Sacred Places

by Philemon Sturges, Giles Laroche (Illustrator)

Describes various types of space which are sacred to the five major world religions, including churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other shrines. By the creators of Bridges Are to Cross.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Travel, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2000

About the author

Philemon Fowler Sturges III was an architect and author based in Rhode Island. He trained at Princeton University. He wrote children's books from 1995 until his death in 2005.

Reviews

[Jennifer Wadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous paper relief illustrations offer helpful visual content to supplement the well researched and unbiased text. This book can be shared with all ages in family. Maps and historical data make this an appropriate and important resource for world geography/cultures.

[Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To Elevate the Eye and the Soul”

This informative work of non-fiction represents another collaboration by author and illustrator. Focusing on five major world religions the talented team presents a 40-page picture book which offers intellectual and architectural commentary on man’s response to God: in other words--organized religion. Clever, small icons indicate which religion is being discussed before the reader even starts on a given section.

All these religions are presented without bias, for the author wishes to emphasize human creativity; why certain architectural styles are designed to raise the eye and thoughts heavenward. Brief discussions on each two-page spread offer thoughtful insight into the variety of uses which Man makes of the special structure which he has purposely created: to contemplate, celebrate, petition, confess, cleanse the soul and the body, bless and build intimacy—with God and his fellow men. An excellent literary starting point for classroom discussion of religion. Non preachy or judgmental this slender volume deserves a place in every classroom library.

(December 24, 2013)

[Marigold Bookhound · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacred places from five major religions - Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism - are depicted, written briefly about, and tied in to a broader narrative that explains the worth, connections, and differences between sacred places across religions. Inspiring text and breath-taking illustrations make this book marvelous to read and experience. I wish there had been more representation of sacred places on the South American, African, and Australian continents, however, or at least been some explanation as to why they were largely unrepresented. There were just two sacred places in Africa included, and NO sacred places from South America or Australia were included. Of course, the author and illustrator had to limit the scope of the places they covered. For this I do not blame them! But I would have loved to see them acknowledge that there are hundreds of thousands of sacred places that fall on other continents and are part of other religions that they couldn't include realistically. Just an acknowledgement would suffice!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful book that focuses on several sacred places for five world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What I like most about it is that it can work on two different levels. There's lots of information in small print on each page about each place and its history and significance in one or more of the five religions, but there's also large, bold text on each spread that is very simple and makes a general comment about the sacred place featured. The overall effect is that the audience is expanded greatly to include preschoolers through middle schoolers.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully detailed paper relief illustrations!

[Erica Eyestone]

Showed some different locations with temples, churches, etc. that different people hold sacred with some explanation. Not my favorite.

[Buxmont Uu]

PBWR 1