This Little Prayer of Mine [Hardcover]

Anthony DeStefano (Author), Mark Elliott (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: February 16, 2010 | Age Range: 2 - 5 years

Nothing Compares to Childlike Faith
 
I know you're up in heaven, God,
and can hear my voice from there.
I'm just a little child.
Will you answer my short prayer?

So begins this delightful book that affirms God's readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age. 

With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near--watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They'll also learn that prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.

Most importanly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for This Little Prayer of Mine
“Developing friendship with God and dependency on Him is best cultivated when still a child.  Anthony DeStefano’s This Little Prayer of Mine is a great tool for parents to use to help their youngsters learn to talk to God and begin to grow in their relationship with Him even at an early age.” 
— John Bornschein, executive director, National Day of Prayer Task Force

“In an increasingly hectic world, burdens can weigh heavily on even the youngest heart.  This Little Prayer of Mine offers a wonderful reminder about the source of joy and peace, and will draw children nearer to God.  They will learn of His love and care for every detail of their lives – a crucial foundation for a life of faith!”
— Danae Dobson, coauthor of Parables for Kids, Daughter of Dr. James Dobson and Shirley Dobson

“Anthony DeStefano has done it again. This Little Prayer of Mine reaches a younger audience and encourages the little ones to develop a prayer life and hear the voice of God.  As a talk show host I recommend this book as an excellent resource for the home and the Church community.”
— Theresa Tomeo, radio host EWTN Global Radio

“Everyday we must live in a close trusting relationship with God, always looking to Him for comfort and direction through prayer. This Little Prayer of Mine is the springboard for helping children to establish that type of life-long relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Both parents and children alike will praise Anthony DeStefano for this amazing little book.”
— Bernice A. King, Daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. & Coretta Scott King

“Other than breathing, there is nothing more important for any child to learn – and learn deeply and well -- than to pray.  Talking with God should be as easy and natural as breathing and as necessary.  What a blessing Anthony DeStefano’s little book is!”
— Pat and Shirley Boone, entertainers

“What a grace-filled little book! Children who read Anthony DeStefano’s simple yet profound words will gain the confidence that God loves them, individually and personally, through all eternity.  It doesn't get any better than this, dear parents! Amen!”
—Barbara McGuigan, EWTN Voice of Virtue International 
 
 

About the Author

Anthony DeStefano’s books Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven have sold a quarter-million copies. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.
 
Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in many picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 5 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (February 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307458040
• ISBN-13: 978-0307458049
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 0.3 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (164 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of "A Travel Guide to Heaven," "Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To," "Angels All Around Us," and the children's books, "This Little Prayer of Mine," "Little Star," "The Donkey that No One Could Ride," and gift book, "I Just Can't Take it Anymore." He has received many prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture. In 2013, two new children's books by DeStefano will be published: "A Travel Guide to Heaven- For Kids!" and "The Sheep that No One Could Find."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Teach your child to pray February 18, 2010

By J. Holst

Format:Hardcover

God cares about every detail of our lives. This book, in a sweet rhyming format with brilliant illustrations, demonstrates to children just how much. It helps children see they can pray and depend on God for everything.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars they love it February 23, 2010

By Dogmom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sent this to 4 and 6 yr old. Their mom says they have read it every night since getting it (about 1 wk now).

56 of 68 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Cute but last page YUCK! April 13, 2010

By Ryan E. Bedenkop

Format:Hardcover

Literally soaking in this truth, I am splashing my children as well. Isn't this a foundation for everything, to know, dance, and breathe in His love. Imagine my delight when a children's book This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano arrived in my mail. The delightful pictures danced into my heart and I began to read. The last page ripped my heart and I knew it would NEVER be read in my home.

Whimsical text, colorful snapshots of childhood complete with tossled hair and puppy kisses adorn the pages. A simple heartfelt prayer of a little one, revealing how our Abba God delights in the details of life and created childhood to delight all of us. Dreams, mistakes, childhood wrapped in words. Sweetness like "But most of all I'm grateful for your love that never ends" made me smile.

This book almost won my heart and was read to my boys, until alas, I turned to the last page. A simple phrase, seemingly harmless "I'd like to ask again. Please love me God, forevermore" cut to my core. Such a simple mistake, but one that would not be read in my home.

