I Wonder: Exploring God's Grand Story

...Our home includes seven children that range in age from 18 to 1. Evening family Bible time needs to be accessible to all. I Wonder is enjoyed by each person. The language is understandable for each age, but not sing-songy (which usually causes the teens to tune out). The wonder questions at the end of each story are truly thought provoking for us all. As our eldest has been submitting college and making plans for her future, the questions have been grounding and great for conversation. The illustrations by Alessandra Fusi are soulful; the colors, shading, and lines are simply breathtaking. They are a wonderful pairing with the stories and wonder questions, adding new dimensions and complimenting the beautiful writing. Our child with serious vision issues can easily read the print on his own -- the line spacing and font are perfect for him. There are many ways you could use this outside of a home setting. Perhaps you'd like to start a Bedtime Stories and Prayers ministry via Zoom. This Bible would be a fantastic cornerstone. Do you have a multi-age faith formation class? Everyone will benefit from the tellings in this Bible. Maybe you have a grandparent/grandfriend and me ministry. This could be a lovely gift to each pairing to use together. This would also be a meaningful gift for a baptism and new members. Consider a congregation-wide collection of wonderings based upon this Bible; create a bulletin board or word cloud! And imagine the possibilities of having the congregation create their own illustrations based on the stories. You could have your own in-house collection of visio divina images! Do you need this Bible? If you want beautiful language, soulful and representative illustrations, and wondering questions that are springboards for thoughtful conversation across ages, YES. Yes, you need it. * Practical Resources for Churches, February 2022 *
'Each of the 31 chapters included in author Glenys Nellist's illustrated Bible storybook begins and ends in wondering. Titles start with 'I wonder about' and introduce young readers to biblical characters caught up in God's salvation plan being worked out in the world through the coming of his son, Jesus Christ. As children meet Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Rahab, Ruth and Naomi, Daniel, Nehemiah, Mary, Jesus, John the Baptist, the first disciples, and many more, Nellist offers them avenues for wondering. For example, following the story about Joseph forgiving his brothers when he was reunited with them in Egypt, Nellist writes, 'I wonder ... if God can still bring good out of bad situations. / ... if it was hard for Joseph to forgive his brothers. / ...how Joseph knew that God had never left him.' Imaginative and inspirational, Nellist's narrative points young children to God's faithfulness, love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy, and invites them to ponder how they are a part of God's great story: 'God is still reaching out to us--calling out in that quiet voice to all who will listen. And for all who will hear, and for all who will respond, the wonderful story of Jesus is still being told.' Illustrator Alessandra Fusi's artwork--serene, peaceful scenes; worshipful, prayerful portraits; and vigorous, dynamic pictures--make the biblical world and God's work within it come alive. Recommended as a worthy addition to a family's devotional resources.' * The Banner, March 2022 *
--Outreach Resources of the Year Awards 2022: Selected by Outreach Magazine as an 'Also Recommended' resource in the Kids and amp; Youth Category * Outreach Magazine *
A Northern Lights Book Awards Winner in the Religious/Spiritual category for 2021 * The Northern Lights Book Awards *
Another children's Bible? Yes! I Wonder bursts with color, creativity, and questions that invite children to think about the story they just read. Veteran children's author Glenys Nellist, creator of two popular series, Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time, included 30 Bible stories equally divided between the Old and New Testaments. Children will meet the usual dominant characters such as Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David--but also some less-often highlighted people such as Esau, Miriam, Rahab, Ruth, Jonah, and Nehemiah. In the New Testament, we meet Mary and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Jesus interacting with several hurting people such as the woman at the well and the woman who bled, as well as some of Jesus's parables, and more. Unique to this Bible are 'I wonder?' questions at the end of each vignette. They encourage children ages 4 to 8 to ask important questions and consider the mystery of the Bible. Readers can internalize the message of the story and think about how it could apply to their lives. Illustrated beautifully by Alexandra Fusi, I Wonder offers young readers and the adults in their lives a fresh window into the Bible's familiar and unfamiliar narratives. Above all, Nellist hopes to instill a sense of wonder in children as they contemplate God's grand story of love and redemption. * “Quote review” – Kelley Matthews, Patheos.com *