The late Jerome W. Berryman was the founder of Godly Play and had years of experience working with children ages 2–18. Priest, writer, lecturer, and workshop leader, Berryman was, for years, Senior Fellow of the Center for the Theology of Childhood. He was the author of The Complete Guide to Godly Play, Teaching Godly Play, Children and the Theologians, The Spiritual Guidance of Children, and Stories of God at Home.
 

Rosemary Beales has been sitting in circles with children for nearly 30 years, including 12 years as chaplain and religion teacher to 400 children at an Episcopal school in Alexandria, Virginia. She received her DMin from Virginia Theological Seminary and is a licensed Godly Play Trainer and an Episcopal priest, currently serving in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
 

The Rev. Cheryl V. Minor, Ph.D., is the Director of the Center for the Theology of Childhood, the research and development arm of the Godly Play Foundation. For over 20 years, she has served as Co-Rector at the All Saints' Episcopal Church in Belmont, Massachusetts, where she is privileged to practice Godly Play with children ages three to thirteen. She is the author of Godly Play in Middle and Late Childhood. 

“From the beautifully updated art and Equity Audit-guided revised language for "Knowing Jesus in a New Way" and "The Greatest Parable," to the new stories included, like "Jesus and the Women," this new edition of Volume 8 is a gift for Godly Play practitioners and their circles!”—Rowan Larson, Certified Godly Play Storyteller and Equity Audit Committee member, Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Bozeman, MT

"Dr. Berryman's dedication to children's spirituality shines through in the reimagined Volume 8 of Godly Play, where his commitment to inclusivity and safety creates a welcoming space for every child's spiritual growth. He has done what most don't—revisiting his work to ensure its continued relevance and setting a remarkable standard in nurturing and inspiring both teachers and students for generations to come."—Donna Sweeting, Director of Faith Filled Families at Virginia Theological Seminary

“The stories contained in this revised version of Volume 8 poignantly invite those in Godly Play story circles to experience, hear, and wonder about the life of Jesus and those in the early church. I am especially excited to see the stories of Mary, Jesus’ mother, and other women who interacted with Jesus and his life story included in this volume.”—Henry Zonio, Ph.D., Director of The Center for Academic Excellence at Asbury University

"The new formatting of the stories make them more user friendly for the storytellers with helpful suggestions on how to use the lesson and additional background information which help connect the story to the liturgical year. The fresh look and feel of the revision reminds us how the spiral curriculum of Godly Play helps our children enter into the religious language and the presence of God by going deeper into the wondering, thus creating the opening for the work of the Holy Spirit. For more than 26 years, Godly Play has been my heart and life work and I am grateful to share this updated edition with my teachers and the children we serve to enhance their Godly Play teaching experience."—Lynne Jensen, Minister for Children, Youth and their Families at Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Wilmington, Delaware and Godly Play Mentor and Retired Trainer

"With a mix of new, slightly tweaked and wholly rewritten lessons, Jerome Berryman continues to bring the essence of our faith stories to life with accessible language that sparks a child’s engagement. The attention Dr. Berryman takes with each word choice allows children to connect their lives and today’s challenges to those of the People of God from long ago. I highly recommend this new publication."—W. Lee Dickson, Godly Play Foundation Executive Director, Retired

"The revision clearly sets out the theological groundwork for creating sacred space in the classroom, as well as for training teachers. What is made clear is that the end goal is not rote answers but a way of being in the world that is informed and upheld by the Godly Play model of wonder and agency in God's creation."—Charlotte Hand Greeson, curator and editor of "Building Faith"

"Over and over, I have seen the power of Godly Play to bring children (and adults) to a place of deep encounter with God. The stories are filled with awe and wonder, and the use of ‘wondering questions’ allows for children to make meaning for themselves, to disagree with one another, and to share their thoughts and experiences. Godly Play takes God, children, and the Bible seriously."—Margaret Pritchard Houston, Children’s Mission Enabler for the Diocese of St. Albans, Church of England

"This revised Complete Guide to Godly Play is a must have for all Christian educators’ shelves. Everything you love about the original books has been carefully clarified and expanded, with answers and suggestions that respond to the questions we’ve all needed in our Godly Play classrooms over the years. The introductory material and the lesson presentations alike are well written and will delight all Godly Play teachers."—Tina Clark, Family Minister at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Denver, Colorado