I've been looking forward to reading Everyone Prays, as I appreciate any book that helps kids to understand the similarities between different religions and that expands their understanding of the world. And Everyone Prays does that...to an extent.

The illustrations do indeed show people all around the world, of all different religions, praying in their own ways. Unfortunately, the text accompanying the illustrations is somewhat simplistic. I was hoping for more information about each scene along the way. Instead, all the information on religions and the different scenes in the back is crammed into a text-heavy two-page spread at the end of the book. Yet there were some illustrated pages that had large amounts of white space. Surely a bit more information, even just labels as to the locations or religions, could have been fit throughout the book?

All in all, Everyone Prays shows children what you'd expect, everyone praying, but I would only recommend it for young children, who will mainly want to look at the pictures and won't mind the simplicity and lack of information. For older kids, I'd recommend books with more in-depth information.

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley. ( )

Informs on many types of religions and what others believe compared to one's self.
Age: 4 - 8
Source: Pierce County Library ( )

In a world where difference is all too often seen as threat, Everyone Prays, by Alexis York Lumbard, pulls aside the veil and reveals an important way in which we might all be the same. With bright illustrations to capture a small child’s attention, an astonishing level of authenticity and detail to intrigue older siblings too, and well-written explanations for the adults, this simple book has much more to offer than the average picture book. The text is rhythmic and clear. Together with images it invites questions and uncomplicated understanding, and welcomes readers to a wider world of shared spirituality where, indeed, everyone prays in their different ways.

From cathedral to mosque, from African plain to Temple in Myanmar, from baptism to coming of age, and fasting to washing, the illustrations are firmly anchored in honest depictions of faith around the world. Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and Dome of the Rock bring Jews, Christians and Muslims together in one two-page spread, while Buddhists and Hindus pray by the Ganges River.

A lovely appendix offers symbols and brief explanations of different faiths, together with detailed and fascinating descriptions of the illustrations. The bright pictures will make this a favorite book for small children. The text offers a valuable reading experience. And the combination is a pleasing book to share with family and friends, crossing cultural boundaries, inviting thought, and, calling us all to recognize the beauty of prayer.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and I offer my honest review. It’s beautiful! ( )

0 stars

A children's book to show that many religions pray.

This book had potential that I hope to find well executed someday. This book, however, was more of a list, that was lacking emotion, even in the artwork, and was missing many religions, like nature-based, or polytheistic religions. This book starts with: "Christians, Jews and Muslims all pray, and so do Hindus and Buddhists." It doesn't do anything informative or descriptive besides the labels, and stereotypical pictures, but includes a list in the back asking if you've ever wondered what "Jew" means and then defining it as: "A Jew is someone who follows Judaism, a 3,500 year-old religion based on the Torah, revealed to the prophet Moses on Mount Sinai. The holy book of the Jews is the Tanakh, which is made up of the Torah and other books of the Jewish prophets. A Jewish place of prayer is called a synagogue." As you can see this is not age appropriate, nor faith-informative, and so I would not recommend this book to anyone. ( )