Even young children want answers to the hard questions about God and suffering. In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God's goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances.
In this beautiful, full-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister's death. Father and son share a simple liturgy together that reminds them that, just as the moon is always round despite its different phases, so also the goodness of God is always present throughout the different phases of life.
A section in the back of the book offers further biblical help for parents and caregivers in explaining God's goodness to children. Jonathan Gibson reminds children of all ages that God's goodness is present in the most difficult of times, even if we can't always see it.
The Moon Is Always Round gives children a way to understand God's goodness in the midst of grief, the companion book, You are Still a Mother by Jackie Gibson, tells the story of loss and heartache from her unique perspective as a mom.
"It is with the greatest pleasure and sense of privilege that I commend this book about Leila, Jonny and Jackie Gibson's precious, stillborn daughter. As I held Leila's tiny lifeless body in my arms, I wondered what great things God would do through her brief, mainly hidden, life in this world. May this beautiful and poignant reflection, from a loving and devoted father, bring God's compassion and comfort to many. She being dead yet speaks Leila the Evangelist!"
Ian Hamilton, Former minister of Cambridge Presbyterian Church, England
"The Moon Is Always Round offers gentle instruction to the hearts of our children when life in this world has broken their hearts."
Nancy Guthrie, Author of What Every Child Should Know about Prayer
"When our children were growing up, we sought out books to read to them, and a little later, books that they could read themselves. Many of them they wore out, unselfconsciously memorizing prose and poetry alike. The Moon Is Always Round has now been added to the 'must-read-and-cherish' list, not only because it is a good story and a true story, but because it is an important story that they will need to think about all their lives."
D. A. Carson, Author of How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil
"It's always best to rely on what we know to be true, rather than be guided by feelings. It's an important lesson, especially for boys and girls, and Jonny Gibson teaches it in his wonderful, new book for children, The Moon Is Always Round. Through a tender, yet tough story and beautiful illustrations Jonny provides a heartwarming guide to any parent shepherding their child(ren) through times of loss and grief. I give a hearty thumbs-up to this special book!"
Joni Eareckson Tada, Author of A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God's Sovereignty
"This sweet and touching book is wonderfully simple without being at all simplistic. The metaphor of the always-round moon will stick with children and parents alike. The lesson here is a profound one for any family wrestling with grief, but it is also a needed reminder for every Christian who may ever doubt the goodness of God."
Kevin DeYoung, Author of The Biggest Story
"When we experience a deep loss, it's easy to doubt God's goodness. But that is exactly when we need to be reminded that God's tender, personal love for us never changes. Kids need to know that just as much as anyone else, and this beautiful book will give parents a way to help them understand that truth. But don't think this book is just for kids. Anyone who has experienced a deep loss will be comforted by this book's simple reminder that the moon is always round."
Libbie Groves, Author of Grief Undone and Becoming a Widow
"Most Christian children's books get too preachy. They say too much and see too little like a bad sermon. Not this book. Jonny Gibson has given us a modern-day psalm for children that takes us into the depths and points us to faith in God. Thank you, Jonny. Well done!"
Paul Miller, Author of J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life and A Praying Life
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5 stars for the story, but I’m dropping a star for the art. Every character looks like a bobble head which was kinda creepy. But if you look past the art, the story is perfect for explaining to kids how God’s presence is with us through dark times and good times.
5 stars for the story, but I’m dropping a star for the art. Every character looks like a bobble head which was kinda creepy. But if you look past the art, the story is perfect for explaining to kids how God’s presence is with us through dark times and good times.
Is God always good, even in widespread and personal devastation? Is God good when someone is mugged? Is he good when people are scammed and left without their life savings? Is he still good when a family receives news that their unborn child is stillborn? In The Moon is Always Round, Jonathan Gibson draws the simple analogy between God’s “hidden” goodness and the moon. The moon is always round, though we only see it in full once a month. Young children don’t understand how the moon orbits the earth as it revolves around the sun, nor that we see the sun’s reflection off the moon. What they know is that the moon is small, then big, then small. All throughout the book the father reminds his son that “the moon is always round.” God’s faithfulness to his people is sure and steadfast, though it does not mean that evil does not enter our lives. The book ends with two lessons for children on the moon and Good Friday. This is a beautiful book.
Is God always good, even in widespread and personal devastation? Is God good when someone is mugged? Is he good when people are scammed and left without their life savings? Is he still good when a family receives news that their unborn child is stillborn? In The Moon is Always Round, Jonathan Gibson draws the simple analogy between God’s “hidden” goodness and the moon. The moon is always round, though we only see it in full once a month. Young children don’t understand how the moon orbits the earth as it revolves around the sun, nor that we see the sun’s reflection off the moon. What they know is that the moon is small, then big, then small. All throughout the book the father reminds his son that “the moon is always round.” God’s faithfulness to his people is sure and steadfast, though it does not mean that evil does not enter our lives. The book ends with two lessons for children on the moon and Good Friday. This is a beautiful book.
I wish I had this book as a kid. I read it at 20 y/o and the phrase "the moon is always round" immediately wedged itself into my self-talk. A great lesson for kids, a vivid illustration for adults.
I wish I had this book as a kid. I read it at 20 y/o and the phrase "the moon is always round" immediately wedged itself into my self-talk. A great lesson for kids, a vivid illustration for adults.
Short, simple, and to the point - yet a valuable lesson. Yes, "The Moon is always around," or, as we told our kids often when we lost our baby a couple years ago, "God is always good and right!"
Short, simple, and to the point - yet a valuable lesson. Yes, "The Moon is always around," or, as we told our kids often when we lost our baby a couple years ago, "God is always good and right!"
I have never been brought to tears like this from a children's picture book! __ I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old, and I know I'm not ready to read this to them quite yet. And actually, I don't know if I ever will. However, the concept of it is definitely something that I want to teach my kids. I love the last page where the author explains his story and the lesson that he had been teaching his child even before this tragedy happened, and how that truth that was already instilled in his son helped all of them through the crisis. I want to teach my children that just like the moon is always round, even if it doesn't look that way, in the same way God is always good, even if sometimes it doesn't seem so from our perspective.
I have never been brought to tears like this from a children's picture book! __ I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old, and I know I'm not ready to read this to them quite yet. And actually, I don't know if I ever will. However, the concept of it is definitely something that I want to teach my kids. I love the last page where the author explains his story and the lesson that he had been teaching his child even before this tragedy happened, and how that truth that was already instilled in his son helped all of them through the crisis. I want to teach my children that just like the moon is always round, even if it doesn't look that way, in the same way God is always good, even if sometimes it doesn't seem so from our perspective.
