Images of God for Young Children

K-Gr 2—In simple language inspired by passages from the Bible, Delval reveals the many ways in which God is present in our world. She introduces each idea with the words, "God is..." and finds the Lord in everything from silence, joy, wisdom, and beauty to a friend, a parent, a shepherd, and a savior. In a few succinct, child-friendly sentences, the author expands upon each reflection, celebrating God's lessons of love and peace. For example, "God is bread. We need to eat to live, to grow, and to be strong. Bread is a symbol of everything that gives life, of everything that nourishes the earth's people." The text is replete with imagery from nature, references to family, and examples of the glory of God. The jewel-toned illustrations mirror the images contained in the narrative. One particularly striking picture shows a boy on a swing hanging from a crescent moon in a star-filled sky. Creatures of the earth, sky, and sea float around him. This volume does not include any citations to the biblical texts. Although not as elegant as John and Katherine Paterson's Images of God (Clarion, 1998), Delval's title is a fine addition to the series.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA