God is With You: That is All You Need

Like a father gently guiding his children, Larry Libby offers advice, Bible stories, and personal remembrances in his lovely book God is With You: That is All You Need.

Each two page spread in this beautifully illustrated book reminds readers God is with us - no matter what! You may be "facing a scary time," God may feel far away, everything may seem awry, you might be hurting, others may tell lies about you, nobody may seem to understand, someone you love might die, you might need to do difficult things, your best friend might move away...but God is with you and will help you.

For example, in the first two page spread, titled "When You're Facing a Scary Time," Libby reminds readers about the biblical Isaac, who moved to a new place "where the neighbors were unfriendly." But God remained with him. Then he tells a story about how he and his boyhood friend once accidentally got locked inside a school building that seemed empty. They panicked and broke a window trying to escape. Just then, a janitor walked into the hallway. "If we had waited just a few more seconds, we would not have broken the window. We forgot that God is always with us. The God who was Isaac's Friend in scary times is your Friend too. God would like us to remember him when we feel afraid."

The last several pages of this book remind us that God is knocking at the door of our hearts. If we haven't already let him in, Libby says he hopes will will do it right away. The last page of the book offers a simple prayer for doing so.

Throughout, Corbert Gauthier's illustrations delight. He gives us everything from luscious woodlands filled with beautiful animals, to humorous and expressive young children (of various ethniticies) playing baseball, to a depiction of Jesus playing with children in biblical times. Each illustration is detailed and rich.

What I Like: I like Libby's style. As you read this book, it really does feel like a grandfather or father is sitting with you by the fireside, offering gentle advice through relatable stories. Libby also offers scripture references throughout. Cauthier's traditional and warm illustrations are a perfect match.

What I Dislike: Nothing, but some parents may object that three illustrations depict Jesus Christ.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but I think kids even a bit older will like this one.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2003; ISBN: 0310703433; hardback; $12.99

Special Info: Visit artist Corbert Gauthier's website for peek at his lovely artwork. Read more of our reviews for Larry Libby's titles, as well as Corbert Gauthier's books.

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This is No Fairy Tale

Written by Dale Tolmasoff and beautifully illustrated in a cross-hatch style by Corbert Gauthier, This Is No Fairy Tale is the story of Jesus from birth to resurrection.

What's different about this story of Jesus is it contrasts common fairy tale happenings with what actually happened in Jesus' life. For instance, with Jesus' birth, it's shown how things might have happened had He been born a prince in a royal kingdom. This contrasts with the fact He was born in a stable and no one knew about His birth, other than His parents and a few shepherds.

What I Like: The comparisons made between fairy tales and Jesus' life are completely valid for young readers. Taking this approach to tell the story of Jesus is unique. In our culture where fairy tales are the norm, I think this book will help children understand the story of Jesus better.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8 years, though older and younger children may find the book interesting due to the familiar fairy tale aspect.

Publishing Info: Crossway Books, 2005; ISBN: 1-58134-644-1; Hardback $15.99

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Special Info: Jesus' face is shown on every page. It's also difficult to tell if He's portrayed as Caucasian or Hebrew.

I Wonder ... Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb?

I Wonder ... Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb? is a wonderful offering by award-winning author, Janette Oke. This hardcover book is filled with imaginings about Jesus as a child. We know about His birth and His adult ministry, but we know hardly anything about His life as a young boy. The author invites children to imagine what His life may have been like. Did He like to go fishing with His grandfather? What were His favorite toys? Coupled with warm and beautiful illustrations, the book wonders if Jesus had a pet; how He liked school; what His favorite food may have been and who His best friends were. Corbert Gauthier does a terrific job illustrating this book with vivid and life-like paintings. The pictures truly pull the reader with a human view of Jesus.

