The Kids Book of World Religions
Grade 3-6-Glossop devotes one to four spreads to Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Readers learn of the basic teachings and beliefs, scriptures, religious leaders, sacred places, and sacred events involved in each faith and a quick-fact box outlines the statistics and major tenets. However, the single-page sections covering indigenous religions from Africa, North America, and Australia are less useful because of their brevity. Illustrations meld effectively with narrative; Mantha's bright watercolors picture symbols, gods, and rituals, artistically drawing readers from point to point. A few well-placed photographs add to the text: sacred places such as the Lingaraj temple in India, an ancient mosque in Cordoba, and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and sacred objects such as a reclining Buddha in Thailand, a Muslim mihrab (prayer alcove), and an Australian Aboriginal painting. For a more concise and clear explanation of basic religious beliefs, see Mary Pope Osborne's One World, Many Religions (Knopf, 1996), and for a basic explanation of the history of religion, refer to Betsy Maestro's The Story of Religion (Clarion, 1993) or Myrtle Langley's Religion (Knopf, 1996). Kids Book can be used as an additional introduction for browsers and report writers because of its brief insight into religion and its multitude of illuminating watercolors.Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.