Victoria from GodVenture reviews the book 31 Bedtime Prayers and Poems by Steve Legg and Jude Simpson.
I want to share about a book with you which isn’t mine, but I really love it. I don’t review books I don’t like, and I have to confess this one didn’t sound very exciting, but when I read it I was delightfully surprised! Read on to find out why.
I am not usually one for written prayers. Having grown up Baptist, I only started using a written liturgy and prayers in my twenties when I moved to a village and started going to to my local village church.
So when I was asked to review this book of children’s poems and prayers, I was a bit… meh. This is also because I haven’t come across many children’s books of poems or prayers which I really like. I have never read one cover to cover (as I did with this one). They are usually lack-lustre and too poorly rhymed for me to continue past the first few pages.
But this one is different.
This one starts by acknowledging that bedtime is an “unpredictable mixture of treasured moments and infuriating disarray” and proceeds to give the reader a wonderful, varied collection of funny, warm, beautiful, faith-filled poem-prayers.
I call them poem-prayers, because from the title I thought there might be poems and prayers, but they are Poem-Prayers – prayers in poetry form – and both elements are well executed. The poems are good, their rhythms and rhymes work well and I didn’t feel myself straining to make them work on the first reading. The prayers cover a variety of topics, are child-friendly, have almost no religious jargon which would make them feel inauthentic and not very child-friendly. These poems express the sorts of things I’d like to say to God, just better worded!
I could immediately think of a whole collection of families who would like these prayers – and by that I mean the parents AND the children. I can imagine them using the whole book then re-using a few poem-prayers on the regular, making them become part of their ‘faith at home liturgy’.
I really like a lot of these poem-prayers (and can see myself using them on my own!), but I think my favourite (for now) is this one:
Wrap me in peace
Lord, as I close my eyes to sleep,
Wrap me in peace, so warm and deep.
Roll me in relaxation and calm,
Hold me in hope, like caring arms.
Cloak me in confidence, strong and true,
Help me be me, surrounded by you.
This books would be perfect for you if you have children age 2 – 10 years old, or as a gift for a family you know with children that age, especially if they struggle with bedtime (and who doesn’t?!).
It would make a great book to have in your cupboard for when you need a Baptism, Dedication or Baptism Birthday present, or when a family you know asks for help with prayer at home.
It’s not too pricey, and there’s a soft cover option which is a bit cheaper.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
GodVenture – ku.oc1742472957.erut1742472957nevdo1742472957g@air1742472957otciv1742472957
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