FICTION

Our Father

by Rainer OBERTHÜR
illus. by Barbara Nascimbeni. 58p. Eerdmans. Apr. 2016. Tr $16. ISBN 9780802854681.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 3—This is the story of the Lord's Prayer, filled with discussion points that are appropriate for young children. The book begins with questions about faith that a child or adult may have. Oberthür then turns to the actual Lord's Prayer itself and breaks down what the individual lines might mean. For example, what does "Hallowed be thy name" mean, and how does one explain that to a child? The mixed-media illustrations are colorful and appealing and enhance the topic on each page. The presentation is not specific to any denomination and could be useful in any church setting or home. In a field of many books on Christian faith, this title is a standout that would benefit parents and teachers looking for a good book for Sunday school or to share with a child on their lap.
VERDICT A lovely, family-friendly introduction to faith to be read and discussed one-on-one in a quiet setting.
Reviewed by Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH
Edited and abridged by Rachel Bomberger. A presumably adult narrator offers answers to questions such as "why can't I see God?" and, phrase by phrase, expounds on the words of the Lord's Prayer to teach fundamental Christian concepts. "Hallowed be thy name" opens a treatise on the many names of God. Soft, dreamy folk art–style paintings add child appeal, but they don't do enough to make the abstract text understandable.
 , Jul 01, 2016

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