God’s love and protection through the night
Review of "I Am Not Afraid" by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso.
I AM NOT AFRAID: PSALM 23 FOR BEDTIME
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Illustrated by Marta Dorado
Beaming Books, 2023.
This reimagining of Psalm 23 as part of a child’s bedtime ritual invites youngsters into the comfort and love of God, the Good Shepherd, as they face the coming night.
A young girl slips under her comforter at bedtime, and thinks, “God is my Comforter; I will not be afraid.” As she rests on her bed feeling safe and warm with a glass of water at her bedside table, she muses, “I lie down beneath my warm blanket. Cool water beside my bed.” She imagines a green pasture, a meandering brook, and sheep.
Soon she catches her breath and prays. Then playfully, as a sheep nuzzles her, she counts sheep and tries to sleep. But slumber evades her as dark shadows loom. Even the sheep run away in fright.
But the girl is comforted by her warm blanket, a sip of cool water and the beam from her night-light (shaped like a dove, reminiscent of the Holy Spirit). The light’s glow chases the scary shadows away. A soft voice inside the girl – God’s voice – says, “I am here.” The girl finally sleeps soundly.
Author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso’s modern-day application of Psalm 23 for children combined with illustrator Marta Dorado’s charming pictures offer young readers a lovely bedtime book which focuses on God and his love and protection through the night.
