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He Is Risen: The Journey Through Holy Week
A touching picture book retelling of Holy Week, with soft watercolor art that beautifully captures the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection―an inspiring gift for Easter, Christmas, and Christian families.I am the donkey that He rode.I am the palm leaves they waved in celebration of Israel’s king.I am the room where He ate the Last Supper.With lyrical, scripture-inspired verses from Christopher Robbins and radiant watercolor illustrations by Yumi Shimokawara, He Is Risen offers a moving retelling of Holy Week through the eyes of the animals, plants, and objects that witnessed Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.This fresh perspective gently introduces children to the Easter story and the enduring symbols of Christianity. Both reverent and heartfelt, it’s a meaningful read-aloud for Christian families and a beautiful gift for Easter, Holy Week, Christmas, and other Christian holidays.Available in English and Spanish!
48 pages, Hardcover
Published October 13, 2026
About the author
Christopher Robbins
75 books29 followersChristopher Robbins began his career in journalism at the age of sixteen when he started writing jazz criticism for the Daily Telegraph. Since then he has written for numerous newspapers and magazines in Britain, Europe and the USA.
The Empress of Ireland won the Saga Award for wit, along with exceptional critical acclaim. In Search of Kazakhstan was short-listed for the Authors’ Club Best Travel Book Award 2008 in the UK and (under the title Apples Are From Kazakhstan) for the Best Travel Books of 2008 in the US. Air America, a worldwide bestseller when it was originally published, was made into a film starring Mel Gibson.
The Empress of Ireland won the Saga Award for wit, along with exceptional critical acclaim. In Search of Kazakhstan was short-listed for the Authors’ Club Best Travel Book Award 2008 in the UK and (under the title Apples Are From Kazakhstan) for the Best Travel Books of 2008 in the US. Air America, a worldwide bestseller when it was originally published, was made into a film starring Mel Gibson.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This exploration of Holy Week has short, simple sentences and gentle, beautiful illustrations. The author tells the story of Holy Week from the perspective of different people, places, and objects that witnessed the events. The book is reverent and biblically faithful, and I found the nontraditional storytelling approach effective.
This book is designed for people who are already familiar with the story from the Bible. The text and illustrations are sometimes referential, with hints and nods towards things that people will understand based on their prior knowledge. If someone is looking for a basic introduction to the Easter story, this won't be the best fit, but this people who have already read many straightforward stories of Jesus's death and resurrection will appreciate this book's unique angle.
Readers who enjoyed this book might also like The Action Bible Christmas: 25 Stories about Jesus' Arrival, by Sergio Cariello. That picture book tells the Nativity story from multiple perspectives, including POVs from inanimate objects.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This book is designed for people who are already familiar with the story from the Bible. The text and illustrations are sometimes referential, with hints and nods towards things that people will understand based on their prior knowledge. If someone is looking for a basic introduction to the Easter story, this won't be the best fit, but this people who have already read many straightforward stories of Jesus's death and resurrection will appreciate this book's unique angle.
Readers who enjoyed this book might also like The Action Bible Christmas: 25 Stories about Jesus' Arrival, by Sergio Cariello. That picture book tells the Nativity story from multiple perspectives, including POVs from inanimate objects.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
He Is Risen: The Journey Through Holy Week takes a very simple approach to reviewing the Holy Week but at the same time its simplicity may also make it go over the head of very young readers who won't see the pattern of the week within its presentation.
The book reviews Holy Week through mostly the items and a few beings who took part in this most blessed week. To match the simple presentation, each page has a simple statement that names the item and how it was used.
What makes the book, though, are the soft illustrations that are in beautiful detail although again some of them may go over young readers like the European robin whose breast was part of the Holy Week Christian lore or the rooster to mark who used the sword.
The book ends with a collection of Bible verses that are organized into the milestones of that week for those who are wanting to add a biblical aspect to their presentation of the books.
All in all it was a unique and creative approach to Holy Week, all based on a new perspective.
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
The book reviews Holy Week through mostly the items and a few beings who took part in this most blessed week. To match the simple presentation, each page has a simple statement that names the item and how it was used.
What makes the book, though, are the soft illustrations that are in beautiful detail although again some of them may go over young readers like the European robin whose breast was part of the Holy Week Christian lore or the rooster to mark who used the sword.
