Our Big, Big God

Our Big, Big God is a simple book...but simple in a great way. The text, by Jeff Atwood, is some of the best rhyming picture book text I've read in some time. The author doesn't try to show off. He simply informs in words that happen to rhyme. The concept is also simple: To explain what God made and just how "big" that makes him.

The author starts by asking who made bugs, "me" (a red headed girl...although later other children are shown with her), birds, rainstorms, canyons, etc., each time answering that "our big God" made them, adding an extra "big" with each page turn. The book ends: "Our big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big God made them all, and he made me (and he loves me, too!)."

For visual interest, artist Renee Graef has created gorgeous, detailed illustrations. The publisher adds a little zest by putting a sun-shaped cutout on the cover, and small pages that "grow" into full sized pages as the book progresses. The paper is also thicker than typical; this is not a board book, but it would be difficult to tear these pages.

What I Like: I love that the author has focused on one, straightforward theme. It can be tempting to pack a lot into a picture book, but Atwood shows great restraint...and in the end, his book is much stronger for it. The illustrations are also delightful - a visual treat for both parent and child.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: The publisher says 3 - 6, but my 20 month old loves this book and has me read it over and over.

Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster, 2007; ISBN: 1416925201; hardback, $8.99

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Special Info: Atwood wrote this book for his daughter, who has trouble understanding abstract things due to complications from bacterial meningitis. To read about Atwood and his daughter, check out this article. You can also visit the author's website or peek at the illustrator's online portfolio.

If Jesus Walked Beside Me

If Jesus Walked Beside Me poses an interesting question: If Jesus were a buddy who went with me wherever I go, what would life be like? In rhyming text, author Jill Roman Lord talks about some typical childhood difficulties that would be made easier if Jesus were present: When a boy is up to bat, he'd "hit the ball so hard, it'd fly to China or Japan;" riding the new bike would be simple; being sick wouldn't be so uncomfortable; storms wouldn't be scary; skating a figure eight would be easy; and when children teased, the child could say:

"It's time you met my greatest friend,

Who helps me all day through.

If you'd take Jesus as your friend,

He'd do the same for you."

The book ends with Jesus saying that he's always there to guide you through the day; he's just "a prayer away." The author then asks what the child being read to would do if Jesus walked with them, also.

What I Like: The idea behind this story is great. Children need to understand how a relationship with Christ affects their everyday lives. (And for those who don't like picture books that show the face of Jesus, you'll be pleased to know this book shows his body, but never his face.)

What I Dislike: I wish the author had made it clear that Jesus isn't walking with us on earth (as is illustrated in the book), but he is with us spiritually. Parents will need to explain this to their children. Also, the illustrations by Renee Graef are pretty boring. The colors are blah, and there's little action in each illustration. Sometimes all we see is a static image with nothing interesting even in the background. On the up side, boys and girls of many backgrounds are pictured.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: The back of the book suggests this story is for toddlers, but I doubt most toddlers could sit through it. Instead, I suggests it's better for kids 4-9.

Publishing Info: Candy Cane Press, 2006; ISBN: 0824966384; board book, $6.95

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Everyday Prayers

Everyday Prayers is a Harper Blessings book, edited by Jennifer Frantz, containing prayers and songs many of us remember from our childhood. There are fun songs like... "This Little Light of Mine," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," and "Jesus Loves Me."   

With the help of rebus pictures, early readers will love learning these same songs and a few new prayers, too! (Rebus is simply a picture or a letter that represents a word. Instead of reading the word "apple," you see a picture of an apple.) 

By using rebus pictures, the children can read along with you. Each time a sentence is read, children are at the edge of their seats, waiting for their turn to say the word represented by a picture they are familiar with. Here's an example: "Jesus loves me this I know for the (picture of a Bible) tells me so."  Children see the picture, but say the word! 

The text is large and written in simple verse, encouraging children to give praise and thanks for God's many gifts. The illustrations by Renee Graef are beautifully done. 

