Yesterday we reviewed (my son and I) a book called "Why Dogs Are...." We received this book from Bookcrash in order to give our fair and honest review, no other compensation given.
Dogs, children, in a book...what more could you ask for?
Dogs, children, in a book...what more could you ask for?
Well I have to admit it's a cute book and an easy read for one nine year old lad. He thought the dog footprints on the end papers of the book funny. "oh mom, look at the paw prints here!" It's a visually appealing book. Filled with full colour pictures and a cute story about dogs and why they came to earth. The story centers around a blind/deaf child and how God can show love for him.
I DO have to admit to struggling with the theology of the book and this was something that my lad commented on as well. Why asked what he thought of the book his first comment was "Mom, they don't really tell the truth in there about how dogs came to earth. They got that part wrong."
And they do.
Lines like this cause me concern
"God was sure Brian knew how much his family loved his because they took such good care of him". This line just bothered me and I can't put my finger on exactly why... probably because it makes God seem so human...looking at the outward behaviour instead of at the heart.
"God also loved Brian very much, but how could He let him know?,,,,, God could not touch Brian" God would seriously have to ask this question???? God KNOWS us full well and knows exactly what we need.
And so God called a meeting of everything that lived in heaven and asked them what he he do. Everyone wanted to be the ones that God sent. But then God saw this nameless beast and called it Dog.. (as that's God backwards) and so dog was sent to earth to be God's love exemplified for that blind/deaf child. (seriously... God would have to call a meeting to figure out what is best for this boy child?)
And God told the dog that if he a good job he'd send more dogs to earth. (and dog obviously did a good job as there's lots of dogs around). Dogs' Job was simply to
teach Brian two things: to love without expecting anything in return and to forgive those who hurt him - then to forget the hurt and love them even more. Dogs' job was to teach and show what love was.
GOD is NOT human. He would know all these answers already.
So I struggle with the theology while enjoying a book that opens up ideas and thoughts and colourful pictures to look at. It's a good book to show how dogs do an excellent job at helping people who have a variety of people with physical needs of care. So if you can separate the poor theology from the "dogs are really helpful to people and great at being good pack animals that act like they love you" then get this book. It really is a good book about dogs being very useful and a huge benefit to many folks who struggle with different disabilities.
It really does have potential depending on how one uses it, but in this household, the poor theology puts it in the do not read again pile.
I DO have to admit to struggling with the theology of the book and this was something that my lad commented on as well. Why asked what he thought of the book his first comment was "Mom, they don't really tell the truth in there about how dogs came to earth. They got that part wrong."
And they do.
Lines like this cause me concern
"God was sure Brian knew how much his family loved his because they took such good care of him". This line just bothered me and I can't put my finger on exactly why... probably because it makes God seem so human...looking at the outward behaviour instead of at the heart.
"God also loved Brian very much, but how could He let him know?,,,,, God could not touch Brian" God would seriously have to ask this question???? God KNOWS us full well and knows exactly what we need.
And so God called a meeting of everything that lived in heaven and asked them what he he do. Everyone wanted to be the ones that God sent. But then God saw this nameless beast and called it Dog.. (as that's God backwards) and so dog was sent to earth to be God's love exemplified for that blind/deaf child. (seriously... God would have to call a meeting to figure out what is best for this boy child?)
And God told the dog that if he a good job he'd send more dogs to earth. (and dog obviously did a good job as there's lots of dogs around). Dogs' Job was simply to
teach Brian two things: to love without expecting anything in return and to forgive those who hurt him - then to forget the hurt and love them even more. Dogs' job was to teach and show what love was.
GOD is NOT human. He would know all these answers already.
So I struggle with the theology while enjoying a book that opens up ideas and thoughts and colourful pictures to look at. It's a good book to show how dogs do an excellent job at helping people who have a variety of people with physical needs of care. So if you can separate the poor theology from the "dogs are really helpful to people and great at being good pack animals that act like they love you" then get this book. It really is a good book about dogs being very useful and a huge benefit to many folks who struggle with different disabilities.
It really does have potential depending on how one uses it, but in this household, the poor theology puts it in the do not read again pile.
| Product Details. Received: hardcover picture book, Why Dogs Are... Publisher: Kendall Neff Publishing Author: Tana Thompson Illustrator: Marita Gentry Pages: 32 pages Ages: 3 and up. Price: $9.99 (Kindle) | |
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