Through the Eyes of a Child

God Created It All

Children - Animals
64 Pages
Reviewed on 01/01/2014
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Pam Funke is the grand-daughter of a Pastor and was brought up in the church. Her love of reading led her to write for the enjoyment of others. She lives in Hinesville, Georgia with her son and daughter.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Through the Eyes of a Child (God Created It All) by Pam Funke is a collection of six short stories which introduces young readers to the concepts of faith, love, trust, acceptance, and God. The book also introduces children to many different kinds of animals. Children are often confused with the concept of there being a God because they cannot see him.

Pam Funke's short stories focus on animals when referencing God. Children love animals, and can comprehend an idea or concept better if they can have fun and be comfortable with the explanation to their questions. For example, the author uses animals as the main characters in each of the short stories. When a young girl named Belle is walking with her mother on the beach and finds a mysterious looking creature washed up on the sand, her curiosity gets the better of her and she asks her mother what is it? Where did it come from? Who made it? When Belle did not understand that God had made the creature and loved it for what it was and everything else on the earth, her mother thought it appropriate to explain with a series of stories. Just as God loves all people on Earth for their individual qualities, he also loves animals the same way. Children often find themselves feeling left out, self-conscious, unloved, and alone. They don't know, or don't understand that God is with them always, loves them no matter what, and has created everyone with their own special purpose and talents. The author introduces readers to a few different kinds of animals with very special talents, although, like some children, the animals in the stories don't think so.

Pam Funke provides children and adults with fun and relatable characters, vivid photographs, and creative, easily read short stories to give answers to the questions about God that both children and adults often seek. A lighthearted book that can be read by all ages.

Author Pam Funke

Wow! Thanks for the wonderful review, Michelle Robertson.

Corine

Through the Eyes of a Child is a wonderful combination of faith and God’s wonderful creation. This book includes six short stories that cover topics such as love, faith, trust and self-acceptance. During each story, the reader is introduced to a unique animal. I love the fact that there is a photographic of each animal in the book. The story of the animal is then used to teach different concepts such self-acceptance, unconditional love, faith, love, and trust just to name a few. The overall theme of this book is just as God loves all people on Earth for their individual qualities, he also loves animals the same way. This book has many deep concepts and can be read to children over and over again. I highly recommended this book as a bedtime story or for the special snuggle time with the little one in your life.

Paula

Through the Eyes of a Child, written by Pam Funke, is a special collection of six sweet, simply told stories. An easy read complemented by the author's photographs, this book is sure to hold your child's attention. This book is written to teach your child about God's creation -- from those living in the sea or crawling across the trees in the forest to those flying through the air -- and you will like reading it tp them over and over again. The whole book softly breathed with the appreciation of life. Sometimes what a child needs to feel secure is the assurance that all of God’s creation – including them – are special. This charming book emphasizes that for them, and these positive stories are sure to make you and your young one smile.

Austin

A delightful book with a pleasant story. I agree with other reviewers that this will make a great bedtime book. I also see it as a great pre-school/church nursery book. What stood out for me was the constant theme of the characters thinking there is a "thing" wrong with them (size, color....) but God let them know that He made them "special" just the way they are and they are perfect in His eyes. What a beautiful theme to start our young ones with in today's world of everyone not feeling "good enough". I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

Kristie

What a wonderful tradition to start of telling stories to your children while on the beach.
I loved how the author gave us several stories in one. These stories let children know that they are special and God is in control.
It teaches them no matter how they feel about themselves, there is somebody that loves them.
It lets children know that God has created everything, even them and that he loves them.
The view from the animals perspective in the book teaches a child to respect animals as they have their
own little lives going on and they are also God's creatures. I think this would make a wonderful bedtime story too.

Glenda

I was asked to read this book and review it. Although the book was given to me the review is my very own. I know your child or grandchild will love this book. The stories are delightful.

Mother and child are visiting the beach and find a strange creature. Bella, the daughter, asks about the creature and her mother shares several stories about different creatures and how God loves each of them and has a purpose for them.

The stories are heart warming and endearing. I can't wait to read them to my great grand kids. They will make great bed-time stories.

Debbie

This book is five stars! This book was written for children but even adults can get lessons from it. It is only 64 pages but packed full of "Truths". The pictures are something that you can talk to you child about also.

A mother and her daughter Bella are on the beach and Bella finds a sea cucumber and asks her mother where it came from and that prompts the mom to tell stories about God using animals, A click eyed beetle, a lizard, a seagull,a mamba,

These animals are just like little children and ask questions like "Who is God and why is he concerned with me" and others. These stories explain who God is and how He is there watching over them and protecting them.

These stories touched my heart and spoke to me as well, even adults need reminders that God loves us and protects us.

I highly recommend this books to all children and anyone that needs a gentle reminder that God loves us.

Kitty Muse Book Reviews

Imagine, if you will, an afternoon on the beach in the summer. The light is waning, and evening is approaching. There’s the breeze on your face, coming off the ocean and whisking the hair off your face. The sand is still warm between your toes, and the birds are circling and crying out to each other.

What an idyllic day! That is what Bella experiences with her mother. And today she gets an extra-special treat. Not ice cream, although that would be delicious. No, her mother gives her something much more valuable and memorable.

Her mother gives her stories.

Stories about animals, and how they get to know their Creator, in short, entertaining tales. Bella is enrapt as she hears about:

Delilah the beetle, who feels sorry for herself because she is so much like the others, and is not recognized for her hard work. God speaks to her, and gives her a special gift to make her stand out from the crowd. But what Delilah experiences is not what she expects, and she learns a hard lesson about humility.

Lizzy the Lizard, who enjoys watching the humans in her world, but doesn’t understand anything beyond what she sees around her. It is through a conversation with a woman in her garden that Lizzy comes to understand the realm beyond what she can see with just her eyes.

Noah the seagull, who learns trust the hard way, when he is knocked off-course during his migration, and his plans change abruptly. The ensuing months teach him that there are good people in the world, and that love can come from very unexpected places.

and

George, the littlest mamba snake in his family. The poor snake feels lost among his siblings, and thinks that his mother doesn’t love him like the rest. It is only when he runs away, and hears God in the silence around him, that he finds that he is loved, not only by his family, but by the One who created him as well.

So many wonderful lessons Bella learns! And they are presented in a way that is very appealing to young children. At the age level for these stories, children love to believe animals can talk and can think like they themselves can. To present the animals talking, living, laughing, and being in the presence of their Creator, is a very creative way to convey to little people how much God loves them, and that He is also present in their young lives as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Through the Eyes of a Child”. Pam Funke, your book is a blessing!

Jennifer

This is the first book I've read by Pam Funke, and I love it! I have a 6 year old daughter and this book easily kept her attention. Not only that, but it generated many curious questions for her which opened such a beautiful line of communication between us. She started looking at other animals and making the connections between God and our world. I have to say, the thing I loved most about this book was that the author used real pictures, and not illustrations. It allowed my daughter to make tangible correlations in her world, as opposed to make believe characters. I recommend reading this book with your child, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, Sunday school classes... I personally plan on purchasing a few copies for Easter gifts.

This book is more than a book! I'm so pleased that I took the time to read it, and it was a gift to share this with my daughter.

If I had to give any feedback for future children's stories, I would suggest finding more opportunities to tie in vocabulary explanations. Example, Bella or the animals could ask, "What does forsaken mean?" Or "What does Alpha and Omega mean?" But at the same time, it's a great conversational piece between child and parent. However, the author seems to have an amazing ability to bring examples of God to children, so it would be beneficial to have her words.

Colibri

These six stories are simple and well-written and very young readers can read them on their own.
Pam has chosen an affirmed way to tell children about God’s love and care for all his creatures, no matter how small or how big they are. Each creature has a voice, asks questions and receives answers, and each one is unique in God’s eyes. Through these stories, children are aware of all the marvels of creation. The stories show, rather than tell them about God’s greatness.
The author has included pictures, which always capture a child’s interest.
I highly recommend you to purchase this book to read to your children to let them know more about our Creator.

Michelle

This is a book that answers questions children have about themselves and creation. It has four lovely stories - not cheesy! - about animals and weaves in nature and God's love throughout.

Euphonos

A must read for children, the stories can be re-read and sure the kids will love everything about the book. Easy read and interesting pictures in particular is a pleasure. Recommended read and worth buyin

Caglevision

This book is a very nice and gentle read that children will enjoy reading and listening too. The author writes with love and understanding. Knowing her audience; the author is very descriptive in telling what things mean. This is important in a child's world. The book is filled with nice pictures to help keep the attention of a young audience. A collection of stories which is meant to bring children closer to God is always a good thing. The author handles the different stories very well.

James

As I've alluded to in previous reviews, I've been trying to break out of my reading comfort zone. Writing stories for children impresses me as particularly challenging and I believe the author did an excellent job at creating engaging tales that entertain and provide valuable life instruction.

The dialog is particularly well-written and even as an adult, I finished one story with a desire to see how the next on unfolded. This is a great book for adults to read with their kids

Jessiqua

Through the Eyes of a Child is a special collection of sweet, simply told stories. It was an easy read, I finished it in one sitting. The whole book softly breathed with appreciation of life.
Worth the read. Definitely worth the read.

Silvia

When you read this book, you will quickly realize that it was written by someone with a lot of heart and faith.

This book is all about God and his beautiful creations - seen through the eyed of a child. ( Just like the title suggests.) It contains six bedtime stories which are quite ideal for kids and will touch you emotionally as well.

Penelope

A beautiful novel that depicts a mother sharing lessons on God with her daughter is the base concept here,and it has a very nice idea. Unfortunately I felt that the lessons were redundant at times, sharing the same morals, I would have liked to see more variety created. Ultimately I would have loved to seen the stories made into a series of picture books. Each individual story is well written and would be more attractive to a younger audience with pictures. I did enjoy the fact that the book never came off as being preachy, but rather it taught a lesson, or told a tale. Often preaching consumes the fictional aspect driving some readers away. Funke avoided that deftly.

Thomas

Knowing your author gives a reader key insights into the books the authors write. With Christian author, Pam Funke, the "proud grand-daughter of a pastor", this wisdom holds true. Pam has spent the majority of her life in the church. Why does she write Christian novels? (Quote) "Because there are hardly any Christian novels out there anymore... There has to be something in a good book that not only feeds the mind with positive values and teaches the reader how to improve their life and give them some hope... A good book should have a lesson in it that someone can learn something valuable from it...They should be able to come out of that story with something positive that they can use to help them in the real world... (End of quote)

In her latest book Sodom: A Nation On Its Knees (The Search for the Righteous), and in this book Pam Funke remains true to her notion that a book should have a lesson in it, it must teach something of value. In her six short stories we find meaningful lessons about faith, trust, and love, for example. These are topics that matter to everyone, and thus we can all relate to her message.

As you read the stories, you are tempted to think they are for children. I believe they are the kinds of stories that an adult will enjoy reading at bedtime to a child. The clever storytelling is appropriate for a child, enhanced by pictures, yet the astute observer will find adults equally pleased and stimulated to reflection, long after the child has drifted off to sleep. Again, this is not just for children, it is for all of us, big and small, young and old. Highly recommended.