The Moon is Always Round
by Jonathan Gibson
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Pub Date Sep 23 2019 | Archive Date Oct 21 2019
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Description
DESCRIPTION
Even young children want answers to the hard questions about God and suffering. In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God's goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances.
In this beautiful, full-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister's death. Father and son share a simple liturgy together that reminds them that, just as the moon is always round despite its different phases, so also the goodness of God is always present throughout the different phases of life.
A section in the back of the book offers further biblical help for parents and caregivers in explaining God's goodness to children. Jonathan Gibson reminds children of all ages that God's goodness is present in the most difficult of times, even if we can't always see it.
AUTHOR
Jonathan Gibson (PhD, Cambridge) is ordained in the International Presbyterian Church, UK, and is associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He is coeditor with Mark Earngey of Reformation Worship, contributor to and coeditor with David Gibson of From Heaven He Came and Sought Her, and Covenant Continuity and Fidelity: A Study of Inner-Biblical Allusion and Exegesis in Malachi. The Moon is Always Round is his first children's book.
He is married to Jacqueline, and they have two children: Benjamin and Leila.
ILLUSTRATOR
Joe Hox was raised on a farm in southern Iowa where he doodled whenever he wasn’t spading thistles or feeding pigs. Everyone knew by his crooked hay rows that he would choose art over farming. Joe earned his BA in Art and Education from Dordt College and his MA from the University of Nebraska. Today he lives with his wife and four children in Pella, Iowa, where he illustrates and teaches art. In addition to The Moon is Always Round, Joe has illustrated all of the Good News for Little Hearts series.
Advance Praise
“It is with the greatest pleasure and sense of privilege that I commend this book about Leila, Jonny and Jackie Gibson’s precious, stillborn daughter. As I held Leila’s tiny lifeless body in my arms, I wondered what great things God would do through her brief, mainly hidden, life in this world. May this beautiful and poignant reflection, from a loving and devoted father, bring God’s compassion and comfort to many. She being dead yet speaks—Leila the Evangelist!”
~ Ian Hamilton, Former minister of Cambridge Presbyterian Church, England
“The Moon Is Always Round offers gentle instruction to the hearts of our children when life in this world has broken their hearts.”
~ Nancy Guthrie, Author of What Every Child Should Know about Prayer
“When our children were growing up, we sought out books to read to them, and a little later, books that they could read themselves. Many of them they wore out, unselfconsciously memorizing prose and poetry alike. The Moon Is Always Round has now been added to the ‘must-read-and-cherish’ list, not only because it is a good story and a true story, but because it is an important story that they will need to think about all their lives.”
~ D. A. Carson, Author of How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil
“It’s always best to rely on what we know to be true, rather than be guided by feelings. It’s an important lesson, especially for boys and girls, and Jonny Gibson teaches it in his wonderful, new book for children, The Moon Is Always Round. Through a tender, yet tough story—and beautiful illustrations—Jonny provides a heartwarming guide to any parent shepherding their child(ren) through times of loss and grief. I give a hearty thumbs-up to this special book!”
~ Joni Eareckson Tada, Author of A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty
“This sweet and touching book is wonderfully simple without being at all simplistic. The metaphor of the always-round moon will stick with children and parents alike. The lesson here is a profound one for any family wrestling with grief, but it is also a needed reminder for every Christian who may ever doubt the goodness of God.”
~ Kevin DeYoung, Author of The Biggest Story
“When we experience a deep loss, it’s easy to doubt God’s goodness. But that is exactly when we need to be reminded that God’s tender, personal love for us never changes. Kids need to know that just as much as anyone else, and this beautiful book will give parents a way to help them understand that truth. But don’t think this book is just for kids. Anyone who has experienced a deep loss will be comforted by this book’s simple reminder that the moon is always round.”
~ Libbie Groves, Author of Grief Undone and Becoming a Widow
“Most Christian children’s books get too preachy. They say too much and see too little—like a bad sermon. Not this book. Jonny Gibson has given us a modern-day psalm for children that takes us into the depths and points us to faith in God. Thank you, Jonny. Well done!”
~ Paul Miller, Author of J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life and A Praying Life
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781645070276 |
| PRICE | $15.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Monique S, Reviewer
Based on a true story, this children's picture book shows a family of three—a father, mother, and young son. The father is teaching his son that even though you don't always see all of the moon, it is always round. Later the young boy finds out that his mother is pregnant with his baby sister, which the family is so happy about, and later... the mother has a miscarriage, which is heartbreaking. In this heartbreak the father reminds his wife and son that like the moon's roundness, "just because we cannot always see God's goodness during difficult times, this does not mean that God is not good in those times." This is an important message to remember. "For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 100:5).
