| According to a recent Pew Research poll on religion, | | | | reading it, I thought it might be too abstract for my |
| a growing number of Americans define themselves | | | | daughter, but she loved it - the rhyming and bright |
| as 'spiritual but not religious'. Those of us in this group | | | | pictures captured her interest. |
| want to introduce our children to spirituality, but | | | | God's Paintbrush, by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso - Written |
| outside of any particular religious context. A good | | | | by the second woman to be ordained as a rabbi, and |
| way to do this is through books. What follows is a | | | | the first to become a mother, this book presents a |
| list of picture books for children 3-9 years old that | | | | series of scenarios and questions designed to help |
| cover spiritual themes such as gratitude, compassion, | | | | children explore different aspects of God. From |
| connectivity, and contemplation, outside of any single | | | | watching clouds, to the changing seasons, to feeling |
| religious tradition. Reading these to your children is a | | | | lonely, this book uses experiences young children can |
| great way to open up discussion about spiritual | | | | readily relate to as springboards for spiritual questions. |
| themes. I have 'tested' them all out on my own | | | | The vision of God that emerges is anthropomorphic |
| daughter, and included her reactions. | | | | in nature, and this may make it more appropriate for |
| The Golden Rule, by Ilene Cooper - "Treat others the | | | | those with Judeo-Christian leanings, but it is most |
| way you would like to be treated", a grandfather | | | | definitely non-denominational, and its exploratory |
| explains to his grandson, in this lovely introduction to | | | | nature left room for a non-affiliated believer like |
| compassion and empathy. Grandpa goes on to explain | | | | myself to feel comfortable. |
| how the golden rule is represented in six different | | | | What is God?, by Etan Bortizer - Designed to answer |
| religions. When I read this to my daughter, the | | | | a child asking 'what is God?', this book provides both |
| real-world examples triggered lots of questions, | | | | a poetic and open-ended vision, and introduces the |
| particularly the picture of a sad little girl on her first | | | | idea of world religions by exploring the different |
| day in a new school. "What would make her feel | | | | ways each view God. It includes a page on each |
| better?" asks the Grandpa in the book, and my | | | | religion's holy books, and even touches on the |
| real-life listener had plenty of ideas - "smile at her", | | | | concept of religious intolerance and disagreement. If |
| "give her a toy", "show her the library", and more. | | | | you have a very orthodox view of God, this book |
| Thank You For Giraffes, by Vivian Husnik - A | | | | might not be for you, but if you consider yourself |
| beautiful introduction to gratitude, told as a little girl's | | | | more interfaith-oriented, it is perfect. It was a bit |
| prayer of thanks. Spiritual but non-denominational, this | | | | wordy for my four-year old, but I think she will grow |
| book expresses thanks not only for things in the | | | | into it. |
| world but also for people, experiences, and joyful | | | | A Child's Book of Blessings and Prayers, by Eliza |
| moments. The pictures are bright and unique, all in | | | | Blanchard - Written by a Unitarian Universalist minister, |
| the form of handmade quilts. This book led naturally | | | | this lovely collection is the perfect way to introduce |
| to a conversation with my daughter about | | | | children to prayer. It includes dozens of child-size |
| everything in her life she is thankful for, and got her | | | | blessings, poems and prayers, drawn from all the |
| thinking beyond the usual 'my toys' and 'my birthday'. | | | | world's major religions, and many other cultural |
| Each Breath A Smile, by Sister Susan - This book is | | | | traditions. Ranging from mealtime to bedtime, |
| based on the teachings of Vietnamese Buddhist | | | | birthdays, holidays and everything in between, you |
| monk Thich Nhat Hanh, and written by a nun in one | | | | will find a little prayer in here to cover just about |
| of his centers. It introduces children to mindful | | | | anything. |
| breathing and awareness, but steers clear of any | | | | Honorable Mentions: |
| explicit religious teachings. The text uses simple, | | | | There are three books by contemporary spiritual |
| repetitive phrases to create a sense of calm, and the | | | | teachers/authors that I enjoy, but they are geared |
| pictures are in soothing but cheerful pastel colors. | | | | for slightly older children (9-12 or so.) However, you |
| Reading it was a meditation in itself, and both my | | | | can paraphrase them a bit for younger children, so |
| daughter and I were noticeably more relaxed at the | | | | they are still worth trying with younger chidren: |
| end. | | | | Milton's Secret, by Eckhart Tolle |
| All I See is Part of Me, by Chara Curtis - "All the | | | | Emma and Mommy Talk to God, by Marianne |
| plants, the animals and trees, Are in your light...and | | | | Williamson |
| you are these." Told from the perspective of a boy | | | | The Little Soul and the Sun, by Neale Donald Walsch |
| in conversation with a star, this book highlights the | | | | Use these books as a way of spurring conversation |
| theme of connectivity. The text is general enough to | | | | with your children, and you can foster their spirituality |
| support any religious denomination, but it does have | | | | while encouraging an interfaith or multi-cultural |
| an explicitly spiritual message about valuing your own | | | | approach. |
| inner wisdom. Although I loved this book upon first | | | | |