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  • Paul Writes (a Letter) by Chris Raschka
  • Elizabeth Bush
Raschka, Chris Paul Writes (a Letter); written and illus. by Chris Raschka. Eerdmans,
2018 [40p]
ISBN 978-0-8028-5494-0 $17.00
Reviewed from galleys R 6-10 yrs

A first-century convert to the teachings of Jesus, St. Paul, known as Apostle to the Gentiles, traveled on missions throughout the Levant and Asia Minor, establishing local congregations, and he assiduously stayed in touch with his family, friends, and associates through letters. Christian kids may know of these letters as "epistles," but here Raschka reestablishes Paul's correspondence as personal communications filled with warmth, concern, occasional admonitions, and lots of namedropping. Paul's lengthy missives are excerpted and simplified to make sense for a modern audience: "I'm planning a trip to see you [Corinthians] this winter on my way to Macedonia. Priscilla says hello. Be strong. Paul"; "Children, obey your parents. Parents, don't wind up your children." Each hand-lettered epistle covers a double-page spread and includes a footer with scripture references, spot art establishing setting, and an engaging portrait of Paul at his writing table, sipping wine or munching on a bread [End Page 88] roll, cowriting with Timothy, dozing over his work in a prison cell. Of course, all these settings will make more sense to listeners who know the specifics of Paul's missionary travels and incarcerations, which Raschka leaves to implication and inference. This is probably a safe decision, though, as this book aims at a picture-book audience likely to have adults around to fill in historical and theological details. Children will appreciate the core message and colorful, humanizing visual delivery, and one suspects even a few adults may welcome the watercolor maps and the refreshing untangling of Paul's challenging prose. EB

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