Waterbrook Partner Review: From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer --A contemporary novel

 

I've read this author before, but I'm not sure I've read any of her contemporary fiction books.  I've loved her historical fiction works.  But I will be picking up her contemporary fiction books soon.  I read because I love to read.  I limit my fiction reading because I often do not find that reading fiction is worthy of the time commitment invested.  But this book, it's worthy to be read.  I gave it 5 stars, a rare accolade for this regular book launcher.  

This story is told from several different characters' perspectives, Merlin and Laura Kraft, Jase, Kenzie, and Laurie.  It's not at all confusing to follow, and their lives are all intertwined.  But the value of all their perspectives is that they are each learning to trust God with different wonders going on in their hearts, souls, and minds, and the author masterfully shows their thinking on the page, as well as how the Holy Spirit can work in the life of those who believe.  To me their thinking aloud and wonder about being lonely, being enough. being loved, are so likely to be thoughts and feelings that most of us have at one time or another.  And the way that they grow and learn to listen to the voice of the Lord through the Holy Spirit is encouraging.  I will admit, it's captured on the pages in a brief, neat time period, and there isn't a long wait for any of the characters to see the hand of God intervene, but that's okay because it's a novel, and for most real readers likely to be one they read in less than two days.  

I think this is the perfect novel for 2021.  After this past year that we have endured with the pandemic across the world, I found From this Moment to be the reminder and relief that I think we are craving, and it points us to the right solution to all our worries, emotions, and struggles.  

Thankful to partner with Waterbrook Press and read an advanced copy of the book.  

Love Gave by Quina Aragon illustrated by Rommel Ruiz Choice F

This book is newly published by Harvest House Publishers on February 2nd, 2021.  In most places, it is back-ordered until May 15, 2021, at least that's what one site says,,  others said back-ordered until March 1st.  Since it fits with the books I've been reviewing, and the first book by this author called Love Made, also I've seen widely suggested.  I ordered it from amazon with two-day delivery so that I could include it, and potentially use it for Children's Church.  

The book says that is geared for ages 3-7-year-olds.  

Here are some sample pages: 

Back Cover: 

What I like about the book:

• The book is a hardback, good size 9.5" by 11", with sturdy thick glossy pages.  
• The illustrations have a red ribbon running through them from the front cover to the second set of pages, as well as a snake ribboned through the pages on sin.  
• The illustrations also pull in other events in Jesus's life while still using the ribboning well to show pages on sin with the darkness/snake, and the red ribbon with the discussion of Jesus' gift, as well as broken up after Jesus' work is done.   
• The illustrations include children that are ethnically diverse.  
• Concepts taught include Love, Trinity, Big Problem-Sin, relationship with God, Jesus loving children, what God is like, Biggest gift (Jesus died and rose again-Himself), Love received, Believe. 
• I like that the key concepts are so well explained like sin is defined in child-friendly terms and concrete examples, describing God and Jesus as Love, and explaining that God and sin can't be friends, as well as eternal death or eternal life.  
• Use of questions to keep the listener engaged, as well as the touch of humor or reality included. 
• Ending of the book, summarizing how to be friends with Jesus, and it includes John 1:12 which was the end of the book- Believe. 

What I wonder about the book: 

• Are the illustrations too dark on the sin pages?  Will the intended age of the listener pick up on the subtle clues and threaded ribbons throughout the book or is that for the adults, or older children?  
• Are some of the shadows the illustrator uses a bit too creepy for preschool children?   
• Some of the explanations are a bit sophisticated for the 3-year-old crowd, and maybe even the 7-year-olds, but with repeated readings and interaction, they do seem child-friendly for the sophisticated concepts the book is explaining like "a gift that cost the price of heaven."  That's a concept that needs a lot of background knowledge but also can be simply explained with Jesus paid our admission to heaven.  
• How long will it take to read aloud this book?  The Gospel in Four Words was around 9 minutes.  I suspect this one is close to that.  

I can see why this book is flying off the shelves, and I can see using it with my group of 2 to 6-year-olds for children's church.  It's different from the others I have purchased, but it wins in clearly teaching what the Good News is and how to develop a personal relationship with God.  

