A Book Review from Books At a Glance
By Kristin Stiles
Nighttime can be a scary time for kids. They are left alone in their bedrooms with little if any light. Sounds that are drowned out by the busyness of the day are suddenly noticeable and suspicious. And their little minds can create monsters out of the pile of discarded clothes or the branches gently scraping their windows. My own daughter had great anxiety at night, and I remember many nights sitting by her bedside and calming her fears. I wish back then I had such a great resource as the book Why Do We Say Good Night?
In this sweet book that has a most musical rhyme and rhythm to it, Champ Thornton presents a little girl who questions this phrase “good night” when the terrifying night seems anything but good to her. Her mother acknowledges her fear but explains that darkness and night are part of God’s creation; the very creation that He declared was good. She also points out His omnipresence—He is always there; His omnipotence—He is all powerful; and His steadfast love—He cares for us. She encourages her daughter to trust God to watch over her and protect her through the night.
Thornton does exactly what he should when confronting the fears of a child. He points them to God. That is what I like most about this book. Apart from it being just a book for kids who are scared of the dark, it is a book about the character of God. The lessons taught here are applicable to so much more than nighttime. When I’m afraid because Mommy is sick, I can trust in God. When I’m afraid because I have to start at a new school, I can trust in God. When I’m afraid because Daddy lost his job, I can trust in God. Instilling these lessons in the youngest of children will be to their benefit for the rest of their lives. Let your children learn these truths at a young age: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:3). “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2).
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
WHY DO WE SAY GOOD NIGHT?, by Champ Thornton