ABOUT THE BOOKEven young children want answers to the hard questions about God and suffering. In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God’s goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances.
In this beautiful, two-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister’s death. Father and son share a simple liturgy together that reminds them that, just as the moon is always round despite its different phases, so also the goodness of God is always present throughout the different phases of life.
A section in the back of the book offers further biblical help for parents and caregivers in explaining God’s goodness to children. Jonathan Gibson reminds children of all ages that God’s goodness is present in the most difficult of times, even if we can’t always see it.
MY THOUGHTS.....
The Moon Is Always Round is a story for children but it is a reminder to ALL of us of God's goodness. Over and over again, we hear a father reassuring his little boy that even though he isn't seeing a full moon, the moon is always round. And just as we may not understand all that is happening in our lives, God is always there. Even when problems and trouble appear to cover it up, God's goodness is always present.
This is a sweet story with beautiful illustrations and it offers parents and their children the chance to talk about God and His wonderful Grace. In the back of the book, author Jonathan Gibson offers Lessons for Children and The Story Behind This Book and these extras offer more opportunities to discuss how God's goodness is always with us.
I am hesitant, however, to recommend this as a book for all children because there is a mention of a baby sister who is stillborn and we see the grief of this family. This would certainly be an excellent book for parents and children who are dealing with miscarriage or death but I'm not sure that it should be read to all young children.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from New Growth Press but a positive review was not required. These are my own thoughts.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jonathan Gibson (PhD, Cambridge) is ordained in the International Presbyterian Church, UK, and is associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He is coeditor with Mark Earngey of Reformation Worship, contributor to and coeditor with David Gibson of From Heaven He Came and Sought Her, and Covenant Continuity and Fidelity: A Study of Inner-Biblical Allusion and Exegesis in Malachi. He is married to Jacqueline, and they have two children: Benjamin and Leila.
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