Angels Among Us

Publishers Weekly

As its title implies, this collection of Bible stories focuses on the appearance of angels to humans, as messengers of God. Each straightforward entry has a theme describing the angel's particular function, e.g., "Delivering a Promise," is the title of a retelling of Moses hearing an angel "speaking in God's voice" as he encountered the burning bush. Daniel, spared from the lions, falls under "Delivering from Death" and Mary, receiving news of her impending pregnancy from the Angel Gabriel, has the heading "Bringing Glad Tidings." The simple language and concise plot lines, blended with the miraculous nature of angels, should prove inviting to a wide readership. The original Scripture citations are provided as well. Throughout, Baboni's fuzzy, jewel-toned acrylic paintings create a dreamlike mood. Her paintings feature textured brush strokes and stylized forms, helping maintain the mystery of the subject matter. Ages 5-10. (Sept.)

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School Library Journal

Gr 1-4 Lane has interpreted a dozen biblical passages that feature angels appearing to humans. The various encounters show the winged messengers as friendly (saving Daniel from being fed to lions), fearsome (banishing Adam and Eve from Eden with a flaming sword), and, at times, merely decorative (walking up and down Jacob's Ladder). The rough textures of Baboni's colorful, acrylic illustrations call to mind cave paintings, appropriately giving a sense of ancient times. The artist's stylized renditions reinforce the unpredictable nature of the heavenly hosts, who are shown in varying dress, hairstyles, and skin tones. These selections may be enjoyed from a folkloric or religious viewpoint. Adult guidance may be beneficial in providing context.-Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library

Kirkus Reviews

Lane uses modern language to tell 12 stories from the Old and New Testaments with the common thread being the interaction between people and angels who are "delivering messages, saving lives, or singing songs of praise." Baboni's illustrations are acrylics over textured painted papers using heavy brush strokes and very rounded stylized figures that look as though they have no bones. A threaded vine-like pattern appears somewhere on most of the angels. The colors are lovely turquoise, deep purple and rich green and are set out against softer beige or golden backgrounds on double-paged spreads. Each well-known story is two pages long; thus, some stories add material before or after the given chapters and verses, some names are changed or left out and the Adam and Eve story is told conveying the belief of original sin. In case the reader has forgotten, the last lines remind that "angels are among us." (Bible stories. 5-8)