Like a lingering hug.
A perspective on omnipresence for young Christians.
A little girl asks her mother, “Where is God?” The response is an assured “here,” “in heaven,” and “everywhere.” Both agree that God’s ability to be everywhere at once is amazing. Mama tells the child that God is in attendance when we are born, when we are sick, and when people help one another, especially those in need. God is also present all day—and all night—long. The little girl and her mother visit their neighborhood church, where Mama explains that God showed his love for us by sending us his son, who died for people’s sins. As Mama promises the child that God will be with them “always and forever,” they embrace. Later that night, as the girl goes to sleep, she thanks God for being with her and looks forward to life in God’s eternal presence. Calm awe suffuses the tenderly encouraging text, complemented by the illustrations. Depictions of rays of light and warm glows symbolize the gentle presence of the deity. Though the story is set in a bustling city, the mother and child interact with nature, too—one scene shows them at the beach, while another shows them walking through a city park. Mama is light-skinned, while the child presents Black; other characters are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Like a lingering hug. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2023
ISBN: 9780061131783
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2023
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations.
Bergren and Bryant attempt to explain Easter to young children in a gentle, nonthreatening manner, with partial success.
When Little Cub questions her father about Easter, Papa Bear explains the religious significance of the holiday in various symbolic ways to his cub. He uses familiar things from their world, such as an egg and a fallen tree, to draw parallels with aspects of the Christian story. Papa Bear discusses his close relationships with Jesus and God, encouraging Little Cub to communicate with God on her own. The theme focuses on the renewal of life and the positive aspects of loving God and Jesus. Easter is presented as a celebration of eternal life, but the story skirts the issue of the crucifixion entirely. Some adults will find this an inadequate or even dishonest approach to the Easter story, but others will appreciate the calm and soothing text as a way to begin to understand a difficult subject. Bryant’s charming watercolor illustrations of the polar bear family, their cozy home and snowy forest scenes add to the overall mellow effect.
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations. (Religion/picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-307-73072-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: Dec. 11, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2013
A satisfactory, Christian-themed guide to coping with worries.
What do you do when anxieties seep in?
A child with short brown hair, light skin, and thick glasses is plagued by Worry, an amorphous gray blob with large eyes. As the child considers various activities, Worry supplies some answers to its favorite question—“What if?” Like what if you fall while rollerblading? Or what if you get soaked in the rain on the way to the school bus? When this happens, pretty bad feelings arise. An unseen narrator tells readers that talking to God can make things better. As the child decides to “think about God’s promises,” a protective bubble forms around them. The child rollerblades, trusting God to take care of things, and finds courage and security in the good things planned even when some things go wrong. In the end, God is more powerful than Worry. Opening with a Bible verse, this book is an affirmation of a Christian perspective that belief in God will see a person through uncertain times. Caregivers and educators should note that the book focuses more on typical worries than clinical anxiety. The boilerplate illustrations add some interest to the pages, doing a bit of the heavy lifting left from the general and bare second-person narration. Racially diverse children populate the background. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A satisfactory, Christian-themed guide to coping with worries. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: June 6, 2023
ISBN: 9781546012542
Page Count: 32
Publisher: WorthyKids/Ideals
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
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