Let There Be Light

I love Nancy Tillman books and this one is no exception. Beautifully written and illustrated story of the beginning of life. We gave this to our children on Easter and enjoyed reading it to them all that morning.

Nice book, great letters from the authors but it wasn't long enough, nor did it give enough detail about the creation story. I realize it is a children's book but I just think you can and should have more substance, especially for something as beautiful as the story of creation, children can hang in for a longer story and I just think there was too much left out...I was left thinking that I couldn't believe that it had ended when there was so much left to tell...but what is there, is very well done.

Sweet & simple telling of the creation of the earth from Genesis. Easy to understand for younger children. The are is beautiful in traditional Nancy Tillman style. I love that an image of God or His hand is hidden in every page. My kids had fun searching for the picture.

I love all of Nancy Tillman's books, and I am a huge supporter of Desmond Tutu, so this book had been on my wishlist since it first went public. I was not disappointed. Some people were upset that the words are not directly from the Bible, however, then it would not be the words of Desmond Tutu. This is a book that he wrote to explain creation, and it is beautiful!

This is the sweetest book. And it is beautifully decorated. It should be a classic that's on the shelf of every child. I bought it to read to my 6 yr old but it could be read to a much younger child and I don't think you could get too old for it

I pre-ordered this book hoping it wouldn't turn out to be some strange version of the Biblical story of creation. It's sweet and lyrical but not to the extent of becoming cloying, at least to me. The illustrations are, as always with Nancy Tillman, a joy. The book basically follows the sequence of the creation story from Genesis.

Truly LOVE these books! And my grandchildren enjoy reading over and over again! Fast, efficient delivery! Thank you! Great quality product!

This book is absolutely gorgeous! As a South African living in the US, I really wanted to find a good selection of books relating to South Africa for my 6 year old daughter. This book does not disappoint! A++

I love Nancy Tillman---her books are moving, emotional and poetic. Let There Be Light is no exception. I was wondering how I would introduce creation to my toddler and when I found this book, I had my answer. I love the illustrations and the text. This is a beautiful book and I have already given it as a gift. Recommended!

Such a great story! I love the illustrations by Nancy Tillman and my 2 year old daughter is always drawn to the books drawn by her! I would buy any book she illustrates! Also a wonderful story of how God created the earth and easy for children to understand.

I love Nancy Tillman books and this one is no exception. Beautifully written and illustrated story of the beginning of life. We gave this to our children on Easter and enjoyed reading it to them all that morning.

Nice book, great letters from the authors but it wasn't long enough, nor did it give enough detail about the creation story. I realize it is a children's book but I just think you can and should have more substance, especially for something as beautiful as the story of creation, children can hang in for a longer story and I just think there was too much left out...I was left thinking that I couldn't believe that it had ended when there was so much left to tell...but what is there, is very well done.

Sweet & simple telling of the creation of the earth from Genesis. Easy to understand for younger children. The are is beautiful in traditional Nancy Tillman style. I love that an image of God or His hand is hidden in every page. My kids had fun searching for the picture.

I love all of Nancy Tillman's books, and I am a huge supporter of Desmond Tutu, so this book had been on my wishlist since it first went public. I was not disappointed. Some people were upset that the words are not directly from the Bible, however, then it would not be the words of Desmond Tutu. This is a book that he wrote to explain creation, and it is beautiful!

This is the sweetest book. And it is beautifully decorated. It should be a classic that's on the shelf of every child. I bought it to read to my 6 yr old but it could be read to a much younger child and I don't think you could get too old for it

I pre-ordered this book hoping it wouldn't turn out to be some strange version of the Biblical story of creation. It's sweet and lyrical but not to the extent of becoming cloying, at least to me. The illustrations are, as always with Nancy Tillman, a joy. The book basically follows the sequence of the creation story from Genesis.

Truly LOVE these books! And my grandchildren enjoy reading over and over again! Fast, efficient delivery! Thank you! Great quality product!

