In Every Tiny Grain of Sand: A Child's Book of Prayers and Praise - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763601764 ISBN 13: 9780763601768

Publisher: Candlewick, 2000

Synopsis

Commemorate the holidays—or anytime—with exquisitely illustrated prayers and poetry from around the world. (ages 4 and up)

Around the world and throughout time, people have cherished and spoken simple words that make them feel better when they are sad, brave when they are afraid, and befriended when they are alone—or just pleased to be alive on God's earth.

Here, gathered together by Reeve Lindbergh, are 77 treasured poems and prayers from many cultures and faiths. With fresh, bright, and joyous illustrations by acclaimed artists from four different countries, IN EVERY TINY GRAIN OF SAND is a diverse and beautiful collection of poems, praise, and pictures for families of all beliefs to contemplate and to cherish.

About this title

About the Author

Christine Davenier, who lives in Paris, says she loved illustrating poems about mountains, the ocean, water, sand, flowers, and stones. "Now I want to move to the country," she says.
Bob Graham says he was drawn to illustrate IN EVERY TINY GRAIN OF SAND by "its generosity of spirit."
Anita Jeram especially enjoyed painting "all of those dark skies, stars, and the moon."
Elisa Kleven says she found the poems in "For the Home" in this anthology "deeply comforting."

Reviews

Grade 1-5-A diverse collection of 77 poems and prayers, illustrated by four different artists. There are excerpts from Native American, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, African, and Baha'i prayers and meditations as well as offerings from individual poets. The selections are divided by theme into four sections. Bob Graham has illustrated the first part, "For the Day," with bright watercolor-and-ink cartoons that show youngsters enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. In "For the Home," Elisa Kleven's more detailed watercolor-and-collage paintings use lush colors to depict scenes of family life, providing glimpses of many different cultures. Christine Davenier's watercolors in pale shades create a contemplative mood for the selections presented in "For the Earth." In "For the Night," Anita Jeram uses vivid jewel tones to evoke a sense of quiet mystery in her textured acrylic paintings. Unlike some books of prayer that have an aura of holiness that might distance readers, this volume balances text and artwork to create an inviting and intimate atmosphere by touching on the everyday lives of children. This collection widens the concept of prayer; rather than asking personal favors from a higher being, prayer is seen to be all kinds of connections and celebrations within ourselves, with one another, with the world, and with the mysterious unknown.
Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In a foreword to this life-affirming anthology, Lindbergh (Circle of Days) explains that the 77 selections here, gathered from spiritual traditions the world over, "were written in appreciation of nature, to to praise God, or to celebrate good things in our lives" or "when the writer needed strength, comfort or courage." As this personal interpretation of "prayers and praise" would suggest, the entries transcend denomination. Hildegard of Bingen, Albert Schweitzer, Walt Whitman and Lao-Tzu speak; extracts from the Vedas, the Talmud and the Bible share space with Baha'i prayers, Native American poems, Buddhist blessings and Japanese haiku. The range is so broad that some may wish the sources had been amplifiedAattributions like "Santal," "Dinka" and "Kyorai" will raise questions with most readers. The poems are grouped into four sections (Day, Home, Earth and Night), each illustrated by a different artist. It's an effective approach: the variety of illustrative styles underlines the diversity of the entries, and these four artists complement one another exceptionally well. Graham, assigned the Day section, offers fluid watercolor cartoons in a simple style that sets off his use of color; Davenier, given Earth, invigorates her watercolors with motion. In the Home section, Kleven's trademark collages are typically detailed yet harmonious, as inviting as her best work. Perhaps the biggest delight comes from Jeram, who renders Night in a style wholly unlike her Guess How Much I Love You. Her jewel-toned acrylics of animals in nocturnal landscapes have a depth and intensity that close the volume with rare drama. Ages 4-up. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 3-6, younger for reading aloud. A marvelous collection of poems and prayers from many different cultures and faiths, organized into sections that reflect children's lives: "For the Day," "For the Home," "For the Earth," "For the Night." The 77 offerings are drawn from Native American (Navajo, Pawnee, Sioux, Inuit), Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, Buddhist, African, and Celtic sources. There are also biblical psalms and poems by Robert Browning, Anne Frank, Albert Schweitzer, and Gerard Manley Hopkins, among others. The selections are rich in themselves, but what really makes the collection accessible is the artwork. Artists from four different countries have contributed: Christine Davenier, who lives in France; Bob Graham, who lives in England; Anita Jeram, who lives in Ireland; and Elisa Kleven, who lives in the U.S. Each one illustrates a section. Davenier's watercolors provide quiet comfort in "For the Earth"; Jeram's acrylics light up "For the Night"; Kleven's collages form an exotic backdrop in "For the Home" that extends the meaning of home; and Graham's jolly watercolors, featuring the mishaps and adventures of young children, enhance "For the Day." This is a prayerful, powerful collection that will introduce young readers to some of the most vivid writings of very different cultures. An index of first lines is appended. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0763601764
• ISBN 13: 9780763601768
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Davenier Christine, Graham Bob, Jeram Anita, Kleven Elisa
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 80
• Editor: Lindbergh Reeve