It's Considerate to be Literate about Religion: Poetry and Prose about Religion, Conflict, and Peace in Our World

It's Considerate to Be Literate about Religion is a book of poems and prose for young readers, their parents, and their teachers. Along with Cunningham's award-winning books Dinosaur Name Poems and Your Body Sick and Well: How Do You Know? this new book shares the motif of using the names of things (nomenclature) to introduce topics that otherwise may be unfamiliar, such as the various ways we all tend to be religiously illiterate and how we can be more religiously illiterate in our daily lives.

The lyrical nature of the poems and the engaging pencil illustrations by Susan Detwiler give each topic the traction needed to get youth (and adults) reading right into the poems and on through the expansive "Learn More!" sections that follow each poem.

In addition, a helpful introduction welcomes readers to the concept of religious literacy; a fulsome glossary defines terms used in the book; and a reading-group guide includes topics and questions for further discussion and a section of suggested further reading.

Advance Praise for It's Considerate to Be Literate about Religion

"A must-have for childhood educators and families hoping to raise open-minded children!"

-Matthew W. Hughey, PhD, Professor of Sociology, University of Connecticut

"Practical and intelligent."

-Rosemary Klein, former president of The Baltimore Ethical Society and founder of Three Conditions Press

"Thoughtful content, apt examples, and clear terminology"

-Rev. John T. Grega, MA, STL, STM, ThM, Director of Religious Studies, Character, and Service, McDonogh School (retd.)

"Learned, nuanced, and beautifully illustrated"

-J. F. Alexander, MA, JD, author of the spiritual adventure novel I Am Sophia

"It is a must-read for not only the young, but for people of all ages."

-Timothy M. Pawlik, MD, PhD, MPH, MTS, MBA, FACS, FSSO, FRACS (Hon.), Professor of Surgery, Ohio State University; scholar of religion

"Creative, accessible, and informative."

-John Camardella, College World Religion, Prospect High School; Education Fellow, Religion in Public Life Program, Harvard Divinity School

"This is an essential reader for youth, parents, all adults."

-Beth L. Muehlhausen, PhD, MDiv, BCC, LCSW; Sr. Researcher for Spiritual Care & Mission Integration, Ascension

"A wonderful book!"

-Rev. Christopher Dreisbach, PhD, Assisting Clergy, Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Baltimore, MD; Professor (part-time) of Moral and Systematic Theology, St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute of Theology

"Deeply important."

-Jeanne Shin-Cooper, MA, CRSE, National-Board-certified high-school educator, Buffalo Grove, IL

"This book is a gift."

-Rev. Jenni Ovenstone, MDiv, Sr. Associate Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA

"Beautiful and brief."

-Hasan Awan, MD, author of Islam of the Heart: Living Religion with Presence

"Brilliant!"

-Ali S. Asani, PhD, Murray A. Albertson Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures, Harvard University

"An excellent introduction to religious literacy."

-George Fitchett, DMin, PhD, Professor, Department of Religion, Health & Human Values, Rush University