Saturday, November 12, 2016

The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men by Isabelle Brent from Wisdom Tales Pub. [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN 9781937786618
My thoughts: We're all familiar with the story of the three wise men bringing gifts to the Christ child as is told in the Bible. Much conjecture and speculation has cloaked their story throughout history. Were there three or more? Where were they actually from? Who were they? How did they travel? What happened as they traveled?

The Biblical text is short and brief and for some reason, perhaps that is all God felt mankind should know of these visitors. What we do know based on Scripture is that they were considered wise, they were from the east, they saw the star which went before them, they saw the young child with his mother, they fell down and worshiped him, they presented him with gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh), they went home by a different route.

What we don't know is what mode of transportation (well, at that time it was some form of animal) they used, what race they belonged to or country from which they came, how long it took them, or what happened along the way.

In The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men the author has written her own version filling in the "what we don't know" portion of the story as legends have also done throughout history. The story revolves around the horse, Safanad, though there is also an elephant also used as another means of travel for one of the wisemen. The author identifies the three wise men as from Africa, Asia, and Europe.

I think the most precious part of this story is at the end where it is affirmed that though the wise men brought precious gifts to the Christ child, they themselves received the most wonderful gift of all......
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..." Isaiah 9:16....... 
"And thou shalt call his name JESUS for he shall save his people from their sins" Matthew 2:21
 A lovely book brimming with beautiful illustrations and embellishments a bit like the art in ancient monastic Bibles.  

About the book: The Christmas horse is on a journey to meet baby Jesus! Join him and his animal friends with the three wise men as they cross snow-capped mountains, swift rivers, and hot deserts to reach the peaceful stable in Bethlehem where baby Jesus lies in a manger. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as captured by Isabelle Brent s stunning illustrations and experience the wonder as the pure-hearted animals and the wise men finally meet their savior and king. The journey of the Three Wise Men following the star is here told from the point of view of the three courageous animals that carried them: Safanad the horse, Gamali the camel, and Simbalo the elephant. Each one comes from a different land and possesses a unique skill. Together there is no challenge they cannot overcome in their quest to find baby Jesus. Verses from the Gospel help to tell the story. Also included in the illustrations are birds connected through legend with the life and wisdom of Christ."
GIVEAWAY
Begins November 12
ENDS December 2 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales Publishing to facilitate a review of my personal opinion. I was not compensated. Giveaway winner's copy will be mailed directly to them by the publisher.

41 comments:

  1. I discovered she has illustrated more than two dozen children’s books, she had an exhibit at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts in London and she won the Silver Medal in the “Illustration – Graphic” category of the 2015 Midwest Book Awards.

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  2. On the website I found she has illustrated 29 books, she has a prestigious space in the beautiful Palace of Congress, and she received the 2nd Audience Award for her work entitled " Garden of Eden".

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  3. I learned she was born and raised in Great Britain, studied at Loughborough College of Art and Design and assisted at a museum of decorative arts in Leicester, England. She is quite the woman!

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  4. Her website is in another language so I had to translate it, she moved to France in 2007 and has a total of 26 work.

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  5. I would like to read The Green Musician and the book I would like you to review is When the Animals Saved Earth: An Eco-Fable.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Indian Boy -Growing up as a Sioux.
    Marion

    ReplyDelete
  7. She had an exhibit at the Museum of Arts London. She lives in France.
    Marion

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1. Isabelle Brent is an internationally known painter and illustrator who has illustrated more than two dozen children’s books, many of which are of traditional fairy tales or stories from the Bible.
    2. Isabelle Brent was born and raised in Great Britain.
    3. When she was 23, she had an exhibit at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts in London.

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  9. 1. Née en 1961 à Caversham (Royaume Uni), Isabelle Brent a accompli ses
    études au Loughborough Collège of Alrt Design, puis en France et en Italie.
    Elle a également collaboré au département des arts décoratifs des musées
    de Leicester afin de réaliser des études et de la recherche académique.
    2. Très vite repérée par ses pairs pour la remarquable qualité de ses créations,
    Isabelle Brent eut l'honneur de les exposer à la très prestigieuse Royal
    Académy de Londres, lui ouvrant ainsi les portes de très grandes galeries
    dans divers parties du monde.
    3. Ayant parallèlement suscité l'intérêt de grands éditeurs tant en Angleterre
    qu'aux Etas-Unis, Isabelle Brent se consacra alors presque exclusivement à
    l'illustration de livres ainsi qu'à la création, pour de très grands noms de la
    papéterie de luxe.

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  10. 1. Book to read - All Our Relatives: Traditional Native American Thoughts about Nature
    compiled and illustrated by: Paul Goble

    2. Book to be reviewed - Children of the Tipi: Life in the Buffalo Days Edited by: Michael O. Fitzgerald

    ReplyDelete
  11. 1.--Find 1 book you would like for yourself or your child. The Olive Tree
    2.--Find 1 book you would like to see reviewed here on Chat With Vera. The Sermon of all Creation: Christians on Nature

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. Book to read - Everyone Prays: Celebrating Faith Around the World by: Alexis York Lumbard illustrated by: Alireza Sadeghian
    2. Book to be reviewed - Horse Raid: The Making of a Warrior told and illustrated by: Paul Goble

    ReplyDelete
  13. 1. I would like for myself -- The Christmas Horse and the Three Wise Men
    2. To see reviewed -- President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House

    ReplyDelete
  14. 1. Book to read for my grandchild - Indian Boyhood: The True Story of a Sioux Upbringing by: Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) edited & adapted by:
    Michael Oren Fitzgerald illustrated by: Heidi M. Rasch

