A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 249

Picture Book: Images of God for Young Children

Author: Marie-Helene Delval

Illustrator: Barbara Nascimbeni

Summary: This book offers a collection of images of God that are found in the Old and New Testaments. Aspects of God are explained in terms children will understand through visual, concrete images as well as abstract analogies. Examples include God is light, God is promise, God is mercy, and God is peace. There are even some difficult questions to consider such as: “Why do some people fight in the name of God?” Simple explanations are offered that you may want to expand on.

Hanna’s Comments: Unlike most picture books, this book should not be completed in one sitting. Each entry should be savored. The 40 themes are so rich you could create a whole series of conversations or even lessons based on the variety of images for God given here.  Non-Christians could leave out the two entries referencing Jesus. Delval  wrote 2 other books in this series. Psalms for Children is comprised of paraphrases of some of The Psalms. Because they emphasize a range of human feelings, it would be a valuable book to read to children. Children will especially enjoy Animals of the Bible. It tells the stories surrounding some particular animals mentioned in The Bible such as the snake in Genesis, the lions in Daniel, and the lost sheep in Jesus' parable. 

Publisher & Date of Publication: Erdmans, 2010

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

# of Pages: 96

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: God book, Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, adoration, awe, Bible/scripture, God’s nature, Holy Spirit/spirit, image of God, Jesus

Scripture Connections: This book connects with numerous scriptures depending on the image. 

Idea(s) for Application: Read small portions of this book to a child or group of children and engage them in conversation about particular images of God as found in the Bible.