PBT God Book #11

Picture Book: God’s Dream

Authors: Desmond Tutu & Douglas Carlton Abrams

Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

Summary: Along with his co-author, Archbishop Tutu’s offers young children his vision of God’s dream for all people. Sharing, caring, and reaching out to hold hands are a part of God’s dream for us but so is saying sorry and forgiving when we hurt each other or are hurt by someone. The authors explain that we all carry within us "a piece of God’s heart" so that when we love each other, God’s heart becomes whole. God wishes everyone would see themselves as family members across the globe even when they are different in their looks, languages, and ways of speaking to God.  How do you make God’s dream come true? By simply knowing we are all one family of God’s children and loving each other accordingly. This book is also available in board book form for young children. 

Hanna’s Comments: This picture book offers the wise vision of Anglican Archbishop Tutu, a charismatic leader who has captured the world's attention with his desires for justice in South Africa and his message that ALL are beings made in the image of God. Here he encourages young children to lead the world towards God’s dream for humanity: a dream of empathy, tenderness, respect, forgiveness, reconciliation, and joy. Grabbing this book for a children's lesson in your place of worship would be a no-brainer. Reading it to your child or grandchild would be a privilege. Teaching it to the children in your private school classroom would be a treasure passed on to the next generation. 

Original Publisher & Date: Candlewick, 2008

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

Formats other than Book: None at present

Scripture Connections: Made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27); Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18 & Matthew 7:12); God’s plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11)

Idea(s) for Application: This would be an easy book to use with children who are learning about these concepts: God's hope for God's kingdom, our being made in God's image, or The Great Commandment.