The Kids Book of World Religions

by Jennifer Glossop, John Mantha (Illustrator)

By gaining a greater understanding of the cultures and beliefs of people around the world, children build respect and tolerance for the differences that make each of us unique. With objectivity and accessibility, this title in the Kids Book of series looks at the histories, scriptures, places of worship, religious leaders, gods and major festivals that are the foundations of many of the world's religions. Features a glossary and an index.

Genres: Childrens, Religion, History, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Laura Cockburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Religions around the world can be very fascinating. However, they can also be very complex and many books can just make the subject more confusing. That makes this book an excellent choice for those interested in world religions. Since it is meant for kids, it is simple enough for almost everyone to grasp. The book begins with a general page on the religion and what it is. Afterwards there is a map of the world and which religions are most followed where.
The bulk of the book consists of several pages devoted to each religion. They are divided into sections according to where the religions originated: India (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism), the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism and Baha'i), East Asia (Taoism, Confucianism and Shinto) and religions from other continents (Africa, North America and Australia). These sections not only simplify the book but it also helps the show the similarity some religions have to one another.
Each religion is given basic facts such as history, general teachings, branches and holidays. It does shy away from complex and possibly controversial topics but that makes it appropriate for children. For adults it is a good stepping stone to more in-depth books about religion.

[Tiana]

I really enjoyed this book, out of all the world religion books that I read I really enjoyed Jennifer Glossops world religion book. She starts of by describing exactly what is religions and how many people around the world practice at least one religion. If you are an adult or a child...this book is for you. This book is for all readers and easy to understand. The illustrations are beautiful and they correspond with the text beautifully. I actually learned a few traditions of my own religion that I didn't know. I would definetly include this book in my lesson because I know all children will learn something from this book. Its good for research, learning new things, and enjoyment.

[Eve]

In this informational text about world religions, children learn the basics of the worlds most popular religions, including Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Jainism. This book provides a brief history of each religion, and describes where in the world they are practiced. Children also learn about the festivals, deities, scriptures and places of worship for these religions. Students will also gain exposure to and practice using informational text features, such as an index, glossary, and table of contents.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction to comparative religion for young children. Presents symbols, basic beliefs, major traditions of: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Baha'i, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. For simplicity, just a few branches and sects from each. Also included, three brief descriptions of religions from Africa, North America, and Australia.

[Brunilda Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to religion for kids even adults can benefit from this book. I used this book for my 8 year olds cultural and religious unit study.