Pope Francis: Builder of Bridges

by Emma Otheguy, Oliver Dominguez (Illustrator)

Overview

Pope Francis's life and ground-breaking leadership are brought to life for young readers in this lyrical and inspirational picture book biography.

Jorge Bergoglio was a typical boy growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, jumping into pick-up soccer games and listening to lively music on the city streets. His grandma Rosa taught him the importance of doing good and inspired his passion to help others. This passion and years of hard work led him to become a Jesuit priest, a bishop, and then a cardinal.

And now the world knows Jorge by a different name--Pope Francis.

As the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has focused on another word for pope: "pontiff," a person who builds bridges to reach everyone, no matter who they are. Speaking out on the most important issues of our time, he has become an influential voice in our world--a true pontiff, a builder of bridges.

This story of how an ordinary boy became a beloved world leader will inspire and inform readers of all ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681195612
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	09/25/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	29 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Emma Otheguy is a children's book author and historian. Her picture book debut, a biography of famed Cuban poet and independence leader José Martí, titled Martí's Song for Freedom (Lee&Low Books), received five starred reviews and was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal and the New York Public Library. She lives in New York City with her husband.
emmaotheguy.com

Oliver Dominguez was born and raised in the South side of Miami, where he spent his time reading comics, watching cartoons and playing with action figures. In school, he was called "the artist boy" because he always carried a huge portfolio. He studied Illustration at Ringling College of Art + Design and spent two summers attending in The Illustration Academy. Now his weeks are spent working as a freelance artist, a children's book artist, and illustrating his own stories. His love of historical figures has lead him to illustrate two children's books called Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit the World and Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and The Secret Mud that Changed Baseball. He currently lives in Fort Myers with his lovely wife Melissa, his adorable two children Aubrey and Gage, and also his two dogs, Hazel and Houston. When he is not illustrating, he indulges in books, movies, and an appetite for unique hats.
www.oliver-dominguez.com

Editorial Reviews

09/10/2018
This clear-eyed account of the life of Pope Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, begins with his early years in Buenos Aires. Otheguy offers intimate glimpses into Bergoglio’s early efforts to assist communities within the villas miserias, or slums, of Buenos Aires. After Bergoglio becomes pope, he continues reaching out to the ostracized: “On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis broke with tradition. Instead of celebrating in a church, he celebrated in a prison.” Otheguy uses the word pontiff to describe Francis: “a person who builds bridges for everyone.” In chalky, restrained artwork, Dominguez captures public appearances from Francis’s life as well as quiet, reflective moments. An illuminating look at a pivotal contemporary figure. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

An illuminating look at a pivotal contemporary figure.” —Publishers Weekly

“Otheguy successfully weaves Catholic concepts into the historical narrative . . . an uplifting and solidly researched book about a significant world leader.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Dominguez's stylized compositions and deft portraiture will hold audience attention, and Catholic religious educators will appreciate the warmth of this introduction.” —BCCB

“A sensitive portrayal of the revolutionary. . . . This book spotlights a steadfast hero and brilliant writer still worth admiring today.” —Kirkus Reviews on MARTI'S SONG FOR FREEDOM

“Otheguy introduces a new generation of readers to an important champion of human rights. . . . Will inspire many to fight for equality and sings songs for freedom.” —Booklist on MARTI'S SONG FOR FREEDOM

“[A] moving account.” —Publishers Weekly on MARTI'S SONG FOR FREEDOM

From the Publisher

2018-07-30

Otheguy presents a succinct chronicle of Pope Francis' trajectory from his childhood in Buenos Aires to his papacy in Rome.

Straightforward storytelling reveals Jorge Bergoglio as a prayerful boy who loved soccer and learned about the goodness of all people from his grandma Rosa. As an adult, he became a Jesuit priest as part of his search to help people and eventually became the first South American and Jesuit pope in 2013. Otheguy successfully weaves Catholic concepts into the historical narrative, such as the election process for a new pope, and defines such potentially unfamiliar terms as "pontiff" while she underscores his care for prisoners, refugees, the planet, and children. Extensive backmatter, including a moving and personal author's note and citations for the primary source quotations, elevates the historical content further. While the book succeeds in narration, it struggles in illustration. Depictions of Pope Francis are strong and realistic, but supporting characters, such as the cardinals, lack refinement. The book's design is predictable: one or more paragraphs of text paired with Dominguez's literal illustrations in acrylic, gouache, watercolor, ink, and pastel that bleed across the gutter. The overuse of jagged lines to represent sounds (think: ZAP! and POW! from 1960s TV Batman) is slightly tiresome; the figures' gestures are enough to connote action. In spite of the shortfalls in illustration, this is an uplifting and solidly researched book about a significant world leader.

It's not perfect, but it deserves solid consideration. (timeline, glossary, selected bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews