Written by Bart Millard and Laura Nuetzling, I Can Only Imagine follows a child's imaginings of what God must be like. What types of games does Jesus like to play? Does he like the same types of ice cream that I do? Would he like to race with me? The book goes through the fanciful questions that little children ask, addressing the everyday concerns and wonderings of a preschooler.

While I found the book to be sweet and light hearted, I struggled with how shallow it felt. On the one hand, it's important to teach our children that they can enjoy their everyday day delights with God now. That He's not a distant God, but one who is always with them. On the other hand, a friendship with God is so much more than ice cream and wagon rides. It's learning, growing worshipping. Where are those ideas? So while I thought this book was sweet, it was definitely lacking. I would recommend searching for a book that is less self-focused and has more substance.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

With the popularity of the I Can Only Imagine song which led to a movie and book, it's no surprise that a picture book for children has been added. I can Only Imagine for Little Ones is a larger board book at just under 8x8. It's well constructed to stand up against infant and toddler page-turning. The book has adorable, stunning pictures to go along with the story, and the story itself is engaging and thought-provoking for kids. It asks the questions kids are more likely to ask like "Does God like to play ball?" or "Does God have a pet?" There are ideas that we as adults may have grown out of, but this story engages kid's imaginations in a fun, interactive way. It gets them to consider heaven and what it would be like to see God face-to-face. It considers "knowing God" in a way that they can actually understand and think about. This was a fun read and one that I would consider a great addition to a home, church, nursery, or public library.

I read this book with my favorite little book enthusiast, 3-year-old Addy. She absolutely loves story time and interacting with what she is read. She really enjoyed this book and loved the pictures. She had a bit of difficulty in imagining some of the ideas the book shared. She said she wasn't sure what God liked to do because she didn't know what he had (balls, books, pets, etc). She was pretty sold on the idea of possibly having ice cream before lunch though. The book was able to hold her attention well and she was highly engaged throughout the story. She gives the story two thumbs up.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book through BookLook. I was not required to give a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine (and Addy's) alone.

I Can Only Imagine for Little Ones is an over-sized board book (about 8 x 8) for parents to read to toddlers. Based on the concept from the hit song, I Can Only Imagine, this book helps little children begin to imagine what Heaven and meeting Jesus in person might be like. There are only one or two rhyming sentences per page, each two-page spread asking questions on a single theme such as playing with Jesus in Heaven, spaces to explore in Heaven, having fun in Heaven, etc. The book effectively helps readers connect the familiar - what they know - to that which we can only imagine - exactly what Heaven will be like.

The words by Bart Millard of MercyMe (with Laura Neutzling) are fun and so are the pictures by Sumiti Collina. My youngest daughter gave the book a thumbs up even though it wasn't written for much younger children.

I thank Tommy Nelson Kids for sending me a complimentary copy, so I could share my thoughts of this book with you.

Musician, Bart Millard of Mercy Me, has collaborated with Laura Neutzling to write a children's board book inspired by the hit song, I Can Only Imagine.

The padded cover of I Can Only Imagine for Little Ones encases twenty-four hardcover pages. Sumiti Collina illustrates colorful pictures depicting multi-ethnic children.

The book is written from a young child's point of view as he wonders what heaven may be like.

I can only imagine what God thinks is fun.

We could jump in the lake and soak in the sun.

Why maybe in heaven God loves to play ball.

Everyone gets chosen. There's room for us all.

The book is recommended for ages 0 - 4. It does not address how someone gets to heaven. That's too abstract for the wee little ones to understand. It's a cute book that ends with an emphasis on the one thing the child knows for sure--that he doesn't have to wait until he's in heaven to spend time with God. Hence, the subtitle of the book, A Friendship with Jesus Now and Forever.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in return for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255