Known and Loved: 52 Devotions from the Psalms

Rivadeneira (Grumble Hallelujah) offers 52 short reflections on passages from the biblical Book of Psalms. The book is targeted at mothers of young children—it bears a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) “seal”—who will particularly appreciate the brevity of each section, which can be consumed like a scriptural vitamin. Rivadeneira writes in a chatty, girlfriendly tone for her intended audience, although some may find it flat and/or culturally clichéd (a reference to Downton Abbey, for example). From a faith perspective, the author offers encouragement and reassurance, qualities that mothers are long on. She also unpacks what might seem like remote and time-bound biblical passages about sheep or military trumpet blasts to show their contemporary application. The book will work best as gentle Bible study for suburban mothers. Agent: Andrea Heinecke, Alive Communications. (May)