Prayer Is

PreS-Gr 3–This picture book seeks to define prayer for young children. End paper illustrations of diamond-patterned stained-glass windows evoke church sanctuary windows, followed by a portrait on the title page of four Black adults and three children in front of a church, signaling that this book is about family and faith, written from a Christian perspective. Prayer is explained through the text; the author defines it as encompassing more than words spoken. Prayer also includes actions, such as sharing with others, providing comfort, sharing hope, and even practicing mindfulness. The book is not a guide for how to pray, but rather an expression of the idea that prayer is an action that can be done alone or with others. The illustrations, in a pastel palette, appear to be colored pencil on paper, depicting heartwarming everyday family scenes of time at the breakfast table, visits to aging grandparents’ homes, time spent at church, and bonding time between sisters.