The Kingfisher Book of Religions: Festivals, Ceremonies, and Beliefs from Around the World [Hardcover]

Trevor Barnes (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Kingfisher Book Of

The Kingfisher Book of Religions is a comprehensive, up-to-date reference that will help children understand the role played by religion in today's multi-cultural society, and explain its influence on world events and history. Special focus on the role religion plays in children's lives. Richly illustrated with full-color photographs, maps, and artwork, and accompanied by an engaging and informative text, The Kingfisher Book of Religions brings to life the cultures of the world's major faiths. From the ritual shaving of the heads of young Buddhist monks in Burma to the Whirling Dervishes of Turkish Sufism, The Kingfisher Book of Religions offers a wide-ranging view of not only the major world religions, but also many less well-known belief systems, past and present. Special Features: Illustrated features highlight festivals, customs, ceremonies, traditions, and clothing. Easy-to-understand articles discuss the various faiths, religious founders, rites, and rituals. Glossary andc omprehensive index.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-9-Thoughtfully arranged in short chapters and brightly illustrated with sharp, full-color photographs and reproductions, this attractive book encourages browsing. While ancient and "modern-day" religions receive only a single chapter each, the major religions are treated in greater depth, with only Shinto, Jainism, and the "Chinese religions" receiving short shrift. The three major "Western" religions-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-together account for nearly half of the book. This cluster includes an introduction to each religion as well as special focus on such topics as "The Torah," "The Trinity," "The Koran," and other important aspects of these faiths. The great religions of India-Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism-likewise form another cluster. There are a few errors or misstatements, such as that Joshua was Moses's brother and that the hijra took place in 1622 (rather than in 622), but overall the presentation is evenhanded and positive. One exception, however, is Barnes's characterization of the Ten Commandments as "basic principles that even non-Jewish societies should follow for their own good." Whether or not this comment was directed at the current political volley over the public posting of the Commandments, it is likely to offend anyone who does not worship Yahweh or keep the Sabbath. Nevertheless, this resource is a worthwhile addition.
Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The book jacket states that this guide to world religions focuses "particularly on how they affect the lives of the children who practice them today." However, though there are scattered photographs of children participating in religious activities, children are not particularly emphasized in the text. The format and layout, in a style familiar from DK's Eyewitness series, is attractive and enticing, with each religion presented in a two-page spread and at least one full-color illustration per page. There are 12 chapters, each covering a different theme ("Ancient Religions," "Chinese Religions,") or tradition (Shinto, Christianity, Islam). Within chapters, arrangement is topical. Among the topics are "Hindu Gods and Goddesses," "Life in a Buddhist Monastery," "The Jewish Calendar," and "Islamic Law and Science." Sidebars add bits of information, such as "The Seder Meal" and "The History of Easter Bread."

This work lacks detail, and the coverage tends to be uneven. Buddha's Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path are listed in sidebars, but the Ten Commandments are not. Religious festivals, a favorite research topic, are mentioned in one chapter and not in the next. On the plus side, the sections on Aborigines, Native Americans, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism reflect changing cultural awareness. Excellent features include the illustrations and the pie chart and time line in the introduction. More comprehensive than Mary Pope Osborne's One World, Many Religions (Knopf, 1996), this volume is recommended as an attractive introduction for libraries serving intermediate and middle-school students.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Kingfisher (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753451999
• ISBN-13: 978-0753451991
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #917,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, March 4, 2011

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CKG - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kingfisher Book of Religions: Festivals, Ceremonies, and Beliefs from Around the World (Hardcover)

This book was used during a workshop for kids. The information is easy to understand and very general in content. I would have given a 4 star rating, but the book I received had pictures removed from at least 10 pages of the book.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very informational book, May 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kingfisher Book of Religions: Festivals, Ceremonies, and Beliefs from Around the World (Hardcover)

This is a good book that is easy to read and understand. It is great for pre-teens and teens who need information about world religions for a report. It has every religion you could think of and a lot of information about them. There are a lot of really great pictures too. This is a must have for any teacher or school library.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book about religion for pre-teens to teens., May 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kingfisher Book of Religions: Festivals, Ceremonies, and Beliefs from Around the World (Hardcover)

This book is really informative and easy to understand. It is a must read for school reports on any world religion. It has information on even the smallest religions in the world. It is easy to read and it get's right to the point. I highly reccomend this book if you need information about world religions.