Through the Eyes of John, written by Chad Daybell and illustrated by Rhett E. Murray, offers a unique view into the last few weeks of Jesus' life on earth, as seen through the eyes of John the Apostle. The author cites text from the books of Luke, John and Revelations, using John's own words from the Scriptures to tell of his role as a witness to both Jesus' death and resurrection. The author brings to life both the characters of John and Jesus in this wonderful book. The opening page reads:
I am a special witness of Jesus Christ. Jesus called me to be one of his apostles when he began his ministry, and for three years I walked and talked with him. I also defended him before the people of Jerusalem, and mourned with him when those people rejected his message. Yet I never truly understood Jesus and his mission until those final, painful days of his life. During that week I watched my dearest friend transform from being not only a powerful teacher and healer, but to become the Savior of the World.
What I Like: Everything. The book is well-written and closely follows the Scriptures. It is written so children can understand it, but it's also interesting for adults. I know I enjoyed reading it.
The artwork is truly beautiful. The rich, realistic paintings add depth and dimension to the book. Interestingly enough, there are twelve paintings in the book (perhaps to represent the twelve diciples). As an added bonus, the last two pages of the book offer the "Author's Commentary" on each painting. This section provides an interesting perspective on the artwork itself.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: The book is written for 9-to-12-year-olds, but its language is appealing for adults, too. Younger children would probably enjoy the book if it were read and explained to them.
Publishing Info: Spring Creek Book Company, 2004; ISBN: 1932898166; Hardcover, $19.95.
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