God, Right Here: Meeting God in the Changing Seasons, Kara Lawler, illustrated by Jennie Poh. Downers Grove: IVP Kids, 2023.

Summary: A walk through the changing seasons and a reminder that the unchanging God is always present, always near and may be seen wherever we look in his creation.

During the pandemic, it seemed that all of our worlds shrank to our homes and neighborhoods. And many of us discovered that we didn’t have to go any further to be reminded that amid all the hardships and tragedy of the pandemic, beauty remained, and if we had eyes to see, the handiwork and wonders of the Creator’s world. The beauty of dogwood blooms, the lush lawns and budding trees, glorious sunsets, tree frogs in summer, the glorious fall colors and the crispness of the air, the quiet of walking amid the falling snow.

Kara Lawler describes a similar experience in the birth of this book for families to share. Even around her own home, she says “we found comfort in God all around–holy everywhere. We practiced the art of observing nature as a spiritual discipline–and it offered us solace and peace even in the midst of uncertainty around us.” She takes us through the seasons of the years, reminding us of “God right here. God right there. God’s handiwork is everywhere” and “God is ever near.”

Through simple text and Jennie Poh’s vibrant illustrations, we see the brilliant flowering of spring, from April showers to May flowers. We feel the hot summer sun, the delights of the beach and discoveries of seashells, sand, and water to cool us off, while listening to the laughter of the gulls. She evokes memories of red, orange, and yellow leaves of fall, piled just so that we can jump in! She reminds us of harvests–hay in bales, apples to make cider, pumpkins to make pie–God’s bounties. Then comes winter, catching snowflakes on our tongues as we make snow angels, seeing God decorate with icicles, and listening to the quiet. Short days, long nights, snug under blankets, gazing at decorated trees, reminded of the God who came near, who is ever near. The book concludes with a beautiful scene on a country lane saying, “Through spring, summer, fall, and winter, we watch, and wait, and wonder. The earth is so full of God’s glory.”

The book reminds me of so many wonders of childhood–and to be honest, beauty and goodness pointing to God’s handiwork that I treasure to this day. The book is inclusive, with children of color as well as a child in a wheel chair. My only quibble is that all the illustrations are set in rural landscapes. Must we escape the city to get close to nature–and close to God? Can we not catch glimpses of God and sense God’s nearness in our urban landscapes, the ones in which many of us were confined in the pandemic? Perhaps a sequel!

This looks like a wonderful book to read together with detailed illustrations with so much to notice. And all of this comes with a message we all need–that in the wonders of creation, we are reminded that whatever our situation in life–God is near!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.