Brother Juniper lives in the hills of Assisi with Father Francis and seven other brothers. Brother Juniper is the most generous of the brothers. He is so generous that he will happily give the robe off his back to someone in need—even if that leaves him with nothing else to wear. When Father Francis asks Brother Juniper to look after the church by himself one day, the other brothers are very worried about what they’ll find when they return. But with his kind heart and simple ways, Brother Juniper reminds them all what it means to truly look after a church.
This fresh take on the traditional stories of Brother Juniper is beautifully rendered in playful and expressive paintings, creating an unusual story that inspires equal amounts of laughter and goodwill.
About the Author
Meilo So
MEILO SO is the illustrator of such beautiful, award-winning books such as Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities, and Recipes and The White Swan Express: A Story about Adoption. She lives in the Shetland Islands, UK.
Excerpts
Reviews
" 'To give the shirt off one's back' comes vibrantly to life...in this fresh look at [Saint] Francis."
Publishers Weekly
"Fine detail, bright color and lively expression...children will giggle but understand [Brother Juniper's] fierce generosity." Kirkus Reviews
"Thought-provoking in our materialistic age...[The tale] should do as well in the world as in the cloister." Horn Book
"Light-hearted...So's delicate watercolors...render Juniper an artlessly simple man rather than a simpleton...reverent and merry." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Filled with delicate details and gentle humor...an excellent choice to open discussion about generosity." School Library Journal
"Gibfried fashions an original story of a simple man with an extravagant propensity for giving gifts to the needy." Horn Book Guide, Pointer