Who Is Jesus?
Author: MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA
Picture Book: unpaged
Language: English
ISBN 13: 978-0-930037-15-4
List price: $14.95

Reviewed By: Janice D. Green

Rating:     

This little book is a delightful introduction to the nature of Jesus. Author MaryAnn Diorio captures the personality of Jesus in simple ways that children can and will relate to. This is carried out by asking the question “Who is Jesus?” then following the question with two situations involving children, one showing an example of who Jesus is not, then an example that shows Jesus love as he truly is. Following that is a page with a scripture that corresponds to the examples just given. These four-page scenarios are repeated several times, each time demonstrating another example of what Jesus is and is not like. The author carries her children farther than simply good and bad behavior, however. She also introduces the concepts that Jesus is always with us, Jesus is love, and Jesus is God.

What I like the most about this book: The examples are so relevant for very young children, and the pictures are so engaging and lively. The book also has strong reverent overtones.

What I like least about this book: When I first read the book, I felt it gave the impression that Jesus was like a child, because the Christ-like examples were children. But after putting the book down for a few weeks and then re-reading it, I came away with a different feeling for the book. Who is Jesus? definitely grew on me since the first time I read it.  If reading this book to children I would encourage them to think about how they can show Jesus’ love in the way they act around others.

I highly recommend this book for pre-school children. Sunday school teachers and nursery workers would find a place for this book in their read-aloud activities. It can be purchased on Amazon at this link.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”