When I Talk to You: A Cartoonist Talks to God

by Michael Leunig

A person kneels before a duck to reflect upon the troubles and joys of life, and offers thanksgivings and expressions of hope. this search for the human spirit leads to love and a better world.this collection of prayers and drawings is full of gentle humour and evocative language, making the experience of Michael Leunig's world both memorable and moving.this thoughtful collection offers consolation and inspiration. It gently encourages readers to develop an awareness of their inner life and reminds us of the potential of spirituality in navigating the unpredictability of this life.

Genres: Poetry, Art, Literature, Nonfiction, Australia

128 pages, ebook

First published October 27, 2004

About the author

Michael Leunig, typically referred to as Leunig (his signature on his cartoons), was an Australian cartoonist. His works include The Curly Pyjama Letters, cartoon books The Essential Leunig, The Wayward Leunig, The Stick, Goatperson, Short Notes from the Long History of Happiness and Curly Verse, and The Lot, a compilation of his "Curly World" newspaper columns. Leunig also wrote a book of prayers, When I Talk To You.
He was declared an Australian Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia in 1999.

Reviews

[Aggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A person kneels before
a duck to reflect upon the
troubles and joys of life, and
offers thanksgivings and
expressions of hope.
The person is praying.
The mind is on its knees.
This is the yearning of the
spirit which leads to love
and the creative world.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite things I've read in a long time! Lovely, sweet, funny, thoughtful prayers.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I realised what this book was when I picked it up.

Interesting. A bit bleak.

A nice, just before bed read page, book.

[Janice Raquela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Leunig the author of this book is an australian cartoonist. This book has a special place in my heart. A littke book of grateful prayers recounting the simple joys of life.

[~Emmy~ REYN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Very Cute.
I would re read this a few times if it was on my shelf

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was lovely. I borrowed this from Chris. There is not a lot to say about this. The prayers are beautiful. The illustrations are also really cute.

We give thanks for the domestic animals.
Those creatures who can trust us enough to come close.
Those creatures who can trust us enough to be true to themselves.
They approach us from the wild.
They approach is from the inner world.
They bring beauty and joy, comfort and peace.
For this miracle and for the lesson of this miracle, we give thanks

Amen

A person kneels before a duck and speaks to it with sincerity. The person is praying.

God give us the strength.
Strength to hold on and strength to let go.

Amen

[Emily Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful little book this is.
God be with the mother...
May she nourish and protect her inner life...
With great skill and energy we have ignored the state of the human heart...
Go help us to live slowly...
It is time to plant tomatoes...

[Cathy Hasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book...and everything he has written...

[Olive Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favourite books. Intertwines words, images and prayer in such a thoughtful and childlike way.

[Janet Atkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely leunig. Read a prayer a day and put life in perspective.