When God Created My Toes

When God Created My Toes pairs long-time children's Christian book author Dandi Daley Mackall with newer-to-the-field illustrator David Hohn - who, incidentally, has quickly become one of the best illustrators in children's Christian books.

In Mackall's familiar rhyming style, and with Hohn's realistic and fun illustrations, we meet a young girl we can all relate to. She's a bit tom-boyish, and tends to be so curious and fun-loving she gets into trouble. As she plays in a huge mud pile she's created, she wonders:

"When God created my toes
Did he make them wiggle?
Did he know I'd giggle?
Did he have to hold his nose
when God created my toes?"

As she skates and skins her knee, she wonders what it was like when God created that knee. As her father helps her do flips in the air, she wonders what God said when he created her hips. As she creatively paints all over her house (walls, couch, and all), she wonders if God clapped when he created her hands. As her exasperated mother gives her a bath to wash off the paint, she wonders what God said when he created her hair. When she surprises her father, scaring the daylights out of him, she wonders if God played peek-a-boo as he created her eyes. When she comes inside from creating a snowman, she wonders if God gave her an Eskimo kiss when he created her nose. As she hugs her cat too hard, she wonders if she loved God right when he created her heart. And as she dresses up in fancy clothes for a pretend tea party, she wonders if God was pleased with the result when he was done creating her.

What I Like: Hohn's illustrations are delightful, and I like the unique layout of the book (it appears to partially be the little girl's creation. There are notebook pages throughout, showing her handwriting and sketches). I also love that Mackall's text reminds us that God created every part of us just the way he wanted us to be.

What I Dislike: I only wish the book ended with a definitive statement about how pleased God is with us as his creation. Instead, the book is a series of questions the author never really answers.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but many children as young as 2 or 3 will enjoy it, too.

Publishing Info: WaterBrook Press, 2008; ISBN: 1400073154; hard back, $9.99

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Special Info: Check out the our other reviews for Dandi Daley Mackall and David Hohn books.