Linsey Davis

ABC news correspondent Linsey Davis, who made her picture-book debut with The World Is Awake: A Celebration of Everyday Blessings, published last year (2018), returns to the form in this sweet rhyming celebration of human diversity, and the spark of God in each of us. The text here describes the interests, personal traits and activities of a wide range of children, but asserts that they are more alike in the essentials - in their feelings, and in their God-given hearts - than they are show more unalike. The accompanying artwork depicts those children at play and at work...

Like its predecessor, One Big Heart: A Celebration of Being More Alike than Different pairs an engaging and upbeat narrative with colorful and cute illustrations. The text reads well, and the artwork is appealing. There isn't anything here of doctrine or dogma, just the idea that all children are God's children, and that they are united by one big heart, making this a picture-book that could work for a variety of Christian (or even non-Christian) denominations. My only criticism of the book would be the absence of any (visibly) disabled children amongst the otherwise diverse range of characters depicted. Leaving that aside, this is one I would recommend to those looking for a celebration of human diversity from a religious perspective. show less

I am so excited to share Stay This Way Forever for Little Ones by Linsey Davis with my 3 year old granddaughter (and her parents 😉 ). This colorfully illustrated board book will capture your child’s attention as the message of their preciousness is shared page after page. The book talks about all the ways your child is cherished reminding them of the special place in your heart. But . . . it also reminds parents and grandparents not to take the days for granted. I remember the busyness show more of raising 3 children who were very close in age. There seemed to be so little time to get things accomplished. But as this book opens it reminds parents to slow down and enjoy the time that slips away so quickly. I am very glad that my kids are grown and on their way to families of their own, but I wish I could go back just for an hour and experience those first snuggles, the playtimes and bath times and bedtimes. Cherished memories flooded back when I read this book. Use this book at the end of the day to impress the day’s events in your own memories.

Recommended.

Audience: toddlers and preschoolers.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

I really liked the children’s book, How High Is Heaven by Linsey Davis. The author takes a difficult subject, the death of a loved one, and creates a hope-filled book that will speak to the hearts of children ages 4-8. With rhyme and vivid illustrations, this storybook tells of a young boy’s honest questions of how he can see his grandmother again. This is not a sad book at all, but a celebration of life here on earth as well as in heaven. I loved the last line — One day I’ll see show more gran, but until that time . . . I’ll enjoy heaven here on earth. If your family is going through the loss of a family member, I highly recommend this book. It speaks to a child’s honest questions and the promises they can find in God.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 4-8.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

I enjoy reading The World is Awake and my grandson loves listening to the lilting rhymes and pointing out the variety of animals throughout.

As the subtitle states, this board book is a “celebration of everyday blessings.” Young readers will enjoy the journey through the blessings of a day with a young boy and girl and their parents. The family appreciates the sun, flowers, and trees, and enjoy seeing the animals at the zoo. They notice how special the world is and are thankful that God show more has given them so much. That evening, they snuggle up and read a bedtime story before saying a prayer and drifting off to sleep.

I love the spiritual message of this book, sharing the beauty of creation, family, and countless other blessings. The rhyming text is fun to read, and the illustrations are adorable and lively. It’s the perfect bedtime book for toddlers.

Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ. show less