El libro de Jesús (SM, Primary 3, 5 and 6): Illustrated Spanish Religion Textbooks on the Life and Teachings of Jesus
How do you explain Christianity, its symbols, traditions and origins, to ten- and eleven-year-olds? El libro de Jesús is a series of short Spanish religion textbooks for primary school, published by SM, that retell the Bible simply and with plenty of illustrations. The reviewer read the books for the 3rd, 5th and 6th years.
Publisher: Ediciones SM
Title: El libro de Jesús (Educación Primaria, several year-levels)
Format: Spanish school books; the 6th-year edition is hardcover
Language: Spanish
Amazon: www.amazon.es/dp/8434858010 (ASIN 8434858010)
Clear Language and Pictures
The texts are adapted to the pupils’ age, which makes them easy to understand, and the colourful, eye-catching pictures hold children’s attention. Each book is organised in chapters, as a short introductory religion textbook.
What They Cover
The three books tell the story of Jesus, the Apostles and the Church as an institution. Topics include the life of Jesus from his birth to his death and resurrection; his parables, stories with a deep meaning that he used to teach; his miracles; his key messages about love, forgiveness, faith and hope; and the importance of Jesus in the lives of Christians.
Why Study the Life of Jesus
The reviewer sees three benefits: getting to know one’s own religion better, and going deeper into it for those who are Christian; developing important values such as love of one’s neighbour, compassion and justice; and reflecting on one’s own life, since Jesus’s teachings can inspire us to be better people.
The Publisher
Ediciones SM is one of Spain’s largest educational publishers, founded in Madrid in the late 1930s by members of the Society of Mary, the Marianist religious order, whose initials gave the company its name. Besides textbooks, it is known for its children’s and young adult fiction, including the El Barco de Vapor and Gran Angular collections and their associated literary prizes. Its religion textbooks are widely used in Spanish schools.
Religion at School in Spain
In Spain, religious education is an optional subject: families can choose Catholic religion classes, the teaching of other faiths where agreements exist, or an alternative subject. Books such as these are designed for the Catholic religion course in primary school, with content adapted to each year, and they are often used at home as well by families who want to accompany their children’s learning.
A Gentle Introduction
For young children, a well-illustrated retelling of the Gospel stories can be the first contact with figures and episodes, the Nativity, the parables, the Last Supper and Easter, that run through Western art, music and literature. Even families who are not religious may find that knowing these stories helps children understand paintings in museums, festivals such as Christmas and Holy Week, and countless references in books and films.
A Practical Note
School editions change often as curricula are revised, so the year-level and edition should be checked before buying.
Talking With Children
The stories lend themselves to conversation at home or in class. Parables such as the Good Samaritan or the Prodigal Son raise questions children can understand: who is my neighbour? Is it always easy to forgive? Why does the father welcome back the son who left? Asking children what they think, and what they would have done, is a good way to make the reading active and to connect the stories with their own experiences of friendship, family and fairness. The illustrations help younger readers follow each episode and remember it.
Who Is It For?
Families and teachers looking for simple Spanish-language religious education material for primary-age children. The 3rd-year book is also listed on amazon.es; the 5th-year edition the reviewer mentions could not be matched to a listing.
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Part of the reading recommendations featured on books.sapiensverbum.com.
