*God Counts by Irene Sun

More than a simple counting book, God Counts sets out to teach numerically inclined kids what God is like—through numbers.

*God Counts: Numbers in His Word and His World by Irene Sun.  New Growth Press, 2018, 28 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, 0-4

Recommended for: ages 2-5 as a read-aloud, 6-7 for independent readers

“In the beginning, God created numbers.  Numbers declare the glory of God.”

More than a simple counting book, God Counts sets out to teach numerically inclined kids what God is like—through numbers.  Each explores something about God: “1 tells us that God is the first and the best.”  “2 tells us we are not alone.”  So it goes, all the way up to “12 tells us we will live with God forever,” showing twelve gates of the heavenly city overshadowed by the tree of Life with its twelve kinds of fruit.  Most of the numbers are based on Bible stories, so some Bible literacy helps.  Illustrations are colorful and appealing, and yes, there’s something to count in each double-page spread (Jesus is not pictured).  Each number includes a paraphrased Bible verse and scripture reference—even “infinity,” which seems too abstract for most young minds to grasp, but will certainly intrigue some.  Finally, “God counts all your days until you see him face to face.”

In the publicity materials, the author says she could never truly engage one of her sons with Bible storybooks, but his affinity for numbers inspired her to try a different approach.  It worked for him, but even the numerically-challenged will enjoy coming at these concepts from a different angle (and counting them, too).

Cautions: None

Overall Rating: 5 (out of 5)

• Worldview/Moral value: 5
• Artistic value: 5