Sacred Places [Hardcover]

Philemon Sturges (Author), Giles Laroche (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2000 | Age Level: 1 and up

Now comes an introduction to some of the most sacred places in the world--highlighting the five major world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity). This book showcases the rich diversity of scale and style in the buildings built for worship and for the celebration of faith. Features twenty-six sacred sites, a world map and an extensive note to the reader on the basic tenets of five religions.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-Places sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, and Muslims are the focus of this striking tour of 28 religious sites around the world (omitting only the South American and Australian continents). After a two-page introduction to the five religions covered, the dual-level text begins. For younger readers, a few words in large type comment on the concept of the sacred and its association with specific places, accompanied by three-dimensional cut-paper illustrations. These necessarily general remarks climax in the observation that "some sacred places aren't made by people at all," and a picture of the night sky. On a second level, each picture has a caption that, although brief, captures specific practices of the religion that considers that site sacred. Simplification means that the differences across sects disappear. A positive emphasis means that cremation is not mentioned in the Ganges caption, and readers glean no hint of conflict around Jerusalem (where the Dome of the Rock "was built-as a symbol of the unity of the three religions that worship the God of Abraham"). Nevertheless, Sturges's open-minded view of religious aspirations is a worthy one. Laroche's rich and detailed art balances architectural impact with situation, use, and cultural context as a photograph could never do. Following Bridges Are to Cross (Putnam, 1998), these amazingly precise, subtly colored, and engagingly textured pictures and concise words show how places in the world can be bridges for the spirit.
Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud. The text is simple and stately: "People all over the world have made special places where they gather to worship, celebrate, meditate, and hope. These are sacred places." Giles Laroche's exquisite paper cuts of places of worship are stately as well, though they are anything but simple. Impeccably detailed and saturated with color, they bring places of worship excitingly to life. Information about the God of Abraham and five other religions, which begins the book, appears on a two-page spread, which means that not everything is explained as well as it might have been. For example, the sentence "Jesus was declared a heretic and was crucified on the cross" could be interpreted as cause and effect. Numerous sites of worship are introduced--pagodas, mosques, Hindu temples, synagogues, and churches. Some sites "aren't buildings at all": the most breathtaking spreads show the Ganges River, where Indians bathe, and an aerial view of the Kabba, in Mecca, where pilgrims come by the millions. The captions sometimes don't give much information; for instance, there is no explanation of the black stone kissed by people making the Haj. But despite some of these missteps, this evokes a feeling of awe--not just for the sacred places but also for the artistry of the book itself. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (October 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399233172
• ISBN-13: 978-0399233173
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Philemon has had a strong appetite for books since he was a boy. He loves to read books and poetry aloud in his booming voice. The father of three grown daughters, Philemon enjoys visiting schools and writing for a young audience. "Everything is new to kids," says Philemon. "it is an honor to introduce them to things -- plus, it's fun!"

A former award-winning architect, Philemon now uses his vision to create books rather than buildings. Philemon had his first book published in 1995 and has published at least a book a year since then. He typically likes to work on two or three new story ideas at a time.

As a boy, Philemon spent many summers at his grandpa's house in Bristol, Rhode Island, where he fell in love with boats and the sea. After a four-year Navy stint in Japan, he moved back to Rhode Island. When he wasn't working on the development of downtown Providence, the waterfront of Newport, or the boat basin on Nantucket, he spent his time sailing, clamming, and riding the waves in his dory, the Dawn Treader. He even spent a year living on an old ferryboat moored in Providence Harbor.

Currently, Philemon splits his time between the city and the country. He can be found at home in the heart of Boston's South End (in a brownstone he redesigned) or out in the charming country town of Princeton, Massachusetts. He lives with his wife, Judy Sue, and his two dogs, Rufina and Giotto. Wherever he is, Philemon enjoys cooking and eating and spending time with friends. (Rufina and Giotto love his leftovers!)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the genius of Giles Laroche, March 15, 2003

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sacred Places (Hardcover)

Giles Laroche's numerous books are magical, and this is one of his best. It is also educational, with a clear and well written text by Philomon Sturges.
There is a short explanation of the great religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and 26 descriptions of the places depicted. A useful world map is on the final page, so one can see exactly where these Sacred Places are.
I have had the privilege of seeing Mr. Laroche's work in a gallery setting, and marveled at its intricacy and inventiveness; his skill in using paper as an art medium is unparalleled (he calls his technique "paper relief"), and as I work with similar tools as a collage artist, I am in awe of his mastery.

The reproductions in this book are excellent, with good color (the tiles of the Dome of the Rock are gorgeous !), and Mr. Laroche's sense of perspective is also wonderful; I found the overview of the Kaaba spectacular and startling, as I never envisioned it as being in the midst of a city. The large vista of Jerusalem is also fabulous, but so are the smaller, simpler pieces, like the Wailing Wall and the Church of Agios Ioannis Theologos, which are two of my favorites.
Children of all ages will be enchanted with this book, for its instructive content, and its whimsical, exquisite art.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing..., September 30, 2001

By 

J. Bilby "littlebibs" (Kingston, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Places (Hardcover)

Wonderful book and the Illustrator, Giles Laroche's work
makes this book so special. I have another book with Giles's
illustrations called "Ragged Shadows" (Halloween) he signed for me while
doing his now famous paper cutting masterpieces at the Shaughnessy
School in Lowell, Massachusetts. Grab "Scared Places" while
you can!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Illustrations, December 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sacred Places (Hardcover)

This book is filled with the most wonderful illustration. We are shown the many different places people worship, and find peace. Just a beautiful book! Thank you