criticism. So yes, and for me personally, I for said reason can and do really only consider Demi's artwork for Mary as something truly worthwhile and as something visually delightful and that my low three star rating indeed is only for the pictures (as with the text for Mary I really do find Demi's words too problematic and too uncritical regarding non canonical sources of the Virgin Mary's life to consider more than one star).
February 24, 2018
Beautifully illustrated picture-book biography of the Mystical Rose, told with quotations and paraphrases from several sacred texts in accessible ways for younger readers.
April 18, 2023
Beautifully illustrated and includes lesser known texts that describe Mary’s role in the development of Christianity.
September 1, 2021
Beautiful book. The text is based on The book of Mary, The New Kings James Bible, and The Life of Mary according to The Mystics.
July 4, 2017
The good news is that part of the text is from the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John. The bad news is that the early part of Mary's life is from an extra-biblical source: the gnostic Gospel of Mary. The remaining text is from two Catholic sources: The Life of Mary As Seen By the Mystics, and a letter by Pseudoo-Melito.
The Life of Mary mistakenly identifies Mary as the Intercessor of the faithful, when that is the role of Jesus alone. This book also intimates that whoever calls on Mary will secure for himself eternal life. The Bible categorically refutes this false statement in several places, including John 3:16--"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life." Also, Acts 4:12--"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (referring to Jesus).
Mary is neither intercessor nor provider of eternal life. She was simply a good woman who had the honor and blessing of bringing the true Savior into the world.
The Life of Mary mistakenly identifies Mary as the Intercessor of the faithful, when that is the role of Jesus alone. This book also intimates that whoever calls on Mary will secure for himself eternal life. The Bible categorically refutes this false statement in several places, including John 3:16--"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life." Also, Acts 4:12--"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (referring to Jesus).
Mary is neither intercessor nor provider of eternal life. She was simply a good woman who had the honor and blessing of bringing the true Savior into the world.
February 17, 2014
This beautifully illustrated biography of Mary was a refreshing look at a woman in history; more men have had their stories told over time, so many of Demi's biographies have also featured men.
I love the special feature that Demi's books on religious figures are blessed by the spiritual world leader of the religion. In all her picture books, it's also nice that she includes her sources.
I was a bit disappointed that instead of an accessible narrative, Mary's story is told through quotations from The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics, and The Bible. Was this the only acceptable narrative to the Church?
While The Dalai Lama and Muhammed can be read to a young child with little background on their religions, I think Mary can only be read by children with a deep background in Christianity, or a mature teenager. I'm not sure that a mature teenager would pick up a picture book though and if a child goes to church regularly, would they want to read quotations? So I think this book will likely only be read by adult Demi fans like me, which is really too bad.
I love the special feature that Demi's books on religious figures are blessed by the spiritual world leader of the religion. In all her picture books, it's also nice that she includes her sources.
I was a bit disappointed that instead of an accessible narrative, Mary's story is told through quotations from The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics, and The Bible. Was this the only acceptable narrative to the Church?
While The Dalai Lama and Muhammed can be read to a young child with little background on their religions, I think Mary can only be read by children with a deep background in Christianity, or a mature teenager. I'm not sure that a mature teenager would pick up a picture book though and if a child goes to church regularly, would they want to read quotations? So I think this book will likely only be read by adult Demi fans like me, which is really too bad.
April 30, 2009
Although this was filed in the Juvenile non-fiction section, it's very advanced for most young readers. I borrowed it from the library because we've enjoyed some of her other stories. Her illustrations are absolutely gorgeous; intricate and gilt icons that are worthy of a cathedral stained glass window. But the narrative, various biblical passages, is difficult for younger children to understand or stay interested in. I enjoyed reading it, and I would recommend it for older audiences.
February 12, 2015
Very disappointing, like reading Biblical fan fiction. I'm not sure who would want this book: Catholics and Orthodox would not appreciate the non-canonical sources. Protestants would likely disdain all the attention on Mary to begin with.
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June 22, 2021I honestly don’t know how to rate this one, so I’m not giving it any stars for now.
Like all Demi’s books, I love her illustrations. I’m just not sure of the accuracy of the story. She has taken her information from the following sources:
The Book Of Mary (Is this a gnostic gospel?)
The Bible
The Life of Mary: As seen by the Mystics
Pseudo-Melito
I would love people’s thoughts on the sources Demi has chosen to use.
Like all Demi’s books, I love her illustrations. I’m just not sure of the accuracy of the story. She has taken her information from the following sources:
The Book Of Mary (Is this a gnostic gospel?)
The Bible
The Life of Mary: As seen by the Mystics
Pseudo-Melito
I would love people’s thoughts on the sources Demi has chosen to use.
May 19, 2010
For as religious this book was I really enjoyed it. It tells Mary's story, which often times goes untold. I loved the artistry of the book and it was a calming story that displayed dedication and love for her Savior and Son.
December 6, 2011
Demi has a consistent style and does a wonderful job researching her books. This is a beautiful, in-depth study of Mary for older children and adults.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews