by Lisa Erickson
According to a recent Pew Research poll on religion, a growing number of Americans define themselves as 'spiritual but not religious'. Those of us in this group want to introduce our children to spirituality, but outside of any particular religious context. A good way to do this is through books. What follows is a list of picture books for children 3-9 years old that cover spiritual themes such as gratitude, compassion, connectivity, and contemplation, outside of any single religious tradition. Reading these to your children is a great way to open up discussion about spiritual themes. I have 'tested' them all out on my own daughter, and included her reactions.
The Golden Rule, by Ilene Cooper - "Treat others the way you would like to be treated", a grandfather explains to his grandson, in this lovely introduction to compassion and empathy. Grandpa goes on to explain how the golden rule is represented in six different religions. When I read this to my daughter, the real-world examples triggered lots of questions, particularly the picture of a sad little girl on her first day in a new school. "What would make her feel better?" asks the Grandpa in the book, and my real-life listener had plenty of ideas - "smile at her", "give her a toy", "show her the library", and more.
Thank You For Giraffes, by Vivian Husnik - A beautiful introduction to gratitude, told as a little girl's prayer of thanks. Spiritual but non-denominational, this book expresses thanks not only for things in the world but also for people, experiences, and joyful moments. The pictures are bright and unique, all in the form of handmade quilts. This book led naturally to a conversation with my daughter about everything in her life she is thankful for, and got her thinking beyond the usual 'my toys' and 'my birthday'.
Each Breath A Smile, by Sister Susan - This book is based on the teachings of Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, and written by a nun in one of his centers. It introduces children to mindful breathing and awareness, but steers clear of any explicit religious teachings. The text uses simple, repetitive phrases to create a sense of calm, and the pictures are in soothing but cheerful pastel colors. Reading it was a meditation in itself, and both my daughter and I were noticeably more relaxed at the end.
All I See is Part of Me, by Chara Curtis - "All the plants, the animals and trees, Are in your light...and you are these." Told from the perspective of a boy in conversation with a star, this book highlights the theme of connectivity. The text is general enough to support any religious denomination, but it does have an explicitly spiritual message about valuing your own inner wisdom. Although I loved this book upon first reading it, I thought it might be too abstract for my daughter, but she loved it - the rhyming and bright pictures captured her interest.
God's Paintbrush, by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso - Written by the second woman to be ordained as a rabbi, and the first to become a mother, this book presents a series of scenarios and questions designed to help children explore different aspects of God. From watching clouds, to the changing seasons, to feeling lonely, this book uses experiences young children can readily relate to as springboards for spiritual questions. The vision of God that emerges is anthropomorphic in nature, and this may make it more appropriate for those with Judeo-Christian leanings, but it is most definitely non-denominational, and its exploratory nature left room for a non-affiliated believer like myself to feel comfortable.
What is God?, by Etan Bortizer - Designed to answer a child asking 'what is God?', this book provides both a poetic and open-ended vision, and introduces the idea of world religions by exploring the different ways each view God. It includes a page on each religion's holy books, and even touches on the concept of religious intolerance and disagreement. If you have a very orthodox view of God, this book might not be for you, but if you consider yourself more interfaith-oriented, it is perfect. It was a bit wordy for my four-year old, but I think she will grow into it.
A Child's Book of Blessings and Prayers, by Eliza Blanchard - Written by a Unitarian Universalist minister, this lovely collection is the perfect way to introduce children to prayer. It includes dozens of child-size blessings, poems and prayers, drawn from all the world's major religions, and many other cultural traditions. Ranging from mealtime to bedtime, birthdays, holidays and everything in between, you will find a little prayer in here to cover just about anything.
Honorable Mentions:
There are three books by contemporary spiritual teachers/authors that I enjoy, but they are geared for slightly older children (9-12 or so.) However, you can paraphrase them a bit for younger children, so they are still worth trying with younger chidren:
Milton's Secret, by Eckhart Tolle
Emma and Mommy Talk to God, by Marianne Williamson
The Little Soul and the Sun, by Neale Donald Walsch
Use these books as a way of spurring conversation with your children, and you can foster their spirituality while encouraging an interfaith or multi-cultural approach.
Lisa Erickson is a mom, meditation teacher, and writer. Visit her blog http://www.MommyMystic.wordpress.com for spiritual book reviews and information on meditation and spirituality.
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