God Gave Us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Laura J. Bryant
God Gave Us Love [board book]
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant
Published: 2012
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2400-9
Pages: 22
Illustrations: Most pages are fully illustrated
Text density: 5-7 sentences per page spread
Age: 0-3 (I disagree, please read my comments below).
Summary: God Gave Us Love [board book]
When Little Cub bursts in anger towards nearby otters who have disturbed his fishing, Grampa turns the moment into a lesson on God’s love. After all, the otters have a right to play in the spot too, and Little Cub should show the otters love. Grampa’s lesson then expands to include teaching Little Cub about the many facets of human love and God’s love. Not only does Grampa emphasize what love looks like, but he explains faith, God’s love in salvation, and how we must choose to love when we don’t feel like it. Soothed by Grampa’s wisdom, Little Cub falls asleep praying that God will strengthen her love and thanking God for giving his love to her.
Grampa’s explanation on why we naturally feel love for family: “It’s something deep within us, something I can’t totally explain — only that God is love, so he created us to love. He ties us all together like the strings on our snowshoes, heart to heart.”
Illustrations: God Gave Us Love [board book]
Laura J. Bryant’s illustrations warmly lit up the winter scenes of the book. I especially enjoyed some of her depictions of the grandfather playing and sleeping with his little grand-cubs.
Comments: God Gave Us Love [board book]
Clarification: God Gave Us Love is part of the popular series “God Gave Us . . .” by Lisa Tawn Bergren. The board book version is an abbreviated form of the longer book for older children. My comments are only directed towards this particular version of God Gave Us Love as I have not read the longer book or any of the other books in the series.
What I didn’t like:
- The opening with the otters seemed artificial, as if intended to be only a prop to share a biblical lesson. {I keep wondering too; why don’t the polar bears need to love the fish they are catching and eating . . .}
- This board book does not fit any age well, much less the age range of 0-3 it is intended for. The text is too long and abstract for an average three year old.
- I think that children learn best through a great story, but in this book the didactic elements overshadowed the story.
- Too many topics were covered too quick (probably due to being an abbreviated board book) resulting in imprecise theology and too many ideas at once for a young child.
What I did like:
- The illustrations were wonderful.
- I enjoyed Bergren’s explanations of God’s love, and I really liked Little Cub’s prayer at the end.
If you are just looking for a picture book about God’s love for your child to look at and play with, this book would be a good choice with its sturdy design and excellent illustrations. However, I would not recommend the board book version of God Gave Us Love if you want a book to teach your young child about God’s love. I read this book multiple times to my almost four year old (who I routinely read books written above a preschool level to), and although he sat patiently through the book he showed little comprehension or interest in the text.
Instead, I would recommend The Jesus Storybook Bible (read my review) or a classic book on love that illustrates the facet of love that you want to teach your child about (see my Books That Say I Love You list). For example, The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown is an excellent story that illustrates God’s pursuing love after his children.
Related:
Book Review via Living and Learning at Home
Book Review via Mom Start
More info from the publisher
Author bio from the publisher
Have you read any of the books in this series? What do you think?
