With limitations, a valuable asset to any caregiver or library collection interested in expanding the horizons of the very...
An exploration of religion and Buddhism for the youngest seekers, one of six major religions introduced in this British educational publisher’s new Your Faith series.
Like its companions on Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism, the book opens with a clear and simple definition of the concept of religion. Boldface words throughout are defined in the text as well as in a glossary at the back. Each of the 10 double-page spreads deals with a single concept—“What is Buddhism?”; “The Buddha”; “The Three Jewels”; etc.—in three or four sentences that provide simple explanations of places of worship and core ideas and texts. The last spread features five facts about Buddhism. The illustrations are mostly photographs of Buddhist people and objects; monks and statues of the Buddha figure prominently. Some photos have captions or callouts with simple related facts. With its simple approach, this volume does not try to mention the many vastly different sects of Buddhism, but nearly all that is said relates to all of them. It also mentions being reborn but does not tackle the important core idea of reincarnation.
With limitations, a valuable asset to any caregiver or library collection interested in expanding the horizons of the very young. (glossary, index) (Informational picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-78637-034-1
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Booklife/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: Jan. 31, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Candy-coated, old-fashioned educational coloring book for a very specific audience.
Coloring pages, connect-the-dot pictures, mazes and educational exercises fill this book that deals with many different topics, including common courtesy, animals and modes of transportation.
Typical coloring-book black line drawings showing children and families in different regions, some wearing traditional clothing and some wearing contemporary outfits, testifying to the omnipresence of Islam. All females are shown wearing hijab, except for the school bullies shown waiting to catch Amira in one maze and the mother and girls in a family whose members “don’t know much about Islamic manners.” The most useful parts of the book are the language lessons: one with the word “welcome” in 10 languages and other pages with Arabic words and expressions with English transliterations and Arabic calligraphy. (These words connect to a cloze activity in which a child has to insert the correct word in different sentences, a clearly didactic exercise.) There are also related cards with English definitions, transliterations and Arabic lettering. These cards, including words such as jazakalla, “We thank others by saying this (may Allah reward you),” can be cut out and used for matching games. While not useful for libraries, Muslim parents seeking educational materials on Islam and the Arabic language may want to purchase this for their children. There is even a “Certificate of Achievement.”
Candy-coated, old-fashioned educational coloring book for a very specific audience. (Activity book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-86037-463-3
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Kube Publishing
Review Posted Online: March 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2012
A rousing rendition of the familiar tale.
The story of Jonah and God’s command to him to warn the misbehaving people of Ninevah is retold in a rhyming narrative that brings out the reluctant prophet’s continual noncompliance.
In an introductory illustration depicting a biblical community of contentious men, Jonah looks on and disagrees with God’s request to warn them of impending consequences. “ ‘Preach,’ said Jonah. / ‘That’s not fun— / Ragging, nagging everyone.’ ” Jonah decides to run away, claiming that no one will appreciate his moralizing. He boards a ship headed in the opposite direction from Ninevah, but God’s wrath stirs a huge storm that only subsides after Jonah realizes he must leave. He allows the sailors to throw him overboard and is promptly swallowed by a huge fish. Forced to rethink his original decision, he agrees to comply with God’s command, yet after the deed is done and the repentant Ninevites have changed their wicked ways, he fumes that God decided to forgive them rather than punish them. Jonah must accept God’s rationale after he loses his own comfort under the cooling shade of a tree. The rhyming verse ably encapsulates each of Jonah’s negative and contemptuous reactions, which are followed by the refrain, “Oh no, Jonah,” meant to be shouted aloud by listeners or readers. Acrylics on textured canvas of robed and bearded men with long hooked noses and a variety of complexions create a rather stereotypical illusion of the ancient world.
A rousing rendition of the familiar tale. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7613-5139-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: July 17, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012
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