Book of the Week: "The Boy and the Ocean"

Title: "The Boy and the Ocean"

Author: Max Lucado

Illustrator: T. Lively Fluharty

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What do I like about it?

I like the "wondering" tone of the book. Max Lucado answers a question asked by many children, while also encouraging children to ask more good questions.

The message of the book is very solid: God's love is "always here. It's always big. It never ends. God's love is special." This is repeated three times in the book, which helps the words to sink into your heart.

The illustrations are gorgeous!

Are there any drawbacks?

I had bought it to read during the service at church and found it a little long. (Our church has lots of littles!) It could be shortened to read at church, or would be a good length for reading at home.

The book is metaphorical and some children might not make the connections. At the same time, it is ok to read things that we will grow into! I would still highly recommend this book.

Where can it be purchased?

I found it at my local Chapters. I am sure most Christian bookstores would also have it in stock.

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-boy-and-the-ocean/9781433539312-item.html?ikwid=the+boy+and+the+ocean&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

Book of the Week: "When God Made You"

Title: "When God Made You"

Author: Matthew Paul Turner

Illustrator: David Catrow

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What do I like about it?

The book has an important message to each child: You are created by God.

I like the beautiful illustrations and the beautiful words (with rhyme and rhythm.) I think that God's amazing creation is well celebrated in this book.

The children at our church enjoyed the pictures and the message.

We have been purposely looking for books with more diverse characters. We appreciated this book for that reason.

Are there any drawbacks?

I was reading to a younger audience (aged 2-8) and found that some of the words were very tricky. As a book with few words and many pictures, it looks like a book for younger kids. However, in many cases there was a strong focus on beauty of language. This was good, but in some cases a much simpler word would have sufficed. Some of the younger kids lost attention since they couldn't understand what the book was about.

Where can it be purchased?

Most Christian or secular bookstores. In Canada, you can order online at https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/when-god-made-you/9781601429186-item.html?ikwid=when+god+made+you&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0 . 

Book trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_pBRUXlFNw