Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth

Douglas Wood
P.J.Lynch

Walker Books 2001

32p pbk $14.95

0-7445-7887-6

Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth  tells the story of a young boy’s relationship with his Grandad, a relationship based on love.   The grandfather is teaching his grandson about life and growing.  Not physical growing, but emotional life and maturity.  
He talks about life but the boy is too young to understand what he means.  The grandfather knows this, however he also knows that setting the boy on the path of knowledge early will sow the seeds for growth throughout his life.

As the boy grows he experiences different things and the death of his grandfather changes him.  It awakens him to the beauty of life and he then understands what his grandfather had been saying to him when he was younger.

This is an unusual book.  It is presented as a young child’s book with beautiful illustrations and short paragraphs on each page.  It is however a ‘thinking’ book with a deep meaning. 
Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth can be read and enjoyed by all ages.  
The pictures would be enjoyed by the young, and the subliminal message appreciated by the older reader.

Jacqueline, 14, Canberra, ACT

This is a philosophical book about the way the Earth prays. Realistic illustrations by P.J. Lynch bring the words to life. This picture book is definitely not aimed at younger children as they wouldn't understand the text and the theme of the book. It is for deep thinking minds between the ages of 11 and 13. Did you know, son, that trees pray? See how they reach for the sky. They reach and reach - for clouds and sun and moons and stars. And what else is reaching for heaven but a prayer?

I would give it 4 stars out of 5.

Mark, Year 6, Canberra, ACT