Author: Max Lucado
Illustrator: Eve Tharlet
What does it look like outside?
What does it look like inside?
The book is narrated by a parent, speaking to their child. It would make a great bed-time book read by a Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa!
The Daddy bear* starts by telling his daughter that she was created by God. This is why she's so special. The Daddy tells his child that no matter what challenges she faces in life, he will be there for her and will always love her. Then he tells about how God will always love her and be there for her too. Finally, the Daddy talks about heaven. "In heaven you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you."
This is a good book about creation, or about love (of families and of God!).
Although only a few pages are about heaven, I think that this is also a good introduction to talking about heaven. The book grounds the discussion about heaven in truths about God's love. I think that this is a theologically solid place to start the conversation.
*I actually have no idea what gender the parent/child bears are, and it doesn't really matter. I have given them a gender just so that I don't trip over pronouns!
Are there any drawbacks?
The central image of this book is this: God loves us just like our Mommies and Daddies love us. This image is fantastic for children who have known the safety of their parents' love. But what about kids who have not had this experience? What about children who are in foster care and are hurting because they and their parents will not be "together, forever."? Of course, God is still a loving mother and father to these children. However, I don't think that this image wold be helpful to their emotional or spiritual health at the moment.
Where can it be purchased?
This is a very popular book, which can be purchased at most secular or Christian bookstores. I bought mine at Chapters: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/just-in-case-you-ever/9780718075385-item.html?ref=item_page%3avariation
No comments:
Post a Comment