|
Worlds of Belief
Religion plays a central role in the development of children's identities and personalities. It determines
their worldview and shapes the way they interact with their community. Learning about their own religion and that of others also helps children understand and tolerate difference. This Showcase features books
that explore the world of faith, belief, and spirituality.
Please browse the titles below and click on those that interest you to see cover art and a full book
description. Some of the titles may also include examples of interior art that offer a clearer representation of the actual book. The titles included in the Showcase are selected by their publishers
who provide the art and descriptive information.
These books are available at your local bookstore, which we urge you to patronize. Your local
bookseller can supply these titles and offer professional, informed help in selecting other good books for children. Check the American Booksellers Association's directory of member bookstores for a bookseller near you.
If you do not have convenient access to any local bookstores, you can purchase these CBC Showcase books online from independent bookstores at BookSense.com.
CBC Showcase is a bimonthly thematic bibliography available only online. Please visit the Showcase Archive to view previous lists, which include Poetry Titles, Math and Counting Books, Folk and Fairy
tales, The African-American Experience, Humorous Books, Holiday Titles, and much more.
The next Showcase featuring children's mysteries, horror stories, and ghost tales will be online as of September 1.
All I See Is Part Of Me
, written by Chara M. Curtis, illustrated by Cynthia Aldrich. Ages 3 and up. In this international
bestseller, a child finds the light within his heart and his common link with all of life. (Illumination Arts)
At Break of Day
, written by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Paul Morin. All ages. In this retelling of the Creation story, God
the Father and God the Son create the world and its inhabitants and delight in their beauty. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Blessing of the Animals
, written and illustrated by Michael J. Rosen.
Ages 8-12. Jared must decide if it would be all right for him to take his dog Shayna to the annual St. Francis Festival at the Catholic Church, even though he is Jewish. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Cassandra's Angel
, written by Gina Otto, illustrated by Trudy Joost. Ages 3 and up. Cassandra feels lonely and
misunderstood until a special angel guides her to inner truth. (Illumination Arts)
Cornelius and the Dog Star
, written by Diana Spyropulos, illustrated by Ray Williams. Ages 3 and up.
Grouchy old Cornelius Basset Hound can't enter Dog Heaven until he learns about love, fun and kindness. (Illumination Arts)
C.S. Lewis: Christian and Storyteller
, written by Beatrice Gormley.
Ages 12 and up. "Young devotees of The Chronicles of Narnia will enthusiastically sink their literary teeth into this biography about writer C.S. Lewis. Clearly written, solidly researched, and insightful." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Cure, written by Sonia Levitin. Ages 12 - up. Branded a deviant--and therefore a threat--to the utopian society of Conformity,
Harmony, and Tranquility that exists in the year 2407, Gemm 16884 is given the choice of being recycled or undergoing a painful and mysterious cure. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Dance, Sing, Remember: A Celebration of Jewish Holidays
, written by Leslie Kimmelman.
Ages 4 - 8. Offering a colorful introduction to major Jewish holidays, this timeless and richly illustrated treasury explains the meanings behind religious traditions celebrated from Rosh Hashanah to Shauvot. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Does God Know How To Tie Shoes?
, written by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Lori McElrath-Eslick.
Ages 3-8. When young Katrina spends the day in the country, her parents help her understand who God is. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Dreambirds, written by David Ogden, illustrated by Jody Bergsma. Ages 3 and up.
A Native American boy battles his own ego as he searches for the elusive dreambird and its powerful gift. (Illumination Arts)
The
Four Corners of the Sky: Creation Stories and Cosmologies from Around the World, written by Steve Zeitlin,
illustrated by Chris Raschka. Ages 11-14.
What is the universe? How did it get that way? Here are though-provoking answers from throughout history and around the world. (Henry Holt and Company)
Freedom Beyond the Sea
, written by Waldtraut Lewin, translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford.
Ages 14 and up. Fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, a Jewish girl disguises herself and signs on as a ship's boy, little knowing that she is headed for unknown waters with Christopher Columbus. (Delacorte)
The Girl Who Lost Her Smile
, written by Karim Alrawi, illustrated by Stefan Czernecki. Ages 4-9. A Sufi teaching tale, The Girl Who
Lost Her Smile is about a girl's search for her smile and the uncovering of life's hidden beauty. (Winslow Press)
Heaven Eyes
, written by David Almond.
Ages 10 and up. Erin Law and her friends are 'Damaged Children.' At least that is the label given to them at the orphanage, but Erin knows they can take care of each other. One night they run away, venturing downriver on fantastic, mystical adventure. (Delacorte)
How Far to Heaven?
, written by Chara M. Curtis, illustrated by Alfred Currier. Ages 3 and up. Exploring the wonders of nature,
Nanna and her granddaughter discover heaven all around them. (Illumination Arts)
I Believe in Water
, written by Marilyn Singer.
Ages 12 and up. Acclaimed young adult authors explore teenagers' perceptions of religion in this original short story collection about the hopes, beliefs, and moments of self-discovery that touch our lives. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
, retold by Gary D. Schmidt, illustrated by Barry Moser.
