Through lyrical verse and wild illustrations, the author encourages little ones to revel in creation's light...and all that light is the very same light that God put inside you.

'Let there be light!' that's what God said. And light began shining and then started to spread." Wild and creative illustrations from top children's illustrator David Catrow pair with Matthew Paul Turner's lyrical verse in this message of a God-made light that cuts through darkness to bring vision and hope to all young readers. This light radiates, chasing away the shadows, providing the wonder and fun of stargazing or firefly chasing. Most important, this light appears in each child--an inner God-given spark that grows and will be used to change the world.

The exuberance and joy that leaped from the pages of Matthew Paul Turner's first book in this collection, When God Made You, is again beautifully displayed in the second book, When God Made Light.

David Caltrow's art is so intensely colorful and radiates a joyfullness and a lightheartedness that all children should and can experience when they confront the fact that God is the Creator. The Creator of the child and the Creator of Light.

This story has children. Innocent. Busy. Lovely.

The story has a dog and a cat both of which are frolicking across the pages.

And it has light shining on them and their activities. And that light is manifest in a variety of scenes and events from sun and moon to stars and galaxies and to the tiny light bugs captured in the child's jar.

Light glared and glimmered, it flared and sparked, and where light shinned, dark stopped being dark.
Think about that. Think beyond the children on the pages. Think of Creation and Salvation and light - The Light - and how the dark stopped being dark.

And then in the darkness a galaxy was formed out of the light - "a universe lit up,..."

This children's book is a playful, joyful "take" on God's Creation of the World and Universe. Separating light from dark, speaking light into being, setting the sun and moon in the sky.

Turner's lyric verse takes the children on an adventure through the day and night embracing children's play and activities that span the daylight and night time hours and the seasons when light makes play in the warmth of the Sun's light so much fun. And he goes on to tell the child that there is light in him, too. When the child was born God imparts a light in the child.

So light drives away the darkness - that is as literal as day and night but the light of God drives away sin. So the opportunity for some spiritual deep diving is easily transitioned to. The concept of the child having God's light in him at birth is another opportunity for the child to learn that he has a soul created by a loving God that wants to dwell in the child with the light of God's goodness.

So this little book is fun, beautifully illustrated, and a joyful read but it also contains some pretty deep concepts that can even stimulate an adult's thinking.

I encourage my readers to acquire copies of both: When God Made You and When God Made Light.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Waterbrook, on behalf of the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. ( )

When God Made Light is an illuminating children’s book. I am in literary love with the lyrical flow and the adorable illustrations. The story carries an upbeat tone and a powerful message. I read and reviewed When God Made You last year and listed it as one of the most adorable children’s books I’ve ever read! This one goes on that list as well.

The rhymes are fun and the illustrations are so vivid, colorful and impressive. And the icing on the cake is the beautiful message it carries—encouraging young readers to let their inner lights shine wherever they go.

And all that light—every bright golden hue—is the very same light that God put inside you. ~Excerpt

Mathew Paul Turner (author) and David Catrow (illustrator) created a perfect blend of empowerment and wonderment. The rhythmic story inspires young readers to go outside and explore the world. It showcases the lights during the day and at night, and especially the one God placed inside of the reader. It’s fun to read aloud, and the full-page illustrations are bold, colorful, and unique. The children, animals, and nature scenes are incredibly detailed and memorable.

It’s close to impossible to NOT be inspired and uplifted by this book—It is gentle, yet powerful, simple, yet profound. I wish this book had been around when my children were young.

I’m in love with this hardcover children’s book. Highly recommended! (Release day: 02/13/18)

Cover: Love
Title: Love
Pages: 48
Target Group: 3-7 years
Publisher: Waterbrook
ISBN: 978-1601429209
First Lines: Let there be light! That’s what God said.
I was very blessed to receive an advanced reader copy. ( )