The Lord is my Shepherd: The
Twenty-Third Psalm. Illus. by Gennady Spirin.
We who are citizens
of a troubled world seek consolation and hope in our lives. It is not surprising,
therefore, that two versions of this beloved psalm have recently been
published. Gennady Spirin’s oil paintings on canvas
are stunning in their rich colors and evocative symbols. Each double-page
spread illustrates one line or verse of the psalm printed on a parchment scroll.
A large, fold-out painting which contains the earlier images provides a spectacular
ending. Because of the difficult language of the King James version,
such as “restoreth” and “anointest”,
and because the symbolism of the illustrations is rather mature for young
children, this is an illustrated book rather than a picture book. The same difficulty
with language would apply to Regolo Ricci’s attractive
version (Tundra, 2007) of this psalm. However, Ricci’s watercolor illustrations
of pastoral and wildlife scenes would appeal to younger children than Spirin’s. Both books are recommended for public and
synagogue libraries.
© Anne Dublin.
Originally
published in AJL Newsletter, May/June
2008.
All rights
reserved.