Ages 8 to adult. The pilgrim Christian undertakes the dangerous journey to the Celestial City, experiencing physical and spiritual obstacles along the way. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
King Solomon and His Magic Ring
, written by Ellie Wiesel, illustrated by Mark Podwal.
All ages. Stories of wisdom and folly in the life of the legendary King Solomon, retold by Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. (Greenwillow Books, HarperCollins Publishers)
The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman
, written by Paul Goble, illustrated by Paul Goble. All ages. Stirring prose and breathtaking images
tell the story of the most important of all Lakota sacred legends: the gift of the first pipe. (National Geographic Society)
Little Squarehead
, written by Peggy O'Neill, illustrated by Denise Freeman.
Ages 3 and up. Little Rosa overcomes the stigma of her unusual appearance after finding the glowing diamond within her heart. (Illumination Arts)
The Lord's Prayer
, written by Tim Ladwig. All ages. A young girl and her father spend a day together helping an elderly neighbor,
lending a modern interpretation of this ancient prayer. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Loving Arms of God
, written by Anne Elizabeth Stickney, illustrated by Helen Cann.
Ages 6 to 12. A retelling of Bible stories illustrating God's relationship with his people through the history of Israel, the ministry of Jesus, and the early church. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Menorah Story
, written by Mark Podwal. All ages.
Mark Podwal's distinguished and graceful book brings the ancient story of the menorah and Hanukkah to a new generation of readers. (Greenwillow Books, HarperCollins Publishers)
Monkey King
, written by Ed Young.
All ages. Join Monkey on his mischievous adventures in this tale from ancient China, retold and boldly illustrated with stunning collage art by Caldecott Medallist Ed Young. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
My Land Sings
, writen by Rudolpho Anaya, illustrated by Amy Cordova. Ages 10 - up. Consummate storyteller Rudolfo Anaya
draws on the rich Hispanic and Native American folklore of the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico to tell these ten enchanting stories. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
One Thousand Paper Cranes
, written by Takayuki Ishii.
Ages 10 and up. The inspiring story of the Japanese national campaign to build the Children's Peace Statue honoring Sadako and hundreds of other children who died as a result of the bombing of Hiroshima. (Laurel-Leaf)
Ordinary Miracles
, written by Stephanie Tolan. Ages 12 - up.
A rich and compelling novel about a teenager's path to discovering his own identity, values, and understanding about the relationship between science and religion. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Paths of Faith: Conversations About Religion and Spirituality
, written by Michael Thomas Ford, illustrated by Alexander Stadler. Ages 12 and up.
The world's religious leaders discuss their religious experiences and issues of faith and spirituality. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
The Ransom of Mercy Carter
, written by Caroline Cooney. Ages 12 and up. n 1704, Mercy Carter is kidnapped by Indians from her colonial settlement in Deerfield, Massachusetts and forced to walk to the village in Canada--three hundred miles north! (Delacorte)
Saint Francis
, written and illustrated by Brian Wildsmith. All ages.
The story of St. Francis of Assisi, who rejects his wealthy background to lead a life of poverty, good works, and kindness to animals. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Secret Sacrament
, written by Sherryl Jordan.
Ages 12 and up. Gabriel is destined to become a healer. His gift brings him between the powerful Navoran Empire and the Shinali people. The fates of two nations hang in the balance--so does Gabriel's life. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
The Story of Easter
, writtne by Aileen Fisher, illustrated by Stefano Vitale.
Ages 7 and up. Easter means painted eggs and Easter baskets--but has it always been this way? Discover how our holiday traditions came to be. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
The Tale of the Heaven Tree
, written by Mary Joslin, illustrated by Meilo So.
Ages 4 and up. After humans nearly destroy all the gardens on Earth, a young girl shows people the way back to the Great Maker's garden paradise. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Tapestries: Stories of Women in the Bible
, written and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson.
Ages 8 and up. The stories of twenty-three remarkable women in the Bible illustrated with lush portraits rendered in the style of tapestries. (Little, Brown and Company)
To Sleep with the Angels
, written by H. Elizabeth Collins, illustrated by Judy Kuusisto.
Ages 3 and up. Comforting her to sleep each night, a young girl's guardian angel fills her dreams with magical adventures. (Illumination Arts)
Wings of Change
, written by Franklin Hill, Ph.D., illustrated by Aries Cheung. Ages 3 and up. A contented little
caterpillar resists his approaching transformation into a butterfly. (Illumination Arts)
With All My Heart, With All My Mind
, edited by Sandy Asher.
Ages 12 and up. Thirteen noted authors focus on growing up Jewish in original stories. (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
Words of Gold: A Treasury of the Bible's Poetry and Wisdom
, written by Lois Rock, illustrated by Sarah Young. All ages.
Presents passages from both the Old and New Testaments as lessons on life. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Zoo in the Sky
, written by Jacqueline Mitton, illustrated by Christina Balit. Ages 4 to 8.
This dazzling book of animal constellations provides a charming first look at the nighttime sky. (National Geographic Society)
|