    2. Book to be reviewed - Just Like Me, Climbing a Tree: Exploring Trees Around the World written & illustrated by: Durga Yael Bernhard

    ReplyDelete
  15. 1. I would like for myself -- TIndian Boyhood: The True Story of a Sioux Upbringing
    2. To see reviewed -- Whispers of the Wolf

    ReplyDelete
  16. 1. Book for my grandchild - Living in Two Worlds: The American Indian Experience
    by Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)
    2. Book to see reviewed - Mahavira: The Hero of Nonviolence by: Manoj Jain
    illustrated by: Demi

    ReplyDelete
  17. 1. I would like for myself -- Feathers for Peacock
    2. To see reviewed -- The Green Musician

    ReplyDelete
  18. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - Native Spirit: The Sun Dance Way author: Thomas Yellowtail recorded and edited: Michael O. Fitzgerald
    2. Book to see reviewed - Pine and the Winter Sparrow retold by:
    Alexis York Lumbard illustrated by: Beatriz Vidal

    ReplyDelete
  19. 1. I would like for myself -- Saint Anthony the Great
    2. To see reviewed -- Red Cloud’s War: Brave Eagle’s Account of the Fetterman Fight

    ReplyDelete
  20. 1. I would like for myself -- Princess Rosie’s Rainbows
    2. To see reviewed -- When the Animals Saved Earth: An Eco-Fable

    ReplyDelete
  21. 1. I would like for myself -- The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Lifeways, Edited and Illustrated
    2. To see reviewed -- Christian Spirit

    ReplyDelete
  22. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - Red Cloud’s War: Brave Eagle’s Account of the Fetterman Fight told and illustrated by: Paul Goble

    ReplyDelete
  23. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - Red Cloud’s War: Brave Eagle’s Account of the Fetterman Fight told and illustrated by: Paul Goble
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - Saint Anthony the Great written by: John Chryssavgis and Marilyn Rouvelas illustrated by: Isabelle Brent

    ReplyDelete
  24. 1. I would like for myself -- The Compassionate Warrior: Abd el-Kader
    of Algeria
    2. To see reviewed -- The Essential Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)

    ReplyDelete
  25. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - The Boy & His Mud Horses compiled and illustrated by: Paul Goble
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - When the Animals Saved Earth: An Eco-Fable by: Alexis York Lumbard illustrated by: Demi

    ReplyDelete
  26. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - Angels by: Alexis York Lumbard illustrated by: Flavia Weedn
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Cheyenne Indians: Their History and Lifeways, Edited and Illustrated author: George Bird Grinnell editor: Joseph A. Fitzgerald

    ReplyDelete
  27. 1. I would like for myself -- The Image Taker: The Selected Stories
    and Photographs of Edward S. Curtis
    2. To see reviewed -- In the Heart of the Desert, Revised: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers

    ReplyDelete
  28. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - The Conference of the Birds retold by: Alexis York Lumbard illustrated by: Demi
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - Christian Spirit editor: Judith Fitzgerald and
    Michael O. Fitzgerald

    ReplyDelete
  29. 1. I would like for myself -- Indian Spirit: Revised and Enlarged
    2. To see reviewed -- The Laughing Buddha of Tofukuji: The Life of Zen Master Keido Fukushima

    ReplyDelete
  30. 1. I would like for myself -- Living in Two Worlds: The American Indian Experience
    2. To see reviewed -- Master of Zen: Extraordinary Teachings from Hui Neng’s Altar Sutra

    ReplyDelete
  31. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - Custer’s Last Battle: Red Hawk’s Account of the
    Battle of the Little Bighorn author & illustrator: Paul Goble
    2. The Compassionate Warrior: Abd el-Kader of Algeria author: Elsa Marston

    ReplyDelete
  32. 1. I would like for myself -- Native Spirit: The Sun Dance Way
    2. To see reviewed -- The Quiet Way: A Christian Path to Inner Peace

    ReplyDelete
  33. 1. I would like for myself -- The Sermon of all Creation: Christians on Nature
    2. To see reviewed -- The Spirit of Indian Women

    ReplyDelete
  34. 1. I would like for myself -- Whispers of the Wolf
    2. To see reviewed -- A Spirit of Tolerance: The Inspiring Life of Tierno Bokar

    ReplyDelete
  35. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah by: Martha Seif Simpson illustrated by: Durga Yael Bernhard
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Essential Charles Eastman author: Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)

    ReplyDelete
  36. 1. I would like for myself -- When the Animals Saved Earth: An Eco-Fable
    2. To see reviewed -- The Woman Who Lived with Wolves

    ReplyDelete
  37. This looks like it would give a fun and different perspective! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
  38. 1. Book for my grandchild to read - The Earth Made New compiled and illustrated by: Paul Goble
    2. Book to be reviewed by you - The Gospel of the Redman: Commemorative Edition
    author: Ernest Thompson Seton and Julia M. Seton

    ReplyDelete
  39. 1. She was born in Great Britain.
    2. This Book - The Christmas Horse and Three Wise Men won the 2016 USA “Best Book” Award in the “Children’s Religious” category.
    3. She is a painter and illustrator, and has illustrated two dozen plus children’s books.

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  40. 1. Studied at Loughborough College of Design ALrt, followed by France and Italy.
    2.Worked in the Department of Decorative Arts Museum
    Leicester to conduct studies and academic research.
    3.29th book was published in late 2016.

    ReplyDelete
  41. 1. Love to read President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House
    by Demi to my Grandchildren.
    2. Would love to see When the Animals Saved Earth:
    An Eco-Fable as a giveaway, the 1st book also.
    by Demi

    ReplyDelete

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