God Gave Us You
Written by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
Published by WaterBrook Press
God Gave Us You is a wonderfully illustrated book in which a Mama Bear answers her cub’s question “Where did I come from?” While it was tastefully done, and carries a message that is wonderful for your children (You are treasured, you are wonderful and you are a gift from God), I do have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, I love the illustrations. They are adorable, and scenes, such as the page where Mama and Papa bear are preparing the nursery, tug at your heart. It brought me back to the days that we did that for our children, eagerly anticipating their arrival. Other moments in the book that pulled on my emotions were when Mama Bear says, “Your papa talked to you and sang to you. He wanted you to be born knowing his voice.” This made me and my daughter smile, as she knows her daddy did the same.
While there are many adorable moments in the book, there is a feeling of “too much information” for my toddler. For instance, when Mama Bear explains “I felt something different. You wanted out!” While it is not graphic, or distasteful, it just was not something I would have chosen to read to my four year old. In addition, the title, God Gave us You, is worked in repeatedly. I understand that it is the message (and title) of the book; however, the wording seems forced on some pages, as if it did not quite fit, but was shoved in there anyway.
I am only giving this book three stars. I do not dislike the book, but I want to heed parents that it is not as simple as “God Gave us You”. Be forewarned in buying this book that doors will be opened, especially if you have inquisitive little cubs like mine. If you are not ready to answer your little cub’s “Why’s?”, then leave it on the shelf.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
