A Friendly Word, by Stephen Sayers

Author: Stephen Sayers. Review by Stephen Sayers.

This book is relatively short, only about twenty pages, but it covers a huge amount of ground – Quaker ground. It aims to explain what it means to be a Quaker to young people over the age of about seven years.

The author, Stephen Sayers, and the illustrator, Swea Sayers, have set themselves a difficult task. Quakers use quite complex and unusual terminology to describe their beliefs and their lives. Stephen doesn’t shy away from using the terms seen in books aimed at adults, but he succeeds in making these relatable to young people. This is greatly aided by the sensitive use of the illustrations, which add considerably to the feel and understanding.

‘Every person is unique’, ‘The light of the world’, ‘They have a spark of God inside them’, ‘We are all equal before God’, ‘Promptings of love in your heart’, ‘Speak truth to power’, ‘Quakers work for peace and justice in the world’. These are some of the ideas that the book attempts to shed some light on. Primary schoolers might ordinarily struggle with the complexity of these, but here there is a complementary use of language that breathes simple life into their depths. Most ten-year-olds could read this on their own, but many would gain from reading it with an adult.

It is visually very accessible. The illustrations, the text bubbles, and the changing page colours all help to break the content up. Readers can easily dip in and out of the different topics.

Most areas of Quaker belief are covered, including the testimonies central to the workings of our Society. Equality; Meeting for Worship; the uniqueness of creation; a ‘church’ without priests; light and truth; God in everyone; stillness; ministry; pacifism; sustainability. It is ingenious how all these are included in such a brief work. In addition, there is coverage of the practical actions many Friends take as a result of these beliefs. I don’t think the author has left any gaps, and that adds a wholeness to the publication.

A Friendly Word shows a careful and successful knitting together of most Quaker ideas and way of life, and the actions that flow from them. Swea Sayers’ illustrations add further interest and life, and are a carefully-thought-through addition to the text.

Helen Todd (the head of Bootham Junior School) is quoted on the back page of my pre-publication edition: ‘Stephen has a way of putting words together that breathes life into complex ideas, such that any child would feel welcomed and inspired’. I think this is a truly accurate description of the book.

A Friendly Word is sure to become a well used and valued source for the children in our Local Meetings, as well as being an excellent outreach tool for those young people not so familiar with Quaker ways and beliefs.

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