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I WANTED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT GOD

Name: I WANTED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT GOD
Author: Virginia L. Kroll
ISBN: 0-8028-5078-2

by Virginia L. Kroll & illustrated by Debra Reid Jenkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1994

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``I wondered if God is strong, and the ocean roared in my ears.'' ``I wondered if God is caring, and the new boy shared his crayons with me.'' Through a dozen such observations, Kroll builds the idea that God's attributes can be discovered in many ways in ``His Creation,'' in the natural world and in people's generosity and love—a kindly, all-embracing, nonsectarian view of a deity whose likes include children of different colors, as shown in Jenkins's lush, sun-dappled paintings of glowing kids enjoying a snowy day, admiring a spider's web, or wrapped in Grandma's embrace. An attractive discussion opener. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1994

ISBN: 0-8028-5078-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Eerdmans

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1994

Categories:

CHILDREN'S RELIGION

- BOOK REVIEW
NAOMI KNOWS IT'S SPRINGTIME
by Virginia L. Kroll & illustrated by Jill Kastner

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JEWISH ALPHABET

by Janet Clement & illustrated by Albert G. Rodriguez ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2006

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The Anglo rather than Hebrew alphabet is used here as a loose tie-in presenting Jewish-related information on holidays, customs, traditions and certain religious practices. While some letter connections seem sensibly Jewish-oriented—“K is for Kiddush, a prayer over wine / thanking God for giving us the fruit of the vine / L is for latkes fried ’til crisp and yummy / Add applesauce or sour cream and fill up your tummy”—others seem stretched and more generic: “A is for animals, boarding Noah’s Ark / hurrying on two by two before the sky turns dark / B is for bagels baked golden brown / many varieties, all of them round.” In addition to displaying upper- and lower-case letters and extra words for each letter, the author provides explanations for each concept. Mixed-media illustrations incorporate the shape of the letter into the object each represents, and accompany prose and uneven and imperfectly rhymed text. An introductory hodgepodge of information, at best. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-7)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2006

ISBN: 1-58980-414-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Pelican

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2006

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S RELIGION

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LITTLE ONE, WE KNEW YOU’D COME

by Sally Lloyd-Jones & illustrated by Jackie Morris ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2006

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A brief, poetic text and stunning illustrations flow together with magically successful pacing in this exquisite retelling of the Nativity story. The rhythmic text effectively uses the title words as a gentle refrain, along with the phrase “on the day that you were born.” Simple words told from the joint viewpoint of the two parents offer rich images of “silver stars and golden moon,” echoed by gold-leaf highlights in the art, as well as tender thoughts for their new baby, with kisses for “those tiny toes” and plans to “softly sing a lullaby.” Superb watercolor illustrations in Morris’s distinctive style are filled with deep, rich colors, swirling patterns and tender expressions between Mary and Joseph and their child. Woven throughout the illustrations are symbolic images from nature (flowers, butterflies, birds, fruit and shells) that have been seen in paintings of Mary and Jesus through the ages. Though this is a Nativity story, its message of awe and transcendent love will also touch new parents welcoming their own babies or expectant parents awaiting a miracle child of their own. (Picture book. 4-7, adult)