God Made It for You!: The Story of Creation

Beginning with his invitation-like title, Lehman whisks young readers into the events of the biblical creation story. Employing an accessible style dominated by short sentences and kid-friendly imagery, the author describes each stage of God's bringing the world into being. Lehman echoes a sense of immediacy throughout the text with a summation of each day, i.e., "On the first day God made light. He made it for you!/ .../ On the sixth day, God made parents. He made them for you!" The author then moves beyond the book of Genesis and brings Christian beliefs full circle in the book's final pages, explaining that God's promise to "make things better" after the fall of Adam and Eve resulted in Jesus—his forgiveness, death and Resurrection. "God sent His Son, Jesus, to be a real person... He did it for you!" Kemly's airy pencil and pastel artwork captures the text's blend of reverence and friendliness. A note for parents about incorporating the book's themes into everyday life is included. Ages 5-8. (Jan.)