Austin's Blog

We need more children’s books that truly explain the world and the world’s Creator as they are. The Moon is Always Round by author Jonathan Gibson does just that.  Mr. Gibson is an ordained minister in the International Presbyterian Church and a professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Westminster Theological Seminary. The book was borne out of a his family’s tragic loss of their daughter, Leila, who was stillborn. The author helps their young son understand the need to trust God’s goodness even when it is hard to see. Just as the moon is always round, God’s goodness is always good.  The moon might not always shine in its round form, but it is round nevertheless. When life is going well, God is good. When things are comfortable, God is good. When tragedy and heartache strike, God is still good.

Why do we need books like this? Why should parents be introducing these tough topics at an early age? First, it is gloriously dark outside. It won’t be too long before children (even young children) realize this. I realized this that the world is sin-soaked very early on and other kids do too. They will need the tools to hold fast to God even when they don’t understand what He is up to. Second, I think this is a part of what it means to raise your children in the faith.  Our faith has tough aspects to it and we hardly have the time to wait for kids to fully grow up before we begin introducing them to the whole counsel of God. We must do it in an age-appropriate manner of course but kids need truth, all of it, to make it in their walks with the Lord. This book will help with that commanded process. Third, the Bible is a book that demands such discipling. For far too long we have taught Bible stories in a sanitized, inoculated fashion that strips them of their truth. Noah and his family were trusting in God during the flood but I imagine they weren’t all smiles as others floated down to their watery grave under God’s righteous judgment. This book does a superb job of helping a young mind understand an important lesson.

Get this book! Why? First, the story itself is a helpful analogy to teaching your little ones to trust God. Second, there’s appendixes in the back that are helpful in this endeavor. They include two lessons to help children understand God’s goodness, memory verses, a personal story behind the book, and a catechism on the moon to help drive these truths home. Third, it is well-illustrated throughout. To ground God’s goodness within the Gospel message, the illustrator hid ten crosses throughout the work. Why? To help children understand that the cross is not a denial of God’s goodness but a loving yet solid expression of it. I highly recommend this work to any parent, teacher, or counselor who desires to teach, guide, and mold children in the ways of the Lord.