This book is absolutely gorgeous! As a South African living in the US, I really wanted to find a good selection of books relating to South Africa for my 6 year old daughter. This book does not disappoint! A++

I love Nancy Tillman---her books are moving, emotional and poetic. Let There Be Light is no exception. I was wondering how I would introduce creation to my toddler and when I found this book, I had my answer. I love the illustrations and the text. This is a beautiful book and I have already given it as a gift. Recommended!

Such a great story! I love the illustrations by Nancy Tillman and my 2 year old daughter is always drawn to the books drawn by her! I would buy any book she illustrates! Also a wonderful story of how God created the earth and easy for children to understand.

This book is a gorgeous introduction to the creation of it all.

I read to my baby girl every day for hours during her colicky crying sessions. This book is one of my favorites. I love the creation story, but what really makes this book amazing is the beautiful illustrations.

Love the story but thought I was getting a smaller sized board book.

BEST books ever. I LOVE Nancy Tillman and ALL of her books. I can not recommend them highly enough.

Beautiful artistry! Wonderful text! Used it with children, Senior Citizens, and my grandchildren. Love the book and the work of both Desmond Tutu and Nancy Tillman. Highly recommend it!

Beautiful book! Child friendly story of creation. I own many books by the author/illustrator.

Beautiful series

I love Nancy Tillman's books. Beautful art, and stories that touch the heart.

I have a two year old girl and LOVE Nancy Tillman books. Both the pictures and message are always beautiful. My daughter wants to read them over and over again.

We LOVE Nancy Tillman books. Purchased this for a baby shower gift and the family loves it! Beautiful illustrations, great story!

Beautiful and extremely well written

A wonderful treatment of an alternative view of God which is inclusive, kind, loving and inviting!

Beautifully illustrated book. My 1 and 3 year olds love it. It has held up very well to being chewed on my a baby:) We have had it about 9 months.

Attmu Chalk Markers, Liquid Chalk Marker Pens, Fluorescent Markers, Highlighters, Reversible Tip Markers, 4mm Regular Tip, Set of 8, 8 Colors

A wonderful book! Arrived in good condition.

These are our favorite books! My kids love them and I absolutely love to read them to them. We have every book she has done. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Highly recommended.

My son loves the graphics in this book and I love the message it's teaching him. Nancy Tillman never lets me down.

This is the perfect book for teaching children about God's mighty creation! The illustrations show the beauty of all God created! I recommend it for every family!

We have every Nancy Tillman book, available. She's an amazing author & illustrator.

My 5 year old granddaugher's mom said the artwork was fantastic and that my granddaughter was fascinated with the book. The book was perfect for her age.

Beautiful illustrations, but an even more beautiful message about the marvelous wisdom of the Creator God. We bought it as a first book for our newborn grandson.

This book has glorious illustrations and prose. Nancy Tillman's artwork is fantastic and transports you to a magnificent dream world.

The book and illustrations are amazing. My daughter loves looking through it as I read it and is mesmerized by the story. Very well writted.

Great Bible story time reading. As always, her illustrations are amazing!

I love all of her books! This on is about god and the 7days the earth was created such a great lil story!

what a special book. my grandson loves it

Lovely re-telling of the creation story with gorgeous artwork.

Great read.

Wow! The book came in super rough shape. I rechecked the product description to see if it was used. It doesn't lay flat, there are scratches on the cover, and nicks all over. Too bad this is a birthday gift. The story is great!

Good

great book

Stunning book about Creation. We really enjoy it.

The illustrations are gorgeous, as expected with any Nancy Tillman book :)

gifts very good condition

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book for children on the story of Creation. Makes a great gift to give to parents for their newborn baby.

The creation story with interesting pictures, I like it because God or the holy spirit is very subtly present in the imagery, but the story is short, like one sentence on each page.

gorgeous book

Great story and pictures

Precious and endearing book - how could it not be with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as its author. A must for all young minds and their parents too.

A beautiful book by Archbishop Desmond Tutu with lovely illustrations! It was a wonderful gift for my Goddaughter!

My grandkids favorite book.

Great book. Nothing more to say

Terrific!

Beautiful story

Excellent

Love the illustrations.

Beautiful version of the creation story.

