I Believe In Jesus Too by Mark S. Nielsen

In book description:
All around the world, Latter-day Saint children go to church, sing songs, pray, read scriptures, participate in family home evening, and get baptized. We may meet in different types of buildings or speak different languages, but we have a lot in common. Why? Because no matter where we live, we all love and believe in Jesus, and He loves each one of us just the same. Are you like Pablo, Dimitri, Bayani, Junpei, and Shamara? Do you believe in Jesus too?

About the Author in book bio:
Mark S. Nielsen is a seminary teacher in Mesa, Arizona, where he lives with his wife, Anne, their children, Mary and Sam, and their dog, Chula. They like to go on road trips, run through the sprinklers, ride their bikes, and pet the stingrays at the zoo. Like millions of people all over the world, they believe in Jesus too.
Parents can visit Mark online at marksnielsen.com

About the Artist in book bio:

Craig Stapley is an illustrator whose work has appeared in The Friend and Highlights, among other popular magazines. He currently lives in northern Utah with his wife, Crystal, and their four children: Ethan, Kaiden, Logan, and their newest addition, Emily Jean. As a family they enjoy traveling and any activity that they can do together.

Deirdra's Review:

I have readers at A Storybook Wold who help me do all the book reviews, but I personally review the children's books for a few reasons. First, I am a hard core art critic. Second, I am a mother. I don't have time to read every full manuscript that comes across my desk, but I always make time to read a book to my son at night.

When I first opened the package containing "I Believe in Jesus Too", I was impressed by the quality of the product itself. The book is well worth a tag price in the $20 range, although Deseret Book currently has it listed for about $16.

The art work is amazing and so full of movement, color, and light. The style is endearing and draws you into the characters like a master poet with a paintbrush. Craig Stapley was the perfect artist for this book. He does a fabulous job of bringing personality to each of the characters. This is important since this book shows many different races and cultures that children (and adults) may be unfamiliar with. But it also shows the universal joy of knowing that Jesus is the Christ and that's something all different kinds of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have in common. It shows children in real life, cultural, and different family settings, which also articulated a message and echoed the words of the author. Even through we are different we are all children of God.

Mark, the author, is a seminary teacher. Although his profession is in teaching religion he proved he is a writer as well. The book has a great flow and natural rhythm to it. It wasn't too preachy or long for even for a young child.

I sat down with Kal'el, my three-year-old son, to get a child's opinion on this book.
Kal'el sat very still, as I read the whole book. When I closed the book and said "The End" he flipped the book over and opened the front cover. I read it to him again, this time Kal'el pointed out objects in each picture he recognized.
This is now one of his favorite books on our family bookshelf.

Currently the book price is $16.19 at Desert Book. You can purchase it here:

http://deseretbook.com/Believe-Jesus-Too-Mark-S-Nielsen/i/5061904

Deirdra's Rating: