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Great illustrations, but it seems there is something missing

by Debra Brinkman

May 28, 2011

@FootprintButter

As part of Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program, I have had the chance to read When God Created My Toes with my daughter these past couple of weeks. Written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by David Hohn, this short picture book features a very active and mischievous little girl asking about what happened when she was created.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The pictures were delightful -- my favorite page is about when God created my hands -- and the little girl has tubes of open paint, paint all over her hands, and handprints on the sofa, the wall, and the painting hanging above the couch. Mom, in the corner with her hands on her head -- oh, yeah, I've been there.

I do like the sense of fun and wonder expressed. I love that almost all of the illustrations represent things that most toddlers would have real-world experience in (hot chocolate, playing in the mud, pretend tea parties) so they have a frame-of-reference.

The text is all from the point of view of the little girl, with questions that do sound like ones kids come up with... about God holding His nose when creating my toes, for instance. It was all cute... but I kept expecting something to wrap it all up with a more Biblical point of view. Psalm 139: 13-16 is quoted on the dedication page, and I assumed that the overall message of the book would go along with that.

Instead, I finish reading the book feeling like there is something missing. But my five year old loves it. I think she is on the "old" range for it though, and that it would be more appropriate for about ages 2-4.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for this review.