Book Review :: Little Love Letters From God: Bible Stories (A Lift-The-Flap Book) by Glenys Nellist, Illustrated by Sophie Allsopp

Little Love Letters From God: Bible Stories (A Lift-The-Flap Book) takes you through 8 popular Bible stories (4 from the Old Testament and 4 from the New Testament), with a "Love Letter from God" to go along with each story. (This is a simplified version of Love Letters from God: Bible Stories, created with toddler-aged children in mind. The other version contains 18 stories - 9 from the Old Testment and 9 from the New Testament.)

The pages in Little Love Letters From God: Bible Stories (A Lift-The-Flap Book) are thicker than traditional paper book pages, but not heavy enough to be considered "board book", in my opinion. (They are basically two sheets of thick cardstock glued together.) The love letter portions are cut in to each page to create the flap and the contents of the letter can be accessed by lifting the flap. Each love letter beings with "Dear _______," so a child's name can be written in if you choose.

Each Bible story is retold as a story (not the Biblical text). The rhyming text in Little Love Letters From God: Bible Stories (A Lift-The-Flap Book) is cute, but if you are looking for something that is strictly biblically accurate, this book is probably not what you are looking for. I think it is the same with most Bible story books - with each story the author will take certain creative liberties with the retelling. 

Along with each story is a verse ("God's Wonderful Words to You") that goes along with the theme of the story. (The verse is not taken from the story itself.) Each "Love Letter from God" goes along with the theme as well. The themes are a wonderful start to discussions with your child(ren) about how God is with us, God loves us, we are special to God, and God will never leave us. 

The illustrations by Sophie Allsopp are great. Each full-color, two-page spread gives the child plenty to look at without being overwhelming. The illustrations are mainly hand-drawn, but there are a few scanned/photographed pieces mixed in. I wish the illustrations had all been hand-drawn - the artist is very talented.

I think both Little Love Letters From God: Bible Stories (A Lift-The-Flap Book) and Love Letters from God: Bible Stories are great books to share with little ones. This is one of those instances where I think it is important that you go with your gut. If you don't like the idea of an author writing words "from God", these are not the books I would suggest for you. If you don't like the idea of Bible stories told in words other than what is directly written in the Bible, these are not the books I would suggest for you. But, if you like to use a variety of books to tell your children about God and His love, and appreciate the perspective and creativity of a variety of authors and artists - get Little Love Letters From God: Bible Stories (A Lift-The-Flap Book) and/or Love Letters from God: Bible Stories to share with your loved ones.
FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.