Absolutely lovely writing and beautiful illustrations!

Great book.. need more of them

I love reading this book to my son at bedtime.

Let There Be Light written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and illustrated by Nancy Tillman Let There Be Light combines the love and warmth of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the extraordinary talents of bestselling author and illustrator Nancy Tillman. This retelling of the biblical story of creation vividly portrays the wonder and beauty of God’s creation on each of the seven days. Using Archbishop Tutu’s lyrical text from the Children of God Storybook Bible and Tillman’s remarkable illustrations, Let There Be Light brings the story of creation to life for readers young and old. My daughter goes to church every Wednesday & Sunday she loves learning about God. She was very excited to receive the book Let There Be Light to read. She wants to learn as much as she can about the Bible and this story helps. “In the very beginning, God’s love bubbled over when there was nothing else---no trees, no birds, no animals, no sky, no sea---only darkness.” This book tells the story of God's creation. It tells what was created in 7 days. Each page has a beautiful illustration and very easy to read. Its a great beginner book but good for all ages. The book explains in a way that is easy to understand. The pictures are very well done & even our non reader enjoyed them! My daughter loved the book alot, she has read it over & over! She loves hearing that God created us & all living things. Its a perfect book to add to her mini library. She read the book to her baby brother and it kept his attention.

I read my son stories at bed time almost every night and over the years I have become adept at "picking out a winner." For me, the book needs to have a few key elements. First of all, it needs to have beautiful artwork or interesting pictures. Let's face it, what good is a bed time book if there's nothing to look at? Second, I don't want a ton of words to read. I am not interested in putting my son to sleep before the end of the story, I am not trying to drone him to sleep with words - so I like a book that is clear, concise and that chooses it's words carefully. And then lastly - it needs to be a good story. My son has a lot of these "so what" books where nothing really happens at all. There might be a laugh or two, but in the end there is no real "a-ha moment" to be had. If a kid's book has great art, is to the point and has a story to tell - it's a winner in my opinion. Well, that's exactly what you get with "Let There Be Light" by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Much of the story is pulled straight from the first week of creation from the Hebrew scriptures. Readers of the Bible will see familiar words as they tell the story of creation to their little ones. ...And the pictures are amazing. The illustrations beautifully capture the Spirit of God "hovering over creation" and breathing everything into life. Nancy Tillman has done some amazing art work in this book. This is surely to become a must-have on your child's reading shelf. Thank you to Zondervan and Zonderkidz for this preview copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

So when I saw “board book” I just assumed it would be age appropriate for my little 15 month old. I mean, board books are published in the board format because they are suitable to be dropped, tugged, pulled, drooled and gnawed on, right?? So I was a little confused as to the obscure illustrations by Nancy Tillman on each page. Don’t get me wrong, the graphics are very pretty, and very artistic. They have a bit of a watercolor meets photography style to them. But there are no cute figures, bold colors, bright contrasts, or anything that would perk up the interest of a young toddler. The images are subtle, mellow toned and extremely abstract. My 15 month old took one look, then moved on to another book. I had it read it AT her, and less TO her. When I hopped online to write this review, as I pulled up the book description from Amazon, I realized it states that the age range for this book is “4 to 8 years old”. Now, I know some 8 year olds that are already starting in on Young Jedi Star Wars novels, and I seriously doubt this board book will be something that overly interests them. I’m not quite sure why this book is formatted for a toddler, but aimed at an older kid crowd. But the whole “board book for an 8 year old” aside, the text is something I would like to read to Tessa when she gets a bit older. As expected, it’s a brief, paraphrased for children story of the Creation. I wouldn’t call this book a complete bust, but it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting for my little one. It’s still in the keeper pile… I might just have to wait until my little one is a tad bit older to pull it off the shelf again.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s children’s book, Let There Be Light, chronicles the creation story beautifully elucidated in both word and picture. Tutu follows the Biblical timeline of “days,” yet invokes a sense of wonder with his poetic language and description. For example, on the fourth day the stars are “scattered … like sparkling diamonds” and on the sixth day (when beasts and man are made) the world is described as “a very noisy place.” With the inclusion of Nancy Tillman as illustrator, the two tell of God’s creation in a manner sure to enchant children and adults alike. Light plays a prevalent theme in Tillman’s drawings; emphasized in color, shadow, and pinpoints of light. Realistic in nature, the illustrations nonetheless complement the wonder evoked in Tutu’s language. Let There Be Light captivated our children (3 and 2 years old) from first reading. They loved the beauty of the scenes, anticipating each new day with delight. Questions were asked concerning the pictures, exclamations heard when favorite animals came into view, and observations made about the depiction of man’s creation. Whether introducing or revisiting the creation story children of all ages are sure to recognize with joy the glory of God’s creation in Let There Be Light. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

