ISBN 0849975093 - This book is a first. It's the first time I'm giving 4 stars to a book that I don't like and would never get for my child, which is weird - but it is a good book, and parents who want to introduce the concept of their god and god's love into their child's life will want this one on their shelf.

The book starts with an explanation of how god made "you" ("you" being the child you read it to), the same god that made everything else in the world. That, according to the book, makes the child special - there's no one else in the world like "you". The same god made sure to put "you" in the right home, where "you" would be loved and cared for, always. The book then goes into some scenarios where a child might feel alone or afraid - hearing noises at night or being picked on in school - and reminds the child that "I" (the reader) will always be there. The book ends with some information about heaven, what a wonderful place it is and a promise to be there, too.

Christian parents, especially, will really enjoy sharing this book with their children. This board book edition is small enough to make a great take-along and the thick pages are easy for small fingers to handle. The book does elude to a parent's death, with "I will be there, too.", referring to heaven, but it's vague enough that a parent can insert their own explanation for young children. Marked for ages 3 to 7, this is probably just about the right age, although younger children will enjoy being told how wonderful and special and loved they are, as well. Author Max Lucado does a great job of writing a worldview that children can grasp and illustrator Toni Goffe does some really nice work with some interesting touches. For example, a pink polka dotted blanket appears in every image until the page that begins "You're bigger now..." On that page, some previously-seen baby toys are right next to toys for an older child and, after that page, most of the illustrations have the child outside the home (although home is often visible in the background). The subtlety of the changes is superb, so subtle that it may go unnoticed - which is all the more reason to commend Goffe's work.

I, non-believer, promise you that, if you're a believer, you're going to want this book. The day you pack it away, saving it for the next generation, it'll break your heart all over.

- AnnaLovesBooks

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This is a very cute book with a nice message about how special your child is. I would recommend it for a child 2-1/2 years and up as it is a longer book.

My daughter requests this over and over!!! It is a beautiful book about the reassurance that a parent always loves no matter what. I'm buying copies for all my neices and nephews too.

I wish I'd realized that it was a religious book. Not what I was looking for.

This is the hardcover board book edition.

Max Lucado is the best.

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