![ "God loved us so much he wanted us to always be with him too.That’s why God knew he’d need to give us Easter.”As Little Cub celebrates Easter with Papa, Mama, and her brother and sister, she begins to ask her papa questions about this very special day of the year. Papa lovingly explains God’s plans for his children, while taking Little Cub on a memorable walk through her stunning Arctic world, and he shares how Easter came about in clear, simple terms that even the littlest cubs can understand.Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their three children. Visit her website at www.LisaTawnBergren.comLaura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/52/ab/52abc3d83ff4846c128f133efec1050d.jpg?itok=eRytFdht " "God loved us so much he wanted us to always be with him too.That’s why God knew he’d need to give us Easter.”As Little Cub celebrates Easter with Papa, Mama, and her brother and sister, she begins to ask her papa questions about this very special day of the year. Papa lovingly explains God’s plans for his children, while taking Little Cub on a memorable walk through her stunning Arctic world, and he shares how Easter came about in clear, simple terms that even the littlest cubs can understand.Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their three children. Visit her website at www.LisaTawnBergren.comLaura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina ")
Lenten season began February 13 in 2013 and ends March 30 the day before Easter. It’s both a time of spiritual celebration and fun, yet youngsters sometimes focus only on the fun. Whether it’s coloring, hiding and finding bright colored Easter eggs or gifts of lush Easter baskets overflowing with bright colored candies the real meaning of Easter can be eclipsed. That’s why Lisa wrote God Gave us Easter for children, a story that teaches what Easter is really about.
The account centers on a family of Polar bears and begins with “Little Cub” and “Papa Bear” coloring eggs for Easter. “Little Cub” has just told Papa Bear how much he loves Easter.
“Papa Bear” agrees and says, “It’s even better than Christmas.”
Lisa contrasts Christmas with Easter in the introduction then highlights the similarities and differences between them as the story begins. For example, Christmas is a time of giving that celebrates Christ’s birth while Easter celebrates the “bigger story,” the gift of eternal life Jesus paid for with his life.
She uses the analogy of a chick breaking the eggshell at birth to illustrate Christ’s breaking free of the tomb because “death couldn’t trap God’s son” any more than the eggshell could keep the little chick inside.
My only criticism is the inclusion of topics besides Easter, such as Noah and his family, the flood and the rainbow’s promise that distracts from the main topic of Easter. That said, the appealing narrative does provide a basic non-gospel specific summary of Easter.
I also liked the suggestion that children should listen to Jesus with their hearts and not just their heads, because that “…takes a special kind of listening.” Colorful pictures by award-winning illustrator, Laura Bryant add enjoyable visual texture to the story.
The book is especially suitable for ages three through six, especially with youngsters who have a church background and for children without that, Lisa’s book still provides a basic and sound overview of Easter.
~~Click through the “List” for more God Gave Us… books from this award-winning author~~
‘God Gave us Easter’ by Lisa Tawn Bergren, art by Laura J. Bryant, WaterBrook Press, 2013, Ages 3-7, Hardback, 40 Pages, 978-0307730725, $10.99
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![ "God loved us so much he wanted us to always be with him too.That’s why God knew he’d need to give us Easter.”As Little Cub celebrates Easter with Papa, Mama, and her brother and sister, she begins to ask her papa questions about this very special day of the year. Papa lovingly explains God’s plans for his children, while taking Little Cub on a memorable walk through her stunning Arctic world, and he shares how Easter came about in clear, simple terms that even the littlest cubs can understand.Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their three children. Visit her website at www.LisaTawnBergren.comLaura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/3b/90/3b90df7e6034bbc4f65dcf211aeb88e3.jpg?itok=4Hn2aQyF " "God loved us so much he wanted us to always be with him too.That’s why God knew he’d need to give us Easter.”As Little Cub celebrates Easter with Papa, Mama, and her brother and sister, she begins to ask her papa questions about this very special day of the year. Papa lovingly explains God’s plans for his children, while taking Little Cub on a memorable walk through her stunning Arctic world, and he shares how Easter came about in clear, simple terms that even the littlest cubs can understand.Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their three children. Visit her website at www.LisaTawnBergren.comLaura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina ")
![ When a charming polar bear cub climbs into bed one night, she asks her Mama a very important question--one that little "human cubs" often wonder about, too: "Where did I come from?"As Mama Bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: "We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because--"God gave us you."Perfect for bedtime, naptime, story time or anytime, God Gave Us You provides a valuable opportunity to build children's self-esteem every day and assure each one that he or she truly is a welcomed, precious, and treasured gift from the Lord. ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/c7/96/c796e3d25fdf9e59af7ea9ba3d1829d7.jpg?itok=dyGsHoRB " When a charming polar bear cub climbs into bed one night, she asks her Mama a very important question--one that little "human cubs" often wonder about, too: "Where did I come from?"As Mama Bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: "We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because--"God gave us you."Perfect for bedtime, naptime, story time or anytime, God Gave Us You provides a valuable opportunity to build children's self-esteem every day and assure each one that he or she truly is a welcomed, precious, and treasured gift from the Lord. ")
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