"One of the great examples of the graphic novel form. Should inspire a new generation." — The Atlantic
Cantalbert is a simple juggler but the world takes no interest in his only real gift, and he feels inadequate compared to people with meaningful jobs. Seeking a more spiritual approach to life, he enters a monastery. Cantalbert's menial chores among the monks fail to instill the self-doubting juggler with any sense of worth ― until he experiences a soul-stirring encounter with a statue of Mary, the Mother of Christ.
This magical 1952 retelling of a medieval legend, featuring winsome watercolor images by famed illustrator R. O. Blechman, constitutes a predecessor to the modern graphic novel. A Foreword by Jules Feiffer and an Introduction by Maurice Sendak offer insights into the fable's enduring influence. One of the Phoenix New Times "10 Best Graphic Novels to Read During the Holidays."