Stories of Heaven and Earth Bible Heroes in Contemporary Children's Literature

"Stories of Heaven and Earth is a resource for parents, teachers, clergy, and librarians. This book offers a critical examination of children's picture books based on stories from the Old Testament, as well as an analysis of these stories as powerful tales of emotional development. The book focuses on a select group of well-known biblical characters, including Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Joseph, David, Jonah, and Esther." "Throughout, emphasis is placed on the power of these stories as a source of literature rich in universal themes: ethical dilemmas, decision-making, rites of passage, and emotional growth. Some of the best-known authors of children's literature are covered. Drawing on connections to familiar fairy tales, folklore, and mythology, especially through the work of Joseph Campbell and Bruno Bettelheim, Hara and Diane Person show how Bible stories offer children important models of the journey from childhood to adulthood, from dependence to independence. We see how these timeless stories retold allow children to imagine the possibility of becoming the heroes of their own lives."--BOOK JACKET.