God Gave Us Easter

by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator)

Overview

A delightful illustrated picture book for readers ages 3 and up, God Gave Us Easter features the adorable polar bear Little Cub, talking with her father and learning about God's design for the Easter season and what it really means.

"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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780307730725
Publisher:	The Crown Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/15/2013
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Lisa T. Bergren is the author of nearly forty titles, including God Gave Us You, the bestselling beginning of the beloved God Gave Us… series. Her works span many genres, from adult fiction to devotionals. She makes her home in Colorado with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.
 
Laura J. Bryant has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. She studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Read an Excerpt

“I love Easter,” Little Cub said.

“Me too,” Papa Bear said. “It’s even better than Christmas.”

“Better than Christmas? Why?”

“Because on Christmas, we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. But on Easter, we remember we get to be with him forever.”

“Forever?”

“Forever. That’s why God gave us Easter.”

Editorial Reviews

Little Cub and her polar bear family are back, in this Easter-themed addition to the God Gave Us You series. The bear and her father go for a woodland walk as Papa explains the meaning of Easter (“Out of death comes life. That’s how God wants us to see Easter”). The bears’ wintry climate is hardly a typical setting for a discussion of Easter, but the idea of Jesus “whispering” in Little Cub’s heart is evocative and imaginative (“To hear Jesus, it takes a special kind of listening,” her father tells her). Bryant’s predominantly blue-and-white palette is remarkably varied, and underneath Bergren’s simple story about animals lays sophisticated theology about God’s intentions. Ages 3–7. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

ECPA bestseller
Publisher Weekly bestseller
USA Today bestseller
Wall Street Journal bestseller

From the Publisher

Bergren and Bryant attempt to explain Easter to young children in a gentle, nonthreatening manner, with partial success. When Little Cub questions her father about Easter, Papa Bear explains the religious significance of the holiday in various symbolic ways to his cub. He uses familiar things from their world, such as an egg and a fallen tree, to draw parallels with aspects of the Christian story. Papa Bear discusses his close relationships with Jesus and God, encouraging Little Cub to communicate with God on her own. The theme focuses on the renewal of life and the positive aspects of loving God and Jesus. Easter is presented as a celebration of eternal life, but the story skirts the issue of the crucifixion entirely. Some adults will find this an inadequate or even dishonest approach to the Easter story, but others will appreciate the calm and soothing text as a way to begin to understand a difficult subject. Bryant's charming watercolor illustrations of the polar bear family, their cozy home and snowy forest scenes add to the overall mellow effect. Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations. (Religion/picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews