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IN THE HOUSE OF HAPPINESS

Name: IN THE HOUSE OF HAPPINESS
Author: Neil Philip
ISBN: 0-618-23481-0

A BOOK OF PRAYERS AND PRAISE

edited by Neil Philip & illustrated by Isabelle Brent ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 24, 2003

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Philip and Brent (Noah and the Devil, 2001, etc.) collaborate again to offer a lovely collection of prayers. Brent’s exquisite hand illustrates this beautiful, small volume in the manner of medieval manuscripts. Finding its audience might be problematic, however. Philip, an indefatigable editor of anthologies for young people, has gathered selections from many religions and cultures, and divided them loosely into seven sections, each with its own border design. On facing pages, for example, are prayers from the Talmud, English and Breton traditions, and 19th-century Irish. They are all very short, and sometimes abbreviated, as in the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, where only the first half appears. Some, for English speakers, are deeply familiar: “Thank you for the world so sweet, / Thank you for the food we eat”; or Dickens’s “God bless us every one!” Others seem scarcely to be prayers, like “Star light, star bright . . . I wish I may, I wish I might, / Have the wish I wish tonight.” Still others, not so well-known, come from Hindu and Muslim traditions, from Africa, from Hawaii, from various Native American peoples. Gorgeous illuminations border each page with tendrils of flora, birds, fruit, flowers, and lavish use of gold. A lovely gift (Nonfiction. 7-11)

Pub Date: March 24, 2003

ISBN: 0-618-23481-0

Page Count: 64

Publisher: Clarion Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S RELIGION

- BOOK REVIEW
HOT POTATO
edited by Neil Philip & illustrated by Claire Henley

- BOOK REVIEW
HORSE HOOVES AND CHICKEN FEET
adapted by Neil Philip & illustrated by Jacqueline Mair

- BOOK REVIEW
THE FISH IS ME
edited by Neil Philip & illustrated by Claire Henley

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BE BLEST

A CELEBRATION OF SEASONS

by Mary Beth Owens ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1999

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This book of seasonal prayers, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of Brother Sun,” and also indebted to Gaelic scholar Alexander Carmichel’s work, can be summed up by a portion of the prayer for November: “Contained in every/season’s end:/the blessing to begin again.” Springtime’s “Sing praise” gives way to summer’s “Rejoice!” and then to harvest time’s “Give Thanks” before winter’s “Be Blest” appears in the encircled prayer that faces each month’s watercolor illustration. The realistic paintings reflect the annual cycle, becoming almost iconographic in the evidence in each of the gifts of the season. These are “God’s good gifts” that in January, for example, are the seeds shaken from dead plants and weeds and the leaf buds on barren branches. The puzzle of the cycle of life springing from death moves on many levels; also appearing in January are predator (fox) and prey (deer). The simple yet sturdy spirituality informing this book will assure its place in both individual and institutional collections that have room for religious titles. (Picture book. 6-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-689-80546-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S RELIGION

- BOOK REVIEW
REMEMBER ME
by Donald Soctomah & Jean Flahive & illustrated by Mary Beth Owens

- BOOK REVIEW
THE DUMP MAN’S TREASURES
by Lynn Plourde & illustrated by Mary Beth Owens

- BOOK REVIEW
PANDA WHISPERS
by Mary Beth Owens & illustrated by Mary Beth Owens

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THE STORY OF EASTER

by Aileen Fisher & illustrated by Stefano Vitale ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 28, 1997

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First published in 1968 and newly illustrated by Vitale, this is a history of the Christian celebration of Easter that, after briefly recounting the story of the Resurrection, links the holiday to other spring festivals, covers the ancient custom of giving the gift of an egg (a symbol of the new life of spring), and includes contemporary customs, such as the fashionable stroll down New York City's Fifth Avenue after church on that day. Also included are instructions for egg decoration and a recipe for hot cross buns. Even the recipe demonstrates the clear, informative prose of Fisher, whose expert organization leads from topic to topic. Vitale's illustrations are a marvel; each full-page picture is filled with details that reflect the times, the flora, and the culture of the era shown, colored with a range of appropriate earth tones. Every element of design makes this an inviting addition to the holiday shelf, even for those already owning the original book with Ati Forberg's illustrations. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-10)