STORIES FROM THE BIBLE

The brilliant Hans Christian Andersen Medalist, illustrator of many classic tales, presents her vision of some of the most familiar of Bible stories. Using the King James translation, Zwerger groups her stories chronologically in terms of the books of the Bible: “Stories of the Beginning,” “Stories of the Fathers and Mothers of Israel,” psalms, and prophets. Her New Testament section begins with the Christmas story and continues through the passion and resurrection, ending with Revelations. The language is familiar and stately, and most of what one might wish to find—Moses, Noah, the 23rd Psalm, the story of the loaves and fishes, the marriage at Cana—is all here. Zwerger has chosen evocation and suggestion rather than fully imagined description in her images. Adam and Eve are seen from their navels up, with Eve’s dark hair covering her bosom; the Annunciation finds a startled, barefoot virgin across the page from an obeisant and very large angel holding his halo—or is it a tambourine? Figures seem clothed in garments that come from an ancient Middle Europe or even the present day; grace notes in the form of vegetative or floral patterns often end a page. A silken green ribbon marker adds a note of solemnity. Classic Zwerger. (index of verses) (Nonfiction. 7-12)