Book Review (and a Giveaway!): I Know Who I Am by Dorena Williamson

I KNOW WHO I AM by Dorena Williamson
ILLUSTRATOR: Dana SanMar
GENRE: Inspirational Children’s Picture Book
PUBLISHER: WaterBrook
RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2023
PAGES: 40

An uplifting picture book that reminds children all over the world of God’s love for them—affirming their standing in His kingdom and reinforcing their God-given identity.

I am beautifully made and crowned with glory and strength!
I am filled with God’s power!
I am building my life on Jesus, the solid rock!
I am not afraid, for the Lord is always with me!

Join children from Haiti, India, Korea, Rwanda, Spain, New Zealand, and many more countries as they each declare God’s truth about their identities. Each page is a joyful exploration of how God has uniquely made every child to reveal His glory, but also serves as a beautiful reminder for kids about who they are—and, most important, whom they belong to.

Featuring simple, biblically based affirmative statements and bold and vibrant illustrations, this inspirational celebration of a young believer’s identity in Christ is a must-have for every church and Christian family.

When I saw the author’s dedication to her nieces and nephews at the beginning of I Know Who I Am, I immediately identified with her as one aunt to another and was eager to begin reading. As I did so, I fell in love with the illustrations (more on that in a moment) and the text… but most importantly the message. In this world where so many voices threaten the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of the precious children in our lives, it is more imperative than ever to speak Biblical truth into their hearts and minds. To give them the tools of Truth that they need to banish the lies coming from every direction.

I am building my life on Jesus, the solid rock. I will stand firm through the storms!

I have a hope and a future because God has special plans for me.

I am more valuable to God than all the birds in the sky!

All of the simple-but-profound affirmations on these pages are grounded in Scripture and worth repeating daily for children and adults alike – until the Word on which they are based is hidden in their hearts and ready for battle. There’s not a lot of ‘filler’ text, either. The affirmations are clearly and simply stated, one per spread, complemented by the diverse illustrations.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that, not only did this sweet book appeal to me as an aunt, it also filled the “ESOL teacher” section of my heart to overflowing. I may not be teaching English to internationals in this season of my life, but oh goodness my heart is still so soft toward faces and voices from other countries. Put me in a room of people from ‘every tribe, language, people, and nation’, add in some hugs and conversation and lots of laughter, and my soul soars. I love, love, LOVE that the author and illustrator were so intentional about honoring other cultures and representing other countries on every page of this book. This gives I Know Who I Am several teachable opportunities for parents and teachers (and aunts!), in addition to the Biblical affirmations at its core.

Bottom Line: With I Know Who I Am, Dorena Williamson and Dana SanMar have created a beautiful book that reminds children – and adults – from all over the world that they are created by God and fully known & loved by Him. The gorgeous diversity on these pages points to the glory of Heaven, and it would be a great resource in a school or home library as a jumping-off point for children to learn about several other countries, cultures, and abilities. Most of all, they will close these pages armed with Truth and Hope in a world that is lacking in both. A very sweet way to help our precious kiddos learn to walk in God’s strength.

(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 / loved it!

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Dorena Williamson is the bestselling author of Brown Baby Jesus, Crowned with Glory, and more children’s books celebrating multiculturalism. She is also a preacher’s kid, pastor’s wife, and cross-cultural ministry veteran. She and her husband planted Strong Tower Bible Church in Nashville, Tennessee, a faith community passionate about biblical justice and God’s diverse kingdom. Visit her at dorenawilliamson.com

Dana SanMar is a Colombian illustrator and graphic designer currently established in Atlanta. She has a BFA in graphic design from her home country and an MFA in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Visit her at danasanmar.com

WaterBrook is offering a print copy of I Know Who I Am by Dorena Williamson (illustrated by Dana SanMar) 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 I Know Who I Am by Dorena Williamson with a little one in your life?