 |
|
Title: It's Mine!
ISBN: 0679880844
Author:
Leo Lionni
Publicate Date: 1996-03-19
Publish: 1996-03-19
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $2.93
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $1.45
Amazon Merchant Price: $6.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: A Christological Fable
On the surface, this is a simple and sweet tale of three frogs who learn how to share. But as a student of theology and of literature, I must share my insights into this amazing children's book. On a deeper level, this is a Christological parable and a history of salvation through Jesus Christ. Although I admittedly know nothing about Leo Lionni's personal beliefs,I am sure that this is the intended meaning in this fable. The richness and beauty of its symbolism could hardly be an accident!
Three frogs (symbolizing humanity--three being a biblical number of completeness) live in constant disharmony with each other. "The air is mine", "the earth is mine", "the water is mine": their quarrels are so absurd, pointing to pride as the source of their sin, as clearly the air, earth, and water can belong to no one but God. And then One "appears"--the Toad-- who teaches, just as Christ taught during His ministry. He tells them that they must learn to share and live in peace. But they do not listen to Him or follow his teachings. So, it happens that one day they seem to pay for their sin, clinging to separate rocks as flood waters swell and consume their island. It is only when they join together on the single remaining rock that they feel better, "sharing the same fears and hopes". Here, on the rock of the Church, they are saved. When the flood waters subside and recede, they realize: "The large rock that had saved them was no rock at all. 'You saved us!' shouted the frogs when they recognized the toad." They had been sitting on the back of the Toad--who miraculously remains strong through the greatest storm (pointing to His divinity). But it is only when the toad RISES from the waters (i.e. from the dead), that the church/disciples(the frogs) understand the source of salvation---through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the toad). And it is through passing through the flood waters (the waters of Baptism) that salvation is attained.
The book ends with the Church in Paradise. "And later, when they rested in the weeds, they felt happy in a way they had never been before." Leo Lionni's message here is that paradise begins in the heart. (As Christ taught in his parables, such as the parable of the mustard seed.)
Of course, small children will not see or understand many of the theological meanings and messages. It is an excellent book to teach small children about sharing. But it is so much more! I highly recommend this book to Christian families wishing to teach their children the truths of the faith. But of course, you will need to do a lot of "sharing" and listening---not just reading--to get at the heart of this book with your children.
|
2: A story about sharing.
Bicker Bicker Bicker. That's what these three frogs do all day long. It's mine, it's mine, it's mine! Tragedy strikes and an old toad saves the day. The three frogs seem to grow up without even realizing it! An ideal read-aloud.
|
3: This book is very appropriate for young readers.
I enjoy this book very much. The characters are human-like in nature which gives the book charm. Lionni captures the essence of siblings in the cute frog characters. The moral is easy to understand and something to remember for all ages, not just children. A definate must have.
|
|
|
|
|
