Strong: Psalm 1

This inspiring, joyful board book brings to life Psalm 1 for young children by helping them understand who they are in God’s sight. Employing the psalm’s metaphor of a God-honoring person being like a tree planted by streams of water, author Sally Lloyd-Jones writes, “By a stream / is a good place / for a little tree / to be. / She reaches down / her roots / to drink. / And the water never dries up. / She grows strong / and beautiful.” Illustrator Jago’s endearing artwork captures the joy of children planting a tree and watching it grow and grow and grow!

Children discover that the tree thrives in every season: “Even in winter / her leaves don’t wither / and fall off. / They stay green. / And in the summer, fruit! / And fruit! / And fruit!”

Soon children learn that they are like a tree by the stream of water and that they have a secure relationship with their loving heavenly Father: “Close to you, God, / is a good place / for me / to be ... / Where you can look after me. / And help me grow. / And love me.” The narrative and artwork climax in resounding praise: “I am so happy / with you, God! / Like a little tree / by a stream.”

Strong: Psalm 1 is Lloyd-Jones’s and Jago’s latest addition to their excellent board book series based on the Psalms. Others include Near: Psalm 139; Happy: A Song of Joy and Thanks for Little Ones, based on Psalm 92; and Known: Psalm 139. Young children will enjoy clasping any of the easy-to-hold books as they hear about God’s love for them. (Zonderkidz)