Tried and tested:
Book Reviews
In this issue, we asked Anna Hopper to review three children’s titles from The Lutterworth Press (Cambridge)1 which have been around for several years, but still top-sellers. This publisher is one of the oldest independent British publishing houses – having been in business since the late 18th Century.
What is God Like?
by Marie-Agnes Gaudrat
This was previously published as four separate board books. Keeping the same layout, illustrations and wording they have been brought together in one volume. Including The love of God, Faith in God, The presence of God and The word of God, many aspects of how we can experience God are explored.
The illustrations are beautifully simple as is the language used, allowing exploration with the child as to what it all means. Allowing the child to imagine and make connections within their own understanding. I can see this book becoming a favourite with under fives because of the clear text and pictures, but it is the sort of book that will need to be returned to again and again to get the most benefit and understanding. Expect to take time over exploring the feelings and thoughts this book can arouse. It would be better to read and think about the book yourself before introducing the child to it.
Publisher: The Lutterworth Press
ISBN-13: 9780718829735
Specifications: 160x160mm, 40pp, Hardback with colour illustrations
Price: £6.25
Publication: December 1998
The Parables of Jesus
by Tomie de Paola
Including seventeen parables told in easy accessible language with bright illustrations, I wanted to be positive about this book. The layout is good; it explains that the parables were simple stories that Jesus told as a way of teaching and leaves it at that, no further explanation needed. It also provides a list of Bible verses where the parables can be found.
In my opinion, however, the illustrations spoil this title as they just don’t appeal. They seem at first glance bright and eye-catching, but all of the children I have shared this book with have not liked some of them and the ones which have been disliked have varied from child to child. This is a shame as the parables are really beautifully told and are open to being encountered again and again. It would probably be more suited for older children of 10 upwards, but again I don’t think the illustrations will appeal.
Publisher: The Lutterworth Press
ISBN-13: 9780718828493
Specifications: 280x220mm, 32pp, Hardback with colour illustrations
Price: £12.50
Publication: March 1992
I Can Talk to God
by Helen Caswell
This is one of the Growing in Faith Library series, all of which are beautifully written and illustrated. I chose this one to focus on as it tackles an issue that young children find difficult: talking and listening to God. One of the things I frequently get asked is how you know it’s God talking to you? How you can hear someone you can’t see? This is answered in this book by saying that we have to listen inside ourselves and we may not always get an answer.
I particularly like the illustrated answer to ‘Why can’t I have a pony?’ The image of a pony in a small child’s bed because they haven’t anywhere else for it to go will hit home. Again, although the answers were good it leaves a lot to be explored with the child. You may need to really think about what you believe before reading this together as it’s sure to bring up some tricky questions.
Publisher: The Lutterworth Press
ISBN-13: 9780718827946
Specifications: 185x120mm, 20pp, Paperback with colour illustrations
Price: £5.25
Publication: October 1989
< Contents