The book ends with a collection of Bible verses that are organized into the milestones of that week for those who are wanting to add a biblical aspect to their presentation of the books.
All in all it was a unique and creative approach to Holy Week, all based on a new perspective.
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This book is a really beautiful and thoughtful retelling of the Easter story. It walks through Holy Week in a way that feels gentle and accessible for younger readers, while still holding onto the emotional weight of the story itself.
What stood out to me most was the perspective, it’s told through the eyes of the people, places, and even objects that witnessed these moments, which made it feel fresh and a little more immersive than a typical retelling.
The illustrations by Yumi Shimokawara are soft and really stunning. The watercolor style adds so much warmth and emotion, and honestly carries a lot of the storytelling alongside the text.
Overall, this is a meaningful, faith-centered picture book that feels perfect for the Easter season. It’s simple enough for kids, but still something families can connect with together.
This book is a really beautiful and thoughtful retelling of the Easter story. It walks through Holy Week in a way that feels gentle and accessible for younger readers, while still holding onto the emotional weight of the story itself.
What stood out to me most was the perspective, it’s told through the eyes of the people, places, and even objects that witnessed these moments, which made it feel fresh and a little more immersive than a typical retelling.
The illustrations by Yumi Shimokawara are soft and really stunning. The watercolor style adds so much warmth and emotion, and honestly carries a lot of the storytelling alongside the text.
Overall, this is a meaningful, faith-centered picture book that feels perfect for the Easter season. It’s simple enough for kids, but still something families can connect with together.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Feels like a playbook that children would never get bored of! I love how repetition does not dull the content, it only makes it clearer.
Each page has illustrations to accompany the introduction of a certain person or object that was present throughout the Holy Week and whose presence is worth a lot (even 'a lot' might be undermining it tbh)
The artwork is one of the most eyecaptivating art styles I have ever seen. I was unable to take my eyes off of it😭
The writings on each page were simple enough and at the same time, carried volume enough.
I love how there is a more detailed verse listings at the end. This could definitely be a good bible study guide. Starting off slow and with so much potential to learn more about our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died for us!💙
Thank you to NetGalley, Familius and Christopher Robbins for granting me a free copy to review!
Each page has illustrations to accompany the introduction of a certain person or object that was present throughout the Holy Week and whose presence is worth a lot (even 'a lot' might be undermining it tbh)
The artwork is one of the most eyecaptivating art styles I have ever seen. I was unable to take my eyes off of it😭
The writings on each page were simple enough and at the same time, carried volume enough.
I love how there is a more detailed verse listings at the end. This could definitely be a good bible study guide. Starting off slow and with so much potential to learn more about our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died for us!💙
Thank you to NetGalley, Familius and Christopher Robbins for granting me a free copy to review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
NetGalley ARC:
The weight this book carries is beyond words. Each page is simple in sentence structure, but heavy in meaning. It is a book I can see families reading at and around Easter every year.
The simplicity of the wording allows for young children to stay engaged and allows for more in depth conversations. I loved that at the end of the book there was a section that gave Bible verses that corresponded with the sentences on each page.
Overall the book is gentle, breathtakingly illustrated, and very meaningful.
The weight this book carries is beyond words. Each page is simple in sentence structure, but heavy in meaning. It is a book I can see families reading at and around Easter every year.
The simplicity of the wording allows for young children to stay engaged and allows for more in depth conversations. I loved that at the end of the book there was a section that gave Bible verses that corresponded with the sentences on each page.
Overall the book is gentle, breathtakingly illustrated, and very meaningful.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
We loved He Is Risen by Christopher Robbins. It is a beautifully illustrated book that serves as a fantastic starter book for young children. The art is gorgeous and kept my kids engaged, but what I loved most is how it provides a wonderful foundation to start conversations about the significance of Holy Week. It gives enough detail to be meaningful while leaving space for us to go more in-depth as a family later on. A great first step for any Lent or Easter library.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WOW! Simple and yet stunning, perfect for all ages, and longing for further conversation that delves into each and every page! "Mom, where did the donkey come from? Why where there palm branches? Swords defended Jesus? This page doesn't say anything about a rooster, why is there one here?" Each page begs children to ask deep theological questions they don't even realize they have and gives parents the space to share Truth with them. Bravo.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A beautiful retelling by illustrating items during the Holy Week. For example, the donkey Christ rode . Simple, yet lovely and memorable illustrations. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews