I shared this news elsewhere on Ash Wednesday, as the path of the liturgical year curved into the season of Lent, but am posting it again here as we move into Holy Week and Eastertide. Around the Circle: Celebrating the Church Year will be published on July 28th by Beaming Books, with glorious illustrations by Claire Westwood.
Here is the official description:
Around the Circle invites young children to journey through the seasons of the church year. Season by season, rich colors and meaningful symbols help young readers get to know these special times, how they connect to the story of Jesus, and to their own lives. With simple, rhythmic text and lush, mixed-media illustrations, this picture book depicts the circle of the liturgical year as a path full of discovery and wonder. There is space for different emotions, including sadness, but the story bends toward hope and new beginnings, reassuring children that they are loved and welcomed. In the circle of the church year, and in the circle of belonging formed by those who follow this sacred path, there is room for all.
From Advent to Christmas, Epiphany to Lent, Easter to Pentecost, and then around again, the liturgical year sets the rhythm for the life of a church community. Around the Circle is a wonderful resource for church ministry leaders, intergenerational worshipping communities, and families who want to introduce their children to the multisensory experience of the cycle of the church year.
Unofficially, I would add that Around the Circle had its origins in a wordless fabric book I made for my own children when they were very young. It was our companion on many trips around the circle of the church year so it brings me joy to know that in this new form it will do the same for other children and their families.
The illustrations are absolutely marvellous. The image above is not actually from the book, but is a sample piece that Claire made when she was playing with options for the how to represent the circle visually. There are plenty of animals in the final art, though, as well as the wonderful colours and textures you see here. To get a glimpse of the finished artwork, see below. I can’t wait to share more with you!
Around the Circle is available now for preorder (it really helps).
Laura Alary 