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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Aug 10 2006 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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I saw this book mentioned at Amy Welborn's site. I'm all a-tingling because my library HAS it!!!  So, I'm bringing my son some lunch today and I'll stop at the library to pick up this book and read with my children today. 
The book is written by Rosemary Wells, author of the Max and Ruby books.
Amazon has a good price on the hardback:The Miraculous Tale of Two Maries
While you wait for my report, you can read this history link which Amy included on her blog.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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margot helene
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Ooooooh - my library has it, too! Do you know what the feast day is for the "real" two Maries? I didn't see it in Amy's history notes.
Margot
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Cay Gibson
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I don't know the feast day. I have read the book (it's brand new, btw, published this year) and want to go back to research a little of the history to see how accurate it is.
I have my concerns about how God is portrayed in it and a couple of things the girls say and do. 
I'll wait to hear your opinion.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Cay Gibson
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This book has been on my mind...literally...all day long.
Here's my take on it. I welcome yours.
Finding the Mosaic in Books
Please let me know if my verdict sounds too harsh. That worries me . But you'll see a little of the thought process that Margot and I went through with those other 52 books.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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aussieannie
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What a shame about the story book Cay! The French history is facinating - France is not called, "The Eldest Daughter of the Church" for nothing, and so it is good to read that bit of info.
Well, I think it is time to pray that a few Catholic Mums started writing and illustrating these ancient tales!
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Jen L.
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I haven't read the book yet, but I just read your review. Cay, I really don't think that you sound too harsh. I truly appreciate what you wrote and how you wrote it.
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MaryM
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Oh, how disappointing, Cay. You were so excited in your first post to find this book. I requested it after reading your post yesterday, but it probably won't be at our library until tomorrow. I don't think you are too harsh in your analysis of the work. From what you described I would have the same dissapointment that it didn't live up to it's possibilities. I realize I'm probably a harsher critic of these works than some others (When I read the comments from some readers in your annotated book list for Across a Dark and Wild Sea and Brother Batholomew and the Apple Grove I thought, "oh she read my comments on those books in the forums").
I would second what Anne said - it is going to take faithful Catholic authors (homeschooling moms?) to start writing and illustrating these books to really have that sense of the Faith in these books.
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Cay Gibson
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I'm backtracking like a crab here. Well, not really backtracking on what I think of the book but, I have kept an open mind towards it and I want to share what my child thought of it.
Chelsea (age 8) discovered the book in the car while running errand the other day. It was on top of all our Noah Ark books that we had to return. She has read it twice and asked me to read it to her a third time. So I did.
I can tell, because I know my child so well, that this book has implanted itself in her memory. I know, instinctively, that if she's ever in this southern part of France or hears something mentioned of these two Maries, she will know something about them...not much, but something. Especially the boat and the miracles. She's very curious about the miracles.
This book can very easily plant a seed in the child's mind for a future rabbit trail. Add to the fact that Amy Welborn recommends it at her blog (scroll down a bit) and I'm second guessing my verdict.
I'm really anxious to hear what you all think of it. Anyone else read it? Better yet, read it to your children and see what they think. Please check your libraries. Discuss with them about how God is portrayed.
I asked Chelsea after she read it, "What did you think about God?" She made a little face and shrugged her shoulders. "Do you think God would talk that way to you?" Again, a slight face, shrug, and a shake of the head.
There's something that bothers me about the way God acted in the story. But what really appealed to my 8-yr-old (because I asked her what she liked about it) was:
* the pictures
* the way the boat traveled through the sky
* how the girls helped other families (the miracles)
So...let's not undermine the impact a story has on our children (despite our opinion of it).
I'd really appreciate feedback on this.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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JennGM
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Cay,
I haven't seen the book, but I want for what reason are you having second thoughts?
Are the second thoughts on just reading or incorporating the book in your home? To recommend it to others? It sounds like a great book to use a rabbit trail, to include in stories from France and legends of saints, and a great jumping board to discuss where the author left legend and made her own.
If the second thoughts are to add to Catholic Mosaic, I would have hesitation there. Unless I know what is your criteria? Are you trying to only pick truly authentic Catholic works, those that promote the Faith, or books that readers will have to sift through and find the nuggets of Truth on their own.
Not seeing the book, I'd say from your posts that it's good combined with other supplemental and guided material, to find the truth, but as a stand-alone, it's not authentic enough to put into Mosaic.
