Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Chasing God’s Glory by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

Posted April 29, 2023 by meezcarrie in children, Christian, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, giveaway / 25 Comments

CHASING GOD’S GLORY by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
GENRE: Inspirational Children’s Picture Book
PUBLISHER: WaterBrook
RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2023
PAGES: 40

A unique and delightful children’s book about how God’s glory can be found all around us every day, from the award-winning author of Cora Cooks Pancit.
“Mama, what exactly is glory?”
When Zayla asks her mom to describe God’s glory, Mama knows it’s time for an adventure! Together, Mama and Zayla discover how sunrises and dancing, daffodils and green peppers, kind words and loving hugs—and more!—are all reminders of God’s glory.
Award-winning author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young’s rich multicultural story and Alyssa De Asis’s vibrant artwork make Chasing God’s Glory a unique invitation to notice and celebrate the radiance of God’s light and love as you and your family become “glory chasers.”

Oh my goodness! This sweet little book hit me in all the emotions. It’s such a fun and tender portrayal of a mother and daughter, as well as of our relationship with God.

First of all, I love that the story opens with Zayla’s mom singing “Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory” which then precipitates Zayla’s question of “What is glory” and the premise of the book. I loved it because it sets the tone for the whole book and made me so happy to see a parent being naturally intentional about filling their young child’s mind with the things of God. The way the story progresses from here – their day around town, looking for God’s glory – is also done so organically, as a seamless adjustment to a normal day and an extension of the way the family already functions. It wasn’t ‘weird’ or ‘awkward’ for the mother or the daughter, and that really touched my heart.

As Zayla and her mom bike around their city, they find God’s glory in the sunrise, in art and music, in yummy food, adorable ducklings, the stars in the sky, and cheery flowers. But they also find it in the kindness of a stranger, the example of a committed marriage, and the memories of Zayla’s father who has passed away. At the end of the day, Zayla’s mom tells her that God’s glory is “a reflection of who He is and how He’s working in the world.” I loved how Gilmore-Young presented this very abstract concept (that even adults struggle to explain) in a way that was super accessible for the target age group – and for the adults reading it to them. It definitely made me want to be more intentional about hunting for God’s glory in my own life.

Bottom Line: The pages of Chasing God’s Glory by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young are full of beauty and color, the joyful and the bittersweet. This treasure of a book takes readers on an adventure incorporating all 5 senses and a range of emotions. A fun bike ride through the city and a delicious trip to the farmer’s market share the space with a gentle discussion of how God’s glory is even present in our grief. Alyssa de Asis’s illustrations are vibrant and diverse, reflecting different skin tones & experiences (socioeconomic, family, age, and cultural) with every page full of layers to explore. Above all, this book is a tender picture of God’s love for His children and the ways He shows us every day that He is with us & still working in our world. Highly recommended for children & adults alike!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 5 stars / such a special book!

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Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young chases God’s glory as a mama of three girls, foodie, runner, podcaster, and a weaver of words. With an MFA in Children’s Literature, Dorina has published four multicultural children’s books with one more releasing in Spring 2024. Her book, Cora Cooks Pancit, received the Asian American Librarian’s Association Picture Book of the Year. Dorina also has experience teaching college students, speaking in elementary schools, and coaching youth.

Dorina is passionate about raising up women from diverse backgrounds to thrive in their God-given callings. Dorina writes for (in) courage and Proverbs 31 devotional teams. Her essays have been published at Kindred Mom, For Every Mom, The MOPS blog and in more than 20 newspapers. She specializes in helping people discover God’s glory through adversity and flourish in community. Her gift is delivering authentic, Biblically-sound messages that engage audiences through story. She has published two Bible studies, Glory Chasers: Discovering God’s Glory in Unexpected Places and Flourishing Together: Cultivating a Fruitful Life in Christ with two coming, Create in Me a Heart of Mercy and Reclaiming Ruth. Dorina is the president of the Redbud Writers Guild and the director of the Lead Loved ministry.

Dorina is the granddaughter of Filipino-Hawaiian and Italian immigrants. Raised in Chicago, she was transplanted to Fresno, California in 1999. She considers herself a California girl now as she raises three daughters to love the cultural diversity, wonder-filled landscapes and unique food of the state. After her husband died from cancer in 2014, Dorina married a long-time friend, Shawn Young. When Dorina is not writing or traveling with her family, she’s out on the trails running and chasing God’s glory.

Connect with Dorina at www.DorinaGilmore.com, where you can sign up for her Glorygram. You can also find her as @DorinaGilmore on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

Alyssa De Asis is a designer and illustrator based in Manila, Philippines. As well as drawing, she loves photography, travel, and discovering new cultures. Alyssa has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in visual design and communication from the St. Scholastica’s College in Manila. Connect with her at alyssadeasis.com

WaterBrook is offering a print copy of Chasing God’s Glory by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young (illustrated by Alyssa de Asis) to one of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? What makes you want to read Chasing God’s Glory by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young (illustrations by Alyssa de Asis) with a child in your life?