Book Review: The Love Story

The Love Story. Stenetta Anthony. Tate Publishing/Children’s Division, May 6, 2014, Trade Paperback, 24 pages.

Reviewed by Sue Roupp.

This is a sweet Christian children’s book about how Jesus equals love. Through illustrations and brief dialogue designed for children 3-to-7 years old, the book tells the story of God deciding to send his Son Jesus to “show my people on Earth how much I love them.”

Jesus agrees to go to Earth, arriving as an infant in Bethlehem. He grows up and some call him King, others call him pure love sent from heaven. He carries his message of love all over the world, healing the sick and helping everyone he touches. God then decides to tell his Son he needs to show people how much he loves people on the Earth.

God tells Jesus he must die for people so everyone would have eternal life. Jesus is crucified, but it shows how much the Heavenly Father loves everyone.

The narrative in this book is fairly simple, and Jesus being sent to Earth to show God’s love is a nice concept for kids to understand. They might have a bit of trouble with why Jesus had to die to show that love, and the idea of eternal life. I am sure sensitive parents, Sunday school teachers, extended family, or older siblings would answer those questions. Having the digital download available so children can hear the story is a great idea. It can be downloaded to a smart phone, iPad, or computer.

The writing is clear, the illustrations are very well done, and the typeface is appealing. I am sure kids will want to own this book and have it read to them. Enjoying the book by listening to the story will be another gift kids will enjoy whenever they want to listen to the story again by themselves.