The Lord's Prayer

Commentary by: Rick Warren
Illustrated by: Richard Jesse Watson
Publisher: Zonderkidz 
Publication Date: January 2011
ISBN: 978-0310710868
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: May 27, 2011

For young children, just learning their first prayers, The Lord’s Prayer is the perfect book to gently guide them along the path to finding our Lord.

Using the King James version of The Lord’s Prayer, the prayer is first given with just a few words, and a gorgeous illustration, per two-page spread. Then towards the back of the book, the prayer and illustrations are repeated, this time with commentary added by Rick Warren. Warren keeps his commentary simple for young readers. For example, with the text “as it is in heaven” he explains, “Heaven is the happy place where God lives. One day I’ll get to live there too, because I love and trust in Jesus, God’s Son.” The last two-page spread of the book is a sunburst with The Lord’s Prayer placed predominantly so parents and children can read it together.

The highlight for this version of The Lord’s Prayer has to be the lavish illustrations by award-winning illustrator Richard Jesse Watson. They are bright, colorful and invite the reader to engage with the prayer. While a few of the pictures may seem unrelated to the portion of the prayer on that page, it’s not an easy task trying to match a phrase such as “thy will be done in earth,” with a picture. Overall, these illustrations, and indeed, this book, are an inspiration to all who share this prayer with Our Lord.

Quill says: A beautiful and inspirational book to help draw youngsters closer to God.