A smart, visually engaging introduction to world religions that both kids and adults will find enlightening.
Garlock introduces young readers to different religions and customs around the world, using the alphabet as a guide.
Presented in the style of board books that are often used for teaching young children the alphabet, this book presents each letter over a spread of two pages. The first page shows both the uppercase and lowercase version of the letter in a three-dimensional font that is decorated in colorful patterns. Below each letter is a short poem that uses an ABCB rhyme scheme to describe a particular religion, religious custom, or other relevant feature: “T is for TEMPLE, / a place where groups gather, / for praying and chanting / and learning together.” On the opposite page is a brief prose paragraph that further elaborates on the main entry’s significance: “All religious traditions have sacred spaces. The word ‘temple’ is most often associated with early polytheistic traditions.” These sections also point out instances in which different religions have certain aspects in common; for example, “Waheguru” is the name of the Sikh “Supreme Deity,” while Hindus use “Brahman” and Muslims use “Allah.” Some entries (like “Baghavad Gita”) also include phonetic spelling (“BAH-gah-vahd GEE-tuh”) to help with pronunciation. Bhardwaj’s illustrations positively pop with color, with each letter following a particular color scheme (“G” is vivid shades of pink, for example, while “R” displays purple and yellow hues). The style sometimes differs between letters—some contain more realistic images while others showcase more childlike cartoons. Garlock explains each concept clearly and concisely, relaying an impressive amount of information in bite-sized portions. This necessarily, but unfortunately, limits the discussion of certain concepts (only mentioning two of the Four Noble Truths, for example). The book more than fulfills its intended purpose as a beginner’s guide, however—Garlock not only spreads knowledge but also expertly weaves in a broader message of inclusivity, love, and acceptance in the process.
A smart, visually engaging introduction to world religions that both kids and adults will find enlightening.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781947486270
Page Count: 59
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: March 12, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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