There will be some exciting changes in my household later this year: I'll become a dad for the first time in August! In anticipation, I thought I’d offer a few reviews of children’s books over the next several months. Let’s kick it off, appropriately as it might be, with this little treasure about the creation of the world. Let There Be Light is a beautifully illustrated storybook for children and young readers. Desmond Tutu paraphrases Genesis 1 using playful language inviting young children (and their parent readers) to wonder about the beginning of time when God created all things. The pastor-theologian in me could critique a few things with Archbishop Tutu’s choice of vocabulary and turn of phrases. (For instance, among others: his choice to reverse the biblical order offering instead, “And there was day. And there was night.”) But, it’s a children’s book, so let’s guard against reading too deeply into some of the phraseology. I received the board book edition, which would be especially great for the infant and toddler in your life. A hardcover edition was released a year ago, appropriate for slightly older children (i.e. the young readers); I might prefer to have that edition over the board book, because I think that medium probably better showcases the lovely illustrations from Nancy Tillman. The artwork far outshines the text, but overall this is a good book that would be welcome addition to any child’s library. (4 of 5 stars)

I love finding books the help my children think more about the Bible, so I was pleased to get a chance to review Let There Be Light, which retells the story of Genesis chapter 1 in beautifully descriptive language. The book goes through each day of creation, beginning with God all alone before anything else exists, and ending on the seventh day, with God resting and enjoying what He has created. Bible purists might take issue with a few things. First, after God creates the light, Tutu writes, "And there was day. And there was night. And when the first day was done, God smiled and knew that it was good." The Bible puts the night first ("And there was evening and there was morning, the first day." Genesis 1:5), which is why Jewish days begin at sundown. At the end of the book, God makes "people," rather than a man and woman, and for the seventh day Tutu writes, "God laughed, and rested..." These details don't necessarily contradict the Scriptural account, but they might be taking more liberty than would make some people comfortable. The last page simply states, "You are loved." It's the way Nancy Tillman ends all her children's books, but since she is the illustrator, not the author, I'm not sure why it was included in Let There Be Light. It is a wonderful truth, but it seems a bit out of place considering the rest of the text. Still, this is a beautiful book, and I didn't hesitate to share it with my children (though I would discuss the issues mentioned above with them as they are old enough to understand). Tillman's illustrations are unique and eye-catching, reflecting the glory of God's creation and helping the reader marvel at the beauty of the world He has given us. *I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

