One day, a group of students and their teacher travel to a zoo safari park to learn all about the different animals. During a fun jeep ride around the park, the guide shares fascinating information about lions, rhinoceroses, elephants, buffalo, and more, pointing out distinctive characteristics about each animal’s body and how those qualities make the animals special. Along the way, the children start to notice how their differences in appearance make each of them special too. Their teacher helps them reflect on their own body image and teaches them how they were created uniquely in God’s image.
Because bodies can be confusing and sometimes embarrassing to children, Justin and Lindsey Holcomb wrote God Made Me in His Image for parents to use in helping their kids understand how God made their bodies in his image. Parents and caregivers can use this powerful book, illustrated by Trish Mahoney, to help children understand their feelings about their bodies and help them accept them by highlighting God’s loving design of our individual physical characteristics.
God Made Me in His Image is part of the God Made Me series which equips parents to have important, impactful conversations with their children, helping them to grow in understanding of God, themselves, and others. Each book in the series contains a special section just for parents and caregivers that provides biblical guidance and offers additional information and resources for talking about the topic addressed in the story.
I loved how this book explained that when we explore Gods creation (like animals), we learn about God and ourselves too. We all have strengths, and unique characteristics that reflect God.
“We reflect God in special ways like nothing else in creation.”
God created us in His image, we are all created for a purpose, and because of Jesus we become more and more like Him – and show His glory!
I think this is a wonderful tool for parents to use to help children with body image, and understanding who they are in Christ, and why they were created.
It’s a great opportunity to talk with your children about why they are beautifully made, and to learn about Christ and how He sees them.
We really loved the animal facts, and hidden animal scavenger hunt at the end of the book too.
About Authors and Illustrators
Justin Holcomb, PhD, is a minister and professor of theology and Christian thought at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. He has authored many books, including coauthoring with his wife, Lindsey, Is It My Fault?, Rid of My Disgrace, and God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies. He also serves on the boards for REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade) and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment).
Lindsey A. Holcomb, MPH, counsels victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and is the cofounder of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Lindsey has provided crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and conducted a variety of training seminars to service providers. She is also the coauthor of Is It My Fault? and Rid of My Disgrace.
Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Salem, OR where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children—both budding artists too. Trish illustrated The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and is also the illustrator for the God Made Me series.
