School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-- Once again, Fisher offers a vigorous retelling of an ancient story in an exciting picture book. The drama--one small boy, armed with only five smooth stones, a slingshot, and his faith in God, standing alone to face and defeat a formidable giant--is underscored by bold visual images. Both the spare, unadorned text and illustrations remain focused on David and his act of faith and courage. The strong composition; pure, subdued color; and definite brush strokes create blocky figures that are then molded into solid forms by the sensitive interplay of light across their surfaces. Figures fill and sometimes overflow the page, enhancing the larger-than-life, mythic quality. Fine design further complements the power of both story and pictures. An excellent addition. --Linda Boyles, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
The well-known story of the shepherd boy's defeat of the giant Philistine warrior is deftly retold and illustrated with vivid color and startling close-ups. Simply but powerfully designed, the book communicates a strong sense of place and time. A map is included. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
In the style of Fisher's Cyclops (1991), etc.: a straightforward retelling accompanied with powerful full-bleed paintings using close-ups and low points of view that pull readers into the action. Fisher's simple, prosaic text is arguably a valid choice for accessibility, but the biblical original--in any standard translation--would do his heroic art more honor. His figures are monumental, yet subtly characterized: David strong yet complex and introspective; Saul ambivalent, a touch self-indulgent; Goliath thick-necked and brutish. His palette of intense color--apricot, sharp greens and pinks, rich blues and purples, dramatically highlighted and shadowed--is extraordinarily effective. A handsome pictorial narrative that would splendidly interpret whichever text accompanied it. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 4+)
Booklist Review
Ages 5-8. The story of David and Goliath seems especially suited to the work of Fisher. Long known for his strong and potent artwork, Fisher has created majestic images that reflect the grandeur of the story in all its mythic proportions. The concise telling works in counterpoint to the thickly painted images, which Fisher has chosen carefully. Set against the colors of the desert, there is David playing his harp for a weary Saul; the Philistine army facing its Israeli counterpart; Goliath, his huge sword drawn, menacing David and his slingshot. David seems to grow in stature throughout the book, until, finally, his image is no longer that of a boy but that of a hero, who has saved the land of the Israelites. That "one day he would be their king" seems a logical progression. A fine alternative to collections of Bible stories, this will lead children to other such stories, or to Fisher's own books of myths. ~--Ilene Cooper