This book is just precious! It tells the days of creation in ultra simple language that even the youngest children will be able to follow and identify with. The author ties God's creation in beautifully with his love. The first page starts out with "In the very beginning, God's love bubbled over when there was nothing else - no trees, no birds, no animals, no sky, no sea - only darkness. Out of this love, God spoke. 'Let there be light.'" Nancy Tillman's lively illustrations in Let there be Light appear to be collages of photographs and paintings. Each page will grab the child's attention with familiar animals and examples from nature and are creatively arranged. Some are quite subtle, as I noticed that the grass in one illustration seemed to morph into a page of music when I looked very closely. The copy I am reviewing is a board book, 6.5 X 6.5 inches, just the right size for small children to hold, enjoy, and turn the pages over and over. Let There Be Light is also available as a hardcover book. What do I like best about this book? It bubbles over with joy. Children will love it. What do I like least? Nothing. The Bible purist in me wants to comment that some of the examples go beyond what the Bible says, but the child-loving realist in me steps up to say - this is for young children. They need to hear it in words and examples that they can relate to. I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's CFR Title 16, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Through BookLook bloggers, I had the opportunity to review Let There Be Light, a children's board book by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The first things one notices about the book are the lovely illustrations. Let There Be Light is a beautiful book about the Creation story (days 1-7) with a bit of the Archbishop's flair and creativity. The pictures are representative of Tutu's South African culture. Until I got the book in the mail, I didn't know if it would be appropriate for young children, but my 1.5 year old son really enjoyed the book. He likes Bible stories anyway, so this was especially good because it broke down the creation story into a day by day tale instead of lumping it into one page like most childrens' bibles do. Nancy Tillman, the illustrator, does a fantastic job of capturing the reader's attention with gorgeous pages that make this not only an enjoyable read but a lovely one as well. I received a copy of this book to review from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for my review. All opinions expressed her are solely my own..

I recently read Let There Be Light by the brilliant Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and fantastically illustrated by Nancy Tillman with my children. This board book retold the story of the Seven day creation in a simplistic poetic way. The story is one from Genesis simplified with a rhythmic twist; the author in simplifying however did surprise me in the end. On the seventh day the book stated that people were created. It shows an illustration of culturally diverse children warring crown and standing with the animals. This bothered me because only Adam was created on the 7th day. It does create a great introduction to creation for you little one, but if your child is older, it leaves no door open for the discussion Adam and Eve without completely ruining the book for them. The beginning of the 1st day the author describes the darkness (or lack of creation) as God’s love, His love being the reason for creation. I felt this was a splendid and set the stage and emotional pull for the rest of the story. The Illustrations always marvelous are sometimes persuasive and seem to glitter and sparkle while others are humorous and playful. My children were especially taken by the illustration of animals that were cleverly formed by the stars. My older son however was not so taken with the glowing light (which I assume, and told my child, it’s meant to represent the Spirit of God.) that appeared in a lot the illustrations. He felt it was “creepy” while my other son thought it was “pretty”. I on the other hand understanding the meaning behind it felt it was a creative way for the author (intentional or not) to bring about discussion of the Spirit of God with my little ones. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Book Look Bloggers in exchange for this an honest review.

Simply incredible! Filled with loving attention, this retelling of God's creation touches our hearts and souls. The rhythm of the verse and the beautiful illustrations resonates with tenderness and affection. Little ones can listen to God's blessings of goodness, love, and hope. They will adore the creatures with a comfortable awareness of His design. They will enjoy the tones as these words lull them into God's story of beauty from His tender care. This is a board book that will offer so many peaceful moments snuggled together in the comfort of your arms. Our little ones want to hear this story as their first pick (out of their large piles of read-to-me stacks), as well as their last choice as they want "just one more." When choosing books to review, this is one of those books that I knew would bring a blessing to my little ones, our shelves, and our lives. When giving a gift for a new mother... remember to add this one to the gift! Blessings will overflow when sharing this retelling with your little one, MrsK http://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

Zondervan was gracious enough to send me a copy of Let There Be Light to review. A few snowy days in the northeastern part of the United States has meant that I've had ample time to read through the book, both personally and with my children (ages 4 and soon-to-be 6). Here are some initial thoughts/impressions: 1) Archbishop Desmond Tutu does a splendid job of retelling the Christian creation story. His recounting of the first chapters of Genesis includes aspects that will be familiar to those who have read the creation accounts from the various English translations of the biblical text. While remaining faithful to the text, he does take some poetic license––one of my favorite examples coming early on, 'God's love bubbled over when there was nothing else...' 2) Tutu resists the urge to interpret and/or explain the text. He doesn't digress into a discussion of evolution vs. intelligent design vs. young earth creationism. In my humble opinion, this gives the book a broad appeal across the spectrum of Christian belief. 3) Nancy Tillman does a superb job of illustrating the book. The pictures are beautiful and the colors vibrant. I found myself thumbing through the pages just looking at the artwork. Stunning and captivating are adjectives that do the artwork of Tillman a great injustice. 4) I loved the book, but my kids loved it just as much (if not more). Let's face it, if you are a parent, you've been there. You've read your children book after book, and sometimes you have to slog through the boring story and pedestrian artwork. That will not be the case here. Tutu's storytelling is short and engaging, while Tillman's artwork will keep everyone––young and old––entertained and engaged. In short, if you're looking to buy a children's book for your kids or for the children of a friend, this is would be a great choice! Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Let There Be Light is a children's board book describing the days of Creation. It has few words but the scripture and the illustrations will take your breath away for how beautiful they are. I believe that any person of any age would appreciate this book, and not just children. I read the book before I let my sons who are age 3 and 5, look at it. I felt like heavenly music should have been playing as I read the scripture and looked at all the amazing illustrations. The author describes the days of Creation in a way that shows how good God made everything and how much we are all loved. My sons thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the pictures of the animals. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family, and anyone else who knows the majesty of the Lord. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook Bloggers for an honest review.

