What Is God? by Etan Boritzer, Robbie Marantz (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

What is God? is an eloquent introduction to the ideas behind God and religion, and brings forward complex ideas in a way children will understand. It is written with a simple clarity and beautifully illustrated with just the right blend of seriousness and humor.

What is God? compares different religions -- Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism -- and their holy books, looks at misunderstandings and arguments among people of different religions, and talks about praying as well as feeling connected to everything in the world.

If you want to talk about spirituality with a child, or introduce them to philosophy or religion, or just help them to begin to center themselves and their feelings about the world, this book is a great beginning.

Publishers Weekly

About this provocative exploration of God in many places and many religions, PW said, ``Marantz's daring, highly stylized illustrations are full of character.'' Ages 6-12. (Aug.)

Children's Literature

In this first of his "philosophical questions" books, Boritzer attempts to identify God in various cultures of the world. Boritzer tries to cover too broad a topic and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. (That really seems to be what he does best in all three of his books for children.) He briefly moves from the historical perspective of God into modern "feelings." Children would be easily confused by his shifting from one religious tradition to another while yet trying to show similarities among them. Adults would have to be strong in their own religious traditions in order to answer the questions that children would raise in the reading of this book. One would suspect that a reader from any one of the traditions could be irritated by the explanations and perhaps contradictions to standard beliefs and traditions. In fact, many would even question the title of the book, What Is God, even while recognizing that in some world cultures, God may be a "what," not a "who." 1991, Firefly Books, Ages 8 to 10, $14.95 and $6.95. Reviewer: Jenny B. Petty

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-- A provocative look at the concept of God that differs greatly from the Judeo-Christian idea of God as a person rather than as a vacuous feeling or entity. Major world religions are introduced in combination with the well-known teachers representing them (Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed), and whose words evolved into a library of Holy Books: the Bible, the Torah, the Koran, the Sutras, and the Vedas. Similarities are drawn among these faiths, showing common strands of truth and prayer as a universal tool of communication with God. Brief discussion is given to those believing in multiple gods as well as to those who experience religious persecution. Boritzer's attempt to synthesize and make accessible the many concepts of God results in the New Age concept/belief of pantheism. Marantz' Henrik Drescher-like illustrations are bold and bright watercolors, occupying full pages that face the poetic free-verse text. At times they serve a somewhat decorative purpose, but usually expand and elucidate elements in the narrative. The reasoning process used throughout may occasionally prove too abstract for many children, making this a picture book for older readers. It will be best utilized by religious-education teachers and parents. --Celia A. Huffman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland

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