Just Like You: Beautiful Babies Around the World - eBook

Marla Stewart Konrad is keenly interested in global issues and has a special concern for the well-being of children. Her career as a speechwriter and communications professional has taken her to numerous countries in Asia and Africa. She lives near Toronto, Canada, with her family, and is the author of several books for children. Lin Wang graduated from the prestigious Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in China. Once a portrait painter, Lin now enjoys dedicating herself to children's book illustration. Several of her books have been published in many different countries and languages. Lin lives in California with her husband and children.

The theme of Just Like You, a children's picture book targeted to 4 to 7-year-old readers by Marla Stewart Konrad, is that no matter where a baby is born, he is precious in God's sight and is a thing of wonder to his family. The same story is told several times, just switching cultures. In the opening story, an American baby is born and her mother counts her fingers and toes and whispers in her ear in loving fashion, followed by a visit from the grandparents, who bring a toy and snowsuit for the baby and a casserole for the new mommy. The second story profiles the birth of a Chinese baby, whose mother also counts his fingers and toes and whispers to him lovingly, followed by a visit from the baby's grandmother, who brings tea and rice cakes. Thus it continues with a Russian baby, Eskimo baby, Amazon forest baby, East Indian baby, et. al. The story concludes by saying that God and his angels watch over all babies in all countries in all families.

The artwork stresses gentle earth tones of brown, gold, tan, white, and black, with a few stark reds or purples as eye grabbers. The scenes reflect the various kinds of weather of the different regions, different styles of clothing, varieties of foods, and notable ways of celebrating the arrival of a new child into a family. Although no precise Bible verses are quoted or referenced, biblical qualities such as love of God, obedience to parents, and unity of family are stressed. This is a colorful book that should amuse and provide reassurance to youngsters. – Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com