All the ways to pray by Kathleen Kelly and Anne Ryan

In a very simple way this charming book outlines all the uncomplicated ways that a child might pray. (Note: there are no references to a particular deity or religion in the book, it is very general in its focus.) With an adult leading the way, this book could be used in families, preschools and schools that are faith-based to introduce the youngest children to the ways and the places where they might pray and the topics that might inform their prayers. Text never exceeds a couple of sentences on a page so there is not a lot of listening required, and the images are important. The illustrations by Anne Ryan are simple and show scenarios that children will recognise from their own pre-school lives, and various cultures or backgrounds are implied in the depictions of children. Empathy, gratitude and hope are part of the prayer focus for an audience aged 2-5 years.

Themes: Prayers, Young children, Empathy, Gratitude.

Carolyn Hull