Faculty Scholarship

Spirit Books: Promoting Conversation with Picture Books

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Children's Spirituality

ISSN

1364-436X

Volume

18

Issue

4

First Page

351

368

Publication Date

11-2013

Abstract

The focus of this article is an annotated bibliography of over seventy select picture books and guidelines for adults reading these books to children ages three through nine. Preceding these is an essay which contextualizes and explains them. Following the bibliography is a set of twenty ‘Guidelines for Reading Aloud and Talking about Books’ to help adults validate and support the spiritual experiences of children. The annotated bibliography – The Spirit Book List– includes picture books which are inclusive, interfaith, and cross-cultural (although all are in English). They have been chosen to stimulate conversation between adults and children ranging in age from three to nine years on spirituality, specifically on the following six themes: (1) The Golden World (awe and reverence in the face of Creation); (2) Alone Unplugged the value of solitude and silence; (3) Widening the Circle (embracing other beings, both animal and human, and recognizing one’s interdependence with other life forms); (4) Wisdom-seeking (seeking true value); (5) Becoming Your Own Person (discovering one’s uniqueness and one’s place in the world); and (6) Peace-making (promoting peace between individuals and countries). All these books also meet high standards for both text and illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Publication Information

Thomas, Trudelle and Lesley Roth. " Spirit Books: Promoting Conversation with Picture Books." International Journal of Children's Spirituality 18. 4, (2013): 351-368

Link to Full Text

Off-Campus Xavier Users

Share

COinS