Saint Francis of Assisi: A Life of Joy by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Saint Francis of Assisi: A Life of Joy Reviews

• 
  Shiloah

  “If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.” -St. Francis of Assisi
  
  This is the best children’s book on Francis of Assisi that I’ve read. It’s detailed and thorough without being boring. I’m going to buy this for our family. The illustrations are beautiful too.
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  Art

  The first time I saw this book was at a Circle of Hope AM-PM (morning public meeting) at Broad and Washington Streets in Philadelphia. I remembered it and finally got the chance to read it again. Each story has a painting, his Prayer for Peace is woven through the book in watermark. At the end of the book there's a timeline of his life, and at the back is Francis' Canticle of the Sun. This is a rare children's book, and I enjoyed it as much as the children. The paintings are gentle and joyous, as Francis probably was himself. Robert F Kennedy Jr did a fabulous job making a compilation of stories of St Francis' life (and ,yeah, if you were wondering, the author is the son of Bobby Kennedy, the "F" of his middle name stands for "Francis").
• 
  Lon

  The portrait Kennedy paints with this read-in-one-sitting storybook captures Francis's deep humanity. For the adult curious about the saint's life, the book offers graceful prose and well-chosen anecdotes. Older children will enjoy the stories and discover a refreshingly accessible subject, who shares their simplicity, earnestness, delight in the natural world, and freedom from pretension. The illustrations bring Francis's world alive--we see the rolling Umbrian hills of Assisi, the forests, the townspeople, the devoted birds and even the repentant wolf of Franciscan legend.
• 
  Richard Duncan

  I bought and read this book because if the recommendation of a friend who knew that this was a year I was focused on developing habits that would increase my joy.
  
  I was hoping for more details. I did not know that this was a children's book.
  
  Robert F Kennedy, Jr. has had St. Francis as a role model for his entire life. Shrines, pictures, and biographies of the life of St. Francis surround him. With such a presumably thorough knowledge of St. Francis' life, I was disappointed that Kennedy chose a rather mundane story line that told the usual tales of the saint's life.
  
  It's a solid introduction for children. The artwork, too, is solid. I appreciate the fact that the Prayer of St. Francis and the Canticle of the sun are both included.
  
  If you are looking for insights about the secret of Francis' joy, keep looking. If you are looking for a nice outline of Francis' life that is accessible for older children, then this is a good book for you.
• 
  Michele

  Kris picked this up at a library book sale and gave it to me because I like saints. I do like saints. and I like the philosophy of Saint Francis especially towards animals but I have a lot of questions about his relationship with Saint Clare now. art is pretty, the fact that it's written by a Kennedy is fascinating, the background of his early, pre religious life is very interesting but I feel in writing a book geared towards children teaching how to behave morally and with principles that more of that could have been skipped and a larger focus shone on his religious life would have been better.
• 
  Andrea Mudd

  We love this book! The story of St. Francis is beautifully told for children with wonderful illustrations. This book captured the heart of my son and inspired him to choose St. Francis as his Confirmation saint.
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  Shani Chen

  This is one of my favorite stories of all time. Even as an adult, I often read through its pages. It brings me so much peace.
  
  "If a thief steals your socks, you should run after them and give them your shoes."
• 
  dthaase

  A short and wonderfully illustrated children's book that takes you through the life of St. Francis.
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  Theresa

  tells you about the life and times of the saint, and how his childhood shaped the man he was to become
  
• 
  Michael

  Wonderful children's book about St. Francis.
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  Margaret

  A delightful children's book.
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  Mary

  I read this to my daughter and showed her the pictures. I would of liked it more, but I hated the idea of how he stole from his fathers merchant store.
• 
  Anna

  Inspirational with beautiful illustrations for children of all ages
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  Set

  The artwork in this book is truly a medieval masterpiece. St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most notable and favored saint of the Holy christian faith and his story is an inspiration for animal lovers and good Catholics all over the world that put aside their vanity and help others in need.
• 
  Sandi

  Great story about St. Francis of Assisi I did not know. Great for kids.
• 
  earlgray

  Delightful little read, lively and green illustrations. I want to be a monk now.