The Bible is filled with wonderful stories that delight
children. But it takes a good storyteller to engage young children and related
the stories to their little worlds. As seen in her latest children’s book, Love Letters from God (Zonderkidz)
Glenys Nellist is that kind of storyteller.
Love Letters from God
contains about twenty beautifully illustrated Bible stories, each accompanied
by Scripture in the section “God’s Wonderful Words to You” and with the added
bonus of a “Love Letter from God”—a stamped card envelope in which opens to
reveal a letter crafted from principles from God’s Word. An underlined space
allows for the child to write their own name and personalize the letter.
Gorgeous artwork by Sophie Allsop adds to Nellist’s captivating
narrative with its catchy titles such as ‘The Sneaky Snake,” “The Very Smelly
Belly,” and “The Super-Duper Picnic” to name just a few.
The book comes in an attractive, colorful hard-back cover
with glossy imprints superimposed on matt paper. Delightful—until the child destroys that outside paper cover, of course.
But, even if that paper cover does get destroyed, the hard cover underneath is
adorned with the same artwork but without the glossy effect. Phew!
This book is large and might have worked better on a smaller
scale so that young hands could grasp and flip through at their leisure. As is,
the size is a little awkward for young children to hold and browse through on
their own.
Love Letters from God
is aimed at children 4-8 years old. For children nearer the older side of the
spectrum though, I suggest reading the Bible’s actual rendition of the story as
well as Nellist’s version, since her stories are abbreviated fun adaptations Scripture.
Nothing bypasses the need for pure Bible reading—especially for older children.
Too big to stuff in a stocking (unless you have a huge
stocking) but definitely makes a great gift for young’s.
This story will also appear in Assist News.
Janey DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © October 2014
JaneyDeMeo.com
