This is a beautiful little book for animal lovers old and young. The text forms one long beautiful prayer for animals of all kinds:
"May all the animals of the earth,
and the animals of the sky,
and the animals of the sea
be at peace.
May they be free of hunger,
free of fear,
and may their hearts and minds be calm.
May everything in their world
be just as it was meant to be.
May the animals of the earth feel safe and secure:
wild animals,
working animals,
and pets alike.
May all of their needs be met
so they can enjoy
the gentle breeze,
or the shining moon and stars,
or the chill of night,
or the dark and hidden places,
if that is their beloved home.
May all of the animals be at rest.
May our hearts be open to caring
for the animals of this world,
to being a friend,
a protector of the big and the small,
that they might have the things
we wish for ourselves...
good things to eat,
a safe place to live,
and the companionship of friends and family,
all the days of their lives."
I think it's OK that I included the full text because as beautiful as the words are, the illustrations should not be missed. Gorgeous detailed pictures of animals living in their worlds. Not a human in any picture, which is the way it should be.
The book was written in honor of World Animal Day, October 4, which is also St. Francis of Assisi's Blessing of the Animals day. On that day people bring animals to church to be blessed. The author suggests doing something nice for animals on that day: volunteer at a shelter or animal rights organization, donate money, food, blankets, toys. Maybe the feeling on that one day will expand into a general feeling of caring for animals and the experience of helping them on October 4 will last the rest of the year!
