Children's Religion Notes

by Staff -- Publishers Weekly, 8/29/2005

With an approach similar to A Faith Like Mine, Many Ways by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly serves as a simple introduction to how families practice their different religions, promoting tolerance and respect. The clear, spare text (i.e., "Symbols remind people of their beliefs") and large photographs serve as an eye-opening catalogue as well as a jumping-off point for discussion. Though the photos have no captions, a closing photo index provides specific information about each image. (Millbrook, $16.95 32p ages 5-8 ISBN 0-7613-2873-4; Sept.)

A traditional blessing often said by children at mealtime ("Thank you for the food we eat./ Thank your for the world so sweet") makes up the heart of the cozy padded board book Thank You Prayer, adapted by Josephine Page, illus. by Jayne Church, featuring a cuddly bear and his friendly-faced animal pals as they take time to appreciate simple everyday gifts. (Scholastic/ Cartwheel, $8.99 24pages 3-5 ISBN 0-439-68099-9; Oct.)

Shabbat comes alive for tots in My Shabbat, a new Soft Shapes foam puzzle book illus. by David Brooks. Each spread features a phrase in English and Hebrew (e.g., "We light the candles!") alongside an illustrated foam puzzle piece that can be removed from its position to reveal the printed refrain ("Shabbat Shalom!"). (Innovative Kids, $8.99 8pages 1-4 ISBN 1-58476-351-5; Oct.)

Changing Picture Bible Stories: Jesus and His Friends by Tim Dowley, illus. by Stuart Martin, allows little hands to slide the illustrations of favorite Bible tales from "before" to "after" scenes with the pull of a tab. On each left-hand page, a condensed Bible story is printed half on white background and half on a colored background—indicating the best time to presto-change-o the sunny, accessible artwork to fit the text. Passage notations direct readers to the full version of the story in the Bible for further reading. (Kregel, $11.99 14pages 3-7 ISBN 0-8254-7293-8; Aug.)