A brilliantly conceived and produced collection of stories from major world religions, organized into sections titled ``Creation Stories,'' ``Flood Stories,'' ``Birth, Courtship, and Marriage,'' etc. Extensively researched and lavishly illustrated, the volume includes vibrant, full-color watercolors in a folk-art style on nearly every page. Ganeri's tellings are fluid and outwardly effortless: formal enough to lend an air of authenticity, accessible enough to keep readers engaged from one story to the next. The selections are arranged to highlight similarities as well as differences among the religions and impart a sense that all God's children are more united than divided by their beliefs. A factual appendix sheds light on each faith, while a ``Who's Who'' helps place the leaders and major prophets. A treasure. (Short stories. 8-12)
