The Golden Rule

by Ilene Cooper, Gabi Swiatkowska (Illustrator)

Grandpa explains that the golden rule is a simple statement on how to live that can be practiced by people of all ages and faiths, then helps his grandson figure out how to apply the rule to his own life. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Religion, Inspirational, Middle Grade, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aimed at the younger set, this book examines the meaning behind the "golden rule," and how it is mentioned in nearly every religion. Though some children may appreciate Gabi Swiatkowska's lovely illustrations, I expect most kids will be bored by this.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this more. I love the message, showing how some version of "The Golden Rule" ("Do unto others...") is found in most cultures and religions around the world. So often people tend to focus on the differences among religions, so I appreciate a book that strives to show a kind and peaceful message at the heart of them. However, I just wasn't captivated by the storytelling and the illustrations didn't connect with me either. Sigh. Even though it's not a personal favorite, I do recommend it if you think the premise is appealing. I would like to find more picture books with that idea.

[Allie]

This book is a really lovely, simple, beautiful way to explain the golden rule to younger children. I like that it incorporates an interfaith message and is about a very sweet grandparent/grandchild relationship. Not really a picture book I would use for a story time, BUT one that I would use in life. I think it would work really well in a Baha'i children's class.

[Staci Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for any children's library. It has my two most important aspects that I look for in a children's book: a lesson the child can apply to their own lives and a lesson the child can observe in the world around them. This book is great because it teaches children one of the first lessons about how children and adults are connected: both must follow the golden rule. It also does a fantastic job of connecting a child to those who may be different from them culturally by going through religions and cultures of the world and offering their equivalents of the golden rule. The art style, while a bit dated now, is lovely for what it is. My nephew pointed to a few of the illustrations as ones that he enjoyed, but he was also confused by a lot of them (especially the red splotches on the child's face).

[Michaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells us about the 'Golden Rule,' that we all know of. This would definitely be one of my core books because it discusses how the golden rule is found in every culture, and more specifically, every religion. It's about a boy who knows of the golden rule, but doesn't quite understand what it means. His grandfather explains what it means, in a variety of contexts.

I would use this book for 1st-4th graders. This would be a great book to show to students that we all have one thing in common--to be kind to each other--as the book depicts, how we go about that is about to each one of us, individually. This book would be great for discussion afterward! There is so much that kids can take from this book! I would use this as a text set in my classroom.

[Analissa Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of versions of the golden rule in all religions and cultures because it is a morally accepted virtue. This book explains that in a simple yet meaningful way. It gives ideas of how to practice the golden rule, but it also mentions that you cant make everyone follow it though that is ideal. The world would be a utopia, which is accepted as impossible. This book could teach kids at a young age to treat people how they want to be treated and show them how they can make a difference by following this rule. They can get a sense of how to think before the act to help make better decisions by asking themselves, "Would I want this to happen to me?"

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a simple way to live, by the Golden Rule. The lovely illustrations and the reference to many religions from Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and even Shawnee native Americans, a version of the Golden Rule spans the world and touches all cultures. If only everyone would practice this daily things would be so much better. And it all can begin with you.

[Villain E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the Golden Rule as a philosophy. It's simple and logical and perfect. But this book is just a boy talking to his grandpa. I would have preferred a book full of illustrated examples of the Golden Rule in practice.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kids didn't really like this book but mom did. Mom rates 3 stars.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Rule is a children's picture book written by Ilene Cooper and illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska, which tells a story about a grandfather explaining to his grandson what the Golden Rule entails and answering all his questions about the rule.

Cooper's text is rather straightforward and rather heart-warming. The conversation between grandfather and grandson about the Golden Rule is wonderful, down to earth, incredibly innocent, and amazingly poignant without being too preachy. Swiatkowska's illustrations are phenomenal and reminiscent of oil paintings.

The premise of the book is rather simple – it's a heart to heart conversation between a grandfather and his grandson about the Golden Rule. The grandson's questions about the Golden Rule are filled with childlike innocence and wonderment by the answer. I like the fact that the grandfather explained, while the term and wording of the Golden Rule may be Christian in nature – all major faiths around the world has the same rule, worded differently, but has the same meaning. I also liked how the grandfather taught his grandson how to implement the rule in his life – using examples that his grandson could understand.

All in all, The Golden Rule is a wonderful children's book about the meaning behind the law of reciprocity and how to live by it.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabi Swiatowska's illustrations are beautiful with bright colors and rough brushstrokes making each page a wonder to behold. Ilene Cooper's writing is thought-provoking and inspirational fare centered around the common creed of humanity: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Unfortunately, The Golden Rule is clearly written for adults under the premise of a children's book. The conversational format is hard to follow when read out loud, and the subject matter, while important, is not offered in a narrative format that most kids would actually enjoy. Instead, Cooper presents this information like a spreadsheet with pictures to keep her audience entranced.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version of the book has the most beautiful illustrations. They are exquisite. I always learned that Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The simple book for children illustrates the fact that there is a version of this wisdom in every religious creed. An important book in this period of the world's history when hate is displayed and valued over kindness and generosity. My friend, Ruth Peterson, told me about it. She is sharing it with her senior community at Pennswood Manor. One person made a video of the illustrations, and Ruth will read the text.

A beautiful book for a newborn or young child...for anyone, actually.

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book. Told from a grandfather speaking to his grandson, the book tells of different cultures and religions version of the Christian "Golden Rule." A wonderful story for little children to help them understand that others around the world hold some of the same morals as views and that people, wherever they may be, have a similar concept of how to treat others.

The illustrations were quite charming and reminded me of the early Golden Books.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself really liking this one. The illustrations are a nice complement to the text - adding to it in places, and never distracting from the message.

The message is excellent - not only is it a great way to teach the "Golden Rule" to any child, regardless of background, but it's also a nice opportunity to point out that most world religions have this one simple tenet held up as the most important.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thought this was a beautiful book. It showed how one behavior or "golden rule" is in so many religions and beliefs. The grandfather then has the young grandson take a closer look into what it would mean to put it into practice. Then the what if question came into play- Personal responsibility.

(Last two pages)
But you can't make everyone in the world practice the Golden Rule. There's only one person you can ask to do that."

"You. It begins with you.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a simple children's book about the golden rule. The grandfather does a good job of teaching the little boy how to apply the rule to his life and about how all of the religions teach it. I think it can teach young kids an important lesson. The art, however, was just mediocre in my opinion.

[Carolina Aguiar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is short and simple. It teaches kids the importance of emphathy, of putting themselves in someone else's shoes. It's quite helpful when teaching respect.

I don't like the illustration. It's confusing and too... artistic? Kids are looking for something more simple to connect to, not a blurry face of an old man.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gentle story is presented as a conversation between a boy and his grandfather. His grandfather teaches him about The Golden Rule, and he explains to his grandson that most religions have some version of this simple idea that we should treat others as we want to be treated. The soft illustrations enhance the gentle message.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will try with my CCD class. A grand father talks to his grandson about the golden rule that is written on a wall they walk by. He references how all different religions have the golden rule just with variations and in their wording.
Questions are posed to the boy - examples of how he can live the golden rule in his everyday life. What is everyone in the world followed the golden rule?

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art & lovely interfaith message of kindness. It's definitely a book with a worthy message, I just didn't connect with it (the book, not the message LOL) so much. I think this book would be invaluable in an interfaith setting (groups & community spaces) or in an interfaith home.

3.5/4 stars

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting how this book included various religions' interpretations of "The Golden Rule" besides just Christianity. It may be a simple concept, but to me it is complex. It might be an ideal standard rule to live by, however, it seems unrealistic and almost impossible to never hurt or be hurt by other people.

[Heather Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

The illustrations were gorgeous and the message was beautiful, but this will be a tough sell for young audiences. My 5yo understood it but was turned off by the soft illustrations. I imagine this would be great to read as a whole class social-emotional discussion!

[Kristin Feliciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about treating others the way you wanted to be treated. It lets students know that religions believe in this rule. I like that it can be used in the classroom to set the tone for how your students should treat themselves and others.

[Raul Carranza]

The illustrations in this book are very beautiful which makes the topic of the much more meaningful. This book simply and eloquently educates it’s reader about the Gold Rule and its many other forms it takes in different religions. A must read-aloud book.

[Megan Tracey]

I read this book with my social skills group . I loved how it showed the message of the golden rule and how different religions and cultures around the world have similar messages using different words but, still having the same overall theme of respect. The illustrations are beautiful.

[Alexandria Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I am not the biggest fan of the illustrations but the text of this book was really well written. The message of from this story is obviously The Golden Rule, so I think this book would be good for all ages.

[Axl Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Rule by Irene Cooper reminds students that kindness starts with each of us. It highlights why we should treat others the way we want to be treated and serves as a helpful reminder to always choose respect and kindness.

[Whole And · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Do unto others as you would have done unto you" - a retelling of this message by a grandfather to a grandson. Beautifully illustrations and value.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes an excellent gift.

[بيان · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love
Great book and nice illustrations. Never underestimate children books they are always valuable 💙.