kwbat12's review against another edition
4.0
Even being a non-religious person, I really enjoyed this biography of the unexpected priest. It was pleasant and a nice little read.
drpschmidt's review against another edition
4.0
Rich, velvety illustrations get the four-stars; the story itself gets three-stars from me.
Interesting, but did not sustain the interest of my kids.
Interesting, but did not sustain the interest of my kids.
mslibrarynerd's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautifully illustrated book of the life of St. Martin of Porres, the first black Saint, who spent his life starting as a poor fatherless child in the barrios and eventually became a monk. During his life he learned to heal, and became devoted to helping the poor and sick, humans as well as animals. The illustrations are rich, jewel toned pastels, giving the story a magical quality.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent picture biography of the mixed-race man who became the first black saint in the Americas. Focusing on his works of charity, his patience and compassion, Gary D. Schmidt has done an admirable job of bringing the saint to life in a manner accessible to young readers. The illustrations of David Diaz are beautiful yet understated, perfectly mirroring the life of Martin de Porres.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
very interesting story of the poor boy living in Lima Peru, 1579-1639, who became a monk and a healer to both people and animals. He was of mixed race, became a saint in 1962, the first black saint from the Americas, the patron saint of brotherhood and of animal shelters, among other aspects. Has fictionalized dialogue with no sources or bibliography, but as a picture book it is marvelous. The illustrations are gorgeous.
toad_maiden's review against another edition
3.0
A peaceful story, accompanied by memorable illustrations. I found some of the language used occasionally to be problematic, but not strongly so.
katiekeeler's review against another edition
4.0
Schmidt, G. D., & Diaz, D. (2012). Martín de Porres: The rose in the desert. Boston: Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Summary: Martin was not accepted well, even from his birth. But he made his mind up to do something significant in this world. He did that by caring for the unloved and the unaccepted. One person at a time, he made a beautiful stamp on this world.
Awards:
America's Award for Children's and YA Literature - Honor '13
Children's Books Of The Year 2013 - Ages 5 To 9
Pura Belpre Illustrator Award Winner 2013
Curriculum connection: In primary grades, students could read this selection, in addition to others, as a part of a study of the world's most influential, self-less people who ever lived.
Diversity: Martin de Porres was born in Peru, and much of his influential work was set in South and Central America.
Genre: Biography
Age: Primary grades
Summary: Martin was not accepted well, even from his birth. But he made his mind up to do something significant in this world. He did that by caring for the unloved and the unaccepted. One person at a time, he made a beautiful stamp on this world.
Awards:
America's Award for Children's and YA Literature - Honor '13
Children's Books Of The Year 2013 - Ages 5 To 9
Pura Belpre Illustrator Award Winner 2013
Curriculum connection: In primary grades, students could read this selection, in addition to others, as a part of a study of the world's most influential, self-less people who ever lived.
Diversity: Martin de Porres was born in Peru, and much of his influential work was set in South and Central America.
Genre: Biography
Age: Primary grades
cpoole's review against another edition
4.0
Schmidt, Gary D, and David Diaz. Martín De Porres: The Rose in the Desert. Boston: Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print. 32 p.
A juvenile biography on Martín de Porres, this work presents the man in a way that children will be able to understand. Enjoyable, interesting illustrations in bright colors provide a visual tour of de Porres' life for readers. Events and stages in the life of Martín de Porres' life, including a difficult childhood, learning and practicing his ability to heal, his life in a monastery, and his death. Now recognized as the patron saint of universal brotherhood, Martín de Porres is a symbol of acceptance and peace as described within the work in a way in which young readers will be able to connect to. A lesson in diversity, acceptance, and peace is appropriate when reading this book. Children will look at the way that each member of the group is different by looking at eye and hair color. Data is gathered and shown in bar graphs for a cross-curricular connection to math.
A juvenile biography on Martín de Porres, this work presents the man in a way that children will be able to understand. Enjoyable, interesting illustrations in bright colors provide a visual tour of de Porres' life for readers. Events and stages in the life of Martín de Porres' life, including a difficult childhood, learning and practicing his ability to heal, his life in a monastery, and his death. Now recognized as the patron saint of universal brotherhood, Martín de Porres is a symbol of acceptance and peace as described within the work in a way in which young readers will be able to connect to. A lesson in diversity, acceptance, and peace is appropriate when reading this book. Children will look at the way that each member of the group is different by looking at eye and hair color. Data is gathered and shown in bar graphs for a cross-curricular connection to math.
librariabillie's review
5.0
Great story, and the drawings are excellent. It used to be difficult to find stories about illegitimate children, especially positive ones. I would have appreciated this as a child. Still, I appreciate it now.