A first time reader of Lisa Tawn Bergren, I loved these books and would love to read more!  ~ Sheila

As Little Cub and Grandpa Bear’s Fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the little polar bear begins to ask questions why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.

In answering her questions, Grandpa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas, and papas.  Grandpa explains that all these kinds of love comes from God and that it is important to love others because…

This time, the bears are getting ready to celebrate the most special day of the year: Christmas. In this enchanting picture book, you can help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, and it offers the perfect opportunity for little ones to discover the awesome truth of how much God loves them.

In the midst of all the Christmas preparations, curious Little Cub asks one day, “Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions, like: “Is God more important than Santa?” So Mama decides to take Little Cub on an expedition to discover how God gave them Christmas. As their journey unfolds, the pair finds signs that God is at work all around them. Mama’s gentle guidance helps Little Cub discover that Jesus is the best present of all! Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

In My Opinion:

Using a little cub’s curiosity to explain Love in God Gave Us Love, and to explain Christmas in God Gave us Christmas, author Lisa Tawn Bergren hits the topics in a gentle teaching way that are wonderful for children to understand.  I enjoyed reading her words and at the same time knowing that David Hohn’s beautiful illustrations would glue children to every page.

In God gave Us Love the message is about the different kinds of love we experience.

How do we know God loves us?  Little Cub whispered.  I mean when we can’t see or touch or feel Him?

We trust He is always with us, Grandpa whispers back.  Like your brother and sistercan’t see you right now, but they know you are here.  That’s Faith.

I appreciated the message that is brought across in this book.

In God Gave Us Christmas, Lisa Tawn Bregren again gives a great message in a way that the little ones in our life can grasp on to.  While Little Cub is hoping to be able to go and find santa, Mama instead sets out to show him God.  She shows him lights in the sky, and the sun in the morning, she shows him great bodies of water and ice bergs…. through nature and the story of the first Christmas, little Cub learns of the present of all.

Two wonderful reads!

About the Author

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling author of ten novels, three novellas, and two gift books. God Gave Us Christmas is her third childrens book. She makes her messy-but-cozy home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute college of Art. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

I received these review copies from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group