Images of God for Young Children

by Marie-Hélène Delval

Other authorsBarbara Nascimbeni (Illustrator)
Hardcover, 2011

Call number

231

Publication

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Description

The Bible describes God in many different ways: God is light; God is joy; God is wisdom. God is the beauty that fills the earth and the rock we stand on, the promises we live by and the fire that purifies us. This volume offers a collection of these images, presented in simple language that young readers can easily understand. This book's bright artwork and lyrical text, written by the author of Psalms for Young Children, explores how, even though we cannot see or touch God, we can still discover him in our world.

User reviews

LibraryThing member ronincats
This is my December Early Reviewer book, which arrived yesterday. It is a picture book for children, and the ER copy is unbound but otherwise "finished"--the illustrations and the type-setting are perfect, but the pages are loose inside a paper cover. Half the book is the illustrator's work,
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literally. On the left page each time is a metaphor of God (God is light, God is joy, God is wisdom) and on the right is a beautiful, full-color picture in a primitive style that illustrates or captures the spirit of the metaphor.

The author states at the beginning of the book that "Even though we cannot see or touch God, the Bible does describe many ways that we can still discover God in our world. This book offers a collection of these images, presented here in language that is appropriate for children while remaining faithful to the spirit of the biblical texts." There are 40 metaphors and 40 illustrations, three of which explicitly mention Jesus. The metaphors are presented at the top, and then 3 or 4 sentences that elaborate on the image in simple language are given. These are translated from the French, evidently by the author as no translator is mentioned. The author has written several other childrens books with the Bible as subject matter.

I think the book is beautiful both in its appearance and in its language. I can see a parent using it to introduce a child to the concept of God in a very rich way. While it could be read all the way through, coming back to consider a page or two at a time and to discuss it would be my recommendation. Even adults could use each page as a stimulus for meditation and prayer.
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LibraryThing member mbaland
This is a beautifully crafted picture book for children. My daughter is still too young for the poetry, but I certainly enjoyed the descriptions. I am sure youngsters and parents alike would enjoy this book and sharing in the various aspects of God as presented by the author.
LibraryThing member wnk1029
I received this book as part of an Early Reviewers batch, and really enjoyed reading through it and taking in all of the rich, colorful illustrations and beautiful imagery of the text.

Each page contains a different metaphor for God, describing the indescribable in a way which we can see, feel, or
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touch. I could easily see reading through a page at a time over the course of a few weeks for a child's bedtime routine, and talking with them about our God that we know so much about, yet who is still such a mystery to us.

This book seems to be intended for older children, of elementary school-aged, but could be adapted for children with shorter attention spans by taking smaller portions at a time;each page could stand alone.

There is one thing that I do wish the author had done differently: I really wish each description had come with a corresponding Bible passage or reference. I *think* each of the allusions is straight from the Bible, but there were a few that I couldn't place and would have loved that reference there.
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LibraryThing member TylerHartford
I received this title as a galley copy. The first night I read it to my children, to whom we read 40-50 library books a week. Within the first two pages, the two youngest jumped out of my lap (5 and 3 year old) and the 7 year old stayed. However, I think the 5 and 3 year old both enjoyed listened
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while they played.

My oldest enjoyed the varied images, and I know it sparked some creative output in their artwork and how they pray.

Personally, I found the book to be well illustrated, with very well-crafted wording. As a minister, I have been tempted already to use a page or two in a sermon soon.

I would agree with other reviewers that it might be geared toward pre-teen readers, but that shouldn't stop you from introducing to all of your children the myriad ways of seeing God at work.
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LibraryThing member roydknight
Who would have thought there were so many rich images for God? This book by Marie-Helene Delval is accompanied by wonderful illustrations by Barbara Nascimbeni. I am finding that even as an adult, this makes a great prayer book. An image a day with a brief but insightful description of no more than
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40-50 words along with a full page illustration, brings a connection with God into perspectives that can defy description.
This is a truly great book for practically any age, even though it is meant for younger readers.
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LibraryThing member 2wonderY
This is a very timely book for me, as I'm introducing my grandchildren to God. This book is surprisingly dense and rich with imageries that will help convey God's grandness. I will also be sharing it with the Sunday school teachers at my church. It is a valuable resource. I agree that bible
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references would make it even more valuable, and I will be adding those myself.
I was very disappointed to receive it as a galley copy.
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LibraryThing member Sillykatgirl
This is a wonderful book that explores the many metaphores of God. It is well written and eventhough it's description is for children, I think it is good for all. The illustrations are beautiful too.
LibraryThing member despond
I think the art was well done. Most of the metaphors used for God can be traced in the Bible but not all. For me this was not a big deal but would have made it stronger in content.
LibraryThing member NancyReed
I love the artwork in this book and the messages and reminders of all the things that God is. My five year old enjoys the art as well. Although not something we could just sit and read straight through. We broke it up. I was great how it led us to deeper talks about all that God is and does for us.
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Great one to add to any home collection.
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LibraryThing member huggy26
Images Of God For Young Children is a well-written yet weighty children's book. The authors states that "it is appropriate for children while remaining faithful to the spirit of the biblical texts." Each set of two pages explores a concept of God. They are: breath, light, night, the word, silence,
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secret, our tears, joy, a spring, a rock, a stream, the root, wind, a path, fire, a fortress, a promise, strength, wisdom, deliverance, a covenant, a mystery, beauty, justice, holiness, peace, mercy, love, a shepherd, a king, a healer, a friend, a savior, majesty, smallness, a face, a parent, bread, life, and with us. The whimsical artwork contained within expresses each of these attributes perfectly.
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LibraryThing member Carolfoasia
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! I highly recommend it for children and adults alike! It is a book that helps us understand God with all his wonderful attributes. I want to get the whole series (Psalms, The Bible, and Animals of the Bible for Young Children). I highly recommend this
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book! It would a great gift for kids!
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LibraryThing member kidlit9
I like the idea of seeing God through His creations. Warning: the book mentions Jesus in several descriptions, otherwise it is suitable for all readers.
LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
The Bible describes God in many different ways: God is light; God is joy; God is wisdom. God is the beauty that fills the earth and the rock we stand on, the promises we live by and the fire that purifies us. With bright artwork and lyrical text, this volume offers a collection of these images,
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presented in simple language that young readers can easily understand.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2010

Physical description

96 p.; 8.25 inches

ISBN

0802853919 / 9780802853912
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