He Is Risen

by Elizabeth Winthrop, Charles Mikolaycak (Illustrator)

An adaptation of the Bible story of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1985

About the author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP ALSOP (www.elizabethwinthropalsop.com), is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages, including ISLAND JUSTICE and IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, both available as e-books.

DAUGHTER OF SPIES: Wartime Secrets, Family Lies, her memoir about her parents' love affair during World War II and her own childhood in 1950s Washington as the daughter of a famous journalist, will be published October 25, 2022 by Regal House.

Her short story, The Golden Darters, was selected by Best American Short Stories by Robert Stone and was recently read on SELECTED SHORTS by the renowned actress, Ann Dowd. She is the author of the memoir piece, Don't Knock Unless You're Bleeding; Growing Up in Cold War Washington.The daughter of Stewart Alsop, the political journalist, she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Her historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE was chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for twenty-three state book awards and are considered children’s fantasy classics.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

For more information, www.elizabethwinthrop.com

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author/illustrator team Elizabeth Winthrop and Charles Mikolaycak, who also collaborated on A Child Is Born: The Christmas Story , turn here to the story of Easter. Winthrop adapts texts from the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke in her telling, which begins with the Passover feast, and continues on through the betrayal of Jesus, the trial before Pilate, and the Crucifixion, before culminating with the Resurrection...

I read He Is Risen: The Easter Story directly after Brian Wildsmith's gorgeous The Easter Story , and the two books present an interesting contrast, when it comes to how to approach this tale, when retelling it for children. Winthrop's text here is far more Biblical than the Wildsmith telling, which is much simpler, and imagines the story from a donkey's perspective. Textually, I think this one would work far better for somewhat older children, who are ready for the more advanced vocabulary and sentence structure. The sepia-toned artwork here from Mikolaycak is more historical than the stylized Wildsmith paintings, and beautiful in its own right, although I found that I preferred the latter. I think my ideal Easter story picture-book would pair Wildsmith's artwork with a slightly simplified version of the text here. I like the idea of staying as faithful to the Bible accounts as possible, but somehow the text felt a little too advanced for a picture-book of this kind. Still, many parents and Sunday School teachers specifically looking for more Biblical Easter retellings, should find this one of interest, and it is to them that I would recommend it, as well as to fans of Charles Mikolaycak's artwork.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate that the other used only the Bible to tell the story. So if you're looking to add some pictures to your KJV scripture reading of the resurrection story, you may like this.

Ages: 5 - 12

Cleanliness: Illustrations might be a little too detailed with loin clothes, open tunics and the crucifixion for some parents. May want to take a look first.

#easter #christian

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been improved and made more suitable for a picture book in many ways, both text and pictures.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

a more detailed account of Christ's death and resurrection with illustrations- suitable for 2nd-5th grade kids.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations of the Easter story. I feel that this book is perfect for Sunday school.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been great for reading the Easter story essentially from the scriptures to my 5YO. We've tried to read a little each night leading up to Easter, although I skipped too many readings to culminate with the Resurrection on Sunday. To hold his attention throughout all the grown-up words I have him do fun, hopefully not-too-irreverent gestures when keywords like "disciples" and "Jesus" are read. Then I explain anything that seems too difficult. Last night my husband read it to him and told me he was amazed that Jesus asked his Father to forgive the men who killed him.

The illustrations are not exquisite but nice enough. Wish there were a more updated binding. The book just feels old, and not a classic, stand-the-test-of-time way.

[NECaruso · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a beautifully illustrated book, the language is traditional and therefore difficult for young children to understand on anything but the most superficial level.