Does that make sense? I look forward to trying to find a copy and tell you myself.
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Cay, I'm on the waiting list for the book at our library. I obviously haven't read it yet, but don't think you sounded too harsh. You seemed to give an accurate Catholic view of the book. It sounds like it is not a good Mosaic title, but may be worth discussing with the kids anyway. Since Mosaic will be read and used by many, I think you should be very discriminating in your choices. A book that portrays God as anything but All Love falls short of the mark IMO.
Another disappoinment: the lack of historical accuracy. We'll see what dc think when we get the book...
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Cay Gibson
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Thank you for the feedback, Jenn and Janette. I'm eager to hear what you both think of the book.
Jenn, I don't think I'm having second thoughts as much as not wanting others to think I'm completely ruling the book out.
In my heart there were a few Mosaic that weren't exactly authentic (like Brother Bartholomew) but still had a beautiful message in it and rang with Truth. Across a Dark and Wild Sea gave some fascinating historical information that would be lost in a history text. I felt their message was important enough to be included.
The Two Maries lacks truth, historical accuracy, and Catholicism. But my dd thought it was a beautiful book.
Is beauty a strong enough criteria?
Evidently this book can be a hit with the children but even children are not fooled that the image of God is less than  Children are smarter than that. Or is it that I grew up in the 70's Catholic-religious movement of God is love and you're okay/I'm okay mentality and I still expect my God to be a sugary-sweet grandpa image with no harshness about him.
I'm getting sidetracked.
Like Mary shared, there are books that some might not care for, but others can still find the good in them. People have two different opinions on Harry Potter. I'm sure they will with picture books as well.
Like Margot, I love a good book search. I like to encourage readers to "sift through and find the nuggets of Truth on their own." Great way of putting it. Since I strongly feel the Catholic way is one in which we find Catholicism all around us, my criteria was kept very simple. I hope that doesn't horrify anyone.
My dd was intrigued with the book and it left an impact. That's why I my review.
Do I think it's a Mosaic book? No, I really don't.
But I wish it were. 
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Cay Gibson
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margot helene
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OK - I finally made it down to the library and picked up the book!
I read it to my kids while waiting at the car repair shop (only supposed to take 20 minutes, took 50 - sigh). My kids were intrigued by it. After reading it out loud to them, the eight year old took it and poured over it, reading it again. I told them the original story which I read at Amy's site and they said Hmmm.
They really liked the picture of the original Saints in the boat at the front of the book. We talked about the author's notes, how she didn't believe the "saint" story and made up her own. That made for a fruitful discussion. I mean, the story of St. George designed by Spenser and adapted by Hodges isn't the real saint story; and unless you read the Spenser you don't get the moral truth in the story. Hodges' version is a beautifully told and illustrated book, but with less moral teaching than The Giving Tree, let's say, which was never intended as a Catholic story.
I wonder if this book could be seen in the same light. Is there moral truth in it? I didn't think the portrayal of God was off - he balked at granting them their request because they had disobeyed. Then after they petition Him, He gives them not exactly what they wanted, but what was best for them and for the people they loved. They didn't stop helping the town and get into heaven until their parents and relatives had all reached heaven - all those who had been hurt by their disobedience. There was a justice in that - and a Catholic notion of good works meriting grace. I've never read Father Phillip Tells a Ghost Story, but I wonder if it could be read with that. Has anyone found the feast day of the real Maries?
Interesting to note that Mrs. Wells believed that the miracles happened!!! Is it possible she never read the "right sorts of books" (a la Lewis)to suspend her intellect enough to believe that saints out of time could come and help people? She created a story her intellect could accept . . . and yet it is still in the realm of the supernatural.
I like that the author/publisher capitalizes the pronouns for God, which you don't see even from some Catholic publishers.
I think the picture of God was very intersting, too, with the dove on top of His head. I thought at first that the artist was trying to portray the Trinity, but I'm not sure where Christ is - maybe in the book he is reading (the Word ?).
Anyway, I found the book full of lots of food for thought. Not a great moral lesson, but an interesting tale. I like to believe that the two biblical Maries could have come and helped people, so I wish it had been written faithful to the legend of the town . . . but an interesting take.
And we're glad we read it.
Margot
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aussieannie
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I'M excited now!
I have just found out that there are 16 copies in Libraries around the city of Brisbane, and so I will be able to request one to be sent to our peninsula library.
