When God Made You

As a pastor and a father of a young daughter, I deeply care about the books she “reads” (she’s only 2½) and has read to her, especially the books that speak of God. I want my daughter to have an understanding of God that reflects the beauty, love, wonder, passion, and creativity we see of God in scripture. I also want her to see herself and her neighbor in compassionate and grace filled ways, as seen in how Jesus loved and called us to love. So it matters to me what books will fill her bookshelves and be found on her nightstand. If I’m being honest I approach most Christian children’s books with an expectation that they are going to be just awful. The thing that bothers me the most about many of the Christian children’s books I have seen is the poor theology they contain and the dumbing down of the message of the Bible. When I received this book, When God Made You to review, the gloves were off. I was ready to mercilessly pick it apart and tell you why you should never read it to your children. But instead, after reading it I couldn’t wait to read this with my daughter and I hope it becomes one of her all time favorites! When God Made You is written by Matthew Paul Turner who has written numerous books, including: Hear No Evil, Churched, and The Coffeehouse Gospel and is illustrated by David Catrow who has illustrated more than 70 children’s books. This book is beautiful in every way. The writing is poetic, the theology is rich, and the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Visually this book is stunning and unlike any other children’s book I have seen. My daughter couldn’t take her eyes off the pages as we read the story together. The main theme of the book is celebrating and holding onto the fact that we are all uniquely created by God and we are to live and create and love in the fulness of our God ordained uniqueness. Turner writes in a way that inspires. Not only does my daughter love the story but as an adult I was taken aback by the depth of the writing. This is a book that young ones will enjoy and even as my daughter gets older I want to continue to unpack more of the beauty found in these pages. I so badly want to quote the entire book for you, but since that breaks way too many copyright laws, here are a few of my favorite lines: ‘Cause when God made you, this much is true, the world got to meet who God already knew. Discover. Explore! Have faith but love more. ‘Cause when God made you and the world oohed and aahed, in heaven they called you an image of God. A you who views others as sisters and brothers and lives by three words: love one another. Buy this book for your son or daughter, your niece or nephew, your grandson or granddaughter, your neighbors kids, or your friends who just had a baby. When God Made You is a rare find in Christian children’s literature. It’s a perfect combination of excellent writing, really sound theology, and unbelievable artwork. * Publisher recommended age range for this book is 3-10 years old.

A lovely book. Inspiring poetry accented with beautiful illustrations. Bought it for our 5 year old and cannot wait for our bedtime read. I highly recommend!

Children's Books are fun to read...and to give. I have a new great-great-nephew, Avery, for whom I'm thinking about building a small library, so when he comes to visit me, we'll be able to share and read one of those books that I've added, based upon the storyline. So, it was an easy choice to select When God Made You! For surely, God gave this little boy to our family! And if you feel that same way about your children or other children who have come into your life through family, neighbors, perhaps church, or some other way, and want to select a book as a gift, then I do want to call your attention to this story. In the first book of Genesis, we learn that God created us in His image. What does that mean? Well, Matthew Paul Turner has written beautiful poetic words that will explain how and why God made each of us in a special image that only God could do! Do you favor the words or the pictures when you look at a book. For a picture book, I look at both, but when it's a children's book, I think your eye just naturally turns to the pictures first, don't you? The author talks about having been a reader when he was young and when he now had children, he knew he wanted to promote the same love of reading to his children... First of all, the author could not have selected a more wonderful illustrator! Kudos to David Catrow for really amazing pictures that have so much for the child to explore that he won't be able to stop looking, trying to find the child who is pictured on the cover. You know, folks, one of the things that comes through in the words of Matthew Turner in this book and others, is that, indeed God designed each of us. He designed some to be one color and some another, but He surely knew what he was doing when he made me...and you... and you... and you, didn't He? This is a happy book to share with your child, learning about God's part in creating him-- especially when you spend the time to read along. I remember when Avi was visiting and we looked through a book about cats that even had a button to press to hear a meow! It's a special time that we all can share, no matter what age your child might be. And, if you're smart, you'll keep adding books to that home library to ensure that the joy of reading--one of God's gifts to us--will continue throughout their lives! Watch for more children's books fully discussed on my blog, as I build Avi's library over the years. He's not yet talking much and certainly not reading, but if you have a book to recommend, let me know! God Bless, Gabbie

Lovely book!

This is a beautiful book! It's so muchbetter than I expected. First, It's larger, 8 3/4 inches square. It's a hardback book and it lays flat when open. The colors are so bright and swirly and actually quite dreamy. The art has a loose, kind of spiritual feel about it. It's like the little girl is on her way from God to earth, like she's kind of halfway between. There's even a double page with a loose recreation of Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" that's on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapen! It's quite spiritual and brought me close to tears, because I think of how much I prayed and wished for a great grandchild in my lifetiime. And because of how much I love her and her daddy and also how much I desire for them to know God. I rate this book 5*'s and my personal highest recommendation! It's a treasure. My utmost gratitude to the author, Matthew Paul Turner and the illustrator David Catrow. One of the best ever!

What a lovely little book. It actually makes me cry every time I read it to my grandkids.

The most beautifully written children's book I have ever read. One we will read often and keep and cherish. It also helps me to read this. The words are a great reminder of God's love for me too!

Beautiful illustrations. Cute story! My great granddaughter loves it!

Cute! Beautiful story.

Very nice book for kids to know that God loves them. Such beautiful illustrations !

We bought this book and love it! Very cute story!

As ilustrações são a coisa mais linda. Elas são bem coloridas e você embarca junto na criatividade do designer. A história é muito linda também. Traz uma mensagem maravilhosa. Amei o livro!

I love reading this book to our child. Everyone should read this.