Encyclopedia of World Religions

Usborne Encyclopedias

by Susan Meredith, Leonard Le Rolland (Illustrator)

Updated revamp of this respected textbook offering a balanced exploration of the beliefs, history and customs of the major world religions and many lesser-known faiths. Beautiful photographs and engaging illustrations, maps and diagrams compliment the informative text. With internet links to recommended websites to explore the beliefs and practices of each religion in more detail.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction, Reference, Childrens, Education, Geography

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Susan Meredith grew up in Yorkshire, and when she wasn't playing out or dancing, she was busy reading or making little books of her own, mainly about ballet. She's now written more than 20 real books for Usborne, on subjects ranging from saving the planet to playing football, from world religions to the human body. Her book Growing Up won the Times Educational Supplement's senior information book of the year award but her own personal favourite has to be Hamsters.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book, it is well put together and has a lot of interesting facts. I would recommend it.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer on major religions in the world, their associated traditions and festivals. Recommended for adults and kids alike.

[Jen]

Usborne encyclopedia of world religions. (2012). Tulsa: Usborne Publishing Limited.

Citation by: Jennifer Shepherd

Call Number: Ref 200

Content/Scope: This encyclopedia is intended for 3-8 grade. It offers a balanced exploration of the beliefs, history and customs of the major world religions, as well as many lesser-known faiths.

Accuracy/authority/bias: Usborne is the biggest and most successful independent children’s book publisher in the UK. In February 2014, Usborne was named Independent Publisher of the Year and Independent Children’s Publisher of the Year in the Independent Publishers Guild awards.

Format: The book itself is easy to navigate. There are also well maintained internet links which provide more colorful pictures, information, and downloadable activities for classroom use.

Cost: $42

Professional review: "The Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions aims to help young people satisfy their curiosity about a very important aspect of their world: religions." From Booklist, American Library Association.

[Jennifer Cicchetto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer, or tease-tour if you will, of approximately 24 religions from around the World- past and present. The information was presented clearly and in a neutral non-biased way. There was also a generous number of photos and illustrations to accompany descriptions. I would recommend this as reference material to a child curious of various religious beliefs, or to anyone as a jumping-off point to delving into further knowledge in theology.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulous, respectful overview of the dozens of religions throughout the world, will open your eyes to the abundance of beliefs out there. Fascinating facts I learned:

While the two predominant religions of the world are Muslim and Christianity at each around 1,000 Million followers, there are several sects and varied beliefs among them.

Some religions I've never heard of, like "Shinto", still have over 100 Million followers!

It puts things in perspective. That over the past 35,000 years since people evolved religion, there has been vast and numerous ideologies, practices and beliefs, gods, and myths that have come and gone. And lots of killing, wars and sacrifices have been done in the name of religion.

It is also noteworthy that lots of good has come from different aspects of different faiths. But when ideology trumps reality, bad things can happen.

This is an excellent book, and awesome photographs. Excellent for children.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with knowledge and beautifully illustrated as is common in the Usbourne series. I’m an adult but gained more knowledge. Couldn’t get my 11 year old interested but hopefully she will be intrigued one day. Often schools don’t teach religion where I live so I found this very useful.

[Ele · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good overview on world religions with a non-euro-centric viewpoint with just as much on non-monotheistic religions as there is monotheistic (if not more), like Hinduism and Buddhism. My biggest complaint is that it mostly focuses on the large religions without much on those of Native Americans, Mayans, Aborigines, etc, and not enough about holidays celebrated. It gives a basic, neutral overview of each religion that would in no way influence the reader's opinion for or against any religion depicted.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting and informative

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice overview of world religions. Learned some basic tenets of many religions that I was ignorant of.

[Michelle Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most people don't know about other religions and make negative assumptions.`

[Hash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concisely excellent!

[Karen Bendzus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. It explains many different religions in a interesting and easy to understand form

[Amy Bodkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done. They really took their time to understand each religion from their own perspective!

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

More pictures than prose, which neither my kids or I liked. Very disjointed, yet informative.

[Erik Akre · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a book aimed at younger readers, I found an interesting recap and refresh of many things I've learned about religion over the years. The adult may enjoy indulging in a book like this: colorful layouts and photos, information somewhat simplified but fairly broad as well. It's a great book for review of the world's religions--a great launching point for more thorough studies. I found it to be a treat.

I read it for those reasons, but also as a teacher looking for material for 3rd graders. I would recommend it to teachers especially as a way to back up conversations with a good feel for the topic.

Like many of the Usborne books, it is beautiful. For adults looking for a review, or children discovering new information, it allures, and it intrigues. I would simply call it "an engaging, fun way to learn about the world's religions."

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, easy to understand. If you want to know the basic ideas and beliefs of the main religions of the world this is a great book. It gave me a good well rounded background.

[Shiu Ny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to teach your child about the religions along with its simple picture and details in it.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This balanced presentation forms a good introduction to major and some minor religions as well as religions from the past; the internet links are useful.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written for childern. I bought it for a gift but liked it so much I kept it. It very simply explains all the world religions. It's a keeper!

[Manuel A. Crespo-Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a 'must have'. Comfortable to read, precise in words and beautiful images, this book gives insight about how different religions behave and percieve the Beyond.

[Paula Mourille · Rating 3 out of 5]

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