Out of all the wonderful children’s picture books I read in 2017, one stands out.
Maybe God is Like That Too, written by author Jennifer Grant and published by Sparkhouse Family, is a lovely little tale of a boy who wonders where God is and his wise grandma, who shows him.
Maybe it’s because I have ‘God conversations’ with my little six-year-old grandson, just like the characters in the story, or maybe it’s because I was lucky enough to meet the author at a Writer’s Conference where she signed my copy, but either way, this book is a favorite.
Told by a young boy, the book begins:
“Grandma, does God live in the city?”
I ask one morning at breakfast.
“Yes, God is here,” she says,
“You just need to know where to look.”
“Whenever you see love, joy, and peace, God is there,”
she says, stirring her tea.
“Whenever there’s patience, kindness, and goodness, God is there too. When you see
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, that’s God’s Spirit at work.”
The little boy goes about his day with new eyes, and realizes that God is everywhere he looks… in the hug full of love from his grandma; in the joy he feels on the swing; in the peace of his classroom; the patience of his teacher and the goodness of a neighbor… God is there.
With whimsical illustrations by Benjamin Schipper, this book is a wonderful exploration of the nine fruits of the Spirit and how God is present in our ordinary, everyday lives. No wonder this title won the gold medal in the 2017 Moonbeam Spirit Awards for exemplary literary work for children.
Would you like to win a copy? All you have to do is comment on this post. The winners will be announced on this comment thread on Monday 8th January. Thanks to Sparkhouse Publishing for sponsoring the two-book giveaway. (If you share the post on Facebook, just let me know in the comments here and I’ll enter your name twice.) 🙂
Good Luck!
AND THE WINNERS ARE: NICOLE & YVONNE STEINDAL. CONGRATULATIONS!
Oh, what a lovely book! I’d love to read this with my granddaughter, Charlie! Conversations about God with a grandchild is simply the best!!
Looks like a beautiful book!
The fruit of the spirit… love it!
Let’s hope it makes it across the pond. We need books like this in the UK.
Amen to that Mary! Well, if you happen to win, I can possibly hand-deliver it, as I’ll be in the UK in June!
I would love this book for children’s ministry.
This looks like an adorable book
Would love this book for my PrayGround!
Jennifer conveys the meaning of the fruits of the spirit in a fresh way. Love the lively illustrations too!
Sounds like a great book!
Would love this book to share at Children’s Church and at home.
And I will share on FB
Great! Then I will add your name twice to the giveaway!
sounds really cool! sharing on FB
Great Jonathan…your name’s in twice!
The premise of this book reminds me of my favorite poem by A.A. Milne “Explained.” Thank you for hosting this giveaway.
I don’t know that poem Dema. I must now go and look it up. Intrigued 🙂
Oh please!
I love the illustrations!
This looks like a lovely book!
Hope I win. I will share it with the kids at church! I shared this post also.
Thank you Sandy! You’ve been entered twice!
Our theme this year in Crossclub is The Fruit of the Spirit! I will be buying this book for our ministry!! Thanks for sharing!
Sounds great. Will share on FB.
Thank you Wendy… you’re entered twice!
This book would be ideal for me to share with my 4 year old granddaughter. She stays with us every second weekend and loves to come to Church with us. Her parents do not attend Church, but she is starting to grasp what God is about. We alsways have story time before she goes to sleep and this book would be a wonderful addition to our collection.
Glenys, thank you for commenting.. and so cool, as I’ve never had anyone comment who has the same name as me 🙂
I find that books told from a particular perspective, especially that of a child, can be very eye-opening! I’d love to be able to share this book with our little ones at church.
I’d love to win this book! I would read it to my 6 year old and the foster kids who come through our home. (And I shared on facebook!)
You’re entered twice Ann!
I would live to win this book to share with my students.
Just saw this on Facebook and shared it.
Thanks Peggy! You’re entered twice!
Looks like a book I could use with my church kids!
Oh, this book looks like such a special one to share with the kids!! I’m definitely putting it on my wish list! Shared on Facebook, too!
Okay Jill! You’re entered twice!
Love, Love, Love this book. Have used it at our after school children program many times.
In this world a book like this for young ones sounds wonderful. It gives them a different outlook or way of seeing things that are going on around them. It could lead to them sharing things that happened during the day that were good and maybe help them to want to copy good actions they see in others. I’d love to be included for a chance to win this book.
Going to share on FB.
Then you’ll be entered twice Lauralee!
Beautiful! Sharing on Facebook. 😊
Thanks LuAnn… you’re entered twice!
Haven’t heard of – will check it out!
Well, I am so excited! I love children’s books and sharing the stories.
This is so special…knowing you wrote this and I just love the one book I bought
just recently of yours, “Letters from God”.