This book is "simple" in that it is a retelling of the biblical portrayal of creation. While this might not be a new concept, the book itself is stunning in looks. It is a high quality book board with gorgeous illustrations. The poetic language of this children's book is a good introduction into quality literature. It could be considered a living book for toddlers and preschoolers. There are some creative liberties taken within the book. Some of the quotes, and the illustrations on Day 6 portray a group of diverse children, rather than the Biblical account of Adam and Eve. While I appreciate the intentions to portray the diverse human race and simplify a magnificent event for children to understand, it is a deviation from the Biblical story it is trying to convey. However, parents can share their beliefs, the Bible, and for older kids it opens up the opportunity for real dialogue about the creative liberty and interpretations that authors and illustrators often interject into their work. Overall, the book is soothing and tranquil, and does display the love and perfection that God put into creation. It would be a fitting gift for young children, a religious based daycare or preschool, or for the nursery or preschool classrooms of a church. (I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received and I was not required to give a positive review.)

I have two preschool-aged children, so when I saw the beautiful cover of Let There Be Light by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and illustrated by Nancy Tillman, I couldn't resist it (for their sake as well as my own). The book did not disappoint. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book for children telling the story of creation through its whimsical and almost magical illustrations. The colors are vibrant and the text on each page is short, which allows the children to really enjoy the pictures. The story chronicles Genesis 1 fairly accurately, with the artist's illustrations perhaps a bit simplistic, but beautiful nonetheless. My children truly enjoyed looking at the pictures. The only fault I could find with the book was that instead of Adam and Eve on the sixth day, just "people" were created and the illustration shows a group of children. This is not scriptural but rather a generalization and I don't really have a problem with it, as my children have heard the story of Adam and Eve being the first people created but it is a variation from the Scripture. Our family enjoyed this story and I imagine most families would. It would also make a wonderful gift for a new baby as it is absolutely beautifully illustrated. I received this book for free from the publisher through the booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

About the Book: 'In the very beginning, God's love bubbled over when there was nothing else---no trees, no birds, no animals, no sky, no sea---only darkness.' Let There Be Light combines the love and warmth of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the extraordinary talents of bestselling author and illustrator Nancy Tillman. This retelling of the biblical story of creation vividly portrays the wonder and beauty of God's creation on each of the seven days. Using Archbishop Tutu's lyrical text from the Children of God Storybook Bible and Tillman's remarkable illustrations, Let There Be Light brings the story of creation to life for readers young and old. About the Author: Archbishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his lifelong struggle to bring equality, justice, and peace to his native country of South Africa. He is the author of numerous books including the Children of God Storybook Bible, God’s Dream, and Desmond and the Very Mean Word. From 2007 to 2013, Tutu was the founding Chair of the Elders, a group of global leaders who are working to promote the shared interests of humanity. In 2013he received the Templeton Prize for advancing spiritual progress in the world. He lives in South Africa with his wife, Leah. They have four children and seven grandchildren. My Review: To believe in God is to believe in something bigger than ourselves. A child's mind can only encompass so much, but when you sit them down and explain to them that the living things around them God also created. it opens up a whole new world to them. Before long they see the broad scope of creation and all that He has created especially for His children to enjoy. In the book, Let There Be Light, the author is trying to convey this very message and to convey that they are very much loved. A book full of love and full of heart teaches us to never forget the cost that was paid for each one of us. I enjoyed the book very much. The full color illustrations were very beautiful and this being a board book made it very easy for me to turn the pages. My youngest a 4 year old little boy, liked that he could turn the pages all by himself. As I read the book to him, he was fascinated with the pictures. This book has a beautiful message for this time of year or any time of the year. It is also perfect for gift giving! **Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from my participation on the Z Blog Squad.

