I’m happy to write a review of the new children’s book Care for Creation by Christy Baldwin, illustrated by Shelly Draven.
The book presents practical ways that children can become environmentally conscious. From turning off their lights, to explaining wind and water power, it helps them understand that our resources are not things to be taken for granted. Our water does not merely come from our faucets, but affects the global watershed. Our trash and recyclables do not stop at our curb, but go on to either pollute, or to be reused. Even a small child could read this with parents and learn that they can do something small to help preserve resources.
The first thing you notice about the book is the bright and colorful illustrations. A picture of wind turbines spinning over rows of grains in particular caught my eye. Any child will love looking at the pages over and over. Each page contains a few tidbits on the environment, a Scripture verse, and a large illustration.
The Scripture verses used are mostly from The Message, of which I am not a fan, but I understand the need for simple explanatory language for children. Hebrews 13:16 is appropriately tied in to the small sacrifices of taking shorter showers and remembering to turn off the faucets while brushing teeth. This is a great verse to show children that every good work is seen and loved by their heavenly Father. “If we continue to pollute the air we will lose our view of the moon and stars” is coupled with Psalms 8:3-4, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” This is beautiful. I hope parents take the time with their children to explain that when we see the stars we are seeing God’s very own handiwork and it should cause us to marvel at his immense power and yet his intimate care for us. The book certainly points toward that, but does not say it outright. It should be a conversation starter.
What I wish had come across more clearly is that we ought to preserve the earth not for the planet’s sake, but to honor God. The Scripture verses ground the text in the Bible, but the book definitely needs additional input from parents to explain the connection between the practical advice offered by the author, and the holy words of God. However, the need for parental interaction is not a bad thing for a children’s book. In fact, I hope as parents read it they learn as well and formulate their own Biblical connections to creation care as they explain the verses to their children. The Word of God never returns void.
I would love to see the book make a more direct connection between keeping the earth clean and being able to see the glory of God. Why should we desire to see the moon and stars? Because they are lovely? Yes, but greater than that, because God is lovely and he is their Creator. This blog is subtitled “glorifying the Creator” because I believe that a Biblical worldview for environmentalism proclaims that the glory of God is the highest priority, above and beyond keeping the earth for the earth’s sake or even ours.
The assertion found in the book, “it is a sin to harm creation,” might be a little startling to some people, especially those who have not already been involved in some sort of thought process regarding the Bible and environmentalism. While I agree that it is a sin, it may take much more than a children’s book to convince some (or, sadly, many) parents that destroying creation is actually sinful. I applaud the author for being so forthright!
I suppose I shall never be a children’s author, because I cannot imagine tackling such a large subject as environmentalism and putting it into so few pages and words! There is always more to be said, but, although I wish there was a bit more explanation of the glory of God in his creation (to close the gap between the author’s practical insight and the Scripture), this book is surely worthy of a spot on my son’s bookshelf, to be discussed and put into practice.
On a related note, I think it would be wonderful for a children’s book on creation to mention that destruction of the environment often affects the poorest people first, long before the affluent Western middle classes. As our greatest command from God is to love Him and love our neighbors, this is a primary motivation for creation care. Perhaps this could be a second book?
The Christian and Creation ~ Glorifying the Creator 