Exploring the Many Ways We Pray: Q&A with Mary Wagley Copp 0

Jaliza Burwell of Charlesbridge in conversation with Mary Wagley Copp, author of Sometimes We Pray

In Sometimes We Pray, author Mary Wagley Copp invites readers to explore the many ways people pray—through movement, stillness, reflection, and community. The book celebrates the diversity of prayer practices around the world while highlighting the shared human longing for connection, hope, and belonging. Available as both a picture book and a board book, Sometimes We Pray encourages young readers to appreciate spirituality in many forms.

I spoke with Mary about the inspiration behind the book and why this topic feels especially meaningful for children today.

What inspired you to write a book exploring prayer across cultures and beliefs?
As an ELL teacher working with recently resettled newcomers from many countries and cultures, I tried to create space for them to share their stories—their traditions, daily lives, and beliefs—with one another. Those conversations often blossomed into questions about both the differences and the surprising similarities among the cultures in our classroom. I was amazed by the students’ curiosity and generosity of spirit. Despite their different backgrounds, they approached one another with openness and respect. Their willingness to listen, to ask, and to learn from each other became one of the most powerful lessons in the room. It was after one particular class—in which two women gathered their prayer rugs and went off to a corner to pray—that I tucked away the idea of writing about prayer for a young audience. It was really my students who inspired me!

How did your travels influence the story?
I have traveled extensively and lived abroad. Each time I interact with people from other cultures, I’m reminded that despite our different traditions, our deepest yearnings are remarkably alike. We want to be loved. We want to belong. We want our children to be safe. We strive for happiness. I also believe that in many forms of prayer there’s a shared longing—one of which is a desire to connect to something larger than ourselves and to care for one another while we are here. Travel and living abroad can certainly strengthen this perspective. But so can the simple act of getting to know someone whose story unfolds differently from our own. And I hope Sometimes We Pray inspires readers to do just that.

Your approach to writing this book makes it seem so welcoming to religious and nonreligious readers. Why was that important to you?
I appreciate the use of the terms religious and nonreligious rather than believers and nonbelievers. After all, we all believe in something. Many people who pray do not consider themselves religious. They may not attend services, belong to a formal faith community, believe in a supreme being, or observe traditional holidays. Yet they still trust in the power of prayer—in reflection, intention, connection, and/or hope. Accepting the value of prayer, within or outside of religion, acknowledges the wide and nuanced ways people make meaning in their lives.

How did you approach representing many cultures respectfully?
I interviewed people from many different backgrounds and faiths with varied ways of praying. I also asked readers to review the manuscript and share their thoughts. I’ve strived to do this with the utmost respect for the faiths represented. Because this is a picture book—with a necessarily limited word count—I couldn’t explore any one form of prayer in depth. In some ways, that constraint was helpful. It encouraged me to speak simply and spaciously, leaving room rather than filling every corner with explanation—something young readers would not have appreciated! I certainly didn’t capture every culture or spiritual tradition or all the ways people pray. But I hope the book—both text and illustrations—hold enough diversity and recognition for readers to feel both seen and curious. My deepest hope is that Sometimes We Pray is a springboard for conversation, inviting readers to share their own practices, questions, and stories about prayer.

I think one of the most beautiful parts of this book is that it shows prayer as something that connects people, rather than something that separates them. Was that an important element for you to work in?
So often, we see prayer as connected to religion. And so often, we see religious differences as lines that divide us. Yes, we are different. We eat different foods. We raise our children in different ways. We dress, worship, celebrate, and mourn in our own traditions. But beneath those visible differences runs something deeper—something shared—something I believe is often embodied in our prayers. We all long to belong. We all hope for love. We all wish for happiness and good health. Those shared longings are our common ground, the threads of our shared humanity. When we choose to look for that common ground, we see beyond what divides us. And in that realm, we discover not just who others are but who we can be.

In what settings do you hope this book will be shared—at home, in classrooms, or as part of special celebrations?
Everywhere! All the time! I think Sometimes We Pray is appropriate in all venues. It is meant to pique curiosity and to invite inquiry.

