In this engaging, illustrated children’s book by Irene Sun, young readers learn how numbers declare the glory of God, discovering Bible stories and the truth, beauty, and goodness of our sovereign God through numbers and patterns. With countable illustrations and an easy-to-learn structure, children who are always seeking, finding, tracing, and counting numbers will be captivated by God Counts.
Through simple language kids will understand, God Counts shares theological truths and helps children become familiar with Scripture, exploring the patterns of creation, numbers in the plan of redemption, and the intimacy of a personal relationship with God. This children’s book explores how God counts every fish in the sea, every star in the sky, every hair on their heads, and every tear in their eyes.
By discovering numbers in God’s world and in his Word, parents help their children foster a deeper love and knowledge of who God is and how he counts them as his. Families will be enriched as they learn together how numbers magnify God—just as a telescope magnifies the stars—and each numbered lesson points to a larger redemptive story of Scripture. On each page, the illustrations engage readers, displaying not only a picture but a mosaic of patterns.
This playful children’s book serves as a beginner’s theology book for young readers who love numbers and patterns, introducing the Trinity, the God of order, the holiness of God, the problem of sin, the rescue and love of Jesus, and much more. Children who love to count will be filled with wonder, leading them to understand deeper truths about God, themselves, and the world around them.
AUTHOR
Irene Sun, MAR, ThM, is a preacher's wife, mother, daughter to missionaries, and sister to three godly women. Irene was born in Malaysia but has lived all over the world. She studied liturgy and literature at Yale University and the Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where the Lord prepared her to be a homeschool teacher to her four boys. She is the author of God Counts: Numbers in His Word and His World.
Illustrator
Alex Foster is an illustrator based in sunny Margate, UK. He specializes in map illustration and works across a variety of projects from children's work to editorial and print.
“Every child who loves to count will be delighted to open God Counts and realize that God loves numbers too. Irene Sun helps children explore the deep truths of Scripture by observing the way numbers are used all throughout the Bible. Beautifully illustrated and ingeniously written, this book is a wonderful way for children to learn about God as they learn to count.”
Melissa Kruger, Author of In All Things: A Nine Week Devotional Bible Study on Unshakeable Joy
“I’ve learned much from the writing of Irene Sun over the years, and I’m delighted that my young children will likewise learn about God from her in this wonderful, creative little book of numbers exploring the plan of redemption.”
Collin Hansen, Editorial Director of The Gospel Coalition; author of Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinists
“Irene Sun has laid out a lively number path that winds through the stories of Scripture. Through the numbers come glimpses of truth. The Bible references included will help adults explain the concepts more fully to little ones listening. This book is a great starting point not just for teaching numbers but for thinking about the Lord God who counts the hairs on our heads and the stars in the sky.”
Kathleen Nielson, Author of Women and God
“Irene has written a book that not only speaks to the beauty of God’s creation, but his order as well. If God reigns over all things, then surely numbers matter to him too! This book will capture your child’s imagination, expand their view of God, and bring Scripture into every conversation—even the ones that are about numbers. I can’t wait to read this to my sons over and over again!”
Courtney Reissig, Author of Glory in the Ordinary; mother of four
“I imagine many, many meaningful conversations about God will result from reading God Counts and exploring its imaginative artwork.”
Nancy Guthrie, Author of What Every Child Should Know about Prayer
“This book creatively teaches children about God and his Word. If you have a child who is fascinated by numbers, this is a great resource to talk with them about God.”
Andy and Jenni Naselli, Parents of four daughters; Andy is associate professor of New Testament and theology at Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis and elder of Bethlehem Baptist Church
“God Counts is a delightful book for both children and parents alike. Irene Sun makes biblical truths memorably compelling.”
Christine Hoover, Author of Messy Beautiful Friendship and Searching for Spring; mom of three
“God Counts is a delightful children’s book that every Christian parent and grandparent should have. This little masterpiece by Irene Sun explores the place of simple numbers in God’s Word and in his world. Clearly and meaningfully written, drawing upon foundational themes and motifs in Scripture, interestingly illustrated, and biblically referenced throughout, this little book is a wonderful resource for those important first conversations about God and his creative and redemptive work in his world.”
Dennis R. Magary, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
“An Old Testament scholar and a godly Christian mother, Irene Sun is well suited to write Christian books for kids. God Counts teaches little ones some very big truths in language and pictures that make Scripture come alive for curious minds. My wife and I can’t wait to share it with others.”
Douglas A. Sweeney, Distinguished Professor of Church History and the History of Christian Thought, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
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Jared Kennedy
Marty Machowski
Champ Thornton
Marty Machowski
There is so much to love about this book. My son loved finding the numbers on each page. As we counted through the book, he was excited to see familiar Bible stories (Adam and Eve, Noah, Joshua) show up and learned new little details that weren't in his children Bibles (Ex: the four creatures before God's throne). The words and illustrations in the book are beautiful. It not only opens our eyes to all the numbers in the Bible but imprints on our hearts the theological truth God is telling us through numbers. For example, the number 3 about the Trinity, Jesus' death and resurrection, and how God is making us part of his family through the number 3. I bought copies for every family in our small group.
