From The Good Bookstall - August 2010 Whether you're young or old, being able to praise, play, and worship together as a church family is great, but if you're concerned about how to involve your under-fives, then this is the book for you. As well as providing a great background about worship and the 'how to's', it also has 12, tried and tested, worship outlines, which include bible stories, prayers, and craft activities, all giving a picture of Jesus. It even has snack time recipes. A gem of a book which could be used on Sundays, mid week or even for slightly older children, as a holiday club resource. Have fun. Reviewed by Wendy Downey From Fresh - July 2009 These 12 tried and tested service outlines offer an experience of worship and a sense of inclusion in the church community for under 5s and their families. Services are based on the 'understanding that young children have a place in the faith community that values them for what they are and bring, while recognising their specific needs'. A clear, easy to use layout with all the information you'll need. Stories span Jesus birth to his resurrection, via parables and miracles. Another really useful book from BRF. From The Church Times - June 2009 Alison Harris's book Praise and Play! gives 12 themed services aimed at pre-school children and their carers. Although the word liturgy does not appear in the book, a solid liturgical framework is provided. Tried and tested in a number of parish churches, the services include Gathering resources, stories relating to the Word of God, Responses through individual and group craft activities, and a Sending Out. The stories are mainly taken from Jesus's life, but include the Good Shepherd, and the parable of the lost sheep. They build on the work of Sophia Cavalletti, and are reminiscent of Godly PIay, though the stories require less attention to carefully worked scripts. Good theological notes accompany the stories, enabling the teller to engage on a journey of discovery with the listeners. Pre-school children have a strong sense of playful curiosity, enjoy participation and appreciate symbolism. Rather than expecting children simply to grow into worship, Harris recognises the capacity that children under 5 already have to engage in worship through play. The services lay down first memories of Jesus in clear and imaginative ways that patronise neither children nor their carers. Any church with the potential to attract a group of toddlers and a small team of three to four leaders can make this model of pre-school worship work well. Reviewed by Dana Delap
