Never Walk Alone by Kathryn Joy MacDowall

Never Walk Alone
by Kathryn Joy MacDowall

ISBN-13: 9780830790159
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: March 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Inspired by the Hillsong Worship song “Never Walk Alone,” this rhyming adventure through Egyptian deserts, Australian beaches, and even outer space teaches kids ages 3-8 that no matter where we go, God is always by our side.

I wonder and I’d like to know
If there’s any place that I could go
Where I would be SO far away
That you couldn’t hear me when I pray.

An adventure-loving boy travels around the world in his imagination to discover that no matter what, God will always be with him. Delightful illustrations, hand-lettering, and fitting Bible verses make this fun-filled exploration of every continent a beautiful celebration of God’s faithful presence with each of us.


My Review:
Never Walk Alone is a book for children aged 3-8 years old. The young boy in the story basically asks: If I'm hiding from people or high in a tree or on the sea or in a distant land, can God hear me when I pray? Will God be with me wherever I go? Will God be able to find me if I'm in a big crowd in a big city? The answer: "Your Word says you won't disappear, You'll never leave and always be near. You're always there, You are my guide, I can be bold as You're by my side. Wherever I go, You're always with me, from home to lands across the sea. I can explore the great unknown, and I know I'll never walk alone."

The last two pages provided related Bible verses in child-level language so you can read the actual Scripture, too. The text was easy to understand. The text talked like the child had already decided to follow Jesus and knew how to pray. The illustrations were very good even though they're cartoony. It's clear which animals and places are being shown, and the pictures are colorful and fun to look at. The pictures illustrated the words, so you can engage with them as you read the story. They also illustrated what's meant, like the boy was reading a book with a cross on it when "His Word" was mentioned. Overall, I'd recommend this well done children's 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.

Who You Say I Am by Kathryn Joy MacDowall

Who You Say I Am
by Kathryn Joy MacDowall

ISBN-13: 9780830790173
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: March 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Inspired by the Hillsong Worship song “Who You Say I Am,” this beautiful picture book honors each child’s unique qualities while reminding us that our identity in God is always the most important part of who we are.

“I am who You say I am!” we can shout.
I know who I am without a doubt.

God made each one of us with different personalities, fun preferences, and unique gifts. But the thing that is most important about us is always the same: His love for us! In Who You Say I Am, vibrant illustrations take readers ages 3-8 from school to the zoo, from ballet class to the beach, as hand-lettered rhymes and Bible verses explore the truth that we are chosen, forgiven, and God’s beloved workmanship.


My Review:
Who You Say I Am is a book for children aged 3-8 years old. The first 12 pages talked about how different kids are (tall, short, quiet, loud, etc.). The final 15 pages talked about who God says I am. "We're all created just to God's plan. And His Word tells me exactly who I am." It talked about how I am loved by God, chosen by God before the world began, and forgiven because of what Jesus did ("He died on a cross and rose for me"). I'm found and will never be alone when I follow Him. He's my guide, and I'm His child if I follow Him. The last two pages listed the Bible verses that the book is based off of so you can read the actual Scripture, too.

The text was simple to understand without being dumbed down, and the author didn't assume the child already knew the Bible well. However, the text did talk like the child has decided to follow Jesus. It's easy enough for an adult to explain what that means and how to do it if the child hasn't, yet. The pictures are bright and colorful, showing cartoony children of all sorts of looks. The pictures illustrated the words, so you can say things like, "which one is tall?" and interact with the pictures. They also illustrated what's meant, like a girl reading a book with a cross on it when "His Word" is mentioned. Overall, I'd recommend this well-done children's 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.

The Work of Your Hand by Jennifer Hall Rivera

The Work of Your Hand
by Jennifer Hall Rivera

ISBN-13: 9781683441571
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Master Books
Released: November 30, 2018

Source: Bought.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Discover loops, arcs, whorls, and whys of God’s remarkable designs! Let your hands teach you more of what it is to be fearfully and wonderfully made.

There are special patterns on the skin of your hands and feet! These fingerprints and footprints are different for each one of us. Which Pattern Do You Have? God created three basic patterns: arch, loop, and whorl. A variety of these are found on each boy and girl. Now take a look at each pattern separately. Can you identify fingerprint patterns correctly?

Includes 23 pages of activity sheets for lots of fingerprint fun! Use non-toxic fingerprint ink pads.


My Review:
The Work of Your Hand is a book for kids about how fingerprints are unique and how to identify the different patterns. The first 21 pages of the book are a rhyming section telling about the 20 unique patterns found in fingerprints, how to spot them, and how our unique fingerprints point to God creating us. The last half of the book is activity pages. You use fingerprints with appropriate ink or paint (not included) to make art (plants, animals, vehicles, etc.). There's an area to put finger and footprints for one child. I'd guess that this book would most appeal to kids ages 5-8 just based on my own nieces, but the finger pattern information is useful even for adults. A younger child who doesn't mind 'big words' (as proper terminology is used) will also get something out of 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.

Behind the Scenes of the New Testament

Behind the Scenes of the New Testament
by Bruce W. Longenecker, Elizabeth E. Shively, and T. J. Lang, eds.

ISBN-13: 9781540964472
Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Baker Academic
Released: November 5, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Drawing on the expertise of specialists in the areas of archaeological, historical, and biblical studies, this book provides concise treatments of a wide breadth of topics related to the world of the early Christ followers. The book offers compact overviews of key historical issues, facilitating enriched understandings of the significance and force of the texts of the New Testament in their original contexts.

Meant to be used alongside traditional literature-based canonical surveys, this one-stop introduction to New Testament backgrounds fills a gap in typical introduction to the Bible courses and is ideal for undergraduate or seminary classes. It is beautifully designed and includes photographs, line drawings, maps, charts, and tables, which will facilitate its use in the classroom.


My Review:
Behind the Scenes of the New Testament is a collection of 62 academic essays on the ancient world leading up to, including, and after the New Testament period. One of the assumptions of this collection is that the NT was largely (or perhaps totally) written after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., so these essays covered a much broader period than I expected. Some essay authors stated that we don't know who really wrote the NT books and that prophecies were written by people who knew what happened but were pretending Jesus predicted them ahead of time. The Bible was treated as just another ancient document, not divinely inspired.

The essay authors usually tried to fit the NT writings into the surrounding ancient culture. As in, after talking about how a Roman or Greek would have written a letter, the author pointed out that NT letters had certain elements of a proper letter but were lacking others (like Paul was trying and failed to meet this formula). Another essay talked about Roman ideals of masculinity and how the NT writers tried to portray Jesus as a hypermasculine Roman ideal even though Jesus didn't seem to fit that ideal. I felt like the scholars were trying too hard to fit the NT into Roman culture rather than acknowledging how Jewish culture was unique, and maybe the Jews didn't want to fit in completely with Roman ideals and culture.

Since the NT wasn't divinely-inspired truth about God, one essay tried to figure out why people from other cultures might add Jesus to the gods they worshipped or even give up their other gods. What social benefit might they have received? Most of the essays hardly referenced the actual NT but were on topics relating to that general time period. For example, one essay simply gave an overview of Greek and Roman schools of thought. The essays weren't intended to help a student of the Bible better understand the NT in its Jewish context but usually gave an overview of various topics, mostly focused on Roman culture. The essays were very academic in writing style, with references to their sources cited in the text and a list of sources at the end of each essay. While I learned more about Roman culture than I'd previously known, I didn't feel like I'd gained any true insights into the NT.


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 Easter Lamb Jesus by John Greco

The Easter Lamb Jesus
by John Greco

ISBN-13: 9780310152156
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Released: December 17, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In The Easter Lamb, the traditional Easter story takes on new significance as Jesus’s death and resurrection are explored through the events of Passover. Through child-friendly text and engaging illustrations that meaningfully connect these two important events, young readers will see how God has always cared for his children and that he had a plan for our salvation from the start.

On the night he was arrested, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples during what we now call the Last Supper. Jesus knew he would soon have to die like the lambs who were sacrificed in place of the firstborn Israelites so that all of God’s children might live.

John Greco masterfully tells these two stories—Passover and Easter—in The Easter Lamb, weaving together their biblical symbolism and significance. You may have heard the Easter story before, but this unique take will deepen you and your child’s understanding of the holiday and explain how important the image of Christ as a lamb truly is.


My Review:
The Easter Lamb Jesus is a Christian kid's boardbook explaining the links between the Exodus Passover and Easter, showing why Jesus died (and rose) to save us. The author assumed the readers have some knowledge about the Passover and Easter events, so it's probably less impactful to kids with no biblical background. I liked how he linked the events, and he used words suitable for explaining things to young kids. The pictures were interesting to look at and illustrated the text, so kids will stop to look at them rather than rush through the book. Overall, I'd recommend this book to parents wanting to teach the salvation message to young kids.


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.

Christ Crucified by Thomas R. Schreiner

Christ Crucified
by Thomas R. Schreiner

ISBN-13: 9781433581304
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Released: August 27, 2024

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In a time marked by confusion and change, the pathway to salvation for the Galatians seemed unclear. While the false teachers contended for circumcision and obedience to the law as necessary for justification before God, Paul presented the truth of the gospel and redrew the lines of salvation around the cross of Jesus Christ.

In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, scholar Thomas R. Schreiner addresses the conflict between Paul and his opponents in Galatia, examines the gospel itself, and shows what it looks like to live out the truth of the gospel in the new era. After examining the dominant biblical-theological themes of Galatians, readers will be reminded of the gift of grace Christ offers through his death on the cross—the only possible path to salvation and true unity among believers.


My Review:
Christ Crucified discussed the theology found in Galatians. Each chapter examined a topic found in Galatians, like: Paul's apostolic authority, how to treat circumcision or the law in light of the gospel, justification by faith, who makes up Abraham's linage, etc. The author provided verses from other biblical books to help give background to the debate and looked at things like grammar and word meanings. The tone was scholarly, but I didn't have any trouble understanding his arguments. I'd recommend this book to those who'd like a deeper look at the arguments made in Galatians.


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.

Imagine...The Ten Plagues by Matt Koceich

Imagine...The Ten Plagues
by Matt Koceich

ISBN-13: 9781683223801
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books
Released: March 1, 2018

Source: Bought.


Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The last thing fourth-grader Kai Wells remembers is being confronted by a bully on her walk home from school. What happens next can't be explained as Kai finds herself on the run for her life in ancient Egypt! An exciting adventure series for kids ages 8 to 12.


My Review:
Imagine...The Ten Plagues is an adventure story for ages 8 to 12. It's only very loosely based on the Bible account about the Exodus and didn't stay true to details given in the Bible. Even the historical details consisted only of a brief description of Egyptian clothing and temple and several mentions of how primitive things were. The characters were poorly developed, and little motive is provided. For some reason, Kai is protected by the first Egyptian who sees her even though this brings harm to him. Kai risked her life to help a Hebrew girl, and for some reason the Egyptian guards become obsessed with capturing or killing Kai. Kai isn't affected by the plagues, and we never learn why. And so on.

The focus was more on Kai trying to escape the Egyptian guards than on the Bible account of the plagues or the reason for them. There's only a brief mention of Moses confronting Pharaoh in the distance for the first plague. In the story, the plagues never affected the Israelites, but that protection didn't actually happen until the flies (Exodus 8:22). Many of the plagues happened at the wrong times and after only minutes (at most hours) had passed since the last plague, unlike the biblical account (Exodus 7:25, etc.). The Israelites were portrayed as living in a huge tent city near the Egyptians rather than in houses in a separate region (Exodus 12:22), and the firstborn died in the middle of the day rather than at midnight (Exodus 12:29). The Israelites left their tents behind as they fled and could be seen from that spot as they immediately escaped through the parted Red Sea. No army was after them, only two Egyptians chasing after Kai (Exodus 14). You get the idea.

While Kai did call out to God to help her when attacked, she concluded, "...the longer I'm in your world, the more confidence I find to believe in myself." She isn't in awe of what God's doing to prove His power or even how He's protected her but is pleased that she can face armed adults and survive. Sorry, but I didn't like the story and wouldn't give it to kids.


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.