Teaching Children a Life of Prayer
A Review of
Sparrow’s Prayer
Roger Hutchison
Illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
Hardcover: Beaming Books, 2023
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Reviewed by Karen Altergott Roberts
Prayer as singing and words, as sharing and helping, as painting and the arts, as dancing and joy are all introduced through the engaging story of Sparrow. Sparrow has trouble praying on a particular day. Very appealing illustrations carry us through the day as he finds new ways to pray. Appreciating nature, reflecting, and speaking Scripture are all ways that Sparrow prayed during the day. The idea that each creature does what God created it to do gently encourages us to think about what people are to do.
Sparrow’s Prayer is a lovely start to an open-minded approach to prayer. The text is well-written and the illustrations give me joy. Children younger than age 5 will be engaged in this beautiful work because of its delightful illustrations. One step for a slightly older audience, would be to include the world religions along with their variations of prayer practices.
Additionally, just as important as reading to the child, this book invites us to listen to our children. The author’s note and his questions for discussion with a child are also valuable. We need to find entry points to open-hearted discussion with children about faith, and this book is one. Let us pray.
Karen Altergott Roberts
Karen Altergott Robertsis a second generation American, first generation to graduate from high school, and familiar with different sides of inequality. She grew up to be an academic sociologist, a parent of three, and, in her40s, a United Methodist pastor. In retirement, she is a reader, a writer, and an artist. She has always yearned for a more egalitarian world, and celebrates kindness, faith, and faithfulness wherever she finds it. To her grandchildren, she is simply Nana.
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