SEVEN STORIES TO LIVE BY

Name: SEVEN STORIES TO LIVE BY
Author: Lora; Illus. by Hannah Shaffer Ann
ISBN: 0-9764724-0-6

by Lora; Illus. by Hannah Shaffer Ann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2005

For parents who want to re-create the classic unsubtlety of illustrated religious parables in Chopra’s holistic philosophy.

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These seven didactic multicultural tales, inspired by Deepak Chopra’s Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents, take the place of Bible stories for children raised by New-Age seekers.

In a series of brief adventures, children from diverse ethnic backgrounds learn a variety of life lessons: â€œdon’t say no–go with the flow”; â€œwhen you make a choice, you change the future”; â€œyou are here for a reason.” In one story, Dakota, whose mother calls him â€œLittle Brave,” befriends the tough new kid at school. In another, Diego, whose mother calls him â€œhijito,” perseveres and learns basketball while befriending a deaf man in his neighborhood. The other stories follow a similar pattern of combining a moral with a simple ethnic marker: Suki eats mochi and is kind to a shy girl, Hannah eats matzo balls and makes sandwiches for the homeless, Tara speaks Hindi and prepares to climb mountains. The illustrations are a mixed bag. Poorly proportioned portraits of the children are awkwardly distracting, but page decorations of marbles, leaves and landscapes are evocative of the stories’ moods. A helpful glossary includes such words as â€œBubby,” â€œMaidela,” â€œNamaste” and â€œZayde.”

For parents who want to re-create the classic unsubtlety of illustrated religious parables in Chopra’s holistic philosophy. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-9764724-0-6

Page Count: -

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION

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THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS

by Tomie dePaola & illustrated by Tomie dePaola ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1999

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A wondrous occurrence, an ancient tradition, and an elderly nun’s abiding faith are the basis of this moving Chirstmas tale from dePaola (26 Fairmount Avenue, p. 629, etc.). Sister Angie is overjoyed when her niece Lupe and her husband are selected to play Mary and Joseph—here, Maria and José—for Las Posadas, the reenactment of the journey into Bethlehem. When Sister Angie becomes ill and Lupe and Roberto become stranded in a heavy snowstorm, it seems as if the celebration will be delayed. However, a couple arrives just in time to take the place of the missing players. The whole village participates in the procession, from the singers who follow Mary and Joseph, to the “devils” who attempt to prevent the weary travelers from finding lodging. After several rebuffs, the couple arrives at the gates of the courtyard; these open and the entire assembly enters to celebrate. When Lupe and Roberto finally show up, the other couple is nowhere to be found. The story takes a supernatural twist when Sister Angie discovers that the figures in the church’s manger scene have come to life, temporarily, for the procession. The mysteries and miracles of the season are kept at bay; this simple narrative spells everything out, resulting in a primer on the tradition. Richly hued, luminescent illustrations radiate from the pages; an introduction and author’s note provide additional information. (Picture book. 4-8)