Does God Know How to Tie Shoes?

A conversation between Katrina and her parents about the nature of God deftly juxtaposes an adult metaphysical sensibility (replete with allusions to the book of Psalms) against a child's hands-on approach to spirituality. For instance, in answer to her daughter's question whether God has any pets, Mama replies: ``The animals and birds of the forest are his and every cow on a thousand hills,'' whereas Katrina's more pragmatic response is: ``Maybe God would like us to get a a puppy!'' Each turn of the page introduces a new question--what God wears, whether He talks, if He cries or sings--and another vista featuring McElrath-Eslick's bold brush strokes and her perhaps overexcited palette. The approach is nondenominational beyond its Judeo-Christian foundations, and could easily provide a springboard for family or one-on-one discussions. All of the Psalms alluded to are included in their entirety at the end of the book. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)