- I am so curious to see what this book is like! 
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cathhomeschool
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Well, we finally read this book and the history link that Cay includes in her first post. I asked my older two their opinions of how God was portrayed and if they liked the book and considered it to teach any truths. They both said that they did not like the way God was portrayed and didn't like the fact that the book deviated from the actual history. They didn't think it a good choice for teaching their younger brothers.
Interestingly, though I questioned the boys separately (while the other was elsewhere), both said that God was too sad in the book. Nicholas added that he didn't think God was really that angry, and Zachary said that the book never mentioned how much God loves all of us and how He cares for us and wants us to be happy with Him. (He feels this should have been added to the part when the Maries are asking to go back to see their parents.)
The boys also mentioned (and I agree) that they didn't like the Maries just rowing away from God without waiting for an answer. Would God just turn away (like a parent who doesn't want to deal with a child who is disobeying, so they just look the other way and pretend not to see)? I don't think so. I think He'd give a straight answer (if you could even debate with Him in the first place).
I particularly dislike the ending: "We did not lose our powers until the day came when all our families and neighbors and their children had come to the Gates of Heaven..." Saints do not "have powers" like some superhero or wizard. I'm not sure what Rosemary Wells intended or believes, but that phrase really turned me off and doesn't reflect what a Catholic believes.
Another point is that saints (proclaimed by the Church) are people who have led extraordinary lives of love/sacrifice/service. Miracles are attributed to their intercession and the Church recognizes that they are Saints. These two girls are "rewarded" with sainthood and "powers" for their disobedience while alive and their attempted manipulation of God while at the gates of heaven ("Oh dear, I can hear my mother and father cry...Not to mention my little sister, Juliette! They are all so poor, and now they are heartbroken as well.") And the townspeople who are aided always thank the girls' parents and reward them with gifts in thanksgiving for the miracles. Nobody thinks to thank God...
Yes, this book has provided a teaching opportunity, but then so can almost any book out there if read as a family. It's not one I would buy for sure. There are much better choices out there for teaching the faith, and much better plain old picture books for telling a good story.
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Cay Gibson
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Janette,
This is exactly the feedback I'm talking about.
Thanks so much. Like you, this is not a book I would buy. When I first read about it on Amy Welborn's blog and at Amazon, I immediately put it on my wishlist because I thought I wanted it.
Reading it was not at all what I expected. But, sometimes I'm wrong so I wanted to make sure.
I was so outdone by the way God was "manipulated" (you used the exact word for it) by the two girls. That just didn't float (pun intended) with me or the children.
From reading the author's note at the beginning, I have no doubt that Rosemary Wells has an "agenda"...one I really don't want to promote. 
Anne, make sure you give us a "narration" when you get your copy. Thanks!
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Cay Gibson
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aussieannie
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Sorry to have taken time in getting back...I had to have the book brought in from another library and then we went on holidays..we have just arrived back after 12 days away.
I picked the book up this morning and sorry to say, I was not impressed at all. I think this lady is too bold to presume to 'tell' the story as she wants to see it. (I wouldn't want my name to be used in this manner, so as to concoct an utterly different story of my life.) She might not want to have children think it true but we certainly know from her author's note she does not believe in the true account - she adamant about that! 
Bit of a cheeky tale in many ways, I think this book does not help our children's faith in any way and maybe that is why there are so many copies in the libraries around Brisbane!
As I said before, the true story is SO BEAUTIFUL - that story needs to be written for children - someone should write to Tomie de Paola or Josephine Nobisso! They change the stories only slightly (from butcher to baker for eg.) only to enhance our children's full enjoyment of a true story. They would do a great job!  
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Cay Gibson
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I really appreciate your feedback, Anne.
Thank you.
And I agree...the true story is so beautiful!!!
This book didn't come close to doing it justice and that's such a shame because I could tell that's what my 8 yr old liked about the book. She knew there was a beautiful story in there and she was looking for it somewhere. She so wanted to own the story and cherish it in her heart.
This book just didn't succeed. 
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Cay Gibson
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Nina Murphy
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Thank you for the warning, Cay. I'm one of those who leaps at things like this. I'm going to trust your assessment and instincts. Next time I'm at the library, I'll try to steal over and read it, though, out of curiosity, now! There are just too many good books today...we don't need to settle.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: I'm Excited...
