A Glimpse at “The Little Way of a Pilgrim” by Jennifer Anna Rich, Illustrated by Diana-Elena Popescu

Ancient Faith Kids presents a child-friendly version of the late 19th century Russian work The Way of a Pilgrim. In the new picture book The Little Way of a Pilgrim, Jennifer Anna Rich invites her readers to walk alongside a likable protagonist, who suddenly decides one day to go on a wandering quest to try to find the meaning of something that he heard in church, “Pray without ceasing.” He can’t imagine praying and not ever stopping, so he goes walking to try to learn more about this idea from others. On his journey, this friendly wanderer meets a great variety of people, and he asks them his driving question, hoping to learn what they know about unceasing prayer. 

Jennifer Anna Rich’s carefully selected text draws the reader along on the journey through the senses of their imaginations. She includes a taste of soothing repetition which offers the reader a chance to join the wanderer in his question… and in the answer that he uncovers. She writes of reasons to pray without ceasing, and also teaches how to do so, in the context of a story that children can easily follow and understand.

Diana-Elena Popescu’s rich colored pencil drawings warm the reader with images that are visually comforting (all except for one, which by necessity is not). Her use of predominantly warm tones emphasize the light and warmth that pull the wanderer closer to the answer to his quest. The reader themself feels enveloped by the light and warmth, drawn inexplicably into the scene and soothed and comforted by it (with, of course, that one exception).

Does anyone look down on the wanderer because of his physical ailment? Who joins him on his journey? Does he limit his inquiry to those with holy vocations (like priests and monks) or does he learn from laypeople as well? What becomes the greatest treasure in his heart, the answer to his quest? Find these answers and more when you read Ancient Faith Kids’ picture book The Little Way of a Pilgrim, by Jennifer Anna Rich.
The Little Way of a Pilgrim is available at https://store.ancientfaith.com/the-little-way-of-a-pilgrim/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Ancient Faith Kids for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Beneath the Magnificent Dome” by Anna Iakovou, Illustrated by Spyros Gousis

It’s the year 1919. Constantinople has been under Turkish rule for more than 400 years, and the awe-inspiring Church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) is being used as a mosque. Beneath the Magnificent Dome, by Anna Iakovou, is told from the perspective of Nicholas, a young boy living and working in a pharmacy in Constantinople, who is accidentally in Hagia Sophia for the first liturgy celebrated there in 466 years!

This illustrated short story offers its readers a glimpse into life in Constantinople in the early 1900’s. The story is based on the real-life actions of Fr. Eleftherios Noufrakis (there is bibliographic information, including pictures from his life in the back of the book), and shows his determination and courage. Because Nicholas is “telling” the story, and he knows a lot of tales, this book also includes multiple stories that have been believed about Hagia Sophia over the years.

Older children, teens, and grownups alike will enjoy stepping back in time as they read Beneath the Magnificent Dome. Anna Iakovou’s believable storytelling has been fluidly translated by Dimitri Kagaras. Spyros Gousis’ occasional illustrations include just enough detail to add context and pique the readers’ curiosity. Somewhere between the words of the story and the illustrations, readers feel as though they are actually there, observing the events as they unfold.

Readers should not be surprised to find themselves doing a little research after reading this book, as they seek answers to questions they encounter as they read. For example, they may wonder, has the Divine Liturgy been celebrated in Hagia Sophia since this event? Whatever happened to Hagia Sophia’s Holy Table when the Church was overtaken? Were bees really part of Hagia Sophia’s original design? 

To read this story and encounter your own questions about it, you can obtain a copy of this book at https://newromepress.com/beneath-the-magnificent-dome/.

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.