Review: The Moon is Always Round by Jonathan Gibson Illustrated by Joe Hox

To Purchase

About:

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.

My Thoughts:

What a sweet, heartbreaking, and truthful book that a parent can share with a child about loss, sadness, and when bad things happen and there is no answer. 

This story is about a little boy and his family who go through a great loss and as natural the little boy has questions. And naturally the father answers the questions to the best of his ability, but unfortunately there are some questions that we cannot answer this side of heaven.

However, the father does not leave his son without hope. And as the moon is always round, even though many times throughout the month we do not see its true shape becomes a very important lesson for this little boy when sadness comes. Just like the moon is always round his father reminds him that God is always good even when we don't understand His ways.

What a powerful message in a poignant story with the added bonus of beautiful illustrations. Definitely read this one with some tissues.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review an all views and opinions are my own.