I will share on my facebook page also.
You’ll be entered twice Joyce… but I just have to say that I am not the author! Jennifer Grant is 🙂
oops! sorry…it still looks like a wonderful book to have.
Would love this at our church! Shared on fb too!
Great! Your name’s in twice Aslyssa!
This looks like a book I’d love to share with our as-yet-unborn first grandchild, due in May, and his/her parents.
Sounds like such a sweet book! And you know we love books in our house! 😉 I’ll share the word on social media too!
Ok Amy… you’re entered twice!
I’d love to have a copy of this to read with the children in my faith community. (Or with my own daughters… they’re 21 and 27 now but still love a good story!) I shared on Facebook too. Thanks!
Thanks Anne! You’re entered twice!
Oh, my Faith Formation group would love this! Thank you for sharing such a lovely book!
Wow. Looks great.
Yvonne! I’m excited to tell you that you won a copy! Please email me your address at glenysnellist@gmail.coml
What a wonderful book, thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
Oh and I shared on Facebook as well 😊
Thank you Sharaya… you’re entered twice!
This Canadian loves the thoughts in this book
Would love to share this book with my two grandsons and my church grandchildren!
Sharing on my Facebook page as well.
Thanks Krista! You’re entered in twice!
Sounds intriguing!
My grande kids need to learn molre about God…
Lovely book. This would be really great to give to our grandparents on Grandparents Day 2018
I am going to share on FB right now. Thank you for the opportunity.
Then you’ll be entered twice Pam!
We’ll love to have this book for the kids in my bible club.
My friend is looking for a book to help her young nephew with his questions about God; I just sent this blog to her on FB thinking this might be the perfect book (along with another one by my favorite author….hmm…who might that be??)
Oh, Carol, thank you for blessing me. And, since you shared it on FB, you’re entered twice.
This would be a lovely addition to my church library!
Sharing on Facebook as soon as I hit Post.
Then you will be entered twice Sandie!
What a beautiful book!
Nicole! I’m happy to tell you that you won a copy! Please email me your address: glenysnellist@gmail.com
This one looks so lovely!!!
I had the best grandma, so I am intrigued! Grandmas are special people. ❤️
Oh I love the perspective! This sounds like a lovely read. I have shared on facebook. Thank you for the opportunity.
Thanks Heather! You’re entered twice!
Can’t wait to read this one!
This book looks wonderful!
This looks great! Thanks for the chance to win a copy, Glenys!
Pick me please! 😉
This would a lovely addition to our little library at home!! My boys would love it.
And shared on fb
Your name’s in twice Taryn!
Oh, this book looks perfect to read with my children. We often discuss how God is here, and there, and even way over there.
Great book!
Looks like another awesome book! I will be sharing this also!
Patty, if you shared on FB, I will enter you twice.
This looks so sweet! I’m always trying to reinforce the fruit of the spirit! Thank you, if I don’t win, I’ll have to buy it!
This looks like a great book, Glenys! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to getting my hands on it – if I don’t win, I’ll have to buy a copy 🙂
Being a grandmother myself, I would love to be able to share this with my grandchild🙂
Shared this on Facebook!
You’re entered twice Donna!
Looks like a book too good to use just with children. At 73, I can still appreciate the simplicy of a well written children’s book. I would enjoy sharing it with the children in my ministry. And of course I will share it on FB.
You’re entered twice!
I can’t wait to see this book. I love encouraging children to look for God in their everyday lives. I am posting on Facebook.
You’re entered twice Margaret!
These books look good- gonna check out!
Thank YOU for sharing this delightful book!! What a blessing it is to share ideas and concepts to kids in a tangible way <3
What a wonderful book to share with children! I would love a copy to read with my 4 year old grandson. <3
Shared on facebook and purchased a copy. Thank you, Glenys! Looking forward to reading your next book, too!
Thank you so much Christine! You’re entered twice!
This would be such a great addition to our children’s faith formation at our parish! Thanks for the opportunity!
I will check for this book in our library. Thank you!
I would love this to share with my own kids and my children’s ministry!
I love reading books in worship, and this one sounds great! I’ll share on my professional page.
Thank you Karen! You’re entered twice!
I would love this book at my church!!
This looks terrific! I especially think my mom would love reading it to my little boy. Shared on Facebook
Your entered twice Shawna!
What a beautiful book and message! We use children’s books in worship all the time because they help reach God’s children of all ages!
This looks great! Would love to share with my congregation.
THANK YOU to everyone who entered! The winners of the book are: Nicole and Yvonne Steindal.
Congratulations ladies! Please email me your address: glenysnellist@gmail.com.
Now, if you didn’t win , please visit the blog for news of more great book giveaways!