What I Like: The concept is joyful, putting flesh on a character seldom seen as normal. While it is important for children to understand Jesus is not a normal person, they must also understand that He lived a normal life here on earth; He felt the same things we feel and encountered the same trials we face -- even as a child. I applaud the author for presenting Christ in such a personal light and encouraging children to do the same. Furthermore, the illustrations are fantastic! I can almost hear the Christ-child laughing and taste the fresh peach He picks from the orchard. The book is delightful.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Bethany House, 2004; ISBN: 076422901X; Hardback; $9.99

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Angels, Angels Everywhere

Angels, Angels Everywhere, written by Larry Libby, is an updated and revised version of a previously published book titled Somewhere Angels. Each two page spread poses a question about angels and then expounds with an answer. The questions asked include:

• Do angels know where we are?
• Why can't we see angels?
• What do angels look like?
• Will I be an angel when I die?
• How do angels get to Earth from Heaven?
• Do angels deliver messages?
• Do you and I have a special angel?
• Where are angels when we need them?
• Did Jesus have guardian angels?
• What is the Good News angels hear in Heaven?
• Can we praise God with the angels?
• Do angels worship God?
• What can we learn from the angels?
• Will angels take me to Heaven?

Each answer is founded on Scriptural truths. Many include stories from the Bible of encounters with angels, such as that of Elijah, Daniel and the Apostle Paul.

The illustrations by Corbert Gauthier appear to be oil paintings. They are realistic and brilliant, filled with light and color.

What I Like: I love this book! It is wonderfully organized and answers the questions accurately and with age-appropriate clarity. Unlike many other books about supernatural beings, the author does not speculate or rely on legends. He offers answers founded solidly on Scripture. The illustrations are gorgeous. My kids really like this book, too. The content has sparked some wonderful conversations about angels and truth, questions I didn't realize my kids had.

What I Dislike: I noticed at least one mistake (typo) in the text. My biggest concern, though, is that Bible references are not given for the stories. They are provided in ample supply for direct quotes, but never for the many re-told stories from the Scripture. One story that particularly interested my daughter didn't even list the prophet's name, so I haven't a clue about where to look for the biblical account. I would have appreciated an index of stories or even footnotes.

Overall Rating: Excellent. Even with the the "dislikes" listed above, I cannot recommend this book more enthusiastically.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2003; ISBN: 0310703425; Hardback; 30 pages; $12.99

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Special Info: See our reviews of other books by this author and other books with this illustrator.

The Christmas Story: Drawn Directly From the Bible

The Christmas Story: Drawn Directly From the Bible, edited by Edward a. Engelbrecht and Gail E. Pawlitz, is, as the title implies, a story about Jesus’ birth, with the Scriptures being used as part of the actual text.

However, this isn’t your normal Christmas story. This one is divided into chapters and starts with a chapter titled, “The Birth of John Foretold.” The next chapter is “The Birth of Jesus Foretold.” Subsequent chapters tell the story Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, the birth of John the Baptist, the angel’s visit to Joseph, Jesus’ birth, and the visit of the three Wise Men.

Bible references are given for each chapter of the story. Each chapter also includes a list of vocabulary words that are used in the text, along with questions for the reader to answer, something for the reader to do, and a prayer to pray that corresponds to the text. For example, in the chapter titled “The Birth of John,” Luke Chapter One is given as the Bible reference. The vocabulary words are mercy, prophesied, redeemed, prophets and salvation.

The reader is asked: “When the baby was born, who came to rejoice with Zechariah and Elizabeth? What did Zechariah and Elizabeth name the baby? What did Zechariah say about the baby? All of these questions provide a background for discussion about the story’s contents.

The reader is told: “God’s people still sing Zechariah’s happy words. Make up a happy song about how God has blessed your family.”

The reader is given this prayer: “Heavenly Father, You sent John to tell people that Jesus was coming to forgive their sins. Thank you for grown-up people who tell me that Jesus loves me and can forgive the wrong things I think or say or do. Amen.”

The song "Oh, Come, Little Children” is printed on the inside of the back cover.

The illustrations, done by Corbert Gauthier, Cheri Bladholm, and Phil Howe, are beautifully painted, creating life-life characters that look like they could walk out of the pages of the book.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Concordia Publishing House, 2011; ISBN: 9780758619082; Hardcover, $13.99.

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