I love Psalm 118:24 which says,
This is the day the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Makes me happy. And it also has a way of reeling me back into reality when I’m having a bummer of a day. I’ve sung the old chorus, “This is the Day” more times than I can count to my daughter over the past couple of years and recently hand-lettered that verse so I can be reminded of that truth each time I see it.
We are regulars at our library, and I’m always trying to find some new interesting book to read to our daughter, preferably with a good rhythm and beautiful drawings. (Hopefully, that doesn’t sound snobby! I just mean that when you are reading a book over and over and over again, it really helps for it to be a fun experience.)
We came across illustrator Amy June Bates’ work in a beautiful book about Julia Child from her cat’s perspective (Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat) and rediscovered her quite on accident in a beginning sign language book called Hands & Hearts
After that, I was on the lookout for anything by Amy June Bates which led us happily to I Will Rejoice
The illustrations are lovely pencil sketches and watercolors, and I love the details that are included—the toys on the floor transforming into a lovely dream is very sweet. I also love that my daughter can be exposed to how relevant the Bible truly is to our everyday lives.
“I Will Rejoice” closes with the little girl hugging her mom and dad good night:
I’ll get hugs and kisses from Mom, and then Dad.
And tomorrow again I’ll rejoice and be glad.
What are some of your favorite books to read to your children?
