The Clown of God Told and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Goodreads: The Clown of God

Series: None

Published: 1978

Source: Library

Summary: As an old man, a former juggler finds his audiences have dissipated and his livelihood disappeared.  He thinks he has nothing to offer the Christ child for his birthday, but then remembers the one thing he still possesses—the talent to make others happy.

Review: DePaola takes an old French legend and makes it his own, setting it at the beginning of the Renaissance in Italy and meticulously researching that time period to depict accurate clothing and settings.  The result is a visually stunning work of art that takes readers on a journey through the past and captures their imaginations.  The tale, though simple, is a heartwarming one with a great lesson—perfect for young readers.

DePaola uses his words effectively, writing in short phrases and sentences that create a sort of leisurely feeling.  I wanted to pause after each bit, savoring the words and the story.  The simplicity of the writing almost makes it seem as if the titular character himself narrates his life.  The tone has a childlike quality especially evident in such statements as “But he was happy, and he could do something wonderful” or “It was a very good arrangement.”  The words have a sort of finality about them that would stem from a child confident that his story would be believed and understood.  What does it matter if Giovanni the juggler is poor and a beggar?  He says life is good, and so it must be.

Bringing the story further to life are dePaola’s striking illustrations.  Full of bold colors and simple lines, they provide enough detail to make it seem as if readers are looking at scenes of Renaissance Italy, but they also leave room for the imagination.  The characters stand out from their backgrounds, usually blank or bare, so that the action stays focused on Giovanni and his travels.  Later illustrations, however, give glimpses of the majesty of the Italian churches and suggest something of the great intellectual and artistic revolution about to take place.

The Clown of God is a touching story that reminds readers that each person has something special to offer the world.  Its message of love will surely being a smile to the faces of its readers.