Picture Book Round Up: The Big Wide Welcome, God Cares for Me, Love Is, Rice From Heaven, My Breakfast With Jesus

Three picture books remind young listeners to love people as Jesus loves, to show compassion for the sick, and provide an opportunity to see a familiar passage of Scripture in a new context.

The Big Wide Welcome by Trillia Newbell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri. The Good Book Company, 2022. 32 pages

Reading level: Picture books, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 4-8

Having favorites is okay for food, toys, and activities, but not for people. Newbell uses the illustration in the book of James that describes favoritism to demonstrate how we are tempted to forget to love our neighbor when we judge by appearances.

When the love of Christ in the church is lacking, it leads to loneliness prejudice, and discrimination. Because Jesus talked to “all sorts of people” during His earthly ministry, and because Jesus chose to befriend you and me regardless of our appearance or abilities, we can follow His example to offer a big wide welcome in the church and to “love people like Jesus loves people.”

Newbell’s writing is very child-friendly and Echeverri’s illustrations enhance the narrative. There are many retellings of popular Bible stories and it’s wonderful to have picture books that demonstrate the teaching of the apostles as well.

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Artistic/literary value: 4.5

God Cares for Me: Helping Children Trust God When They’re Sick by Scott James and illustrated by Trish Mahoney. New Growth Press, 2021. 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture books, all ages

Recommended For: Ages 0-8, especially with their families

Living in a fallen world means not only sin, but also sickness.

Being sick is miserable. You miss things you want to do and even privileges like popsicles and movies aren’t the same when a child isn’t well. Parents feel helpless and doctors’ skills are limited.

This is why it is important to comfort children with truth from Scripture. Scott James is a father and a pediatrician, so he understands both the heartache when a child falls ill and the blessing of helping them. Masks and medicines are physical resources when necessary, but only rehearsing the promises of Scripture in every season of life will restore the soul. A good resource for families with children who are sick or for those concerned about encouraging others.

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Artistic/literary value: 4

Love Is from I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV) and illustrated by Paola Escobar. Zonderkidz, 20121. 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture books, all ages

Recommended for: especially children in school, Sunday school, or other group settings

There are many trees in Scripture: places where God finds His people (Abraham and Nathaniel), symbols of flourishing (Psalm 1), and even of being cursed (Christ hanging on a tree). Zacchaeus climbed one to see Jesus, and the trees of the field will clap their hands in singing.

In Love Is Escobar uses the life of a tree to walk through I Corinthians 13:4-8a. Seasons and years pass and various animals visit, using the tree as everything from a source of nourishment to a place of refuge. Some of the significance may be lost on younger audiences, but having a visual to accompany reading Scripture makes this a nice resource for church libraries or nurseries.

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Artistic/literary value: 4

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