At Charlesbridge, we were so excited to release this book simultaneously as a picture book and a board book. It makes the story so unique. Are you excited to be reaching a wider audience? Was this choice important to you?
I love that Sometimes We Pray is a picture book and a board book. It was not my decision, though! Board books are so important for our youngest children and when we introduce words, concepts, and pictures early on, we can lay an important foundation for literacy and learning.

This book feels so timely. What do you hope young readers will take away from this story?
Today we have such deep divisions at so many levels: globally, nationally, and within our own communities. And the tone is divisive—often unkind. I believe the earlier we begin to listen, to try to understand, to honor differences and our shared underpinnings, the greater chance we have for more peace in this world.

Mary Wagley Copp is the author of Yoshi's Big Swim and Wherever I Go. She loved exploring the world with her parents and studying Spanish in Guadalajara, Mexico; visiting the symbol of ancient Greece, the Parthenon; and imagining how the Incans built Machu Picchu in Peru. When she is not reading and writing stories, she’s an ELL teacher working with recently resettled newcomers, and she recently traveled to Ethiopia and beyond.

Sometimes We Pray

Available in both hardcover and board book format.

5 Easy Social Emotional Activities for Children 0

Nurturing social-emotional learning (SEL) doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right stories and hands-on activities, children can build essential life skills in fun, meaningful ways. Here are engaging book-inspired activities that support each of the five core SEL competencies.

Self-Management

Children have big emotions and often times don’t know how to deal with them. It’s important to teach them the skills they need to manage their stress, control their impulses, and even motivating themselves. This skill allows them to stop, think, and then act to make a good decision.

Here is a creative activity for kids to help with their self-management skills:

Craft your very own Grumble Boat!

This activity comes from the back matter of Grumble Boats by Susannah McFarlane, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

What You Need:

• Piece of paper
• Coloring utensils

1. Grumble away on your piece of paper! Choose the colors you feel and draw out your grumbles.
2. Fold paper in half (vertical) and then unfold – you created guide-lines
3. Fold in half horizontal this time
4. Fold the corners in so you create a pointed triangle at the top
5. At the bottom of the paper are edges, fold the edges up on both sides
6. Pull sides out and flatten
7. Fold front and back layers up from the bottom
8. Pull sides apart and flatten
9. Pull top flaps outward
10. Squish the bottom and pull sides up
    

Congratulations! You have your very own grumble boat. Now send your grumble boat down the stream.

You can find the downloadable directions on how to fold the grumble boat here.

Read alouds are a great way to build social-emotional skills, including self-control. While reading, pause and discuss the self-management moments within the story. Here are some great Charlesbridge books with strong self-management themes.

Far, Far Away (Picture Book)
Beansprout (Picture Book)
Found You! (Picture Book)
Grumble Boats (Picture Book)

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is the foundation for emotional intelligence. Children with strong self-awareness are able to recognize and label their own emotions and understand how their emotions effect their behavior. When children are able to name what they feel and why, they’re empowered to act constructively.

Here is an artistic activity for kids to help with their self-awareness skills:

Color Your Emotions

This activity comes from the activity guide for the All About Noticing series by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Elizabeth Goss, specifically the All About Color activity on page 14

What You Need:

• Paper
• Pencil or Pen
• Paint (watercolor or acrylic)
• Paint brushes
• Containers of water
• Mixing palette such as plastic tub tops, washable plate, tin foil
• Optional: Emotion wheel or other emotional identification tools

1. Fold your piece of paper in half and then in half again, making four sections
2. Write an emotion on the top of each section (use the emotion wheel or other emotional identification tool for help if needed)
3. Mix your paints to create one or more colors that seem to capture each emotion
4. Paint them in the corresponding section

Questions to ask your child to help them reflect on their choices:

1. Why did you choose these four emotions?
2. What prompted you to connect these emotions with the colors you blended?
3. Did you make a cultural connection (like “seeing red” when angry) or a real-life item (like the color of a toy or a blanket that comforts them when they feel sad)
4. Was your color inspiration more abstract?

