This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano

This Little Prayer of Mine Recently I was sent a new children’s book for review.  The book was This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano, illustrated by Mark Elliot. 
The book begins with two children preparing for bed by saying their bedtime prayers.  The text is short and simple as the children pray through all of the ways the Lord walks with them and helps them through their young lives.  Meanwhile, the rich illustrations highly supplement the text, giving the all-important mental image to exemplify each request for help.  The plea for God’s presence in a time of aloneness, for example, is illustrated by showing the young boy sitting off by himself while a group of peers huddle together on the other side of the room, shutting him out of their interaction. 
My one issue with the book is found in the opening two lines. 
“I know you’re up in heaven, God, and can hear my voice from there.”
I feel that one struggle that even adults have with prayer is the concept that God is “up there” whereas we are “down here.”  I understand the basis of this when considering the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer, but sometimes I wonder if we downplay the Lord’s presence to our detriment.  In little phrases like these, we tend to suggest an idea of God’s distance.  I wonder if encouraging a more intimate image of God would help in prayer education. 
As far as the book is concerned, however, this is a detail that can easily be dealt with when this book is used as intended – as a supplement and tool to help parents teach their children about prayer.  For those who already have children’s prayer books on their shelves, I see no reason to rush out and buy this one.  For those who are looking for such a book, however, this is one of the better options I have seen.  I would recommend at least its consideration. 
If any of you are in the market for a sweet prayer book with precious illustrations, you just might be in luck.  I have a copy of This Little Prayer of Mine to give away!  Just comment here between now and 6:00 AM next Friday (April 16) to enter the drawing!
I received this book for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  Anyone interested in receiving books for review, click on this Blogging for Books link for more information.  To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image above to be directed to WaterBrook’s website.

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