Grandad's Prayers of the Earth [Hardcover]

Douglas Wood (Author), P. J. Lynch (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

A beautiful and moving picture book about the bond between a grandparent and child—and the enduring spirit of love.

"Grandad and I likes to go for walks in the woods together. We didn't walk very far. Or very fast. Or very straight. While we walked, I would ask him questions about things I wasn't sure of. One day, I asked Grandad about prayers.

"'Did you know, boy,' Grandad whispered, 'that trees pray?'"

Grandad is the boy's best friend. Being with him always makes the world seem right. And how vast that world is. A world of tall trees that reach for the clouds and sun and moon and stars—and what else is reaching for heaven but a prayer?

Each time that he and Grandad walk in the woods, the boy listens for the prayers of the earth. And while he isn't always sure he hears them, Grandad's words inspire him to keep listening.

Finally, the boy asks the hardest question of all: "Are our prayers answered, Grandad?"

And, one day, long after Grandad is gone, after many, many prayers, after the boy is grown, he understands Grandad's reply: "Most prayers are not really questions. And if we listen very closely, a prayer is often its own answer."

Douglas Wood, author of OLD TURTLE, has written a wise and moving story for readers of all ages. With paintings by acclaimed artist P. J. Lynch, this beautiful and uplifting picture book just may change your life forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The comfortable conversations between a boy and his grandfather become the springboard for exploring ideas about prayer in this poignant picture book. On their walks together in the woods, Grandad tells the boy that trees, rocks and streams pray, as sure as people do: "The tall grass prays as it waves its arms beneath the sky, and flowers pray as they breathe their sweetness into the air." The boy listens hard to hear the natural world's prayers, but never quite hears them. Later, as he grieves the death of his grandfather, the slightly older boy comes to understand Grandad's messageAin a delicately handled epiphany, he seems to grasp that letting one's God-given beauty shine, and finding the beauty in others and in the world, is a prayer in itself. Readers may well draw other interpretations, but, in any case, will likely view the idea of prayer in a new light. Wood's (Old Turtle) reassuring tone and pleasing imagery serve as a framework for the powerful love between grandparent and child that lies at the heart of this story. These solid elements help make a difficult religious concept somewhat more concrete for children. As Wood's text (wisely) offers no definitive answer to the boy's queries about prayer, it could easily serve as a starting point for family discussions. And perhaps best of all, readers are treated to a peaceful nature walk in Lynch's (The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey) soft, careful scenes of man and boy enjoying rushing streams, quiet twilight skies and brilliant green leaves and grasses glistening in the sun. Ages 6-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-In spectacular double-page outdoor scenes shown from a variety of perspectives, a young boy and his grandfather wander along woodsy lanes, gaze up at towering pines, teeter across a rushing stream, and dream by a lake lit with sunset glow. These beautiful, meditative, realistic watercolors of nature in all seasons are interspersed with close-ups of the two as they talk about prayer. Grandad explains that all earthly beings pray: trees in reaching for heaven, rocks by being still and silent, streams while splashing and flowing, flowers by releasing their fragrance, birds in song, and so on. Human beings pray in many ways, he says, and all of the prayers are valid as long as they are true and heartfelt. When Grandad dies, the boy's prayers, no matter how fervent, can not bring him back. Consequently, he rejects the practice for some time, but eventually turns again to the natural world and begins to hear the prayers of trees, breezes, birds, and waters, just as his grandfather had said he would. The boy, now a teenager, then gives thanks for his grandfather's life, feeling that he is close and the world seems right again. Without mentioning any specific God or belief, the thoughtful text celebrates all creation and is perfectly complemented by the moving, expressive illustrations.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1st edition (October 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076360660X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763606602
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 0.4 x 11.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolutely Beautiful Book, November 15, 2001

By 

Amy (Alexandria, Vatican City State (Holy See)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grandad's Prayers of the Earth (Hardcover)

This wonderful book is deeply spiritual without advocating any one religion. A Christian family could read it together and take as much from it as a Jewish or Pagan family could.

A simple walk in the woods with Grandad plants the seeds of prayer in a young boys heart, seeds which help him grow when his grandad has passed and feels very alone.

"Each living thing gives its life to the beauty of all life, and that gift is its prayer," Grandad teaches gently.

The words are a bit difficult for the very young, but the gorgeously detailed watercolor illustrations seem to facinate all. I would recommend this book to all families who experience a loss of a loved one or who wish to introduce their children to prayer. Bereaved adults might also benefit from this book; reading it brought back memories of my father and walking and talking with him.

Buy this book for your children and read it to them for yourself. You won't regret it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you loved Old Turtle...., August 24, 2000

By 

Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandad's Prayers of the Earth (Hardcover)

Like Wood's book, Old Turtle, this story is more for adults than for the children they'll read it to - the illustrations (a different illustrator) are beautiful, using soft autumn watercolor tones to illustrate grandfather as he speaks with his grandchild about nature, spirit and the connection all people have to one another.

Essentially this is a book about loss, dying and eternal life. It can be a beginning point for a discussion with older children (ages 8 - 16 or so) who have experienced a loss of any beloved friend or family member.

If I had grandchildren, I'd want to have the hardcover book available for them to read. The book is written to offer room for people of nearly any faith (even agnostics) to begin a discussion the meaning of life and dying.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandad's Prayers for the Earth, March 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandad's Prayers of the Earth (Hardcover)

Heartfelt and warm, without going overboard on the emotions. I especially liked the way this book showed the love of the Grandfather for his grandson and vice versa. It's portrays a lasting and wonderful relationship. Perfect for my teenage boys. One of the best picture books I have read. I am sure this will become an instant classic that will stand the test of time. Douglas Wood's writing is concise with perfect timing, he carries the reader immediately into a quiet walk where you can practically smell meadow flowers and hear the trees growing. P.J. Lynch's illustrations are more than beautiful, they carry the tone perfectly and add individual touches of poignant reality to the script.