Mommy, Who Does God Love?

A boy's mother expounds on the inclusiveness of God's love in this gentle pop-up/lift-the-flap book. With brief, rhyming text, Mommy answers her young son's query using imagery that he can understand: ""God loves each mouse.../ and every cat,/ God loves each horse.../ and every bat."" Melcher's reassuring tone is perfect for delivering this most basic concept of religion and faith. Children will also enjoy participating in the story as they discover friendly animal faces, and even their own reflection, hidden behind several paper constructions. Most of Melcher's depictions of plants, animals and people are refreshingly realistic, except for the opening spread, in which Mommy spreads her stiff arms like airplane wings, and the final page featuring her son Terry's overly large hands, suggesting the bounty of beauty in the natural world. A fun way to discuss the presence of God with very young children. Ages 2-5. (Mar.)