Monday, September 22, 2025

Let's Find Joy by Shaunti Feldhahn and Katie Kenny Phillips

Book coverLet's Find Joy
by Shaunti Feldhahn & Katie Kenny Phillips


ISBN-13: 9780578881607
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: iDisciple Publishers
Released: October 4, 2021

Source: Bought.

Book Description from Goodreads:
"Jesus has a treasure for us—JOY! It’s like happiness times a million—because joy is for ALWAYS! Not just when things seem good or easy or fair. When things are hard, joy is still there. Let’s go on a scavenger hunt for clues that make joy our treasure. Ready . . . set . . . GO!"

If kids rely on this world to make them happy, the struggles will only deepen. But what if they could learn about joy? Like, real, unwavering, not-dependent-on-their-circumstances, joy? This joy can only be found in Jesus—and there are specific steps kids can take to train themselves to choose joy every day. This beautiful children’s book gives kids the opportunity to go on an adventure for the treasure that only Jesus can give us—JOY! By following 8 clues on a treasure map (based on the 8 elements in Find Joy), children learn the daily choices that will profoundly impact their heads and hearts and give them a treasure that Jesus was born for—to give joy to all people, everywhere.


My Review:
Let's Find Joy is a Christian children's book about joy. The story follows two children (a black girl and a white boy) and their animal friends (a monkey and a bird) as they follow 8 clues on how to find joy. The text started by explaining what Christian joy is and how it's different than happiness. "If we know that God loves us and that He's on our team, we can have joy! Always!" The illustrations show the children following the clues on a treasure hunt but also demonstrate some of the clues. The text also asks the reader to think of ways to apply the clues.

The clues are (1) God is a BIG God, there's nothing He can't do and He's in control, (2) Say "Thank you!" (think of something nice someone has done for us today), (3) Say "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you," (4) Remember how God has been with us and kept us safe in the past, (5) Believe God's promises, (6) Pray, listen for God's voice, and read the Bible, (7) Follow God's rules, they guide us on safe paths, and (8) Help others along the way. Overall, I'd recommend this fun book about a topic kids rarely hear explained or talked 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.


Monday, September 15, 2025

Your Worth Never Wavers by Laura Wifler

Book cover
Your Worth Never Wavers
by Laura Wifler,
Sara Ugolotti (illustrator)


ISBN-13: 9798384515616
Hardcoverk: 32 pages
Publisher: B&H Kids
Released: September 16, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Research shows that attitudes about body image and self-esteem begin forming in children between the ages of three and five and only become more widespread and problematic as they grow. Many people's answer to this problem is to “look within,” “trust your heart” or “try harder” to muster up your own value and worth. Your Worth Never Wavers sends a better message: true worth and beauty is found by gaining a higher view not of ourselves but of God, the creator of everything.

Journey with a diverse group of mothers and daughters as they explore the wonders of creation from colossal canyons to boisterous beehives. Each illustration celebrates God's handiwork from nature to his design of people, showing women and girls with different skin tones, body shapes, hair types, and abilities. On each page, a child learns that the same God who made tigers, snowflakes, sunsets, and stars, is the God who fearfully and wonderfully created each person perfectly in his image.

This book is a catalyst for conversation between young readers and their loved ones about body image, identity, and God's unending love. By teaching girls the source of their worth and value, they’ll have foundational truths to lean on when doubts arrive, reminding them that they are beloved by God and declared beautiful. His love is all around them; all they must do is look.


My Review:
Your Worth Never Wavers is a Christian board book for girls ages 4-8 years old. It shows many different mothers and daughters doing activities together. The characters have many different ethnic backgrounds, and one girl was disabled. The illustrations of the people were in a fairly realistic style, while the surroundings were often fanciful and stylized. I liked that the message was to look to God when we have doubts about our value. "You're made in His image; He knit you together. Your worth never wavers--not now, and not ever. When you wonder your value or question your worth, Know you're beloved by the God who formed Earth."

Overall, I'd recommend this book. However, I would have liked it even more if it'd explained that we live in a fallen world--as in, the girl with the disability has the disability as a part of living in a broken world, not because God wanted to make her uniquely beautiful and that's how He did 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.


Tuesday, September 9, 2025

God's Name for Me by Talia Messina

Book cover
God's Name for Me
by Talia Messina


ISBN-13: 9798400505751
Boardbook: 24 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Released: September 9, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Does your little one have a special nickname that’s used just for them? In God’s Name for Me, author Talia Messina gathers diverse children to share their funny and silly nicknames—names that they were given by loved ones. But they are reminded that there is a name, the very best name, from God who has given it out of his perfect love.

Tthis charming kids’ picture book has lift-the-flap surprises to keep young children engaged and delighted and a mirror surprise in the back! Discover God’s super special name for you, given freely for being exactly who he made you to be. This name can’t be earned—it’s part of your identity, so you can’t lose it! It reminds you that being God’s child has nothing to do with personality, likability, outward appearance, energy, size, the love given, or actions taken towards others.


My Review:
God's Name for Me is a Christian board book for young children. It shows boys and girls of different ethnic backgrounds telling about a nickname a family member gave to them and why they got their nickname. All are sweet reasons, and the illustrations show the family enjoying doing things together related to the nickname. The book ends with God's name for us and "It's all about whose you are and not what you can do." His name for us? "God calls you Precious Child 'cause his love for you is strong." The illustrations were in a realistic style and did a good job of supporting and expanding upon the text. Overall, I'd recommend this delightful 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.