What I Like: The use of rebus pictures allows young readers to gain confidence in their reading skills and encourages them to read more. This is an educational technique used to teach young children prayers and praises, not only encouraging them to read, but to read about God.

What I Dislike: Nothing. Perfect for the young reader.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: The reading level is for children 4-8, but this is a good book for anyone learning how to read.

Publisher Info: Harper Festival, 2008; paperback; 24 pages; ISBN: 9780060831677

Buy it now from Amazon.com for $3.99 or buy it now from Christianbook.com for $3.99

Special Info: Click here to see more reviews with this same illustrator. 

If Jesus Came to Visit Me

If Jesus Came to Visit Me In If Jesus Came to Visit Me is written as a question: What would happen if Jesus visited a child in person for just one day?

Author Jill Roman Lord suspects a child would offer Jesus something to eat and drink, then ask how grandma was doing in Heaven. Then the two would go for a walk and Jesus would push the child high on a swing. The child would be full of questions, like "Why is the sky blue?" Jesus would patiently answer each question, and before he left, the child would want to give Jesus something to remember him by.

"How about my bike or scooter or
My little horse and cart?
He couldn't take those with him, so...
I know!
I'll give him my heart!"

What I Like: This is a sweet look at how a child might view Jesus if he were in human form today. In the end, the author focuses on what a child's relationship should be with him: All their hearts should belong to Jesus Christ. The illustrations by Amy Wummer are whimsical and inviting; my children loved how friendly Jesus (and others) looked.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: Preschool - kindergartner.

Publishing Info: Candy Cane Press, 2013; ISBN: 978-0824919085; board book, $6.29

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Special Info: There is an older version of this book featuring illustrations by Renee Graef. The text of both books is the same; only the illustrations differ. I much prefer Wummer's illustrations because I find them happier and more kid-friendly.

The Flowering Cross

The Flowering Cross is a precious story about the love of Christ. Written by Beth Ryan and illustrated by Renee Graef, this book shows how a little girl's love for a seemingly grouchy man allowed him to see the love that was shown to him on the cross.

We meet Katie on Easter morning as she jumps out of bed excited about the flowering of the cross that was going to take place at their church that day. She and her family had befriended their neighbor, a man that all the other children were afraid of because he was so grumpy. Katie and her brother Nolan endeared themselves to this man, and became so close to him that they began to call him Papa Jack. Papa Jack grew the most beautiful flowers in town, and he allowed Katie and Nolan to pick them.

Up until today, when Katie's family had invited Papa Jack to go to church with her, he had refused. But when she arrived at his door all ready to pick flowers for her church service, Papa Jack was all dressed and ready to go with her!

On the way to church, Katie shared the love of Christ with Papa Jack and how He died on the cross so that we can have eternal life. She told Papa Jack that the children in their church would put flowers on a wooden cross at church to show their thanks to Jesus for what He had done for them. Papa Jack was so touched as he thought of Christ's love, and the love that his neighbors had shown him.

Papa Jack came to Christ that day, went home, and made his own flowering cross. It became the centerpiece at Katie's house for Easter dinner that day. He started to show kindness to the neighborhood children, and picking flowers in his garden became a Easter tradition for the entire neighborhood.

What I Like: The gospel message is so simple that indeed a child can understand it. I love the simplicity of this book, but the message of salvation is very clear. One of the things that I like best about the format of this book is that on almost every page, there is a Faith Imprint and a verse. For example, on the page where Katie's mother tells her to get up and take a bath on Easter morning, the Faith Imprint says: "Share how Katie did what her mother told her to do." The accompanying verse is Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. This is the right thing to do." (International Children's Bible) The illustrations are soft and as touching as the story is. Another thing I like is that although the cross is used as a symbol in this book, the emphasis is put on what Christ did for His people.

What I Dislike: I don't dislike anything about this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2010; ISBN:1400315379 ; Hardcover,32 PGS., $12.99

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Special Info: Find more Easter books we've reviewed here.