Gifts of Our Lady of Guadalupe by Demi

Gifts of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Patroness of Latin America by Demi ISBN-13: Hardback: 40 pages Publisher: Wisdom Tales Released: June 7, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Just before dawn on Saturday the 9th of December, 1531, Juan Diego was on his way to Mass near Mexico City. He came to a hill known as Tepeyac just as day broke. He could hear the singing of many beautiful birds, but then the singing suddenly stopped. As he looked towards the top of the hill he heard someone calling his name. He was amazed to see a beautiful lady. Her clothes glimmered like the sun and her brilliance made the rocks and plants sparkle like jewels. Juan Diego bowed deeply before her, as she told him that she was Holy Mary, the Mother of God. Then she instructed him to go to the bishop in Mexico City and ask him to build a great church so that people would come to know her love, compassion, and protection. But the bishop wished for a sign.

In this retelling of the story by award-winning author, Demi, find out how the miracles performed by the Virgin of Guadalupe persuaded the bishop to build the church; how they caused ten million Aztecs to convert to Catholicism within just eight years; and why the basilica dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe today receives 20 million pilgrims per year, making it the most popular Christian pilgrimage site in the world.


My Review:
Gifts of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a 32-page illustrated hardback book for children. The author tells the legend of how the miracles performed by the Virgin of Guadalupe persuaded a bishop to build a basilica dedicated to her plus convince millions of Aztecs to convert to Catholicism.

I am not a Catholic, but I believe that Catholics venerate Mary but do not worship her. Therefore, Catholics may have a problem with the book where it says, "...for imprinted in dazzling colors on Juan Diego's white cloak was a full-sized image of Mary, the Holy Mother of God! The bishop and all the priests fell to their knees in worship." And the accompanying illustration makes it look like they are worshiping the image of Mary. The illustrations are simple and look like different materials were cut into the shape of the bodies for the clothing and then the faces and details drawn in. Overall, it's a nice looking book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.