Customer Reviews

Every Child a Light: The Pope's Message to Young People

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Not only did the photographs in this magnificent production touch the heart, but the words of the Holy Father are emblazoned in our minds for all to see for years to come. His holiness shows his tenderness and love of children in the words and pictures, revealing his compassion, humor, and child-like love.

"Every Child a Light: The Pope's Message to Young People" combines excellent full-color photographs with excerpts from the discourses of Pope John Paul II. The book is edited by Jerome M. Vereb. This book is full of visual appeal. The photographs, which show John Paul interacting with children of various ages, are crisp and full of life. The Pope is effectively depicted as a caring and joyful man.

The book is beautifully designed. The Pope's word's are arranged as poetry on the pages; this nicely complements the photos. The text is drawn from the Pope's global ministry.

The content of the words themselves is often rather bland and vague. Controversial topics are generally avoided. Sometimes the messages are a bit mixed. In one excerpt, for example, the Pope seems to be taking a multifaith tone, praising children for offering each other "a hand / with no regard for color, / social condition, or religion." Elsewhere he seems more theologically exclusive. For example, he claims that "a generous 'yes' to Christian faith / is the purest sense of the fullness of life"--a statement which I'm sure those of other faiths would dispute!

Still, many of the statements are relevant and inspirational to young people of any faith or culture. He tells young people, "The future belongs to you; / for you are the leaders of tomorrow" and challenges them to be "men and women of high principles / and hopes." But the book as a whole is, in my judgment, mainly relevant for Catholic children and adults.

This book has many memorable pictures of Pope John Paul II with
children of many nationalities and backgrounds. The photography
is in spectacular color. There are memorable sayings by the Pontiff; namely, "Young people are the hope for the future."
The photography shows the Pontiff mixing with the crowds at a time
when he still had considerable mobility and good health. The work
will appeal to a wide constituency of followers throughout the
world. The pictures alone are worth the price of the volume.

Every Child a Light: The Pope's Message to Young People, written by Pope John Paul II, is not your usual children's picture book as it does not tell a story. Instead, it is a beautiful collection of his thoughts on faith, life and God's love in relation to children. Almost all the excerpts in the book come from his talks to children and young adults over the years. He offers words of encouragement, love and hope to children and adults of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths.

Although this isn't considered a book of poetry, John Paul's words flow like poetry across the pages. One such excerpt, titled "All Children Are Important," reads as follows:

What is beautiful about you
is that each of you looks at other children and offers a hand
with no regard to color,
social condition, or religion.
You offer your hand to one another. . .
All children are important.
All of them!

What I Like: The book is filled with color photos of the Pope with a child or a group of children. The photos radiate with his love for them. Also, the excerpts are short and easy-to-read.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: The reading level is for ages 9-12. However, younger children would probably enjoy sitting on Mom or Dad's lap, looking at the beautiful photos filled with children. 5 stars.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review