What is the Gospel by Mandy Grace Illustrated by Tessa Janes Choice E

 

About this book:  Children often have many questions about God and the gospel and this little illustrated book is a great way to introduce the topic. Written for preschoolers, this book explains what the gospel is not just parts of it, in a way that kids can understand.

This book is available as a paperback.  It was published in 2012 by Christian focus publishers.  

Things I like about this book:

• modeling higher-level thinking as a narrative. And would be a great conversational book one on one.  
• the illustrations- Mandy Grace is a good illustrator.  
• Concepts related to the gospel mentioned, but not really defined, more implied- sin, God's kingdom, gift, Good News- "the full story of Jesus saving us from our sin....", Jesus is our King, eternal life,  God's grace and goodness, relationship with God, and being made right with God.  
• Symbols it uses and repeats- Crown-King Jesus, Three crosses, and a heart. Make it a book to build and teach from.  

Things I wonder about this book:

• will the story form of the main character trying to figure out the gospel's appeal more than a factual account?  
• is there enough information to bring the gospel to a child or is it too implied? 
• is this book really geared to preschoolers?  probably pre-K.  Maybe older.  Word choice is more advanced.  It has a lot of words on each page.  

Sample Pages: 

Wow! The Good News in Four Words by Dandi Daley Mackall Choice D

 

This is a hardback book or paperback book.  I purchased the hardback book and it's a nice size for reading to a group, I'd guess it's 10inches by 10 inches.  Published by Tyndale.  Written by Dandi Mackell and Illustrated by Annabel Temptest.  Published in 2017.

What I like about the book:

• It achieves the goal. It shares the gospel in a fun, interactive, engaging child-centered way.  The words are familiar, it rhymes, it's a good size hardbound book with sturdy pages, and its illustrations are warm and friendly.  Setting up for a great read-aloud to share the good news. 
• It includes the word sin- for the "uh-oh".  I like that it's using the biblical term.  And our kids learn early on that sin is anything we say, think, or do against God.   (point to your mouth, head, and move your hands as actions.)  
• Note to Parents and then the four words to emphasis.  
• Fun printables available to go with it!  Finger puppets.
• Nice sturdy pages.  The graphics that go with the words: Wow!, Uh-oh, Yes, and Ahh, are included on the pages, and again at the end with the verses that go with each one.  
• Verses that correspond with the events mentioned are all referenced at the back of the book, and you can print them here. 
• The book has rhyme, yet child-friendly word choices, the 4 repeated words, for easy connections- here are some quotes from the book:

What I wonder about the book:

• It's a 9-minute read-aloud.  Is this too long? will the rhyme and four words keep the kids with me?  
• Can I read it with the 2-6-year-old class, when it's designed for over 4-year-olds? I'm gonna try.  

A few of the pages to me are hard to read because they are cluttered with visual and text, most pages have the text in a white background, but a few are more like this:

Right now- this is my first choice book to read aloud in children's church.  I may also bring the Gospel board book as a backup choice if our main meeting goes over time and I'm really short on time.  With its size, rhyme, the finger puppets to go with it- it's my best chance to keep the kids with me in my lesson today.  I also happened to be in Walmart this week, with Valentine's day things 90% off, and was able to pick up clear bouncy balls with hearts inside, and packages of heart-shaped plastic slinky type toys and it was 19 cents for 12!! So I can wow kids- but when they end up under the van seats, or in the trash- they will still remember the feeling and joy of their Jesus loves ME! and Jesus loves YOU! prizes to go with the Good News!  I love teaching littles and making them smile and bring joy!  

The Gospel for Little Ones by Maite Roche Choice C

 This book is published by a Catholic group.  It has been reprinted several times, the edition I have is from 2016.  It was originally in french.  This is a padded cover board book.  

What I like about the book:

• This book focuses on Jesus' life and God's love.  It starts with God choosing Mary to be Jesus' mom.  It mentions some of Jesus' names- long-awaited Savior, Son of God.  It shares an overview of His time as man and God on earth through his death, resurrection, and ascension. 
• It is accurate to the Word of God.  
• The illustrations are sweet, round faces, almost a watercolor effect background, but people and their environment are clear and the focus.  
• The word choices are child-friendly, yet true to the Word of God, and focused on the relationship with Jesus and God-centered on love. 
• It highlights the major components of Jesus's time on earth that we would teach in the New Testament, making it a great book to use as a review tool.  
• It is the gospel, but it does not talk about man's contribution and need for the Good news.  Just the work that Jesus has done, and that the love of God is with Him.  It does say that God gives life to those who believe in Him.  

