Because Nothing Looks Like God (Hardcover)

by Lawrence Kushner (Author), Karen Kushner (Author), Dawn Majewski (Illustrator) "God is the beginning..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-This gentle book is designed to be "the beginning of a continuing conversation between adults and children about the world and God." Nonsectarian and multicultural, the text suggests a divine presence rather than anthropomorphizing, by utilizing simple questions such as "What does God look like?" and "How does God make things happen?" to guide youngsters' understanding of this very abstract concept. The result is more a feeling than an answer, with God primarily represented by several easily understood metaphors such as the wonder of nature ("God is in-caterpillars chewing leaves from daisies,/And in worms turning leaves into earth"), and the loving cooperation of a family ("See sisters taking turns on the slide,/And brothers sharing a new game"). Clearly there is no way to explain certain aspects of God, thus parts of the text seem beyond the grasp of younger readers ("God is wherever we let God in"). However, because the Kushners' intent is to explore rather than describe God, there is room for children's own spiritual awareness to grow. Watercolor illustrations are simple, bright, and nicely textured, portraying people of all ages in friendly and caring situations. Similar in tone to Virginia L. Kroll's I Wanted to Know all about God (Eerdmans, 1994), this book provides children of many faiths with a bridge between the tangible and spiritual world.-Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 3-7. How do you know there's a God? What does God look like? Where is God? These philosophical questions can leave adults groping for simple, comprehensible replies. With responses drawn from the familiarity of youngsters' everyday experiences, the Kushners provide answers: God is "in worms turning leaves into earth." God is where people come together for hugs and kisses. "God is wherever we let God in." Children are reassured that although many things cannot be seen, their presence can be felt: cool breezes on a hot night and feelings such as pride, worry, and love. The answer to the final question, "How does God make things happen?" empowers children to do God's work: siblings sharing, playmates helping each other, people donating money or time to those in need. In their overzealous effort to portray the universality of the authors' concepts, the illustrations jarringly offer too-literal scenes and juxtapose pictures (e.g.. nighttime and daytime) with no borders to ease the transition. Glaringly intense colors accentuate, rather than soften, the stiffly drawn characters. It's Majewski's nature panoramas that are most effective in underscoring the meaningful messages in this valuable book. Ellen Mandel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158023092X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580230926
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #415,720 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #69 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Fiction > Jewish

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't Talk Down to Your Kids, December 3, 2000

By	Sharon O Sims (anywhere USA) - See all my reviews

I've looked many years for a book that is spiritual, but doesn't talk down to kids, to share with my many grandchildren. There is another: "God's Paintbrush" but we have read it so many times that I needed something new. This is it! A wonderful, delightful exploration of who God is, and what God does in the world through us. Cuddle up to your grandchildren with this one.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A children's theology book to cherish, December 29, 2007

By	Doting Aunt "Francie" (Evansville, IN) - See all my reviews

Introduced to this book a few years ago by a friend's rabbi during a children's sabbath celebration, my husband and I were quite impressed. The art is so inviting to look at. But more importantly, the content is worth sharing with children you want to share a positive image of faith with very early on -- whether they are children who share your own religion or are in another religion that you respect.

We are Christian and have now shared this lovely book with children in our congregation, children in other Christian denominations (both Catholic and Protestant) and children being raised with Jewish traditions. We hope it will be a blessing to many -- adults and children -- as it has been to us.