All godparents hope to form a bond with their godchild, but following through as a life-long, faith-sharing companion to a child can seem like an overwhelming challenge. How does one begin to relate to children at all their ages? And how exactly does one share faith with a child? In The Godparent Book , Elaine Ramshaw is encouraging, reassuring, energizing, and resourceful. Building on the idea that godparent and godchild are two Christians discovering together what it means to be baptized, she provides scores of ideas for relating at every age and in many circumstances ideas that are appropriate for all the churches that call for godparents. Godparents will find advice that serves well when the godchild is a baby, toddler, teen, or young adult. They will learn how to relate through imaginary play, conversations, walks in the woods, reading, drawing, viewing films, listening to music together, and more. Whether godparents can be present in the day to day at close range or must stay connected when living at a distance, they will find advice for sharing feasts, rituals, and adventures and for providing a sensitive ear and firm anchor during times of crisis. The author empowers godparents to nurture the love and faith that are at the heart of the godparent-godchild relationship. The content of the classic first edition of this book has been updated in the light of new technology, and artist Mikela Smith has given the revised edition a fresh look. A list of the book s recommended resources is available as a supplement on the LTP website, where it can be kept current. I read this book with great delight. Its many creative ideas for forming a lifelong relationship with a godchild make it a rich spiritual resource--and helpful for godparents of different cultures. I wish I had had this when I first became a godparent years ago. --Ursula Cawley, Portland, Oregon Having led Baptism preparation sessions in my parish, I can recommend this book as an excellent resource. It's full of practical ideas that will help you form a caring connection with your godchild and inspire spiritual growth for both of you. --Cheryl Danowski, Allen Park, Michigan Elaine Ramshaw has given new (and seasoned) godparents a plethora of resources and ideas about how to be a real presence in their godchild's faith journey. She addresses cultural and family expectations of the godparent along with how these can be tailored to one's own godparenting skillset. The book even includes a chapter on how to godparent when there is a crisis--a real and present need in the lives of godchildren today. If ever you had a question of what godparenting means and how it is important in the faith development of a godchild, this book will satisfy your hesitations and questions and your own faith journey choices. --Ruth Reiser, Seattle, Washington The author, Elaine Ramshaw, is a godmother of two, one a niece and one the son of friends, both now grown up and still connected. She has godparented both locally and at a distance. A Lutheran laywoman, she teaches pastoral care online for several seminaries of different denominations, meets with individuals for spiritual wayfinding, and works at an art cinema. Her academic training was in religion and psychology, with an emphasis on developmental psychology and ritual. She is known for giving out comic books to the trick-or-treaters at Halloween. The artist, Mikela Smith is an illustrator who loves helping children see the beauty in art and helping adults remember the joy of childhood. Before illustrating, Mikela worked as a preschool teacher where she learned the joy of reading books aloud to her students. She then went on the teach art and illustration to high school students, where she helped guide and encourage young artists in the making. Now as an illustrator for children, Mikela hopes to still impart that joy of expression to her young viewers. While at home in Arizona, Mikela loves reading books, watching old movies and spending time with her husband and three children.