This is a beautifully illustrated volume useful for all ages in helping young people to become thoughtful, introspective and prayerful. It contains simple prayers, words and ideas for the very young and broader, more complex ideas for children as they grow. It also serves to demonstrate a commonality of spiritual interests and views across a broad spectrum of ideology

Stoddard, known for children's religious works (A Child's First Bible; The Doubleday Illustrated Children's Bible), turns to contemplative religion for children in this work. A beautifully illustrated collection of prayers develops through three stages. Beginnings, aimed at the new to prayer, is a compendium of short, easily memorized verses of thanks to God. Reaching Out turns the focus onto the more mature in belief, encouraging thanksgiving and wonder at daily blessings. The Great Journey is aimed at even older and more mature supplicants, perhaps better appreciated by parents than the children at whom the book is aimed. Isadora's gentle watercolor illustrations highlight the bounty of nature, and tenderly reflect the variety of cultures from which Stoddard has chosen her prayers. While Beginnings is composed of mostly Western ritual prayers, the book progresses into a wider circle of faiths, from Native American to Muslim to Hawaiian. It is also highly diverse in age, from ancient chants to modern poems reflecting a wonder and joy in remembering God's hand in daily life. The index to first lines is helpful in finding favorites long forgotten or newly enjoyed.

Mr. Maiorano describes backstage the way it really is.

You should read this book. Even though this book is easy, it has a lot of wonderful pictures. I recommend you to read this book.

I know, I know... when it comes to board books, you wonder if your money would be better spent on teething toys sometimes. Our family has chosen to invest in a vast array of board books for our child because we believe that the benefits of reading to her outweigh the financial output. We also BUY the board books, rather than borrow them from the library or buy them used because young children DO tend to orally discover their world. Our daughter has chewed and thrown some of her books, BUT NOT THIS ONE! She treasures this book, it is one of her favorites. I have seen her hug it, even kiss it! I think she likes it because she can actually understand the words that go to the pictures. The illustrations are of a soft impressionistic style and are married well to the repetitive, rhythmic text. This book always seems to give her a focused calm, and has been a great tool to me in distracting her out of rascally or tantrum-y moods. Get it... you'll be glad you did!

This was such a wonderful tool to teach my little boy not only words but proved to be a great discussion soundboard. I really enjoyed listening to his ideas about sounds, color and shapes. He walks around the house now sounding out words, sounds and explores the objects around him. I thought the illustrations were very creatiive and being an avid art lover greatly enjoyed viewing the pop art pictures. They were so clever and well executed that I thought they were of museum quality. I hope Ms. Isadora does more books like this. Nancy and Collin Flynn

Many authors and illustrators have tried to tell this story before, but this particular book is a treasure for any 6 to 9 year old to have in her collection of classic fairy tales. Each page of artwork should be a painting - they are so stunning and magical. This version follows the Hans Christian Andersen version of the famous tale, not the Disney movie. Therefore, the Little Mermaid goes up to heaven in the end, which may bother some preschoolers. The reading level is at about the 2nd grade level. A great book to share at story-time with an early reader, as the pictures will motivate them to try and read it.

This is finally a baseball book that even a parent can learn from and enjoy. My son, age 5, loved this book. It is an interesting story as well as educational. You will learn all about baseball from "choking up on the bat" to running the bases. It is very informative and fun!! I highly recommend!!!

The watercolor illustrations are the best part of this book--they really enhance the simple story of a boy and his mother and baby sister going to visit his grandmother.

Very cute book!! My almost 2 year old loves the pictures in this book. The art work is fantastic. The words are very simple and very appropriate. You will not be disappointed.

I love finding books where the main character shares my daughters name. This book was excellent and will last a long time I think, as it covers general skating information, more specifics about skates, "moves", and competitions, and all from the viewpoint of 8-year old Sophie (she started when she was 3, the age of my Sophie). As usual the pictures are exquisite and I would recommend buying this for any Sophie I knew, as well as any budding skater.