BOOK CORNER

A change again this month to a book of prayers for small children (aged approximately 2 to 6 years). Safe This Night by Lois Rock. Illustrated by Louise Rawlings.

It is hard to choose a particular prayer or prayers from what is a truly delightful book. I have a feeling children will want to go through the whole book rather than be content with one or two of the prayers. These include prayers of praise, thanksgiving, confession, for others, for God's world and for the reader him or herself.

The setting out of the prayers is clever in that it provides a simple introduction to litany. For example:

The day is nearly over,
The day is almost done;
Just think of all that's happened
Since the rising of the sun.

Think of the morning light.
It makes me happy.

Think of the bright daytime.
It makes me happy.

Think of the golden afternoon.
It makes me happy.

Older children could join in with the responses.

The illustrations are well worth mentioning too. Bright with a lot of detail. I especially liked the little borders also filled with pictures.

Safe This Night by Lois Rock. Illustrated by Louise Rawlings (Lion). ISBN 0 7459 3616 4. £5.99.

LYNN WINTER