What I wonder about the book:

• This book teaches the gospel through the lens of God's love and Jesus is with us.  Will the need to acknowledge Jesus as King, Lord, and ask for forgiveness of sins, come across clear enough?  Or will the book leave littles knowing that God is with us.  

I bought this book after reading the reviews and knowing it summarizes the life of Jesus.  This is done.  Is it my first tool to be sure that preschoolers can share the Good News with others, probably not.  But does it have merit and is it worthy of being in our little church library.  It certainly is!  

The Gospel for Little Ones by Katie Ornelas and Anna Sargeant Option B

 

This book is published by The Austin Stone in 2013.  

Synopsis:

Looking for a book that presents the Gospel of Jesus in a way young children can understand? The Gospel for Little Ones provides an overview of God's plan of salvation in simple words and phrases. Young listeners will learn about creation, the fall, our need for a Savior, the incarnation of Jesus, His death and resurrection, the promise of His return, and the hope for all who love Him. Adults and children alike will be encouraged by the Person and work of Jesus Christ, the One whose love can bring us back to God. Scriptures are provided in the back of the book to show that this story is a true story, not made up by humans, but given to us by God Himself. It's a story for both big ones and little ones, a story to treasure with all our hearts, the greatest story ever told.

What I like about this book:

• This is a story of the events from creation to the cross.  It explains sadness, sin, people wanting their own way.  But people needed a way back to God.  
• It teaches God's plan- explains Jesus is God and man.  Perfect is the word to describe God and Jesus.  
• The explanation is simple.  The terms are child-friendly.  The simple illustrations are appealing and have some fun details. 
• The back inside cover shares the references that go with the concepts taught on each page. 
• The approach Jesus is greater than sin and Jesus loves us.  

What I wonder about the book:

• I would have liked a clearer statement about faith, accepting Jesus' love, to make the gospel even clearer.  But the back cover does say it's a book to open conversations and it's abbreviated. 
• The print is tiny, the illustrations are tiny.  This will be a tough read-aloud to a group of children, probably not the purpose of the board book, but it's what I'm trying to find. 
• Will a larger publisher find this book, and publish more? is there a demand for this type of book?  

 Comparing it to the "Gospel" book from yesterday. This is apples and oranges.  Both achieve the goal and my desire to clearly share the gospel with littles.  And in my opinion, they both do an exceptional job.  

I purchased this book used as it appears to be in high demand but only one printing and many copies are over $20 and it's a small board book.  

The Gospel Board Books Option A

Crossway Publishers released a book entitled:  The Gospel in 2020. It is written and illustrated by Devon and Jessica Robyn Provencher. It is part of a series called, "Big Theology for Little Hearts."  

Reading the back of the book helps you grasp what the series is about.  

What I like about the series:

• Illustrations, clear, warm, simple, and friendly kid-appeal. Also related to the words defined on each page.  
• Plan- each book teaches a big theological word in child-friendly language.  
• Accuracy to the Bible, to adult teaching of these terms, and yet still using phrases that are common for littles- like King, turn your back to sin, Jesus- Rescuer, ...

The other two books published are God and Jesus.  Just as effective and well-chosen as the Gospel.  These books could teach a 3-year-old, a college kid, or a parent about the most essential doctrine of the gospel.  

These books are books that I hope kids request over and over again so that the children memorize the concepts as does the reader.  So valuable on so many levels.  

Sample pages:

What I wonder:  

• Will children want these books without a rhyme factor repeated over and over?  
• Will they make posters to go with the series for older kids in classrooms?  These would be great word wall images in a learning environment- and if you changed the font, even at a Bible college. 
• What other books will come in this series.  

I purchased these books when they were released and haven't had a chance to read them with littles yet due to the pandemic.  But that time is coming soon I hope.