Lisa Bergen has teamed once again with illustrator Laura J. Bryant
for the latest in her God Gave Us… series of children's picture
books. The simple text and captivating illustrations clearly
demonstrate why this series has sold over 1 million copies.
In God Gave Us Heaven readers familiar with the series will be
reunited with Little Cub and her family: Papa, Mama and the twins.
Those who enjoy this book will want to rush out for the titles in
which the family is introduced, God Gave Us You - describing the
blessing of Little Cub's arrival into the family, and God Gave Us
Two - exploring the wonder of the twins arrival.
"Papa, what's heav'n?" Little Cub queries her father as her family
rises in the morning, the opening of the story. Readers follow the
polar bear family through their daily tasks and are privy to the
explanations Papa bear provides and the conversation that develops
as more questions occur to Little Cub. While answering Little Cub's
questions Papa bear answers many of the queries similar to those
your own little cubs may ask.
"When do we get to see heaven?"
"Will we eat in heaven?"
"Will we be angels?"
The questions seem never-ending as Papa and Little Cub prepare for
and embark upon a fishing expedition. Papa bear is ever patient and
loving as he answers his daughter's questions, right up until
bedtime. Some of the questions do not have clear biblical answers;
not much is known about heaven when we examine the scriptures. Papa
bear is never evasive, but speaks in terms that small children can
understand. He tells Little Cub of heaven's goodness, how it is
filled with love and everything that we long for, most especially
God.
And the most important question:
"How do we get there, Papa? To heaven, I mean."
This launches Papa bear into a simple explanation of Jesus as the
bridge to heaven, a mild children's gospel that simply points to
Jesus as the Way. However, the theology offered is somewhat soft,
with Papa bear positing that all of their loved ones will be in
heaven - a statement made before he shares about Jesus. Parents may
want to clarify that this is the case only if all of these loved
ones are believers.
Bryant's illustrations are delightful. Providing a unifying thread
through the often-divergent questions of Little Cub, the
illustrations are among my favourites in Christian children's
literature. The bear family is adorable in their wintry home, the
snow reflecting all the shades of the sky and sun. The soft,
powdery pastel shades are enticing, rendering the bears huggable
and the landscapes somewhat ethereal. Never before has the Arctic
been depicted so appealingly
Dedicated to a little girl who went home to the Lord at the age of
six, God Gave Us Heaven provides a gentle way to speak to children
about death. Whether preparing for the passing of a loved one,
after the death of a child or simply to meet a child's curiosity;
this book clearly expresses God's love and the riches of heaven,
revealing that believers can look forward to a loving home as their
final destination.
Reviewed at http://quiverfullfamily.com