God Made You Special! by Greg Fritz

God Made You Special!
by Greg Fritz & Lisa Reed

ISBN-13: 9780824919474
Boardbook: 20 pages
Publisher: WorthyKids
Released: February 1, 2015

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When you look in the mirror, you'll see his touch . . . 'cause God made you special, and he loves you very much!; Join Bob and Larry and their friends as they spread the joyful message to children that God made each of us special! Here, the lyrics to this favorite VeggieTales song are illustrated with a cast of familiar characters in a small board book, just the right size for little hands.


My Review:
God Made You Special! is a Christian board book about how God made each of us "just right." It features the VeggieTales crew, and my young nieces enjoyed the colorful, fun illustrations. In the book, the characters explain that God made everything, including you and how you look. He put thought into making you "just right" and you are "his delight." And if sometimes you don't like something about yourself, just remember that "God had a plan. He wants me to be just the way that I am." Overall, I'd recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

I Thank God for This Day! by Phil Vischer

I Thank God for This Day!
by Phil Vischer & Lisa Reed

ISBN-13: 9781546014881
Boardbook: 16 pages
Publisher: WorthyKids
Released: February 1, 2013

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Veggies know that it is fun and important to thank God for the good things he gives us. Follow along as Junior Asparagus, Laura Carrot, and the rest of the Veggies enjoy a sunny day at the park and express gratitude for the things that make them glad.

This edition pairs the lyrics of the Veggies' "Thankfulness Song" with bright illustrations of our favorite Veggies in the beloved classic character style. For added fun, children can push the book's sound button and hear the refrain of the song. To make the music stop, simply press the button again. This joyful book helps children practice gratitude as they realize how many reasons there are to be thankful.


My Review:
I Thank God for This Day! is a Christian board book about giving thanks to God. It features the VeggieTales crew and has a button to push to hear them singing a "Thankfulness Song." My young nieces (3 and 5 years old) were getting very demanding and ungrateful, so I got this book for them. They'd never seen VeggieTales but enjoyed the colorful, fun illustrates and singing along with the song. Both of them started being more thankful for everyday things. In the book, the characters thank God for the day, food, parents, God's love, that God listens to our prayers, and so on, so they thank God every day. They also thank Mom and Dad for doing things with them. Overall, I'm grateful for this board book and would recommend it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Gospel by Devon Provencher

The Gospel
by Devon & Jessica Provencher

ISBN-13: 9781433565250
Boardbook: 22 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Released: February 18, 2020

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Each book in the Big Theology for Little Hearts series introduces a big idea from the Bible with concise definitions and illustrations to help young minds gain a foundational understanding of God's word. With each volume written to complement all the others, this series is designed to help children develop a cohesive framework of theology that includes God, creation, humanity, Jesus, and the gospel-allowing you to start having crucial conversations with your children as early as possible.


My Review:
The Gospel is a Christian board book that explains the gospel in simple terms and is suitable for kids who have no church background. The authors started by explaining that God created everything, that "All people have chosen in their hearts to disobey God and have rejected Him as King." And "Those who sin must be punished because sin is breaking God's law" so "God sent His own Son into the world to rescue people from their sin because they couldn't save themselves." Jesus didn't sin, and he "was put to death, taking on himself the punishment that God's people deserve." That Jesus came back to life and "God commands all people everywhere to turn their back on sin and believe in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sin." And if you do that, you will have never-ending life with God. I feel like this book did an excellent job of explaining the basic gospel message at a level that young kids can understand. The pictures were in a simple style and illustrated the text. Overall, I'd highly recommend this board book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

M Is for Manger by Crystal Bowman; Teri McKinley

M Is for Manger
by Crystal Bowman;
Teri McKinley

ISBN-13: 9781496401953
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Released: September 17, 2015

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Travel through the alphabet with this beautiful rhyming storybook that tells the story of Jesus' birth. Begin with the angel who tells Mary that she is God's chosen vessel and follow along until you reach the zillions of stars that paled in comparison to the star that announced the birthplace of the newborn King. Beautifully illustrated and written, this book will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas season.

Sneak peek:
Mary gently wrapped her son,
then rested in the shed.
She placed the newborn Savior
in a MANGER for his bed.


My Review:
M Is for Manger tells the main events of Jesus' birth in a way young children can understand. Each page is alphabetical, with the letter up top and a cartoon-style picture around the letter illustrating the text. A rhyming verse is below that describing events in chronological order, from Mary learning from an Angel that she's going to have a baby to Jesus being born and seen by shepherds, then wise men, then Simeon and Anna. A Bible verse is included below each rhyme to show where the described events are mentioned in the Bible. Overall, I'd recommend this children's book as a way to teach young kids about Jesus' birth.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Promised Presence by Jenny Randle

The Promised Presence
by Jenny Randle

ISBN-13: 9780830786213
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: June 3, 2025


Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Today, as in biblical times, God holds the power to transform, heal, and deliver. This Bible study through Luke and Acts reminds us that God can turn messes into miracles through the supernatural activity of Holy Spirit. In The Promised Presence, Jenny Randle shares topical Bible teaching, her own faith journey, and practical application to help understand the Spirit’s influence on the early church and in our lives today. Discover biblical answers to common questions about Holy Spirit and His work and grow in understanding spiritual gifts. Engage in reflective journal prompts for personal spiritual growth.

The Promised Presence uses a four-week format (five lessons each week) with a bonus fifth week for those studying the book in a group, plus accompanying video teaching and thought-provoking questions. For individual or group use.


My Review:
The Promised Presence is a Bible study on Luke and Acts looking at God's power to transform, empower, and heal. This Bible study lasts for 4 weeks, with each week having prompts for the group meeting and video clip (available online), a lesson introducing that week's theme, and 5 days of lessons in the book for you to do on your own time. Each day's lessons are about 5 pages long. They start with a short prayer, then you read a few verses from the Bible and her commentary, and end with a few questions to answer. There are often lists to make or charts to fill out as a part of the questions section. The book ended with a section covering common questions about the Holy Spirit.

The first week looked at some miracles in Jesus' ministry and how the Holy Spirit empowers His people. The second week explained that believers have been given the Holy Spirit, and He dwells within us when we accept Christ. The lessons pointed out that there's a supernatural realm and good and evil spiritual forces. The third week talked about baptism in the Spirit and being filled by the Spirit. The author appears to hold a classic Pentecostal view about this, though she did briefly mention other denominational views. She stated "Being baptized in the Spirit means the believer's life becomes fully immersed in the power and presence of God" and is a one time event separate from salvation. The Holy Spirit also "brings subsequent fillings enabling us to do our tasks in obedience to the will of God." The lessons also looked at verses about casting out evil spirits. The fourth week covered the fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts, with mention of roles in church ministry and participating in the work of God. The lessons also looked at praying for healing. She stated, "When we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us, we're asking a supernatural God to be naturally present in a discernible way."

Quotes: "We're not called to rescue ourselves or be perfect; we're called to acknowledge the One who is the perfect rescuer." and "If life were painless, we'd stop looking for the Promised One who carries peace."

The author said many good and true things in this study, but she assumed that how things happened just after Jesus ascended into Heaven is still how things happen. The situation was unique back then because some people believed in Jesus' saving work yet the Holy Spirit hadn't been sent to believers yet. We both agree that believers have the Holy Spirit seal them and dwell within them at salvation. However, the author believes that you then need to be immersed (baptized) in the Spirit, and she talked like you can run out of the Holy Spirit (like gasoline) and need to request fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit.

Keep in mind that the Greek word for 'fill' in this context also means 'imbue, influence, supply.' I believe that the Bible teaches that the Spirit comes to dwell within you, and you can surrender and let Him fill your house (life) and cooperate with the renovations He's carrying out or you can resist or grieve the Holy Spirit. You can stuff the Holy Spirit into a small closet and ignore Him a lot or you can pay attention to what He's saying and doing. He'll fill/influence your life as much as you allow Him to. It's more about a steady presence of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of your life than doing it on your own, running out of steam, and requesting a new sensational experience to jazz you back up again. But I think we both agree that it's about listening for His voice and often requires surrendering what you want or think is best.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Little One, God Loves You by Amy Warren Hilliker

Little One, God Loves You
by Amy Warren Hilliker,
Polona Lovšin

ISBN-13: 9780310753070
Boardbook: 14 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Released: October 1, 2004

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
A cute and cuddly board book that shows children just how much God loves and cares about them.


My Review:
Little One, God Loves You is a rhyming Christian boardbook for preschoolers (up to age 4). The book showed a small bunny interacting with family and friends. The text is very simple so even fairly young kids should be able to follow along. It explains that God loves you, made you for his family, and helps you grow. So be God's helper (help others) and show others God's love. It's a good message and lovely illustrations. All of the art has the same look and style as the cover picture. I prefer illustrations like this, where the animals look more like the real thing (rather than a cartoon) yet still look warm and cuddly. I'd highly recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

All The Things I Say to God by Tanner Olson

All The Things I Say to God
by Tanner Olson

ISBN-13: 9780310165958
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Released: April 29, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Abby has been praying with her parents for as long as she can remember. They pray together before meals and before bed, on good days and tough days. Then one day Abby asks a simple “Mom, can I pray to God all by myself?” Follow Abby on her journey of faith as she discovers how to express her gratitude, ask questions, pray for others, and use silence to communicate with God. Led by her own curiosity, she finds out that you can pray for anything and everything—God’s love knows no bounds.


My Review:
All The Things I Say to God is a Christian picture book for children. The narrative follows Abby, who has prayed along with adults but wonders if she can pray to God by herself. Along the way, she asks her mom about the type of things one can pray and then we see her pray about these things. She's shown as praying when in bed, though the text says she prays at other times, too. They covered topics like talking to God about life (and she tells God what happened that day, even small things), asking God questions, thanking God for good things, praying for others, and quietly thinking about God if you have nothing to say.

The illustrations were cartoon-like in style and showed what Abby was doing while asking her mother questions or while praying. It's a good book to start a conversation with kids about prayer, but the mother provided little guidance beyond saying that God loves it when we tell Him about our day, etc. The book didn't cover answers to prayer or God's part in prayer. Abby asked questions of God without seeming to expect answers. It was sort of talking at God. Your child may ask why God never responds to Abby, and you'll have to respond to that yourself. Overall, though, I'd recommend this story about praying to God.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.