New Growth Press Partner Review: God Made Me in His Image by Justin & Lindsay Holcomb Illustrated by Trish Mahoney

 

This book is part of a series- God made me by New Growth Press with different authors and even geared toward different age groups.  

God Made Me in His Image-helping children appreciate their bodies is geared for ages 8-11 

God Made Me Unique-helping children see value in every person ages 3-5

God Made All of Me- a book to help protect their bodies -preschool age, ages 3-5 

God Made Boys and Girls-helping children understand gender ages 3-5

God Made Me for Worship-helping children understand the church ages 5-8

God Made Me and You-ethnic diversity ages 3-5 

What I like about this book:

• Illustrations are realistic, child friendly, showing children of different ethnicities, print is clear, some lines are in different colors for emphasis. 
• The book helps children remember that God calls all that He created, "Good." and that they are a part of God's creation, even made in His image.  
• Teaching about who God is, His intention in creation.
• Quotes scripture: Psalm 139
• Natural conversations at the zoo and learning about the animals' design- so cool! Very well-chosen facts to enhance the concepts.  
• Animals with disabilities are kept safe in the zoo.  Connection for kids with disabilities.
• Learning Concept: "Life is beautiful even when it has hard things in it!"
• Africa's Little five animals are hidden in the pages of the book.  Plus the six animals in the book have more information as an extra learning aspect of the book at the end. 
• Dear Parents note and suggestions to discuss at the end of the book.  Well done as a tool to help use the book effectively. 
• Growth Mindset with guiding principles and statements. So healthy

Teaching Connections:

• Vocabulary: Majesty, Dignity (worthy of honor and respect), Sanctuary (for animals), predators, leucism (her skin doesn't make colors), parasites 
• Big Five African animals
• God's Design for His creation 
• Animal research projects
• Research on disabilities- that when someone is blind their other senses are better.  

What I wonder:

• the book is written for ages 8-11, that would be grades 3-5 or 6.  I think it might be more like ages 7-9-year-olds or grades 2-4.  As a colorful picture book. 
• The book has lots of text included it would be a long read aloud.  I don't know the size of the physical book either.  
• What will kids who read the parent notes at the end think about the concerns raised, I don't know another way to do this, but it could make for some interesting conversations.  

Thankful to partner with New Growth Press and read a pdf of the book in advance.