Children's Book Review - Chrissies Shell by Brooke Keith

ISBN: 978-1-59317-398-2
Chrissie's Shell
32 pages, full color - Hardbound
Size: 9" x 9"
For ages 4+

Chrissie is a little turtle with a big problem: she believes her shell is empty. She spends her days comparing herself with other animals in the forest and imagining what it would be like to be them, only to end up disappointed again and again when she finds she cannot transform herself into someone new.

At last, when Chrissie is ready to give up all hope, she has a conversation with God. She begs him to make her into a creature like the wonderful animals she has seen, but God has something better in mind. Will Chrissie finally see herself as God sees her? Will she realize that her shell is not empty after all and that God loves her just the way she is?

What I Can Tell You: 
I read this last night on NetGalley and really loved it. This morning I read it to Goddess and we both loved it. The book is really about loving yourself and appreciating all the things about you that make you unique and different from everyone else.

We really loved the art work. It is colorful, adorable and the perfect accompaniment to a story beautifully written. The story doesn't rhyme which means the pictures really have to hold the child's attention and focus so that the story isn't lost on them. Goddess listened to the whole book and looked with wonderment even though I stumbled over some of the passages and words like hedgehoggy and flutter by firefly. 

I loved the message and explained to Goddess the meaning of the story because her focus was on the naked turtle, the bear wearing a turtle shell and how she was hearing God when we didn't see him in the story.

No matter what your age, the message in the book could relate to you. Always remember that you are exactly what God intended. You are perfect just the way you are. An important lesson that a few adults friends could stand to learn by now.

My next trip to the book store will find me with two copies of Chrissie's Shell.

About the Author: Brooke Keith
Brooke Keith's poetry for children has appeared in children's magazines and storybooks around the world. She is a devotional and family writer for the Christian Broadcasting Network, a columnist for War Cry Magazine and a regular contributor for many well-loved Christian magazines such as Mature Living, Christianity Today, and Young Salvationist among others. When Brooke isn't writing, she is a volunteer and mentor for the Hugs and Hope Foundation. She lives with her husband Chris and their four children, Alex, Brock, Emily and baby Jack in Lula, Georgia.

About the Illustrator: Mary Bausman
Mary Bausman has illustrated for many major publishers in the United States and Canada. Her main focus is developing art and promotional materials for libraries, schools, and religious organizations. Mary and her husband, Cal, have their own graphic arts studio, Owl Mountain Graphics. They enjoy working from their farm in rural Maryland, surrounded by their beloved sons and their families, as well as their dogs, cats, horses and nature.