Name of Book: God’s Dream
Author: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Publisher : Candlewick Press
Audience: Preschool children
Summary: The story, as well as the illustrations, draw children towards empathy and forgiveness and the understanding that they are all part of God’s family. God’s dream is that we all play together, laugh together, love one another as family should and the book reminds us that we can all take part in making God’s dream come true.
Literary elements at work in the story: (genre/setting/characterization/plot/theme/point of view/style) Picture storybook with a lovely message of hope, love, and joy.
Perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability: Illustrations depict children of different genders, colors, and religions playing together, worshipping together, forgiving one another, and sharing with each other.
Scripture connections: Romans 8:16, Jeremiah 31:31, Micah 7:18
Theology: This book emphasizes that all children everywhere, no matter their differences, are children of God, beloved by Him. In caring, sharing, playing, and laughing with one another, God is pleased. The authors state that “God does not force us to be friends or to love one another.” This would indicate that we are free to choose to act in ways that make God happy or not. Free will is an issue I still struggle with myself. From Martin Luther to Martin Luther King, Jr., I have not heard an explanation that completely satisfied me deep in my soul. I think therefore, that I would not move the discussion in that theological direction with young children. Instead, we focus on the concept of forgiveness in the book…that in forgiving each other, we wipe away our own tears and God’s tears showing that God is saddened when we’re angry and happy when we forgive.
Faith Talk Questions:
- What makes all of us, no matter how different we look, sound, or live, brothers and sisters?
- What are some things that you think God would dream about?
- Look closely at the picture on pages 13 & 14. What do you think is happening here?
- What do you think the girl that’s holding the ball is thinking?
- What about the girl with the striped socks?
- How do you think the little boy sitting alone feels?
- Tell me about some times that you remember feeling some of these things…what happened to you?
- What do you see happening on the next page? How do you think you would feel if you were that little girl now? Or the little boy?
- Remember a time when you felt angry or sad. What made you feel better?
From time to time, we will post different reviews of the same book. This can help you to see several ways that one book might useful to you in your work. Another review of God’s Dream was posted on 10/24/2009. This review was prepared by Kelly Hames, MACE, Entering Cohort Fall 2008.
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