A Curious Cub... oh, the lessons learned!

My own three little cubs were as excited as this Mama Bear when we received a box in the mail from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers.  Inside the box, we truly discovered a treasure... Lisa Tawn Bergren's God Gave Us So Much.  In actuality, this book is a compilation of three titles:  God Gave Us the World, God Gave Us Love, and God Gave Us Heaven.  Since our personal library already hosts Bergren's titles God Gave Us You and God Gave Us Christmas, we were familiar with the characters brought to life through Laura J. Bryant's beautiful illustrations and were excited to begin reading. 


God Gave Us So Much serves as the platform for one very curious cub to ask questions about the very nature of God and the world around her.  Mama, Papa, and Grampa field and answer Little Cub's questions, and as a Mama of three precocious little ones, I can completely relate.  I only hope I'm able to answer my little ones in a manner as gentle and honest as the fictional characters.  Personally, I found that simply reading this book sparked wonderful conversations with my little cubs and some authentic teachable moments.

In God Gave Us the World, Little Cub discovers the vastness of the world and people God created.  This book is timely and especially dear to us as we are a multi-cultural family.  I love that despite where one lives or what he/she looks like, "Every bear (or child) has a special place in God's great big world."

Little Cub encounters some pesky otters in God Gave Us Love.  In learning that God wants us to show others love, the young cub also learns that there is nothing that can cause God not to love her.  Along with Little Cub, my kiddos were reminded that God shows us His love in many ways - the greatest of course would be sending His Son to save us.  God is LOVE!

Finally, Little Cub learns about heaven.  In our house, there is a lot of talk about heaven.  Some questions are so very curious and others revolve around loved ones who are there.  In God Gave Us Heaven, Little Cub asks, "What is heaven?" and "When will I go to heaven?"  These questions are asked by even the smallest children, and I so appreciate that the author addressed them rather than avoid them.

I highly recommend adding this title to any child's library.  Snuggling and cuddling your own little cubs close, read God Gave Us So Much.  Rather than shy away from answering tough questions, use this charming book as a tool to teach and encourage the ones you hold dear. 

**I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  This review reflects my honest opinions.