Simon and the Easter Miracle {Book Review}

I ran across another review of Simon & the Easter Miracle several weeks ago and in it they mentioned the author was Catholic and that the story was an old Polish folktale. I’ve been unable to discover if there is truth to that, but it would explain why I enjoyed it so much. I’m a 100% polish (5 generations in) and cradle Catholic to boot :).

If you are familiar with the stations of the cross, you know that the 5th station is Simon carries the cross of Jesus. Simon & the Easter Miracle is a gorgeous children’s picture book that gently tells the story of Simon, the man who carried Jesus’ cross. This hardcover book is richly illustrated and is accurate while remaking age appropriate. My 4 year old has requested it many times.

If I did not know that this was a “religious” Easter book, I would consider it so good that it had to be mainstream. I have a huge beef with the fact that religious books tend to, well, suck. It’s a beautiful story and where in other books it seems like the author tries too hard, Simon and the Easter Miracle is fabulous!

A simple farmer, Simon is grumpy going into town. He is forced by Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross. Struck by Jesus’ mannerisms and the people so adamantly for and against him, he hightails it back to the city and finds his goods ruined. He trudges back to his farm in a very Eeyore sort of way, and later discovers an Easter miracle.

Simon and the Easter Miracle by Mary Joslin and illustrated by Anna Luraschi is a great Easter book for your older preschoolers and up. It will end up in your library for generations! I think this will be a favorite read all year, not just during Lent & Easter.

Do you have any Easter favorites?