♦ Title: So Great a Love
♦ Author/Illustrator: Kristie Wilde
♦ ISBN: 978-0-9974828-1-2
♦ Reviewed by: Janice D. Green
♦ Rating 

“Does God really love me?” This wonderful book answers this question by exploring the animal world and discovering examples of God’s love all around us. (from back cover)

I always take on a self-published book with a healthy dose of anxiety, as I can’t know until I hold the book in my hands whether the author has misplaced confidence in his/her ability to write for children. What a glorious surprise to discover this fine gemstone. I can’t imagine a better gift for a baby shower or young child than So Great a Love.

Kristie Wilde has used a sprinkling of well-chosen words to capture powerful Biblical concepts about God’s love; and has supported them with tender images of God’s great creation. Wilde includes the Scripture references that support each page spread and concept at the back of the book along with a portion of the corresponding illustration, giving the caregiver or older child an opportunity to look up the passage and go deeper as the child’s understanding grows. Children will be drawn into this book and want to hear it over and over.

What do I like most about this book? I love the beautiful accuracy of relating the Scriptures to real life in a way that children can understand. I love the pictures and the way they tie into the Scriptures. For instance, Zephaniah 3:17 (as found in back of the book) says, “. . . He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” The children’s page spread for this shows otters frolicing in the stream and on the river bank while a mother otter floats on her back with her baby resting on her stomach. The words, “You delight God . . .” appear on the left page and continue with “. . . like water delights the otters!” on the right page. In my mind I can hear children giggle as they explore the illustrations. listen to these words, and think of God delighting in them.

What do I like least about this book? I can’t think of anything to put in this category.

I give this book a rating of five smiley faces out of five.

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires 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.”