The story in this book is so touching and its illustrations are beautiful.
liza g, Educator
I looove the illustrations that the father uses with the moon. It is easy to use with children and to help them understand this valuable truth.
This book is. Great resources for teachers and parents.
Jeanie S, Reviewer
“For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 100:5
A Catechism of the Moon. Knowing God's goodness at times can be difficult and more difficult when tragedy strikes. A family that went thru the death of their child finds a way to instill a simple truth of God's goodness to their three year old as he deals with his baby sister not coming home from the hospital.
Simple. faith. of a three year old has he understands that moon is always round. Tonight it might be a sliver or a half moon. We can't always see the full moon just as we cannot always see God's plan, but we know that the moon is full and that God is good. The book starts with a little boy curious nature of the moon with questions why and the wisdom and love of a father has he guides his son to God's simple truth. This is priceless. The little boy understanding that his sister is on the way and the anticipation of someone new to love and to play with. However, when his sister is not able to come home, his father reminds him of the moon and the son remembers that God is good.
This may seem deep for a little one however, it has been done with integrity of the truth and sensitivity of a little heart that is looking for comfort. I cried reading this as it is vulnerable and precious! If you as a family have gone thru this, this may be a way of healing for all of you and to guide you to the simple faith that God is good.
A Special Thank you to New Growth Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review
Suzie W, Reviewer
I suggest parents read this book through one or two times themselves before they share it with their child(ren) because it’s an emotional read.
The Moon is Always Round is a story with beautiful illustrations of a family of three rejoicing in their upcoming addition. When their joy turns to sorrow, Dad reminds his son that even in the hardest times, God is always there. God is always good.
Using the symbolism of the moon, which is always round even when we only see parts of it, Gibson walks little readers through a painful truth of life. There are things we will never understand, but through it all, God is good.
The resources at the end of the book include a couple lessons, scripture verses, and Gibson’s personal story.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Reviewer 462010
This book is fabulous is so many ways. I was curious at first to see what way the story would develop and what teaching it would contain. Without giving the story away - it will bring such comfort and reassure so many children, especially those that have faced those circumstances but also a good way to deal with other issues. It would also be great to teach children about what their friends may be facing it. The pictures are so good and all the colours and illustrations.
On saying that I know it is a child's book but I also think it is a great reassurance to adults, no matter our circumstances or what we face in life 'The moon is always round'
I would highly recommend this book and would encourage others to purchase it too.
Reviewer 98309
The Moon Is Always Round is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that helps them with questions they may have about grief. I thought this book was pretty good at answering some questions. I found it to be sad but brings reality to children. I liked that the book includes some useful resources at the end that parents can use.
I am giving The Moon Is Always Round four and a half stars. I recommend it.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Hayley S, Reviewer
Beautiful illustrations. A wonderful message about God's love no matter the situation. There are things that are constant like the moon - no matter how it looks - and God's presence. This book is sensitively written about a subject that is not easy to handle especially in the case you of discussing it with children.
Ashley B, Reviewer
November 12, 2019. One year of missing our little lady.
Ellis was born at 12-13 weeks along. The doctors couldn’t give us any reason for her sudden death. I have a picture with her, but I prefer to think of her like this. Healed. Whole. Held by the one who made her.
Loss is a funny thing. Sometimes things seem normal and other times all the emotions are triggered.
I’m not the only one who has missed our baby girl. Eleanor was with me at the ultrasound where they told us that the heart had stopped beating. She has grieved. I’ve held her and stroked her hair while she cried over losing her sister.
Im thankful for the hope of the gospel. I’m thankful for people who wrote books like “Inheritance of Tears” and “The Moon is Always Round” because they talk about tough topics like miscarriage and infant loss. They extend an invitation to wrestle through the tensions of loss and God’s goodness.
Even kids want answers to the hard questions of life. They are curious about God’s goodness and suffering. The Moon is Always Round is a helpful tool for talking with children. It’s true, we can’t always see the whole story, just like we can’t always see the full moon. But God is always good. He is there even if we can’t see it. Even kids can get that.
Jonathan Gibson uses vivid imagery that kids can understand. His book is beautiful, colorful, and gripping. As the reader we get to overhear conversations he had with his son and hear his responses in the midst of losing his baby sister.
This book is helpful for anyone who is helping a kid walk through the grief of losing a sibling.
I can’t wait for the day when we see Jesus face to face. And we see that He was good the whole time. The moon is always round.
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