On Morning Wings

One of my all time favorite children's books - love the words, poetry, illustrations - everything about it! Highly recommended for all kids collections!

On Morning Wings by Reeve Lindbergh is a poetic prayer gently adapted from Psalm 139. The artwork of watercolor and collage by Holly Meade, shows a little girl peeking out of her window greeting the morning, while her brother sleeps soundly beneath her in their bunk bed. The two siblings dress and rush out of their house to meet with two of their friends, coming toward them. It's clear to see that these four children are excited about spending the day together. They rush off to a nearby tree to lie, dangle and drape themselves securely among the large branches. Even the best of friends don't always see eye-to-eye. Two of the children appear to be at a lake. While one rows away in a boat, the other sits on the dock and sulks. Later, the four of them are at the beach playing as a team, building a sandcastle, digging rivers and collecting water. As the golden sun begins to nestle down behind the water, the children playfully follow the wooden path to a campfire to roast marshmallows. One could imagine the night being filled with laughter and silly thoughts shared among loving friends as they drift off to sleep in their tent. All except one little boy who peeks out of the tent with a flashlight in one hand and his faithful teddy bear, in the other. All the while, as the full paged artwork dominates each page, the author has written a poetic prayer that depicts the 139th Psalm, "God knows all things." The words written on each page gently whisper a loving reminder that God is always with us. "High as heaven bright, you greet me, down in darkness, too, you meet me." What I Like: The prayer and illustrations are harmonious. What I Dislike: I do not dislike anything about this book. Overall Rating: Very Good. Loretta from Christian Children's Book Review

This book has been a family favorite since we brought it home from the bookstore last year. My 3 year old son really enjoys it, and I expect it to stay a favorite for years to come. The book captures the themes of the Psalm (rather than its text) and is moving for anyone who strives for a relationship with God, regardless of religion. We are Baha'is and it works perfectly for us. Lindbergh's verse is lyrical and literate, and Meade's charming illustrations of a multi-racial group of friends spending their day together provide context for the sometimes abstract ideas of God's ever-present companionship and love. Really great book.

Reeve Lindbergh has done a fabulous job here. She takes a Psalm and rewords it for children -- but it's great for adults, too! The message is simple and encouraging -- God is always there, in good times and bad, caring for each one of us. This book acts as a prayer, acknowledging that. I run a church bookstore, and everyone who takes a look at this book falls in love with it.

Finding nice Bible picture books is not easy. Although the text in Lindbergh's book is greatly altered from the King James translation, the book is a useful introduction to the ideas in Psalm 139. I find it uplifting and pleasing. The book makes a lovely gift.