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Guru Nanak: First of the Sikhs
Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion, is the first in a line of ten enlightened gurus, or teachers, whose writings form the sacred scripture of Sikhism. Born into a humble Hindu family, Nanak was an extraordinary child who from a young age questioned the rituals of religion and the ways of the world around him. At the age of twenty-seven, he embarked on an inspired mission that took him from the sacred Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Tibet to the holy city of Mecca in Arabia. Today the Sikh religion numbers as many as 25 million followers worldwide and Guru Nanak is revered by Hindus and Muslims alike.
- GenresPicture Books
40 pages, Hardcover
Published July 1, 2021
About the author
Demi
183 books178 followersDemi (September 2, 1942) born Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt, is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. During her career she has published over 300 titles.
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the great-grand daughter of the American painter William Morris Hunt, and the great-grand niece of architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi earned her nickname as a young child when her father started calling her demi because she was half the size of her sister.
She studied art at Instituto Allende, Mexico, and with Sister Corita at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She was a Fulbright scholar at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India where she received her Master’s degree.
Demi is known for her biographies for spiritual figures including Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.
In 1990, Demi and her husband Tze-si “Jesse” Huang represented the United States at the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing.
Source: Wikipedia
Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the great-grand daughter of the American painter William Morris Hunt, and the great-grand niece of architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi earned her nickname as a young child when her father started calling her demi because she was half the size of her sister.
She studied art at Instituto Allende, Mexico, and with Sister Corita at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She was a Fulbright scholar at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India where she received her Master’s degree.
Demi is known for her biographies for spiritual figures including Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.
In 1990, Demi and her husband Tze-si “Jesse” Huang represented the United States at the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 30, 2026
The Story Of Guru Nanak For Children
Guru Nanak (1469 -- 1539) was the founder of the Sikh religion which today numbers over 25 million adherents. The story of Guru Nanak and his teachings are related in this beautiful children's book, "Guru Nanak: First of the Sikhs", written and illustrated by Demi, a celebrated author of over 300 children's books, many on spiritual themes. The book is designed for children between 4 and 8 year of age.
The book uses Sikh legends and poetry to tell the story of Nanak centering upon his teachings of "the worship of one God, treating everyone equally, honest work, sharing, and service." The first half of the book tells of Nanak's birth and Hindu childhood which culminates in an epiphany in which Nanak is called to heaven. He learns:
"There is but one God,
the sole supreme Being,
and the ultimate reality.
True is His Name."
In the second part of the book, Guru Nanak travels for twenty-five years and spreads his message of "one God, universality, and equality" to many lands, to people of different faiths, and to people from all walks of life and social classes. Nanak sings a hymn:
"God is everywhere, in every direction.
And the true God is within."
The story concludes with Guru Nanak's death on September 22, 1539. The book includes a map showing the travels of Guru Nanak together with a short summary of the basic teachings of Sikhism.
This book is inspiring to read and will give children and their adult readers much to discuss. Many readers will likely be unfamiliar with the Sikhs and will be surprised to learn of the relatively recent origin of Sikhism. Children can think about Guru Nanak and his message.
This book is part of a series of children's books published by Wisdom Tales which explores religious and spiritual teachings from around the world. I think it valuable for children, and adults, to learn and to think about the diversity of spiritual traditions. The book about Guru Nanak is both valuable for itself and valuable for its place in a series of children's books exploring different spiritualities. I have learned a great deal from reading and from having the opportunity to review these books over the years. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
Guru Nanak (1469 -- 1539) was the founder of the Sikh religion which today numbers over 25 million adherents. The story of Guru Nanak and his teachings are related in this beautiful children's book, "Guru Nanak: First of the Sikhs", written and illustrated by Demi, a celebrated author of over 300 children's books, many on spiritual themes. The book is designed for children between 4 and 8 year of age.
The book uses Sikh legends and poetry to tell the story of Nanak centering upon his teachings of "the worship of one God, treating everyone equally, honest work, sharing, and service." The first half of the book tells of Nanak's birth and Hindu childhood which culminates in an epiphany in which Nanak is called to heaven. He learns:
"There is but one God,
the sole supreme Being,
and the ultimate reality.
True is His Name."
In the second part of the book, Guru Nanak travels for twenty-five years and spreads his message of "one God, universality, and equality" to many lands, to people of different faiths, and to people from all walks of life and social classes. Nanak sings a hymn:
"God is everywhere, in every direction.
And the true God is within."
The story concludes with Guru Nanak's death on September 22, 1539. The book includes a map showing the travels of Guru Nanak together with a short summary of the basic teachings of Sikhism.
This book is inspiring to read and will give children and their adult readers much to discuss. Many readers will likely be unfamiliar with the Sikhs and will be surprised to learn of the relatively recent origin of Sikhism. Children can think about Guru Nanak and his message.
