by Stormie Omartian ; illustrated by Shari Warren ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 4, 2020
A bright, cheery book about the power of prayer that’s limited in both scope and audience.
Inspirational author Omartian (the Power of Praying series) encourages children to turn to Jesus in prayer when they are afraid.
This book emphasizes to young children that fear is a common and natural feeling. It explains that there can be “good” fear, such as wariness of a dangerous animal. This fear helps to keep children safe. The author then goes on to depict a wide variety of other fears, fears that are “bad” and make children upset and fretful. Among this category are fears of the dark, of thunder, of bullies, of getting lost, etc. What to do about these “bad” fears? The author instructs child readers to pray to God when they are afraid. She makes it clear that God always listens to children’s prayers and wants to help. The bright but simplistically cartoony illustrations show diverse children in various situations that make them fearful and then depict the children praying about their fear. There is no larger discussion of fears and emotions—just an exhortation to pray to Jesus daily. Prayer may be an appropriate and efficacious response to fear of thunder or scary images on TV, but its utility with bullies is dubious, particularly as framed: “Lord, I am afraid of this person. Keep me away from him until You teach him how to have a kind and gentle heart.”
A bright, cheery book about the power of prayer that’s limited in both scope and audience. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7369-7640-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harvest House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2019
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by Fatima D'Oyen & illustrated by Azhar Zulkifli ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2012
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
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by Tilda Balsley & illustrated by Jago ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 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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