The Kingfisher Book of Religions

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This introduction to world religions describes religious life in all the world's major religions. The book includes sections on traditional and new religions and describes festivals, ceremonies, pilgrimages, temples and other holy buildings.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 4-9-Thoughtfully arranged in short chapters and brightly illustrated with sharp, full-color photographs and reproductions, this attractive book encourages browsing. While ancient and "modern-day" religions receive only a single chapter each, the major religions are treated in greater depth, with only Shinto, Jainism, and the "Chinese religions" receiving short shrift. The three major "Western" religions-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-together account for nearly half of the book. This cluster includes an introduction to each religion as well as special focus on such topics as "The Torah," "The Trinity," "The Koran," and other important aspects of these faiths. The great religions of India-Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism-likewise form another cluster. There are a few errors or misstatements, such as that Joshua was Moses's brother and that the hijra took place in 1622 (rather than in 622), but overall the presentation is evenhanded and positive. One exception, however, is Barnes's characterization of the Ten Commandments as "basic principles that even non-Jewish societies should follow for their own good." Whether or not this comment was directed at the current political volley over the public posting of the Commandments, it is likely to offend anyone who does not worship Yahweh or keep the Sabbath. Nevertheless, this resource is a worthwhile addition.-Coop Renner, Moreno Elementary School, El Paso, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

The book jacket states that this guide to world religions focuses "particularly on how they affect the lives of the children who practice them today." However, though there are scattered photographs of children participating in religious activities, children are not particularly emphasized in the text. The format and layout, in a style familiar from DK's Eyewitness series, is attractive and enticing, with each religion presented in a two-page spread and at least one full-color illustration per page. There are 12 chapters, each covering a different theme ("Ancient Religions," "Chinese Religions,") or tradition (Shinto, Christianity, Islam). Within chapters, arrangement is topical. Among the topics are "Hindu Gods and Goddesses," "Life in a Buddhist Monastery," "The Jewish Calendar," and "Islamic Law and Science." Sidebars add bits of information, such as "The Seder Meal" and "The History of Easter Bread." This work lacks detail, and the coverage tends to be uneven. Buddha's Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path are listed in sidebars, but the Ten Commandments are not. Religious festivals, a favorite research topic, are mentioned in one chapter and not in the next. On the plus side, the sections on Aborigines, Native Americans, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism reflect changing cultural awareness. Excellent features include the illustrations and the pie chart and time line in the introduction. More comprehensive than Mary Pope Osborne's One World, Many Religions (Knopf, 1996), this volume is recommended as an attractive introduction for libraries serving intermediate and middle-school students.

Horn Book Review

This comprehensive, informative, and graphically appealing discussion of world religions focuses on Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Chinese religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For each religion, the book provides an accurate and accessible history and a substantive description of the faith's sacred literature, holidays, prayers, religious law, houses of prayer, and internal divisions. Color photos and art reproductions illustrate the book. Glos., ind. From HORN BOOK Fall 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.