Color can be used to color your whole life, so allowing children to explore what color means to them allows them to strengthen their self-identity. 

You can find the downloadable activity guide here with plenty of activities to do with children.

Here are some Charlesbridge titles with strong self-awareness themes.

Welcome Home, Esmerelda (Picture Book)
All About Color (Picture Book)
You Are a Burst of Color (Picture Book)
Worst-Case Collin (Middle Grade Novel-in-Verse)

Social Awareness

Social awareness skills help kids become kind, respectful, and inclusive. They learn to value others and be thoughtful during conflicts.

Here is a considerate activity for kids to help with their social-awareness skills:

Create a Welcome Box

This activity comes from the activity guide for Counting Kindness by Hollis Kurman, illustrated by Barroux

Children can either create an actual welcome box or imagine what they’d put in one for someone new to either the neighborhood, classroom, or even to the country.

Ask them these questions:

• What will you put in the box?
• Which tings might these children need or enjoy having?
• Think about what you would need/want if you had just arrived in a new place where nothing is familiar. How would you decorate the box to make it cheerful and welcoming?
• Can you also make a welcome card?

Every kindness counts, especially for people in a new place who may be feeling alone. Sharing a welcome box is a great way to bridge a new connection.

You can find the downloadable activity guide here with plenty of activities to do with children.

Here are some Charlesbridge titles with strong social awareness themes.

Dropbear (Picture Book)
The Ripple Effect (Middle Grade Novel)
Counting Kindness (Picture Book)
Circle Round (Picture Book)

Relationship Skills

Strong relationship skills can help children feel empowered to form strong, supportive connections with others. They lay the foundation for healthy personal and professional relationships throughout life.

Here is a drawing activity for kids to help with their relationship skills:

Kids in Your Family

This activity comes from the activity guide for Forever Cousins by Laura Goodluck, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson

• Draw the kids in your life: siblings, cousins, step or half-siblings, foster siblings, honorary cousins, neighbors, or family friends.
• On the back of the paper, write their names and explain how you know them or are related to them.

This activity is a gentle and powerful way to help kids explore who is important to them, how they relate to others, and how to talk about relationships.

You can find the downloadable activity guide here with plenty of activities to do with children.

Here are some Charlesbridge titles with strong relationship themes.

Forever Cousins (Picture Book)
Sticky Hermana (Picture Book)
In the Autumn Forest (Picture Book)
A Thousand White Butterflies (Picture Book)

Responsible Decision-Making

Responsible decision-making skills allow children to make thoughtful, ethical, and safe choices by promoting critical thinking and ethical awareness. It strengthens their ability to solve problems and reflect on consequences.

Here is a written activity for kids to help with their responsible decision-making skills:

Make a Difference

This activity comes from the activity guide for April & Mae and the Animal Shelter by Megan Dowd Lambert, illustrated by Briana Dengoue

Propose to your child this question: If you had a million dollars to give to one local nonprofit organization, which nonprofit would you choose and why? How can you use your skills and talents to help as a volunteer?

You can use this question to do the following:

• Learn about nonprofit organizations.
• Explore your local nonprofits
• Consider what your nonprofits do – what is their impact on the community
• Structure of the nonprofit – what do they do with monetized donations?
• Learn how to volunteer to support this organization

This simple activity empowers children to see themselves as active, capable changemakers in their communities.

You can find the downloadable activity guide here with plenty of activities to do with children.

Here are some Charlesbridge titles with strong responsible decision-making themes.

Yumbo Gumbo (Picture Book)
Clack, Clack! Smack! (Picture Book)
April & Mae and the Animal Shelter (Early Reader Chapter Book)
Mascot (Middle Grade Novel-in-Verse)

These activities support reading and creativity, and help children grow into emotionally intelligent and responsible individuals. Pair the activities with the recommended Charlesbridge books to bring SEL lessons to life through storytelling.