Max and Benedict: A Bird's Eye View of the Pope's Daily Life

by Jeanne Perego, Donata Casagrande (Illustrator)

Illustrated by Donata Dal Molin Casagrande This lovely illustrated book for children (of all ages!) is a sequel to Joseph and Chico , the international best-seller that told the story of the life of Pope Benedict XVI from his youth through his election as the Pope. With the same award-winning author and illustrator, this lavishly illustrated book is aimed at children but in a way that even adults will enjoy. It takes up the story of Benedict’s XVIs new life as the Pope. The narrator of this book is a blue rock-thrush that spends most of his time on the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica and in the Vatican gardens. (The scientific name of this kind of bird is Monticola Solitarius , and it really lives in Rome.) This particular bird’s name is Max, and from his solitary perch, he observes everything in the vicinity. He is fascinated by one human in the Pope. Max tells readers what the Pope does on a typical day, as well as about special moments in his life, such as his vacations and apostolic trips. The book provides a delicate portrait of the Holy Fathers many responsibilities, and it helps us understand the Pope Benedict’s important obligations that he always strives to carry out with love, faith and dedication. Max talks about the Pope’s private and public audiences, his meetings with heads of state and with children, important liturgical moments, and the Angelus. He also describes more curious events, such as the blessing of the lambs and of a fire truck. He tells us about the moments that the Pope devotes to writing and to prayer. Max flies to see the Pope at his summer home, Castel Gandolfo, and is sorry he cannot accompany him on his important apostolic trips, but is happy each time the Pope returns to the Vatican. Max is also delighted when he sees the Pope relax a bit, playing the piano or strolling through the Vatican gardens. Max loves music, too, as do many of his friends, who live in the Vatican gardens. The lavish color illustrations throughout make this a wonderful gift book and a cherished keepsake. Through this wonderful story, the author presents some of the fundamental ideas of Pope Benedict XVI and the important daily life and activities of the successor of St. Peter, told in simple words that young readers can understand and enjoy. The lavish watercolor illustrations make a wonderful gift book and a cherished keepsake for all ages.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Catholic

52 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shhh! Don't anyone tell but I got this book for my pastor for Christmas. Today I read it and really enjoyed it. Personally I think it's better than Joseph and Chico: A Cat Tells the Life of Pope Benedict XVI. I'm not sure exactly why but I think because it doesn't read like a biography forced into a children's story. For me, Max and Benedict seemed to flow. It sounded like what it was, 'a bird's eye view of the Pope's daily life', a story told by a little bird about a gentle, quiet, scholarly man.

My pastor (who doesn't want anyone to know what a nice guy he is) leaves bird seed just outside my office window most mornings; I know it's him because I've 'caught' him doing it a few times. A little bird must have told him I like to watch the birds ... or did he just catch me staring out the window so often he figured it out on his own? The secretaries tell me he'd planned to cut down the tree and bushes in our shared little courtyard sanctum and turn that area into office space. Now he's putting out birdseed? Yes, we do need the office space, but we need that little bit of private nature even more.

I hope that Max in Jeanne Perego's charming little tale wins his heart and convinces him to keep the birds. Perhaps among all the birds feeding outside our windows, there is a little Max observing, singing and telling a story of our parish and the kind pastor who pretends to be so gruff ... but really isn't.

Read and share this sweet story. Thanks again Cookie Monster for the recommendation! And may you have a very Happy Birthday!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is intended to show the daily life of the pope. It will answer questions students have like "What does the pope do all day?" and "Does the pope pray all the time?". It is told from the point of view of Max, a blue rock-thrush. The bird follows Pope Benedict around and shows what he does all day in the Vatican. It also talks about other things the pope does like visiting people all over the world and special Masses that are offered at important liturgical times. The book also spends a lot of time talking about the birds that live in Vatican City. The book had a lot of words per page and had difficult vocabulary, especially religious words. I would use this book with 2nd-4th graders. For 2nd graders I think it would need to be read as a group so the teacher could explain the words and the class could discuss the book. 4th graders could use the book for research about Pope Benedict XVI. I would use it to explain the job of pope. It would help students understand what a pope does and why. It also introduces students to the current Vicar of Christ on earth which is important.

Perego, J. (2009). Max and Benedict: A bird's eye view of the pope's daily life. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press.