A World of Faith

by Peggy Fletcher Stack

 This book, cosponsored by the SLOC Interfaith Roundtable, introduces the remarkable and diverse world of faith to a new generation. It is meant to be a glimpse, a taste, an awakening. Each page opens with a story that tells about the origins of a particular religion or denomination. The author talks about founding events in a simplified way, using the language of the religion/church under consideration. In discussing current practices, the focus is on infancy, coming of age, worship, and marriage rituals. Each page has been read by scholars and clerics from each religion to guarantee both accuracy and tone. The illustrator has chosen images that are representative of the rich heritage associated with each religion. She emphasizes scenes that include children at church, which illustrate differences and similarities in the way the world worships. The book is praised by former U. S. president Jimmy Carter who writes that the “concise, descriptive text and beautiful illustrations” make the book an “informative and entertaining resource for children and adults.” He is joined in his sentiment by Joan Campbell Brown, general secretary of the National Council of the Churches in Christ in America (“an attractive, sensitively written book”), and Charles C. Haynes, senior scholar, the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center (“a book that simply and accurately introduces children to the world’s religions” that is “lively and beautiful”).

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books

64 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

With my work for The Parliament of the World's Religions, I have had numerous amazing experiences and relationships with people of other faiths and within the Interfaith Roundtable. This book and the Roundtable are some of the legacy from the work done for the hosting of the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

This is a lovely collection of the representative religions in this area. Every entry has an illustration to symbolize that religion and a brief summary of their beliefs. Besides being a teaching tool, having these diverse faiths bound together in this book symbolizes the beauty of interfaith work and discovering the commonalities and the unique tenets between each.

[Monica]

overview of faiths from young elementary perspective

[Paul Vogelzang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The topic of religion is complicated, obviously, and author Peggy Fletcher Stack does a great job making it less so. Great book!

[Karol K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple way for most to learn about the 27 religions. I picked it up due to the 1 page brief description of each religion. I enjoyed that it was written for young people. I recommend it for the curious.

[Lachelle]

Recommended as a good book to teach children about world religions.