Legend of Saint Christopher

Summary: The legend of Saint Christopher, first written in the thirteenth century, tells the story of a strong man named Offero, who wants to find the greatest ruler in all the world and to serve him as his bearer. Offero's search is in vain until a mysterious child at a riverside asks Offero to carry him over the river. Only after Offero has carried the child over the river does he discover the child's true identity. Then Offero's name is changed to Christopher. / Author Margaret Hodges retells with power and simplicity this unforgettable tale of the man who became known as the patron saint of travelers. And illustrator Richard Jesse Watson has created hypnopompic paintings that dramatically capture Offero's journey and the brilliance of his discovery of the One he sought. / Based on old nursery rhymes, the poetic text by Newbery Honor winner Kathi Appelt and the beautiful light-filled paintings of Debra Reid Jenkins combine to make this gentle bedtime story a perfect illustration of God’s abiding love. Quotes:AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS Society of Illustrators, The Original Art Annual Exhibition (2003) Publishers Weekly"Hodges masterfully adapts William Caxton's 15th-century translation of The Golden Legend to serve up a saint's tale with strong folkloric elements. . . Watson's artwork achieves a startling blend of the ancient and the timeless, the archetypal and the particular — he paints narrative elements in representational oils, reserving the backgrounds for abstract patterns that hint at the mythic roots of the legend." Booklist"The familiar story of Saint Christopher gets an artful treatment here. . . . Children meeting this story for the first time will still be drawn to it, just as others have been over the centuries." The Catholic Observer"The author has adapted this very beautiful and familiar legend of St. Christopher, giving it several dramatic touches. . . . Full-color illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson are absolutely gorgeous, with vibrating colors and realistic images." The Horn Book Guide"Hodges does an admirable job retelling the thirteenth-century legend, and Watson's illustrations convey the magnitude of the story."Author Bio: (1911-2005) Margaret Hodges was born in Indianapolis,Indiana. She graduated from Vassar College with honorsand received a Masters in Library Science from the CarnegieInstitute of Technology. After working as a children'slibrarian, she was a professor at the Graduate School ofLibrary and Information Sciences of the University ofPittsburgh. Margaret wrote numerous award-winning books forchildren. A majority of her work is inspired fromfolktales and historical figures.Richard Jesse Watson is the illustrator of many award-winning books for children, including One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham (Baker), The High Rise Glorious Skittle Skat Roarious Sky Pie Angel Food Cake by Nancy Willard (Harcourt Brace), and The Water