To Every Thing There Is a Season: Verses from Ecclesiastes

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Illustrations of 'To Everything there is a Season'
Review: (Library of Congress 97-35124(I borrowed it from the public library to read).In their appendix,The Dillons,(Leo & Diane)have listed verses in the bible's Old Testament's Ecclesiastes according to their preferences on which ethnic groups or countries builds up,who laughs,who embraces,who speaks,who loves by the order in which they place the countries in the biblical verses. It begins with Ireland(to everthing there is a season,and a time to every purpose under the heaven followed by Egypt,Japan,Mexico,Greece,India,Europe,North America,Ethiopia,Thailand,China,Russia,Australia,the Far North(Siberia to Greenland),and ends with the Middle East WITH THE verses a time of war & a time of peace).And of course a picture of the planet earth with "one generation....but the earth abides forever)".I'm glad they put it where children would not be interested in reading the small print..they have bigger pictures on page 1-30,and most wouldn't understand Egypt associate with dying or Mexico associated with killing,or Greece associated with a time to break down ,India on a time to weep or Europe on a time to mourn.I would give it to an adult vs a child as a gift.

Rating:
Summary: Misconceived multiculturalism
Review: Althought the illustrations are beautiful, I think it's deeply problematic to take Judeo-Christian theology and then attribute it to other cultures. At least 2/3 of the illustrations represent times, places, and peoples who wouldn't have been familiar with the text being illustrated. And, since the explanatory notes in the back are so thin, no real appreciation of the other cultures being invoked is achieved. Mixtec human sacrifice as an illustration of "A time to kill, and a time to heal?" Just how will this promote cross-cultural understanding/respect? There's clearly enough historical/cultural/national diversity among people who have read/believed in these verses from Ecclesiastes to produce a celebration of difference within a common faith. That would have been a much more responsible approach. As it is, this book is either an assertion of the universality of sectarian beliefs or just an attempt by some talented illustrators to show that they can imitate a wide variety of artistic styles. For an example of someone (writing for elementary school aged children) who handles multiculturalism (within a Judaic tradition) well, see Barbara Goldin's _Journeys with Elijah_. And if you just want a picture book of these verses, consider Barner's To Everything.

Rating:
Summary: Traditional Verse in an Exceptionally Beautiful Style
Review: There's an enjoyable specialness to this beautiful rendition of "To Every thing There is a Season" by Leo and Diane Dillon. Author and artist raise the sensory awareness of traditional Biblical text. They transpose exquisite simple Ecclesiastes prose from the traditional to the modern. They take the well-known and breathe new life into verse by adding cultural diversity and the beauty of artistic interpretation. I keep at least two copies of this beautiful book in my house at all times because, although it might be perceived as a stunning children's book, I actually use this book as a bereavement gift for families experiencing the loss of a loved one, regardless of age. Start a tradition in your family by giving this book to those you love who are experiencing personal losses of any kind. This is a high brow children's rendition of Biblical text worthy of an adult's attention.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book for All Ages
Review: This book is a treasure of representative illustrations of artistic styles from a wide variety of cultures. Although the text comes from a specific time and culture, it demonstrates that its message is applicable to all members of the human family. I have made this a standard gift for friends and family with new children. The colorful pictures are stimulating and captivating for the very young who have not yet learned to read, while the timeless text provides a new level for children to experience the book as they get older. As an adult, I find this book to be something I enjoy over and over for myself and to give as a gift.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous
Review: What could be better than this greatest of poems, illustrated so vividly? It gives my 2-year-old intimations of the larger world and the mixture of blessedness and darkness that is life experience. I'm buying extra copies for adults as Holiday gifts.