We don't ask God to love us, He already does! We cannot plead for Him to love us forever. He IS love. He created it. It is His nature to love us always. He cannot change who He is. Maybe it's because of all I am learning. Maybe it is because of this mommy's heart fighting to only represent the TRUE nature of God to my boys. Maybe it's because I am wrapped in His love and I only want others to be as well. His love that never fails and cannot be asked for because it already exists in such enormous measure, we just need to believe it.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, beautifully illustrated! March 6, 2010

By Christy

Format:Hardcover

I applaud Mr. DeStefano for this beautifully written book. It is never too early to teach our little ones about God and the importance of prayer and This Little Prayer of Mine gives us the perfect tool to help begin these important conversations with our children.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great teaching tool March 23, 2010

By Mrs. McFadden

Format:Hardcover

This Little Prayer of Mine is beautifully illustrated. It is a great tool in teaching young children how to talk with God. There is not a more important thing that a child can learn than to pray. This book will help you and your child develop a relationship with our heavenly father. I recommend it as a staple in your child's nighttime reading collection. It's not too short, and not too long! It's just right for a bedtime story!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Ok Til the End...then Beware the Terrible Theology April 6, 2010

By Sleepy Beth

Format:Hardcover

I had high expectations for this book - endorsed by the National Day of Prayer and so forth and so on. It starts out innocuous enough, though you rapidly get the feeling that you could be praying to anyone, not necessarily Jesus. Still, up until the last page it was fine and I was enjoying reading it to my 2 year old. The on the last page, the final bit of the prayer is asking for God to continue loving us.

Um. Yeah. God loves us. Period. Not because we ask Him to. Not because we deserve it. Not because of anything other than it's His nature to do so. And we don't have to ask for Him to keep loving us - no matter how much we sin, God loves us. It's one of the central aspects of Christianity; in fact, there'd be no purpose to Jesus' death and resurrection if God didn't love us when we didn't deserve it.

I don't intend to keep this book, though I don't really want to give it to someone else and perpetuate teaching children cruddy theology, so I'm a bit at a loss as I'm not sure I can bring myself to throw out a book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Teaching Honest and Open Prayer to Children March 22, 2010

By Momma C

Format:Hardcover

Anthony DeStefano wants to teach children how to pray. And he succeeds. As parents, we want our children to understand the power and personal communication that prayer is supposed to be. DeStefano uses the child-like prayer in this book to illustrate how open and honest children can be when they pray to God. As far as prayer books go - this has to be the best one that I have read. It is real. Thoughts that a child would have. Thoughts that a child should know that God wants to hear. I like how this book demonstrates a conversation with God. Truly, that is what prayer is. My favorite part of this book is the illustrations. While reading with our children, we spend a lot of time looking analyzing the characters in the story - how are they feeling, why are they feeling that way, what fruit of the Spirit is this person showing or not showing. Even in the simple illustrations, there is a lot of discussion available. The reservation that I have with this book is the last words where the child prayers that God will always love them. A child never has to pray this. No matter what they do, God will always love them.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars This LIttle Prayer of Mine...could be so much better April 8, 2010

By Sarah Ruszkowski

Format:Hardcover

This Little Prayer of Mine: A Review

April 8, 2010 by sruszkowski | Edit

I was excited when I received This Little Prayer of Mine from WaterBrook Multnomah PUblishing Group to Review for them. Prayer is so important to me and my family and I am always looking for ways to teach my son how to pray for himself. A children's book seemed like such a resource.

Let me start with the positive aspects of this book. First, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. My son and I both really enjoyed taking in all the pictures and talking about what they conveyed. Second, this is a very easy to read book that speaks to children on their level about God and how to speak to him in a personal way.

Unfortunately, the negatives outweighed the positives in our household. While this book is easy to read and written for children it also dumbs down theology. I am a firm believer that there is no need to dumb down the truth of the Gospel for our children. They are more in tune than we give them credit for. God is portrayed in a generic fashion. There is absolutely no mention of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and his saving grace that makes it possible for us to pray directly to God in the first place. I was especially upset at the very last page of the book. I did not like at all that the book ends with the child praying for God to continue loving him/her. What?! Of course, God loves him/her and has never stopped loving. In my mind that conveys that God's love can be earned and that is so far from the truth.

If you are looking for a short, sweet book to teach your child about prayer from a simple, generic standpoint this is an excellent book and I recommend it. If you are looking for a meatier book, I do not recommend it.