Book Review of Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings
The Children’s Book Review
Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings
Written by Mitali Perkins
Illustrated by Andrés Landazábal
Ages 4+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: InterVarsity Press | ISBN-13: 978-1-5140-1332-8
What to Expect: Picture book prayer, Beatitudes, starting something new, courage, Christian themes, emotional resonance, rhyming text, rich illustrations.
An uplifting picture book prayer that pairs a child’s anxieties about starting anew with the comforting truths of the Beatitudes.
Starting over isn’t always easy, whether it’s stepping into a new classroom, trying to make a friend, or feeling left out on a quiet day. In Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings, a young child turns to Jesus in an intimate, heartfelt prayer, seeking courage to take those first steps into the unknown. By reflecting on how Jesus experienced his own moments of solitude, change, and compassion, this gentle story reassures young readers that they are never truly alone when facing fresh beginnings.
By interweaving lines from the Beatitudes alongside the child’s prayer, author Mitali Perkins creates a thoughtful structure that respects a young child’s emotional intelligence. The tender, rhythmic narrative flows naturally when read aloud as the rhyming couplets are accessible and unforced, and balance the vulnerability of childhood fears with hopeful, reassuring truths.
Bringing warmth and vibrancy to every page, Andrés Landazábal’s illustrations deliver the expressive emotions of childhood with rich detail. Depicting recognizable, everyday scenarios—like stepping up to join a group or comforting a friend—the pictures, grounded in prayerful themes, show relatable, real-world moments.
Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings is a deeply comforting and inspiring picture book that highlights the strength found in faith during times of change—ideal for Christian families, educators, and ministry leaders looking for a reassuring read-aloud to share with children navigating new routines, milestone transitions, or moments where they need a little extra courage.
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About the Author
Mitali Perkins has written many books for young readers, including You Bring the Distant Near (nominated for a National Book Award) and Rickshaw Girl (adapted into a film), all of which explore crossing different kinds of borders. Her goal is to make readers laugh or cry, preferably both, as long as their hearts are widening. She lives and writes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Learn more at mitaliperkins.com.
