by Allison Regina Gliot, RSP
Illustrated by Emily Boughton
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
This is a delightful children’s book on the Eucharist. Both the writer and illustrator make this book one you want to touch, see, and know! The illustrations are especially significant for this age group (4-12) but everyone will enjoy reading it and taking in the beautiful child-like illustrations. It begins with the ordinary, everyday activities of a child at home. It attends to sensory stimulation and how to deal with them in a quiet and thoughtful way. The Grandma explains that God likes quiet too.
The Grandma explained some of the issues in the Old Testament when there was talk by Elijah about the sounds that were heard. The rushing wind crushed the rocks; the fierce earthquake shook the ground; the roaring fire burned everything up. The Grandma explained that God was not in the fire but was in the tiny whispering sound that Elijah heard because he knew God was with him. Eli and his Grandma went for a walk. They saw all sorts of people doing city business: walking the dog, playing on the playground, jackhammers were making noise and so were the motorcycles. Eli didn’t like all the noises so he ran until he found a quiet spot. Soon he heard a new sound different from the others. Grandma said: It looks like you found my friend’s house. Should we go in?
Eli had been to Church before but never like this. It was peaceful. See the Eucharist? That’s Jesus. He made himself into the Bread of Life for us. The Eucharist feeds our soul. Grandma knelt down and looked at Jesus without saying anything. She was talking and listening to Jesus in her heart. Eli watched Grandma and noticed that this reminded him of Elijah’s story. You had to be quiet to hear Jesus. Quiet like the whispering sound. Quiet like Eli. Walking home with Grandma, Eli said can we go back tomorrow?
The next two pages have A Prayer for Visiting Jesus, An explanation of what is the Eucharist, How Eli can visit Jesus in the Eucharist, Do I always. have to be quiet to pray? and how can I hear Jesus? For the adults there is a section of creating sensory friendly prayer space.
This is a book that every library in a Catholic school should have and every home too!