When God Gave Us You

My ten-month-old doesn't usually sit still for anything.  He's far more interested in climbing all over Mommy, kissing my cheeks and trying to escape up the stairs whenever he thinks we're not looking.  This book, though, held his attention all the way through.
Beautifully illustrated and sensitively written, When God Gave Us You  by Lisa Tawn Bergen answers the all-important question: Where did I come from? Well, Mama Bear answers, you came from God.  We were lonely, she continues, so God gave us you.  Pregnancy is described in a language a child can understand("My tummy got bigger...and bigger...and BIGGER") and every step is punctuated by the same verbage..."Yes, my special child. God gave us you."  We follow Mama and Papa Bear's familiar steps through listening to the baby's heartbeat at the doctor, praying for a healthy baby, preparing the nursery, and the seemingly endless wait for the baby to arrive.  Labor is beautifully described, with mama bear saying that God gives special signals so mama's will know that the baby is about to arrive.  And, finally, Mama and Papa Bear are staring at their precious cub, amazed at the special gift they have just received.
This is one of the sweetest child's books I have seen in quite a while.  The only thing I wish, perhaps, is that it came in a cardboard book, so I didn't have to worry about pages being ripped and drooled on by my special gift.  Other than that, I see this becoming a classic that I expect to read to my son over and over again, reminding him each time that he was specially chosen to come live with us.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  I was not under any obligation to provide a positive review.