Amazing Graces: Prayers and Poems for Children [Hardcover]

June Cotner (Compiler), Jan Palmer (Illustrator)

Book Description

This delightful collection of poems and prayers offers children and their parents a personal way to draw closer to God and one another. Selections include tuneless verses by Robert Browning and -Ralph Waldo Emerson and modern reflections from Madeleine L'Engle and Nikki Grimes. The innocent prayers of children and the endearing works of new poets are also included. The carefully chosen words help children express their thanks joys, and concerns as the enchanting artwork shows that you can pray about what is in your heart and on your mind -- anytime at all.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With its gold jacket, small trim size (61/8"x71/2") and sentimental cover art of a cherubic blond boy slumbering with a spaniel, this anthology telegraphs its candidacy for gift-giving. Cotner (editor of adult compilations including Graces and Animal Blessings) assembles prayers and poems from across the centuries written by Christian and Jewish clergy, writers and poets of all ages, from the obscure to notables including Madeleine L'Engle, Robert Browning, Ogden Nash, Albert Schweitzer and Margaret Wise Brown. Poems written by children are interspersed with such favorites as the ancient Breton prayer: "Protect me, O Lord;/ My boat is so small,/ And your sea is so big." Palmer (illustrator of the My First Raggedy Ann and Andy series) favors frontal compositions with Rockwellian overtones: rosy-cheeked children in red boots splash in the rain; a docile boy and girl bow their heads as they sit before food laid upon a child-size table; a woman proudly poses with the pie she's made. Some may feel the pictures border on the saccharine (an illustration of kids sliding down a rainbow, for example, flattens the robust poem it accompanies, Eve Merriam's "Giving Thanks Giving Thanks"), while others may find the nostalgic imagery a fitting tribute to childhood innocence. All ages.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 4-This mixture of 43 simple, nondenominational, well-chosen prayers and poems includes both perennial favorites such as Robert Browning's "Song" from Pippa Passes and Eleanor Farjeon's "Morning Has Broken," as well as a wealth of newer materials specifically directed to children. The short selections are divided into four categories: morning, mealtime, bedtime, and anytime. Predominating are prayers of thanksgiving for grand things such as Nature's beauties and bounties and homey things such as peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, apple pie, and birthday parties. There are also intercessory prayers on topics such as world hunger, new friends, and good sportsmanship. Cheerful watercolor illustrations in a variety of shapes and sizes show idealized, sweet-faced children engaged in daily activities. An introduction with suggestions for usage and a title index are included. Although there are many fine older prayer collections, this one will be a valuable addition because of its fresh material.

Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (September 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688155669
• ISBN-13: 978-0688155667
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

June Cotner is a publishing consultant and the author of 26 books, including the bestselling Graces and Dog Blessings. Collectively, her books have sold more than 850,000 copies and have earned praise in many national publications including USA Today, Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day, and Family Circle. She has appeared on the television programs "Northwest Afternoon" and "AM Northwest." June is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. Through Book Proposal Services, she evaluates nonfiction book proposals and analyzes concepts for books. See "Consulting" at www.JuneCotner.com. Her books have been published by major houses including Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette. She has also enjoyed working with mid-size publishers such as Andrews McMeel, Chronicle Books, and New World Library.

Quotation: "Creativity, for me, involves connections. As an anthologist, I love finding the perfect quote for a specific book. As a publishing consultant, I greatly enjoy helping clients create the best possible proposals to secure excellent advances."

Fun tidbit: June has always loved playing with creative ideas, including starting the first "dormie" powder puff football game at U.C. Berkeley, I ETA PI, that competed against sorority teams and went on to become a football dynasty.

Visit her website at www.JuneCotner.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Genuine Gem, September 6, 2001

By 

Arlene G. Levine (Forest Hills, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amazing Graces: Prayers and Poems for Children (Hardcover)

In AMAZING GRACES June Cotner presents an inspirational, accessible anthology for youngsters and the adults who love them. A rich gold cover with its heartwarming illustration beckons us to enter a peaceful, magical world. The journey continues as Jan Palmer's glorious artwork invites the reader to become part of every page. A seamless read from cover to cover or used specifically for the carefully selected prayers for mornings, meals, bed or whenever, AMAZING GRACES is a joy to hold; just right for little hands! Filled with works that encourage reflection, enjoyment and wonder this genuine gem belongs in every home, classroom and school library. Through the power of its positive words it carries a much needed blessing for today's children and generations to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Genuine Gem, September 6, 2001

By 

Arlene G. Levine (Forest Hills, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amazing Graces: Prayers and Poems for Children (Hardcover)

In AMAZING GRACES June Cotner presents an inspirational, accessible anthology for youngsters and the adults who love them. A rich gold cover with its heartwarming illustration beckons us to enter a peaceful, magical world. The journey continues as Jan Palmer's glorious artwork invites the reader to become part of every page. A seamless read from cover to cover or used specifically for the carefully selected prayers for mornings, meals, bed or whenever, AMAZING GRACES is a joy to hold; just right for little hands! Filled with works that encourage reflection, enjoyment and wonder this genuine gem belongs in every home, classroom and school library. Through the power of its positive words it carries a much needed blessing for today's children and generations to come.