Image Bearer

When I came across Image Bearer, I knew this book needed to be shared with the world. 

The book starts by exploring the story of creation - how God made the sun, moon, and stars, and how he declared everything "good." But it wasn't until he created man and woman that he said they were made in his own image. The book then poses some playful questions, asking if things like volcanoes or elephants were also made in God's image. Of course, the answer is no - the only image bearers God created were humans.

The pages are filled with vibrant illustrations of children with all kinds of abilities and disabilities - some use wheelchairs, others have visual impairments etc. But the message is clear: no matter how we're made, we all bear the image of our Creator.

My favorite part is that all of these illustrations are based on real children. In the back of the book you’ll find pictures, names, and snippets of these precious image bearers. 

As the parent of a child with epilepsy, this book has been particularly meaningful for us. My son sometimes has to be careful about certain activities to avoid triggering seizures, and it's been wonderful for him to see that he's not alone in facing unique challenges. The book does an excellent job of explaining different disabilities in a way that's easy for young kids to understand.
I love the underlying theme in this book of worth and value. The book reminds children that their worth doesn't come from what they can or can't do, but from the fact that God made them in His image and loves them. It's a message that's so important for all kids to hear, regardless of their abilities.