Really Wooly: My First Easter

Scripture Connection

Each two page spread includes a Bible verse from the International Children’s Bible translation. My favorite Scripture reference is on the first page:

Blossoms appear through all the land. The time has come to sing.

Song of Solomon 2:12

Spiritual Themes

With a strong springtime emphasis, the book centers on the ideas of birth and rebirth. These themes are exemplified through Scriptures with natural imagery, about God causing things to grow, as well as poems about Jesus’ resurrection.

Format

The board book consists of eight individually-titled sections. Each two-page section includes a Bible verse, a quatrain poem and a brief couplet prayer.

Design

This is my first Really Woolly book and the design is adorable! It’s a board book shaped like an Easter basket with a handle/gap for little hands to hold it. (And, the back of the book is designed as the back of the Easter basket, so we see the backs of the animals that are on the front cover. I like this attention to detail). The book also has glitter integrated into the cover design, which I really appreciate. The sparkles add a sweet little accent, while also introducing an additional texture. I honestly enjoy just running my hands along the cover.

The text of the book is brown, with emphasized words (such as titles and key phrases) printed in a different color. Page backgrounds are a refreshing cucumber green. All in all, the book’s design is a perfect complement to its springtime theme.

What I Liked

I like Christian books that point to God’s work in Creation. I think this theme tends to be more prevalent in kids’ books than in adult books, but for me, this theme is such an important emphasis. When I look to God as Creator, I am reminded that I, myself, am created. That truth brings peace to me, because it’s a reminder that I really am not in control– and God really is.

I also appreciate that the author connects springtime with Jesus’ resurrection, through the idea of rebirth. This is a pretty common theme/connection, but I feel that it is well-rooted, because there are multiple poems about what is happening in nature, first. The emphasis is on the events of springtime, which then build-up to the story of Jesus’ resurrection. The nature theme is not tacked on, as an afterthought. It’s well-developed.

The inclusion of animals is also fun. In addition to the creatures in the illustrations, there are also references to bees and bullfrogs, a groundhog and a bear, amongst others. Paired with the pictures, these lend a cozy enchantment to the book.

Illustrations

The illustrations are delightful and whimsical. It took me a surprising while to notice that the animals on the front cover: a chick, a rabbit and a lamb, are all sitting inside of the Easter basket. How cute is that?

There are also literal Easter eggs scattered throughout the pages. Thus, the book, in itself, functions as a miniature Easter egg hunt. While some eggs are more prominent, others are in more surprising locations, or tucked off to the sides. I think this is intended as a daily read-aloud in the week before Easter, and the fun illustrations (and devotional aspect) stretch the activity time.

The animals are so cute, especially Really Woolly, the lamb. He wears such a dear, innocent expression. Plus, the lead characters each wear a bow around their necks, which is really adorable. And, the florals integrated into the illustrations are pretty, as well.

My favorite illustrations are on the “Joy of Jesus” page, which shows the trio sitting out on a picnic blanket, watching the sunset. There are also stars overhead, as well as rounds of light from the lightning bugs. I would like to join their sunset picnic!

Recommendation Status

This is a sweet little board book for tiny listeners and I can see how it would read well as a daily devotion in anticipation of Easter. The illustrations are so sweet and brim with springtime cheer.