Calling all Christian parents of young children! Jill Roman Lord, mother of three, has been writing children’s books for nearly two decades. According to JillRomanLord.com, she’s also a runner and nurse anesthetist who writes books she hopes will both “draw children closer to Jesus” and be enjoyable for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to read to children. As a parent, pastor, and former preschool ministry director, I will attest that her latest project, The Great Farmapalooza, succeeds at accomplishing both goals.

This sturdy board book for young children begins and ends like many others, with a sunrise and sunset. In this case, all the action happens on the farm and features a litany of farm animals praising God as creator, designer, and provider. In this way, it’s reminiscent of the Psalter’s final verse, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psa 150:6), or of another psalm which says, “Praise the Lord from the earth, you … beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl” (Psa 148:7, 10).

The book’s simple storyline highlights the noises that each animal makes. It follows a soothing, lilting rhythm (an iambic pentameter followed by an iambic trimeter, if you care to know) and sprinkles in a pleasing dose of onomatopoeia with a pinch of rhyme that delivers an engaging reading experience. Children will enjoy opening the flap on each page to uncover tiny critters making noises of their own (and a special surprise under the final flap). They’ll also soak in the crisp, vibrant artwork of up-and-coming illustrator, Kelly Breemer, who uses a full palette of bold and bright colors for each whimsical scene. (Spoiler alert! The mouse and grasshopper duo make multiple appearances.)

As a father of six kids 12 yrs. and under, I can personally testify that our 4-, 6-, and 8-yr. old children loved the book when I read it to them at bedtime for family devotions. After hearing it for the first time, our 4-yr. son grinned widely and said, “I’m so excited that this is our brand-new book!” Then our 6-yr. son prayed thoughtfully, “Heavenly Father, thank you for making each one of us and for giving us special abilities, too, that we can each use for you.” Thank you, Jill, for speaking to my children’s hearts, helping me draw them closer to Jesus.

This book makes an excellent addition to the bookshelves or reading corners of any home, church nursery, Christian daycare, or classroom for young children. It also makes an ideal gift for young children’s birthdays, or even baby showers – and did I say Christmas? Thanks B&H Kids for putting this book in print.

Thanks to B&H Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. This did not influence the outcome of my review.