Glenys Nellist has partnered again with illustrator Sophie Allsopp to provide a beautiful book for children and the young at heart in Easter Love Letters From God: Bible Stories. Glenys has authored two popular book series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. She serves ministry with children in Michigan and comes from northern England. Sophie Allsopp is an award-winning illustrator of many children’s books and lives in England. These ladies have come together to present an interactive Easter journey that is delightful!
Seven sections take the reader through seven events of Holy Week: Triumphant Entry, Washing Feet, Last Supper, Gethsemane, Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection. Each page has a 3-D look to it with the appearance of multiple items placed together to further visualize the setting of each event. The artwork is lovely, simple, and delicately fills each page to add to the story. Even the detail of the stamp on the lift-the-flap share an image that compliments each of the seven events of Holy Week.
In the writing of the story, Glenys does well in speaking of the humanness of Jesus.
“And even though he felt all alone, he knew that God was with him.” (pg 16)
The lift-the-flap love letters from God were a reminder on each page, in each scene, that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Even the darkest events were written tenderly, yet truthfully. Sin is not mentioned, but forgiveness is.
Dear _______, Do you like surprises? Inside that quiet cave I was working on a surprise that no one could imagine. It would be the greatest surprise the world had ever known. Something was happening to Jesus. My son was going to have a brand-new life. But for three whole days the world had to wait. Love, God (pg 27)
In just a couple of weeks there will be a free, downloadable activity and resource pack available to accompany the book designed for families and those who serve in ministry with children. The first look of that resource will be made available at http://www.glenysnellist.com.
Though the events of Holy Week are the saddest in the whole Bible culminating in a way I have a hard time wrapping my head and heart around, this is the basis of our faith: the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, God’s own perfect son who came to seek and to save the lost. We must share this with our little people. They need to know. We need to know. If we already know, we need to be reminded. This hardy book shares the stories and does an amazing job of sharing images that are kid-friendly. It’s perfect for family devotion and to accompany the teachings of Holy Week in the local church.
You can win your own copy! Just comment on the blog THIS WEEK with an idea of how you share, celebrate, or remember an event of Holy Week. It can be in your classroom (for all my preschool champions), your church (for all my Sunday school and small group servant-leaders), or your home (for all our Mamas & Daddies & Grands sharing their faith in our fabulous Jesus with their little people.) Zonderkidz will be sure you get your copy early in Lent.
How will you share, celebrate, or remember our best friend Jesus this Lenten season?
“Can you believe that my son, Jesus, came back to life? Only the King of the whole world could do that. Jesus is the King of Love, the King of Hope, and the King of Heaven. And he wants to be the King of your life, too. Will you let him?” Glenys Nellist, Easter Love Letters From God, pg. 31
DeDeBullReilly 
I have many memeories of Easter but most recently i led our youth group in a journey of the cross. Very touching experience for all involved.
Hey Mandy….I agree that it’s those ‘set apart’ experiences that are the stickiest.
My little granddaughter is learning about Jesus and this would be a great way to share Jesus’ love for her.
Cindy…Little ggirl couldn’t have a better guide to Jesus than you! ~DeDe
We are foster parents and have loved introducing the Easter story to all of our children so far. recently the Lord has led me to a career change and I am currently the children’s minister at our church. I am excited to share the story with this beautiful large group of children through decorating Ressurrection Eggs during lent and sending them home on Easter to be a reminder of God’s ultimate sacrifice and love each year.
Hey Roxy…Thank you for serving the little people in your home and church. Blessings to you and yours! ~ DeDe
Each year we do a visual setup of Stations of the Cross at our church. We try to make it family friendly and take our groups through allowing them time to do the prayer interactions. I would love to have a copy of this book to read with our WOW/Children’s Church Kiddos to help to drive these events home.
I would also love to use it with our preschoolers. I teach 152 preschoolers…and the best part is that the majority of this captive audience aren’t members of our church. This may be the only time they are hearing these stories!
Well done, Kim! Sounds like you are blessing their socks off! ~ DeDe
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With my children, my grandchilren, and my foster children I love to use my 36 (!) Resurrection Eggs. I have less time with my after school Kids’ Life Bible Club so I either use flannelgraph or flash-a-cards and am always looking for ways to make the story come alive and be the most meaninful to these 4th/5th graders!
Wow, Ann! Looks like you have an Easter toolbox that is really reaching kids and making sticky, spiritual memories. Way to go! ~ DeDe
Lent Workshop for families on a Saturday:
Our senior pastor came in and taught the children about bread-baking. Each child made a personally-designed bread treat for themselves, as well as helping with the loaves of bread used for Communion the next day. One of the coolest parts: three dads got involved, helping with the kneading process.
While the bread baked, children painted on canvases propped on pizza box “easels”. Each canvas had a cross marked off with masking tape which could be pulled off afterward.
Then, families rotated through hands-on prayer stations and ended with breaking bread together.
We’ll change up the painting and prayer activities, and repeat the bread-baking for this year–by popular demand!
That’s fabulous, Kathie! How fun to have bread with families and painting, too. Happy Lent! ~ DeDe
Easter is such a special season, and Easter Love Letters will be a wonderful way to share Christ with little ones.
I totally agree! Happy Lent! ~ DeDe
My favorite Easter memories are of sunrise sevices, wrapped in a blanet to keep warm.
And OH, the hot chocolate provided by my kid’s Children’s Pastor! Happy Lent, Anita! ~ DeDe
When have our community Easter egg hunt, it is awesome to share the Easter story with over 400 community members. Many of these people do not attend a church. And the absolute best is when you see the twinkle in a young child’s eye as they listen to this story and learn that Jesus died and rose for them.
Sounds like a fabulous event. Thanks for sharing on the blog! ~ DeDe
Lent and then Easter: my favorite time of the year. We do an egg hunt on the Saturday before Easter. While I would prefer a somber time personally, it’s a joy to throw a party in anticipation of Easter morning with lots of colors and games and sweet treats. It’s a big outreach event and the perfect time to share the story of Jesus with children. 🙂
Sounds fabulous! Happy Lent! ~ DeDe
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Easter Stories give away. Congratulations to Kathie Bamsey, Children’s Ministry Lead at Snellville United Methodist Church in Snellville, Georgia! Look for your book to be there shortly.