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When God Made You

by Matthew Paul Turner (illustrated by David Catrow)
WaterBrook, New York. 48 pages
Reviewed by Kimberlee Frost

After reading “When God Made You” to my children, I asked them, “What do you think this story is trying to tell us?” My 21/2-year-old shouted, “God made us!” and my 4-year-old said, “God is inside me.” Certainly the book’s theme is clearly conveyed and consistent throughout!

There are two stories told in this book: one through the illustrations and one through the words. The illustrations take the reader on the creative adventure of a young girl who paints her imagination as it comes to life as a colorful bird.  The words read almost like a litany of affirmation – each reader and each listener will understand by the end that they are special to God.  Because the illustrations and the words don’t match up literally, this could be challenging to younger kids who look to the pictures to explain the words.  However, this creates an opportunity when reading to younger children to explore questions like, “I wonder why the girl was painting?” and “I wonder who she met on her adventure?” or “I wonder what God would say about her colorful painting?”

Children’s ministry programs might use this book when learning that humans are created in the image of God. This book could also be used when talking about God’s calling on our lives, using our talents to further God’s kingdom on earth or even the greatest commandment. Preschool and early elementary kids will respond best to the book, though the beautiful illustrations will resonate with creative types of all ages.

The book’s primary emphasis is to tell the readers that they are special and made in the image of God. Indeed, children should know that, and also know that they are humans, made from dust in the image of God. I wish the book explicitly stated that all humans are created from dust in the image of God, and placed children in the context of a greater community. I’d love to see another book by this author and illustrator team working with a “remember you are dust and to dust you will return” theme.

Near the end of the book readers are challenged to realize that being created in the image of God means to live “by three words: love one another.” These are the book’s strongest pages, when the affirmations turn from each person’s specialness just for existing to God’s hope for creation. “God dreams … that you – God’s YOU – will be hopeful and kind, a giver who lives with all heart, soul, and mind. … A mover, a shaker, a lover of nature.  A builder of bridges, you, the peacemaker.”

It’s a great reminder to kids (and to adults about kids) that they can and do act with great love and are able to follow God more than we sometimes imagine.

Kimberlee Frost works in children’s ministry and music at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Illinois, and Community Presbyterian Church of Clarendon Hills, Illinois.  She loves folk sing-a-longs around the campfire, traveling and exploring the arts with her two children.

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