Book Review: This Little Prayer of Mine

Author: Anthony DeStefano

Illustrator: Mark Elliott
Summary: Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.

Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.

Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”

Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.

Author and Illustrator Bio:
Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.

My thoughts and review:
This is a sweet book that helps children see prayer as it should be: natural, relational communication with God. The rhyming poem is fun to read and easy to understand. The illustrations are remarkable. I’m glad to see that the author includes thanksgiving as part of prayer, not just asking God to do this and that for us. The book also teaches children to pour their hearts out to God (tell Him how they feel) and to trust in Him and His plan. It's a great book for parents or grandparents to read to young kids and encourage them to pray. Childlike faith is truly beautiful and pleasing to the Lord. This Little Prayer of Mine delightfully portrays childlike faith and the accessibility of our God. He always hears our prayers and He cares about every detail of our lives!

~This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.