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
My preschool aged daughter loves counting books, but after a couple of times reading them, I want to hide them because they're so boring to read to her! That's not true with this book. While it is a counting book, it is also full of truths about God's character and his creation. The book has sound theology in a vocabulary that is simple enough for children to understand. I also like that the author included Bible references in case we want to show my daughter where in the Bible the lessons come from. We also like the fun illustrations! I will be purchasing other copies of this book to give as gifts.
God Counts by Irene Sun proactively teaches children about God and his character while also teaching about numbers. With soft, engaging and detailed illustrations, Sun links each number to an statement about God and his redemptive plan, providing more detail with a bible reference. There are lovely, truth-filled statements like: “In the beginning God created numbers. Numbers declare the glory of God. One tells us that God is the first and best”. Or, “Three tells us God is love. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Three in one, one in three, They love one another, like a family.” It’s instructional and thought-provoking for little ones that she does not stop at number 12, but includes infinity. “God is infinite. He is beyond numbers, beyond time, beyond space.” And she finishes with a wonderful encouragement that God counts each hair on your head, each tear that you cry, and all of your steps until you walk with him side by side. If you have little ones, get this book. It will expand their minds to know God better while they learn the early numbers.