This book is part of a series of children's books published by Wisdom Tales which explores religious and spiritual teachings from around the world. I think it valuable for children, and adults, to learn and to think about the diversity of spiritual traditions. The book about Guru Nanak is both valuable for itself and valuable for its place in a series of children's books exploring different spiritualities. I have learned a great deal from reading and from having the opportunity to review these books over the years. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
August 27, 2023
A nice little book that gives an overview of Guru Nanak’s life and stories surrounding him. It’s a good place to start to get some quick details but focuses a lot on miracle stories and less on the actual things he said. Also sometimes the drawings didn’t match the story (eg. says he grabbed the reigns of Babur’s horse and the image is an elephant).
3.5/5
3.5/5
November 18, 2021
Kid 1 picked this off a display at the library and I'm not a fan. The art is beautiful but the story repeatedly centers on moments when Guru Nanak explicitly repudiates and/or belittles core beliefs of other faiths (Hinduism and Islam).
August 20, 2021
A wonderful introduction to Guru Nanak. I think in this case that it would have added to the interest of the book to have had more information about the Sikh religion.
January 19, 2022
6 Stars
March 30, 2026
Beautifully illustrated with many interesting and thought-provoking stories.
January 30, 2022
It is about Guru Nanak, who is known as the founder of Sikhism. We enjoyed reading about his travels and the miracles that happened. My 7 year old loved the colorful illustrations, and I liked the information about Sikhism. The map of Guru Nanak’s travels is also great! This is a great book to pick up to learn about a different religion.
July 30, 2024
Interesting book. I knew nothing about Sikhs until I read this. Sikhs are a group that believes in the one God. They are not polytheistic. It sort of sounds like this person just woke up knowing god and Demi didn't make it sounds like he was raised in any prior religion. His father was sort of like the Buddhas. He wanted him to be a business man. He would just give the money away instead of investing it saying what better investment than helping people.
It's a very honorable religion, especially in that day with the punishing caste system in India. He believed you treat everyone equally, not matter their job, color or gender. Several miracles are recorded here.
Something was going on in the middle ages all over the world. Maybe they all needed miracles, but all over there are people, saints and gurus, etc that performed these miracles to help people. It's so interesting the 1000s to like the 1500s in the world. There is Theresa of Avilla and St Francis and just all sorts of people. Nanak was born in 1469 and lived until 1539 when his soul left his spirit and his body became flowers.
He traveled all over the middle east for miles and miles and he confronted many religions and their rules. Barbar the great was attacking and he went up to him to stop the war. He didn't stop the war and ended up in jail, bu the performed miracles and was freed.
He left his family behind while he was a wandering prophet. That must have been difficult on his wife. He had children. I wonder if is line still exists today.
Demi said that are 25 million follows of Sikhs. They seem very peaceful and sharing like monks and nuns.
The artwork here is all Demi and what we come to expect from her. There was one line where she talks about Barbar on his horse and yet she drew and elephant. I thought that odd.
Demi focuses on interesting people. I learned something.
It's a very honorable religion, especially in that day with the punishing caste system in India. He believed you treat everyone equally, not matter their job, color or gender. Several miracles are recorded here.
Something was going on in the middle ages all over the world. Maybe they all needed miracles, but all over there are people, saints and gurus, etc that performed these miracles to help people. It's so interesting the 1000s to like the 1500s in the world. There is Theresa of Avilla and St Francis and just all sorts of people. Nanak was born in 1469 and lived until 1539 when his soul left his spirit and his body became flowers.
He traveled all over the middle east for miles and miles and he confronted many religions and their rules. Barbar the great was attacking and he went up to him to stop the war. He didn't stop the war and ended up in jail, bu the performed miracles and was freed.
He left his family behind while he was a wandering prophet. That must have been difficult on his wife. He had children. I wonder if is line still exists today.
Demi said that are 25 million follows of Sikhs. They seem very peaceful and sharing like monks and nuns.
The artwork here is all Demi and what we come to expect from her. There was one line where she talks about Barbar on his horse and yet she drew and elephant. I thought that odd.
Demi focuses on interesting people. I learned something.
June 14, 2024
If more people followed the teachings of this leader, as described here, the world would be a better place. But that could be said about most religious leaders - if more so-called Christians actually used WWJD we'd be better off, too. The only back matter describes the practices of the Sikhs, which includes "empty rituals" of a sort that the Nanak of the text wouldn't encourage.
No bibliography. Only for those readers who can't get enough of Demi's art and want a quick intro. to a famous person about whom more of us should learn more.
No bibliography. Only for those readers who can't get enough of Demi's art and want a quick intro. to a famous person about whom more of us should learn more.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews