God with Us by Matt Mikalatos

God with Us
Bible Stories on the Road to Emmaus
by Matt Mikalatos

ISBN-13: 9780593578100
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook & Multnomah
Released: April 1, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The long walk home after celebrating Passover in Jerusalem should be a joyful journey, but this year the travelers are sad and afraid. Then a mysterious stranger shows up and starts telling stories—from many years ago all the way up to the recent death of Yeshua (Jesus) on the cross—and the friends can’t wait to hear more. This journey explores Scripture from Creation to the Resurrection through the eyes of curious children (and grown-ups!) walking with Yeshua on the Road to Emmaus.


My Review:
God with Us is a Christian graphic novel for those already familiar with the Bible stories. A lot is left out of each story. For Creation, we get the words, "Let there be..." but there's no text for what God commanded into being, only a picture of it. You need to be familiar with the Bible text so you can follow what's going on, otherwise it'll be confusing. Also, the point they made about Creation was that the WORDS God speak become reality, so it's strange not to include the actual words.

Also, this is framed as Jesus/Yeshua on the Road to Emmaus. However, instead of "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself," Jesus told only a small portion of the stories. And some of them were parables or didn't point to Him as the Messiah. His fellow travelers often told the stories, usually about something they saw or heard that Jesus did. For Noah's Flood, a foreigner first gave a pagan flood legend, then a boy told an inaccurate version, and finally Jesus told the Bible version. No reason was given for providing 3 different versions nor explanation given for why the pagan version was similar to the biblical account.

I didn't agree with some of this novel's theology. After the Flood, God/Jesus puts his rainbow-colored war bow in the sky. "This is my war bow. I'm setting it aside forever. I'm placing it in the sky where you can see it. No more will there be war between God and humanity." This isn't what the Bible actually says, and it's portrayed as God forgiving humanity, which basically means there's no need for Jesus. Then after the story of Jesus getting baptized, someone says, "Humanity was saved by Noah's trip through the water, and Yeshua did the same thing" like it's baptism that washes away sins and saves us. The author did make a point that God provides the sacrifice, and "if we look to Yeshua, we can live," but there isn't really a gospel message about accepting what Jesus did on our behalf (or exactly what that was).

The novel did use language a child can understand. The illustrations did have a brown-skinned Jesus, but they didn't always stay true to the Bible. For example, for Jesus' tomb and Lazarus's tomb, people mentioned rolling away the stone, but the stone was shown as a rectangle plug inside the doorway. When Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, the angel was portrayed as a gigantic, red eye with four blue wings instead of the biblical "cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth..." The angel that came to Mary was initially about the size of a child, with blue wings and a yellow tunic with wings on the front, and blue pants. He had to get Mary's attention because he's so unimpressive. Not quite how angels are described in the Bible. And though some animals were shown loading onto Noah's ark, the interior was shown as practically bare, with the people sitting on the floor and a few animals roaming freely about.

This novel did try to link the Old Testament to the New in the sense that we're told of prophets raising people from the dead and then of Jesus raising the dead. Or how Elisha caused there to be more oil in the jar as the widow poured it into empty jars, and Jesus fed a crowd with only a few loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus seemed like just another prophet at times. The novel wasn't really about Jesus fulfilling the prophecies about the Messiah.


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.

Princess Paris Finds Her Purpose by Demi-Leigh Tebow

Princess Paris Finds Her Purpose
by Demi-Leigh Tebow

ISBN-13: 9781400249503
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tommy Nelson
Released: April 1, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When her crown is stolen, Princess Paris fears she’ll never get it back. How can she represent her king without her crown? She doesn’t feel much like a princess and worries all the animals on the Royal Savanna won’t take her seriously without it. But as each animal Paris meets faces a unique problem, she discovers that being a princess requires more than wearing a shiny crown. This adventurous story is paw-fect for ages 4 to 8 and focuses on finding your purpose and being kind.


My Review:
Princess Paris Finds Her Purpose is a Christian, children's picture book. Princess Paris wants to represent her King well as she visits the animals on the Savanna, but then a monkey steals her crown. She's worried she can't represent the King without her crown, but she still meets several of the animals and helps each. She goes to meet the King afterward, and he tells her: "Being a princess isn't about wearing a crown; it's about knowing your purpose to help those in need. That's your true royal purpose--using kindness to represent me!"

The illustrations look fairly realistic (not cartoony) and show the background for what's going on in the text. The text isn't hard to understand, and my 8-year-old niece can read all of the English words. A few foreign words (with pronunciation and meaning) are used by the Savanna animals. Overall, I'd recommend this fun story.


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.

Case Files Vol 1: Murder and Meaning by Jimmy Wallace and J. Warner Wallace

Case Files Vol 1:
Murder and Meaning
by Jimmy Wallace and J. Warner Wallace

ISBN-13: 9780830786152
ebook: 162 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: April 1, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Detective Michael “Murph” Murphy is near retirement. After twenty-five years as a sworn peace officer in Los Angeles County, he joins his team—with a few newbies along—to comb the cliffs of San Pedro for any clues to a recent murder there. But when a fresh murder in Palos Verdes occurs, and a mysterious subject starts calling the police department to talk to Murph, the stakes get higher. A third killing leads the team to suspect one person is behind all the murders—and still on the loose. Worse, the crimes have happened at one-week intervals, which means Murph and his colleagues have only a few days left to keep the killer from striking again.

This highly engaging, full-color graphic novel for adults is one of the first available that Christian comic book enthusiasts can feel great about reading and recommending to friends. Written by the real-life detectives and Christian apologists behind Cold-Case Christianity, and featuring art from the renowned creators of The Chosen comic book series, Case Murder and Meaning has all the action and intrigue comic book readers want laced with questions about the purpose and value of human life.


My Review:
Murder and Meaning is a graphic novel following 4 homicide detectives working on a series of murders. Detective Murph and his partner teach two detectives new to the homicide department while they investigate the murders. While we get scenes from the point of view of several characters (including the bad guy), we mostly follow Murph. When there's a new murder linked to the first one, it becomes clear that a man arrested in a past case took some angry words Murph said to him to heart and now, free, wants to make Murp feel that same hurt.

The focus of the story was on solving the cases, but there's an underlying theme about what gives a person or a thing worth. The first murder victim was a drug addict that was valued by his girlfriend but few others. A later murder victim was someone well known, and suddenly the pressure was on. Is it popularity give you more value? Is your worth dependent on how much you contribute to the case? That sort of thing. At the end, a minor character stated that God says he's valuable, so he focuses on that rather than on human opinions.

There were some bloody wounds shown, but it wasn't gory. The illustrations were clear and easy to follow, but occasionally it wasn't clear to me which word bubble was the next one to read. This wasn't necessarily confusing, but it did take me out of the story while I sorted out the order. This novel is aimed at adults, not kids. Overall, I'd recommend it to adults who enjoy detective novels.


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 Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep by Hannah E. Harrison

The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep
by Hannah E. Harrison

ISBN-13: 9780310161493
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Released: February 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep is a humorous and heartwarming picture book about God's unconditional love. This story beautifully captures the essence of Psalm 23, showing the importance of trusting God, our Good Shepherd, with our lives.

Meet George, a silly and sometimes stubborn sheep living happily under the care of a Good Shepherd. But when shearing time comes, George decides it’s time to make a run for it, and soon finds himself on a journey full of unexpected disappointment, discomfort, and danger. Ultimately, he finds rescue and learns why he really does need a shepherd.

The Bible is full of references to sheep and shepherds, but what does it mean to be a good shepherd? And how are we like sheep? The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep uses a riveting story to bring biblical truth to life for kids and illustrate the many comforting and loving attributes of God.


My Review:
The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep is from the point of view of George, a sheep. He talks about what life is like for sheep and why they need a shepherd. But he runs away because he doesn't want a haircut; he like how he looks. He soon regrets his decision (dirty hair, danger, etc.), but it's the good shepherd that seeks him out and brings him home. George is grateful and now trusts that the shepherd wants what's best for him.

The pictures are very nicely done, illustrating the text while also being interesting to look at. George presents things in a humorous way, even when he's threatened by a scary wolf at the end and he can't save himself. (Don't worry, the shepherd saves him!). Psalm 23 is written on the last page. Overall, I think my nieces will enjoy this story, so I bought a copy to give to them.


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.

One Choice Away from Change by Justin and Trisha Davis

One Choice Away from Change
by Justin and Trisha Davis

ISBN-13: 978-0830785759
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: March 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Through biblical examples and illustrations from their own redemptive story, Justin and Trisha Davis help readers identify unhealthy relational patterns that keep them from experiencing the joy and freedom God has for them.

