Francis, The Poor Man of Assisi & Brother Sun, Sister Moon

Our church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis each year on October 4th or a Sunday close to that date. We often celebrate with “the blessing of the animals” that church members and children from the neighborhood bring pets by for a blessing. Our fall camps for elementary aged children often were themed with St. Francis and his love and care for all of God’s creation. On Easter Sunday in 1980, Pope John Paul II actually proclaimed Francis to be Patron of Ecology.

I have many favorite books about St. Francis so to select just one or two to recommend and share with you is very hard, but here it goes! My first one is Francis, The Poor Man of Assisi, by Tomie de Paola, a favorite author and illustrator of mine. St. Francis captured de Paola’s imagination when he was very young and first heard stories about Francis and his companion, Claire. But it was many years before de Paolo returned to Assisi to do his photographic research and study of Francis and Claire’s lives.

In this particular book de Paola captures Francis’ life before and after recognizing his calling from God. Stories that children find enthralling as Francis “preaching to the birds,” or taming the wolf in Gubbio, or creating the Christmas story outside in a cave near Greccio are all included. These are stories that can be read or listened to over and over again. I have always loved Tomie de Paola’s illustration style and this book continues in his folk-art style. This book is easily enjoyed by both children and adults.

The second book I have chosen for St. Francis Day/Month is Brother Sun, Sister Moon Which is a Canticle of the Creatures written by St. Francis, but this book is reimagined by Katherine Paterson. She retells this canticle/hymn of St. Francis in a poetic language while maintaining Francis’ understandings of all creation, all life itself, all nature and all community and family, being connected to our creator.

The canticle is very beautiful in itself. But this book’s illustrator Pamela Dalton has created an amazing and exciting way to bring this canticle to life. Pamela’s illustrations are all cut from one continuous piece of paper, the technique of Scherenschnitte (scissor cutting.) Here’s an art form as a teacher I may have tried with my students or campers over the years, but certainly none as intricate as those in this book. There is not an illustration in this book that doesn’t capture the interest and time lingering study of both child and adult. This is a book that you have to see the artistry to believe it possible and then still wonder.

This month I offer you two different ways for you and your family to be moved by literature. One way is through the remarkable life of St. Francis, pondering his spirituality and commitment to the God who called him and whom he served. The second is through a song of earth and creation that St. Francis wrote. May you be changed by art as it is depicted in verse and picture (scissor cuts.)

Let me know what you think in a comment down below!