Saint Valentine Book

I like to read this book on Valentine's Day alongside Cheryl Odden's The Story of Saint Valentine. The two authors take COMPLETELY different approaches to the life of Valentinus, and I think it helps kids understand both historical fiction and the discipline of the study of history.

Odden's approach is so fact based as to be a bit wooden, Sabuda's characters are more fleshed out. Odden gives an introductionary overview of what we know for certain and what we suspect about Valentinus, Sabuda has brief notes at the end on the history that ties in with his text (but doesn't get into the mysteries created by lost historical record on Valentinus). The illustrations for Odden's book are colorful, but somehow bland. Sabuda's captivating mosaics are far more interesting, and give children a visual experience of an art form common in Valentinus' time. Each book has strengths and weaknesses, but I think discussing them together brings the brilliance out of both.

More on Valentine's Day...
The Story of Saint Valentine, Odden, 2007