Bless the Beasts: Children's Prayers and Poems About Animals [Hardcover]

June Cotner (Author, Compiler), Kris Waldherr (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Children love animals, their connection with animals fosters respect for creation and humanity. These inspirational prayers and poems offer graceful words of personal observation, joy, and concern about their favorite creatures, from the cuddliest pets to the wildest beasts.

Filled with over 30 lavishly illustrated reflections to suit any mood, this interfaith collection includes thoughtful, funny, and profound poems and prayers by such beloved writers as Carl Sandburg, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jane Yolen, and Rudyard Kipling—along with fresh offerings from newer poets and a sprinkling of heartfelt prayers written by children themselves. Together they provide an accessible door to a childs spiritual life and development of compassionate values.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-This well-intentioned effort suffers from an uneven selection of material. A wide range of poets is represented, from Carl Sandburg to Rebecca Kai Dotlich (whose "Dragonfly," "-with wings that you/could whisper through," is quite lovely). Unfortunately, though, some of the writing doesn't work as well (in Deena Rae McClure's "Barnyard Praise," for instance, the rhythmic flow and strong language of good poetry just isn't there: "The rooster crows, the hens "Cluck! Cluck!"/It's time to go to the chicken hut"). A few poems by children are included. The overall sentiment is nondenominational, emphasizing gratitude, respect, and wonder. The sweet illustrations are done in soft colors, but do not show much genuine emotion or substance. If your library has a large market for inspirational materials, consider this title. Otherwise, stick with some of the excellent collections already available, such as Reeve Lindbergh's In Every Tiny Grain of Sand: A Child's Book of Prayers and Praise (Candlewick, 2000), which includes several verses about animals.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library,
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A thoughtful way to teach important concepts." -- Dr. Robert A. Taylor, featured on Animal Planet's

"A wonderful book...that will not only delight thereader but will also stimulate valuable conversations between parent and child." -- Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul

"Bless the children who love the animals, and June Cotner who compiles writing so beautifully about them." -- Tippi Hedren, mother of Melanie Griffith and director of The Shambala Preserve for animals in the Mojave Desert

"Children and animals have a wonder-filled connection. Bless the Beasts is a lovely book with glowing words to honor that." -- Mimi Doe, author of Busy But Balanced and columnist for Beliefnet.com

"I can't think of a child--or adult--who wouldn't benefit from the simple, eloquent wisdom found in Bless the Beasts." -- Paul Irwin, President & CEO of The Humane Society of the United States

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Reinforced trade ed edition (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587171767
• ISBN-13: 978-1587171765
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,623,061 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honoring Connections, October 16, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Bless the Beasts: Children's Prayers and Poems About Animals (Hardcover)

The innate attraction of children for what is true, kind and beautiful can be seen in their love of the natural world. On the exquisitely illustrated pages of BLESS THE BEASTS intriguing insects, family pets, farm animals, artic dwellers and creatures of the sea and skies fill young minds with curiosity, awe, laughter and an enhanced understanding of their humanity. Anyone wishing to encourage and honor the connection between humans and God's creatures whether they splash, creep, crawl, prance, hop or flutter will find a treasure in this creatively collected anthology. Surley many of these accessible yet thought provoking poems and prayers will find a permanent home in the hearts of children and adults who share the joy of reading them again and again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS, September 11, 2002

By 

Shirley Nelson (Port Orford, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bless the Beasts: Children's Prayers and Poems About Animals (Hardcover)

From poems about birds by Carl Sandburg and Victor Hugo to a poem about horses dancing by Paula Timpson, BLESS THE BEASTS is a feast for animal lovers. Other famous authors, such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Jane Yolen, and many not-so-famous adults and children have shared their love for pets or their admiration for wild creatures in this beautiful collection by June Cotner. Illustrations by Kris Waldherr are so lifelike you will want to stroke the fur or feathers.

If you've ever been owned and loved by an animal or you have a strong empathy with wild animals or birds, this book is a must for your library. Take your cat onto you lap and curl up with it....

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable and inspirational children's picture book, November 15, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bless the Beasts: Children's Prayers and Poems About Animals (Hardcover)

Bless The Beasts: Children's Prayers And Poems About Animals is an enjoyable and inspirational children's picture book, illustrated with gentle full color artwork illustrating a series of prayers to God on behalf of humble animals. Bless The Beasts is highly recommended as a delightful, gentle and emotionally moving anthology of spiritual verse for young readers. "Dear God,/You protected the lamb following Mary to school/the mouse running up and down the clock/even the cow jumping over the moon."