Genre

Children’s Literature

Audience

Ages 0-5

Author’s Worldview

Christian, Protestant

Year Published

2018

Themes

God, Children, Family, Entertains, Encourages, Toddler Development Skills, Beginning to Read

 

Reviewed by

Barbara Kudwa

“Entertaining and instructive” is my take on the book, Good Morning, God by Ginger Swift. The illustrations by Pamela Barbieri are enjoyable and will help toddlers see how much fun a book can be. This book broaches the topics of God and gratitude not only visually through the illustrations, but also by the inclusion of discussion questions to ask your child.  The book also helps to develop fine motor skills by challenging the child to flip open each flap. By exploring each flap, your child will find entertainment with all the colorful pictures. Each page has one sentence for the child to read or follow along.

The author’s book talks about a beautiful day, encouraging your child to see God’s love within each part of their day. Every day you will want to shout out  “good morning God.”  Swift walks a child through daily activities and on the opposite page, encouraging good manners. She gives examples of God’s gifts of sight, hearing, smelling, and tasting. The story ends with, “we are all loved in every way.”

The book is entertaining for ages newborn to kindergarten. Your baby, toddler or young child will love the 2mm pages with lift-a- flap hidden pictures throughout the book. The thickness of the pages and flaps makes the book pretty sturdy for any age. 

You will have many hours of enjoyable time playing with your children while reading the book, Good Morning, God. I love reading the book to my grandchildren and hearing them try to read it back to me. The book is a great opportunity to talk about God and gives the child an opportunity to express thankfulness.

Extraordinary! by Jacqueline Brown, Illustrated by Katie Anne Ennis

Make your child feel secure and loved by God and their Catholic family.

Molly McBride and the Party Invitation by Jean Schoonover-Egolf 

This children’s book teaches compassion for bullies and the courage to act rightly regardless of others.

The Fruit Tree by Mark Restaino, Illustrations by J.P. Alcomendas

This children’s fable will teach the whole family Biblical literacy and the Christian symbolic language.

God’s Wonderful Woodland Babies by Linda Etchison, Illustrated by Denise Plumlee Tadlock

Lead your child to prayer through their love of fluffy animals.

Will You Come to Mass by Susan Joy Bellavance, Illustrations by Sara Tang

This book helps your kids get into the right mindset for Mass.

Best Books of 2022

Our favorite book finds of the year!

My Name is Philomena By Fr. Peregrine Fletcher, O. Praem

Who was St. Philomena, daughter of light?

Bella’s Beautiful Miracle: A Caterpillar’s Journey by Kimberly Novak

What’s a little caterpillar to do when a storm carries her away? Build your child’s relationship with God and prepare them for first communion.

God Made the Moonlight by Erin Broestl, Illustrated by Jean Schoonover-Egolf

A beautifully illustrated bedtime story that helps your child see the beauty of nature as God’s personal love letter to humanity

Molly McBride and the Plaid Jumper by Jean Schoonover-Egolf

Molly doesn’t want to take off her purple habit the Children of Mary sisters wear but mom’s says she has to put on the school uniform.

The Book of Saints and Heroes By Andrew & Lenora Lang

Ancient tales of Saints and Heroes retold for Victorians, reprinted for us.

The Legend of the Ladybug By Maria Illich

Can the prayers of a courageous young girl stop a plague of insects from destroying the crops?

Papa and the Little Queen by Kathleen Vincenz

What will St. Thérèse and Papa discover on their walk through town?

Best of 2020

Yes some good things DID happen this year- Catholic creators have not let turmoil stop their mission.

Sister Aloysius Comes to Mercyville By Linda Etchison, Illustrated by Denise Plumlee-Tadlock

A young nun teaches children how to offer up their daily irritations to God.

Jesus Do You Want to Be My Friend? by Mark Restaino, Illustrations by J.P. Alcomendas

This delightful picture book lets young readers imagine the daily life of the Christ Child while also teaching simple prayers.

Why Reading Fiction Made Me a Better Catholic

How reading fiction became a crucial step in my conversion to the Catholic Church.

Zeal & Zest: Where to Begin with Hillaire Belloc

Belloc was known as a Catholic polemicist with a vicious talent for skewering his opponents. Anyone struggling to persevere as a Christian in the fields of journalism or media should read him. His children’s books have an acerbic humor that will appeal to bored veterans of political correctness, especially teens.

Books for Lent

Deepen your Lenten reflection with these stories of repentance and forgiveness