That Holy Week So Long Ago: The Seven Days That Led to Easter

Per an opening note, Boswell invites readers to “see the glory and grace of King Jesus as never before” in this earnest exploration of the lead-up to Easter. On each spread, rhyming poems introduce the events and significance of Holy Week’s days, accompanied by Perez Garcia’s earth- and jewel-toned Biblical scenes. Ranging from Palm Sunday (“Jesus rode/ Upon a donkey seated;/ The humble Christ came into town/ With palms and praises greeted”) to Holy Tuesday (“People asked/ About God’s word and rules./ So Jesus answered and he used/ Great stories as his tools”) and through Resurrection Sunday, accessible lines weave the days into a cohesive work across this volume designed for holiday sharing. With their velvety texture, gouache and digitally finished images simultaneously create a visual journey, skillfully capturing a spectrum of candle light, shadow, and sunrise. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. More about each day and a note to parents conclude. Ages 5–10. (Feb.)