Award-winning Toronto author Celia Lottridge’s retelling of the gospels for young people fills a surprising gap. Most children’s Bibles focus on the unambiguous adventure stories of the Old Testament, such as Daniel and the lions, giving short shrift to Jesus’s mission, the cornerstone of the Christian faith.

Uniquely, Lottridge provides ample context for her readers, so they can understand, for instance, what it meant for Jesus to hold up a Samaritan as the model neighbour. Occasionally, though, Lottridge alters details to render Jesus’s teachings more palatable to modern society – a questionable practice. In her version, Jesus says the Samaritan woman by the well has no husband because all five died, whereas in other versions, Jesus implies that she has had five lovers, and therefore cannot call any one “husband.” In a similar politically correct spirit, Lottridge avoids (unlike Mel Gibson’s film) using the word “Jewish” when describing the crowds demanding Christ’s crucifixion. Consequently, the Romans, directly referred to, seem to shoulder the entire responsibility.

Lottridge’s lucid prose is reminiscent in its gravity and memorable turns of phrase of the King James version. She never underestimates children, retaining a healthy sprinkling of challenging phrases.

Linda Wolfsgruber’s unusual and textured illustrations are refreshing, but their static quattrocentro charm is unlikely to appeal to children. Also, the Madonna’s short yellow headscarf resembles a blond 1950s hairdo: we don’t need more Aryan depictions of the holy family.

The book, often moving, has some strange omissions. Lottridge leaves out Christ washing his disciples’ feet: a powerful symbol of his injunction to serve others. She also ends it flatly. Since she draws on all the gospels, why not choose Matthew’s joyful finale: “Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time”?