The Man Who Loved Books

Jean Fritz's "The Man Who Loved Books" is a 48-page chapter book offering a brief, engaging biography of Saint Columba, the 6th-century Irish saint. Drawing on legendary material, the narrative highlights Columba's profound love for books and his dedicated missionary efforts in Scotland. Parents will appreciate the "direct and spirited" storytelling, which introduces children aged 4-11 to historical figures, the Middle Ages, and the values of faith, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity. It's a sensitively balanced portrayal that touches on ancient Irish traditions and the saint's joyful zeal.

"Basing her narrative on legendary material, the author has told the story of the sixth-century Irish saint Columba. . . . The telling is direct and spirited, lilting and sensitively balanced, encompassing the bardic and the royal traditions of ancient Ireland as well as the joyful zeal of the saint".--The Horn Book.