Homeschool Crew Review: Nothing by Natalee Creech

We recently had an opportunity to review a beautiful picture book with a wonderful message for children. We received  Nothing by Natalee Creech from WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.



Nothing is a 32 page, hardcover, picture book with full color illustrations written for children in the 4-7 year old age range.  It was written by Natalee Creech, an author of children's books who loves to make Scripture come alive to children by using rhyme.  The books was illustrated by Joseph Cowman a talented children's book illustrator.

Nothing is based on one of my favorite scriptures:

" Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not any powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created." Romans 8:38-39 CEB

This sweet little rhyming book takes your child through an adventure to high mountains and valleys, to the deepest seas, on plane rides, train rides, even a trip to outer space and God's love is always there. It talks about how things that can happen in nature such as hailstorms, tornadoes, volcanoes, and deep winter freezes will not separate us from God's love.   They learn that even when they do something they know they shouldn't do that God's love will still not change.

This rhyme repeats 3 times throughout the story:

"There is nothing
 so powerful,
 nothing so strong-
 God's love is too high and too deep
 and too long."

I just love the message that this story brings to children.  What a wonderful way to reinforce the promise given in Romans 8:38-39.  The story puts that Scripture in a wonderfully flowing rhyme to help children understand what it really means.  There is nothing that can take away God's love from them.  I loved that the story included a part that talked about what happens when we do something that we know we shouldn't .  It is so important that children realize that no matter what God will still love them.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful.  The details in the pictures and the colors that are used really help the story to come alive.

The suggested age range for Nothing was 4-7 years old.  I read this story to my 8 and 10 year olds and it can absolutely be enjoyed by older and even younger children.  The pages are short and will hold a younger child's attention.   It makes a great read aloud. The story does use some challenging words (disguise, earthquake, mountain) so young readers that want to read it on their own will need some help the first few times they read it. The book is very sturdy with a dust jacket to cover it and should stand up to some book love from little ones.

Lily, my 10 year old said she really liked how well the story rhymed and could be read smoothly.  Emmie my 8 year old said she loved the book because it talked about God's love always being there.  She also really loved the illustrations.  Her favorite was the one in the ice cave with a Yeti behind the ice.  

Nothing by Natalee Creech would be a great gift for any young child.  It also would be great to use in children's ministry at church.  I volunteer on a rotating basis for a weekly Children's Church program and also sub in elementary Sunday School and Nothing would make a great lesson for the children.

To see what my Crew Mates had to say, stop by the Crew Blog!