A unique and playful avenue to know God more fully
Review of "Wild Faith" by Valerie Ellis.
Wild Faith Devotional for Kids: 52 Amazing Animals That Point to
One Great God
Valerie Ellis
Illustrated by Jen Bricking
WaterBrook, 2025.
Author Valerie Ellis offers children a unique and playful avenue to know more fully who God is and how much he loves them. In her introduction to Wild Faith, Ellis writes, “God created the world. And though creation can never fully express the wonders of the Lord, sometimes examples from nature can make God’s truth come alive to us. This is why I have gathered fifty-two amazing animals for you to explore and learn from.”
Skillfully and wisely, Ellis employs metaphors to unpack spiritual truths. For example, in her chapter titled “Created and Cared For,” which features giraffes, Ellis quotes Psalm 139:14: “I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” Ellis points out that even though giraffes in a herd may look alike, each one is unique. In fact, she points out, “Their coats are as different as human fingerprints. God designs each beautiful giraffe to be completely original.” In the same way, Ellis assures readers, each one is a unique creation of God, created for his glory.
Other creatures in Ellis’s fantastic lineup include the acorn woodpecker (who reveals the benefits of wisdom by preparing for winter by storing acorns), the golden eagle (who is able to soar vast distances, pointing to Christian hope that helps believers soar in hard times) and the sociable weaver (a bird who isn’t too flamboyant but whose communal nests are so large they can house up to 400 birds and last more than a 100 years, revealing the spiritual benefits of taking the long view and persevering with God’s help).
Each chapter includes a Scripture verse, an illustration and a photograph of the featured animal, fun facts and exercises to help children remember the chapter’s lesson and how to live it out. Recommended as an excellent devotional resource for children ages 9 to 12.
