Let There Be Light: Poems and Prayers for Repairing the World [Hardcover]

Jane Breskin Zalben (Author)

Book Description

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

Dear God,/Be good to me./The sea is so wide/And my boat is so small.

This prayer of a Breton fisherman is just one of the many simple yet profound pieces collected in this volume designed to give readers sustenance, hope, and strength. The poems and prayers represent a broad spectrum of faiths from around the world, among them Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, and African, Inuit, and Native American traditions. Inspiring quotes from Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, and anonymous sources are included as well. Paired with striking and evocative collage artwork, these timeless writings will promote unity as they provide comfort to young and old.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 5-An introduction explains the inspiration for Zalben's title and selections-a 16th-century Jewish legend in which humans are created to find the shards and rebuild the vessels that had shattered from the weight of containing God's holy light. Their actions would "repair the world." The sacred verses are culled from sources representing a variety of cultures and time periods, including the Bible, Koran, Native American and African prayers, as well as holy men such as the Dalai Lama, Lao-Tzu, Buddha, and St. Francis of Assisi. Zalben's mixed-media illustrations incorporate rice paper from Japan, papyrus from the Nile, and paper made from the bark of African and Middle Eastern trees. The artist imitates a wide range of styles, from Persian miniatures to Matisse cutouts, furthering the sense of global inclusion. Most are quite well executed; a few are less successful. Clearly a response to September 11th (although the day is not actually mentioned), the book offers much to consider about peace and character in any environment in which spiritual conversations are encouraged.
Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 2-6. Zalben offers a distinctive collection of short, inspirational writings gathered from many cultures and religious traditions. Selections include passages from the Bible, the Qur'an, and the writings of Lao-Tzu, the Buddha, Native American peoples, St. Francis of Assisi, the Shona of Zimbabwe, the Dalai Lama, and Mahatma Gandhi. Each piece is illustrated with one or two pages of artwork--sometimes delicate, precise paintings, sometimes bold paper-cut collage, sometimes a combination of the two. Even the art incorporates materials from around the world, such as Egyptian papyrus and Japanese rice paper, which Zalben has cut, torn, painted, and digitally manipulated to make illustrations that can differ in style from one another, but suit the writings they illustrate. A simple collage flower shown growing from seed to withering plant in one picture illustrates the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1-9; in another an Asian wall hanging complements a saying of the Buddha. The positive message of this anthology of poems, quotations,and prayers, with thoughtful selections and creative illustrations, shines through like the sun that warms the world's children on the jacket illustration. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (August 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525469958
• ISBN-13: 978-0525469957
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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