Despite the title, Osborne (Favorite Norse Myths, 1995, etc.) confines her handsomely packaged introduction to the seven most widespread--not necessarily largest--faiths, describing for each its history, values, major holidays, and distinctive style of worship. All arose, she writes, in response to three questions: How did the world begin? What is the purpose of life? What happens after we die? All have created enduring senses of community and purpose in millions; the author carefully points out similarities, as well as differences. Her tone is respectful, with inconsistently skeptical touches: ``God spoke to Abraham'' and Moses ``stretched his hand over the waters, and they parted,'' but ``according to his followers, Jesus was taken up into heaven,'' and a Zen koan ``is supposed to help students think and see things in a new way.'' The level of detail is not evenhanded either--``women play a vital role in Hinduism'' is an unsupported afterthought relegated to a picture caption, and Osborne points out varieties of practice and belief in Judaism and Christianity, but not in Islam. Many of the several dozen large full-color photos feature children engaged in rites or celebrations, sending the important message that religion isn't just for grown-ups, but the factual information here is not hard to find elsewhere, and next to books like Huston Smith's Illustrated World Religions (1994), the narrow focus will give readers only a limited picture. (index, not seen, bibliography, chronology, map) (Nonfiction. 10-12)

Ages 2^-4. Thirty years ago, Dr. Seuss wrote this active rhyming verse connecting colors with moods and feelings. The new illustrations are glowing and lively; for each color, a different animal jumps with energy. Pink flamingos dance; a bright red horse kicks its heels; a green fish glides quietly. Why, though, in a book for children, are brown and black only associated with sadness and anger? Would Dr. Seuss have written this today? In the words of Langston Hughes, "The night is beautiful / So the faces of my people." --Hazel RochmanYA Talk

This departure from other Dr. Seuss books uses a strong design and vivid abstract paintings to illustrate a rhyme about how red days, blue days, brown days, and other days feel. Typeface, text placement, and intense color work together to evoke the emotions described. The dust jacket is striking -- black, with cutout shapes over a multicolored cover -- but impractical, since the shapes' edges tear easily. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.