As a mom and an Old Testament scholar, I am fairly picky about which books make the cut to our overflowing bookshelves. I am also always on the lookout for quality books that deserve to be read and re-read. God Counts is one such book. The writing is simple but engaging, the illustrations are beautiful, and it is soaked in the truths of Scripture. my eight-year-old loves reading this book to her younger brother, and when I asked her what she liked about it, she replied, "The counting helps me to remember so many wonderful things about God's love and creation." Needless to say, I'm pleased!
What a wonderful depiction on challenging the imagination of children of all ages by using the numbers 1-12 in teaching them how they are and can be related in the bible. Number One: It tells us that God is the first and the best and after that is a verse from the bible, and so it flows beautifully from them on, with the number 2 thru 12. Each number tells a story backed with a verse from the bible. I wish I would have had this book when my two boys were little. It’s such a great teaching tool, not only to love numbers, but to embrace the Word of God and how numbers were utilized by God. The Trinity, the 12 Apostles, God is with us, etc. This book was a joy to read, and as adult, I actually learned the significance of numbers in the bible. Apparently, you can teach a dog new tricks.
God Counts is a beautiful book. This book reflects the Word of God poetically, sweetly and directly. The truths in this book have been boiled down to such powerful, tiny, concentrated phrases that pierce my heart like a double-edged sword. The words and illustrations are equally engaging to my three children, ages 9, 7, and 3. I have been reading Christian children’s books to my kids for 9 years and there is nothing else like this that I have ever read before. The take on numbers found in the Bible is so clever!
In the beginning, God created numbers. Numbers declare the glory of God." Thus begins Irene Sun's colorful picture book about numbers in God's word and His world. Using appropriate Bible references for each number 1-12, children will be learn about creation, God's place in our lives, and more. From the turquoise hardcover to the full two page art work throughout, this is an eye appealing book. Most adults expect the message in a children's picture book to be simple, but not in this title. That means there is much to talk about beyond the rhymes. For example, the number 10 refers to the parable of the woman and her lost coin. The real message for that two page spread is that God does not want even one of his children to be lost. It may take an adult reader to help a child, even an independent reader, to understand the message behind the number and the parable. After a powerful look at the symbol for infinity and the lesson that God is infinite in his power, the book ends with the message that God "counts" every fish, every star, every hair on your head and He also knows your every cry, your every step and your every day -- the real message of the book. This book would be a welcome addition to a children's church library or a church-affliated pre-school/kindergarten. I received a copy of this title from New Growth Press. All opinions are mine.
My kids loved the beautiful art and gave impressed "hmms" at all the right places! It really is an easy to follow, but very profound, book. I love the truth that the book brought out on the individual pages ("God Counts. God counts every fish in the sea, every star in the sky. God counts every hair on your head, every tear you cry.") I also loved the overall truth that the book brought out - that God is intimately involved with everything, craft and creating it to be part of his story with us.
GOD COUNTS is an absolutely wonderful children's book about numbers in God's Word. The author shares verses and truth from scripture for each number, 1 - 12. This book is NOT boring! It ministered to me as an adult and to my teenage daughters. I highly recommend this book for a counting book that is miles above the rest. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
God Counts is a lovely, lyrical, theologically rich exploration of numbers in the Bible for children. The illustrations are colorful and vibrant (and full of countable objects, which my little one particularly loves!), but it’s the text that truly makes this book stand out. I’ve read many counting books for kids (both religious and secular) and they so often just focus on a random collection of objects (e.g. “Seven hungry lions pace and roar… Eight boats sail by the seashore” or “Good night, two hands. Good night, two feet...”). They are cute and serviceable, but God Counts has a thesis--“Numbers declare the glory of God”--and it uses each number to illustrate God’s glorious character through a theological truth. The author also includes scripture references and beautifully written scriptural paraphrases to support each truth. These passages are my favorite parts of the book! They are delicately lovely, full of rhythm, a little bit of rhyme, and just enough of kid-friendly repetition. We received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher, but I plan on buying more for family and friends this Christmas. Since its arrival, my three-year old son has requested it several times by name!
This is a fun book to help children learn how to count to 12 (and infinity!), using numbers in the Bible to do so. I love that the text rhymes and then uses scripture verses to show where in the Bible it is talking about that particular number. The illustrations and sweet and childlike, colorful and easy to relate to. This is a fun book to use when teaching children to count! I received this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.
This book is a classic. The author manages to captivate the imagination of children while presenting a moving portrait of God through numbers and their significance in God’s Word. As a youth pastor, this is the kind of book I hope children can dive into to help them think in a God-centered way in the things of this world. Sometimes Christian books for children and youth can sacrifice theological quality or quantity of content for superficial appeal. Not so with God Counts. Even as an adult reading this book, I was reminded of God’s love and care for us in a marvelous and moving way. God Counts is a wonderful surprise and was an encouragement to our family! Although I did receive an advanced copy of God Counts to read, this review was not at all required.
