“Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer”
by Tonya Bolden, illustrated by Eric Velasquez.
Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York, 2014, 32 pages, Grades K-2.
We pray for many reasons. The best reason to pray is to give praise and adoration to God. Since God created everyone, prayers of adoration are usually beautiful acts of love.
A second type of prayer is that of thanksgiving. Here, people praise God because of His generosity and kindness to humanity.
A third type of prayer is that of supplication. These prayers are the result of people needing God to give them something or asking for divine assistance with a problem. Many times people get bogged down by life and continually offer prayers of supplication, but the Lord Himself has said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.” (Lk: 11:9)
Tonya Bolden has written a touching story about prayer in which we see a young child praising God, thanking the Lord and asking for assistance. The title of this serene book is “Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer.”
It is late at night and the world is covered in darkness. A young boy suddenly remembers that he has not said his bedtime prayers. He gets out of bed and kneels on the floor. He looks out of his bedroom window and sees a spectacular golden moon. Acknowledging the beauty of creation, he thanks God with the heartfelt exclamation: “What a beautiful moon.”
Then he begins praying for people he thinks are having problems. Some blocks away, a poor homeless woman bundles up the best she can on a park bench, and the child remembers all of these troubled souls in his prayers for their safety.
Next, we see a well-dressed businessman reading a newspaper on a commuter train. For all of his affluence, the man seems distracted and concerned. He should be. The title on the front of the newspaper states: “War is Declared.” The man thinks of his daughter in a combat zone and is filled with fear and dread.
The young boy asks God to help nations stop war and for people to have peace. In another part of town, an old man lies in his bed, sick and alone. The sick man wishes that he could see the stars and the moon so that he could fall asleep. The young boy prays for all sick people to get well.
Not far from his house, a family is in deep distress. They have no food, and don’t know how to get any. The child asks God to take care of all the needy so they don’t suffer. The prayers continue as the boy thinks of more and more people in need of God’s love.
What do you ask from God? Do you usually pray thanking God for all the gifts you have received? Do you thank God the Father for sending His Son to redeem us? Do you sometimes make prayers of supplication to the Lord? Why is the praying of this child so beautiful? To find out, go to the library and check out: “Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer” by Tonya Bolden.
This is a lovely book. The setting is in a modern city with the many cultures and races that make up urban areas. It looks at modern problems but is not depressing. The child’s prayerfulness will build our faith. I hope you get a chance to share this fine book with the younger members of your family. I found it touching and hope you will as well. Enjoy!