One Choice Away from Change helps us identify dysfunctional life patterns that cause us to repeat the same mistakes in relationships, fall into the same bad habits at work, or argue about the same things with those we love. Drawing on their own story of healing, Justin and Trisha Davis offer practical encouragement on understanding the choices we make that can sabotage us, not letting the past dictate the present, leaving behind our go-to sins and dysfunctions, and moving forward in the hope of who God calls us to be.

You aren’t as stuck as you think you are. In fact, you are just one decision away from breaking the cycles that keep you living in fear and shame. Experience the power of God’s grace … one choice at a time.


My Review:
One Choice Away from Change is about getting to the root of our choices. It "...helps you identify the destructive cycles that have held you back and kept you stuck in unhealthy patterns" and break free of them. Part of this is "to let go of the illusion of control and trust God....[which] allows true transformation to take root."

The first part of the book talked about why we repeat the same bad choices even when we know there will be undesirable consequences. The authors then looked at the cycles of blame, unforgiveness, fear, hiddenness, and shame that may be in your life and explained how to break free of them. Each chapter ended in a short prayer. They shared struggles in their own lives based on these cycles, so they're speaking from experience and gave good advice and insights. The book was written in a casual and encouraging tone. Overall, I'd highly recommend this insightful book.

"Words spoken over us leave lasting messages, and words become messages that become cycles....Cycles can lead to narratives that get buried so deep within us that the narratives become the stories we live."


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.

Being Fully Known by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

Being Fully Known
by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

ISBN: 0830787747
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: March 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
The world pressures us to do. God invites us to be. In this freeing book, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith speaks to all of us who hold back because we fear vulnerability or rejection. Using her background as a physician, spiritual mentor, and coach, Dr. Saundra helps us bridge the disconnect between the wanting to express our true selves and the beliefs that keep us in fear-based living.

Being Fully Known blends Scripture, science, and story to offer insights into how we can discover where we naturally fit rather than forcing ourselves to fit in, embrace the fullness of our identity apart from our assumed roles, overcome mental barriers that cause us to seek accomplishment over contentment, reconnect with the courage to live into what God sees in us, andexperience greater joy in our relationships, career, and creative expression.

Being Fully Known is a journey toward God-awareness, self-acceptance, and the fulfillment found in knowing we are seen and understood. Step into your God-given, joy-filled identity as you follow the mentoring of the Holy Spirit through this life-changing guide to being over doing.


My Review:
Being Fully Know is about becoming "aware of how God is moving in you and through you." The author talked about how people hold back from being vulnerable or from doing what they believe God is calling them to do for fear of rejection. About not getting stuck thinking things are impossible for you but basing our thoughts and actions on God's truth. When we fear we're unlovable, remember God's steadfast love. Stop negative thought cycles, and allow the Holy Spirit's power to fully be at work in your life. Recognizing God's presence, seeing ourselves as God does, and surrendering to God.

She talked about how normal life can hold opportunities to do God's work and show his love, but also about being willing to stretch beyond your comfort zone to do something God's calling you to do. At the end of each chapter, she provided 3 Bible verses and how to apply them in your life. There were also 3 questions to help you think about what she said in the chapter. At the end of the book, there's a brief section with tips for a 21 day fast from media, certain foods, etc. The author used personal stories to illustrate what she was teaching, and her writing style was casual and encouraging. Overall, I'd recommend this insightful 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.

R Is for Risen by Crystal Bowman

R Is for Risen
by Crystal Bowman;
Teri McKinley

ISBN-13: 9781496487292
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Released: February 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Jesus is the RISEN One,
our Savior and our Friend.
Jesus is the A and Z,
the beginning and the end.

In this charmingly illustrated story, children will learn the alphabet and the biblically accurate reason for the season: Jesus’ resurrection! Unlike other ABC books that attribute a random Easter-themed word to a letter, R Is for Risen thoughtfully tells the chronological Easter story of salvation. It features:

Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem
Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus’ arrest and interrogation
Jesus carrying the cross
Jesus’ death and resurrection
Jesus’ Great Commission



My Review:
R Is for Risen tells the main events of Jesus' death and resurrection 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 Jesus riding into the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey to the Passover dinner to the empty tomb and the disciples seeing Jesus after the Resurrection. It ends with Jesus telling his disciples to tell the whole world the good news. Bible verses are included below each rhyme to show where the events or prophecies can be found in the Bible. Overall, I'd recommend this children's book as a way to teach young kids what 'Easter' is really about.


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.