PBT Series: God Book #4

Today I offer one of the treasures posted formerly here at PBT. Most of my featured books are secular because those are rich resources hidden in plain sight. However, now and then I post about a book that explicitly explores the nature of God. The book below is one of those God books. I originally offered it toward the end of my initial year of posting about a different picture book each day. That's why there are over 600 books at PBT for you to explore and consider for your faith family or your family at home. Add this book to both of those libraries for a way to expand each family's understanding of God and who we perceive God to be.

Picture Book: When God was a Little Girl

Author: David Weiss

Illustrator: Joan Hernadez Lindeman

Summary: A father and young daughter are on a long car trip. She wants a story about, “When God was a little girl.” Thus, begins a father’s imaginative retelling of the creation stories from Genesis. This personified God does art projects, giggles a lot, loves to sing colors into being, and invites the humans she creates to be echoes of the divine while She creates and sings the names of Earth’s creatures.

Hanna’s Comments: I was delighted to find this title on the storypath blog, a resource I highly recommend. You’ll find a link to that blog on my blog list here. My library didn’t have this book so I ordered it immediately. I was not disappointed! I love the artsy emphasis with both the music and the craft angles that children will enjoy. I especially appreciate how the young female images of God change in race and age. Don’t limit this book’s influence by reading it just to young girls or women. This is a wonderful book for expanding the image of God in a way that is non-threatening and delightful. Then have your audience consider other possibilities for expanding God’s image and encourage them to consider what these images say about God and what attributes for God are out of bounds for your group. Resources to supplement this book are at www.WhenGodWasaLittleGirl.com. At the back, the author and illustrator offer some details about their inspirations for this picture book.

Original Publisher & Date: Beaver’s Pond Press, 2013

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up 

Formats other than Book: None at present 

Scripture Connections: Creation Stories (Genesis 1 & 2)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to discuss and expand images of God in the Genesis creation stories and beyond.