Overview
Every February 14 we exchange cards and flowers as expressions of love. Valentine's Day is among our most popular holidays, But what do the words "Be my valentine" mean? Who was Valentine? We know he lived in third-century Rome, during the reign of Claudius II. We know that he was a Christian priest. But he lived during a period of military anarchy, when many of Rome's records were destroyed. The facts of Valentine's life have been lost to history. What survive, however, are legends. And legends often contain the residue of truth. Ann Tompert beautifully weaves together the most enduing stories of Valentine to create a tapestry of the saint's life, while Kestutis Kasparivicius's illustrations take the reader back to ancient Rome. Together, author and illustrator pierce the historical fog that surrounds Saint Valentine to offer a glimpse of the man whose life remains a mystery.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
What little is known about Saint Valentine, in whose honor we exchange cards, gifts and romantic pleasantries on February 14, is woven into this picture book by Ann Trompert (who has penned biographies of Saint Patrick and Joan of Arc), illus. by Kestutis Kasparavicius. The author builds on facts-that Valentine was a Christian priest in third-century Rome, for example-and combines them with legend to offer a portrait of a man steadfast in his religious beliefs and his duty to share his faith with others, even in the face of persecution. The people in Kasparavicius's watercolors have an odd stone-mosaic appearance, with lines emphasized on their faces and bodies. An instructive author's note is included. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
There are few facts known and many legends about the saint who has given his name to the holiday we celebrate on February 14th. He was born in or near Rome in the third century, a Christian priest at a time when Christians were still persecuted. Among the stories told about him is that he sent cutout hearts to comfort imprisoned Christians. He is said to have married soldiers when the emperor Claudius II forbade his soldiers to be married, which cause Valentine to be imprisoned. He tried to convert the emperor, who in turn tried unsuccessfully to make Valentine renounce his religion. The story is that he caused a blind girl to see, gaining converts. But finally he was put to death, traditionally on February 14th around 270 A.D. Naturalistic, detailed, full-page scenes and vignettes describe aspects of third century Rome along with clothing and crafts. Watercolors and black line drawings are effective in paralleling the somewhat low key of the text. There is a sense of peace dominating the pictures, with no harsh color contrasts or descriptions of physical pain. Notes add more factual background. 2004, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 6 to 10.—Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz