A Book Review from Books At a Glance
By Kristin Stiles
I was a little skeptical about the title of this board book: Mary: The Best Girl. Where exactly was the author going to go with this topic? I’ve had plenty of exposure to the veneration of Mary through interactions with the Catholic Church throughout the years, so I was a bit nervous opening up this book. However, to my delight, this book is not only biblically accurate, it points the child to exalt Jesus, not Mary.
This little book introduces Mary as a normal girl that God chose to take on an extraordinary role. The author gives glimpses of many of Mary’s experiences we are familiar with: glorifying God at the news from the angel, meeting Simeon, directing the servants to listen to Jesus at the wedding in Cana, remaining at the cross when others fled, and praying with the early church. Each page also features a simple question to help the child relate his/her life to Mary’s. For example, “How can you show love to someone?”
The best part of this book, the part that even choked me up a little, were the comparisons of Mary to Jesus. “Mary was a girl – a special girl, but her son was more special.” “Mary was a girl – just a girl. Jesus was a man – but not just a man. He is God and man.” This book explains things clearly to show your child that Mary should not be worshiped. It states that she, too, is a sinner. But it also explains things clearly to show your child that Mary should be emulated. She was a godly woman who praised God, trusted Him, and was obedient to His will.
This is a fantastic board book. There is so much truth and theology packed into its few pages but done in such a way that it is accessible and comprehensible to young children. So, don’t let the title give you second thoughts about adding this to your home library or to your church library.
Kristin Stiles is a home-school mom, a Sunday School teacher, and helps lead the “Young, Reading, & Reformed” children’s ministry at Reformed Baptist Church of Franconia, PA.
Buy the books
MARY: THE BEST GIRL, by Catherine Mackenzie