I was sent another book for reviewing purposes and it just so happened to be a children's book.I thought it might be a good book for my six year old to read. You see, he loves to read all kinds of different books and so I'm constantly adding a few new ones every couple of weeks. No joke, this little boy has shelf after shelf filled with so many different books. He's just like my husband and I-he LOVES to read. One of the latest books that he read and really liked was a book called, Let There Be Light, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Nancy Tillman is the illustrator. The book is basically the Story of Creation put into words that younger children can follow and understand, along with beautiful illustrations as well. I handed it to my son as a Christmas gift and he ran over to our reclining chair to read it. The first thing he said was, "Thanks mom! I can't wait!" Like I said, he LOVES to read. He decided to read it out loud to the family. He got through the entire book and I could tell he was enjoying it. He told me that he liked the pictures inside and that the story was really good. I'm quoting him exactly. I'm happy he enjoyed it. I found it pretty enjoyable myself. I'd recommend this book for both children and adults. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..." - Genesis 1:1 Whoever made the collaboration between Archbishop Tutu and NYT best-seller Nancy Tillman happen deserves resounding applause. Let There Be Light is a paraphrased poetic retelling of the creation narrative with utterly sublime illustrations. Before the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy) was compiled by Moses, the stories of creation, Noah and the Ark, and Joseph's coat of many colors were transmitted orally. I imagine many people who were taught a biblical rendition of how the world came to be have heard similar poetic repackages. Archbishop uses such vivid descriptors that I had never imagined while reading Genesis 1-2. He writes, "God's love bubbled over," and "then the first flower opened in all its glory," and "suddenly the world was a very noisy place." What I enjoy most about this book are the illustrations by Tillman. My wife and I often read On the Night You Were Born by Tillman to our daughter. Her work is wonderful. So to see her work tread into the biblical realm is intriguing. And if Nancy Tillman ever begins selling prints of her artistry I'll be an instant customer for life. Let There Be Light is a very lovely, short book for sharing the creation story with your child.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. It's a lyrically written telling of the creation story in Genesis 1 of the Bible. You will find a delighted God, clapping for the creation he (yes, he) has made. And the illustrations by Nancy Tillman are some of her finest. Some of them are simply breathtaking, like the white tiger with sparkling colored stripes. My favorite, though, is the children of all colors standing in bright robes on an African plain. If you're looking for a story of Adam and Eve or sin or something like that, skip this book. But if you want a retelling of the creation story for children where things start out good, one that is stunning to look at, buy this one. By the way, this is a board book, so it can handle the littlest hands. Full disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Let There Be Light is a children's book written by Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This is an absolutely beautiful retelling of the biblical story of creation. The illustrations by Nancy Tillman are amazing. The text and illustrations bring the wonder and beauty of God's creation to life for the reader and are pleasing for both children and adults alike. I read this with my daughter, and she loved it. We have read many stories of creation, but this is by far one of my favorites. I have always been a fan of the illustrations of Nancy Tillman, so they made this book even more amazing for me. My favorite part was the rays of light on every page to represent God's presence. *I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.*

Taken from the first chapter of the book of Genesis, Tutu tells the creation story in a poetic yet kid-friendly language. My daughter loved snuggling in and listening to the words of the earth being formed. Nancy Tillman is the illustrator and did an amazing job of bringing the poetry to life. B especially loves spotting the animals on various pages. I read some criticism of the last pages, when God creates people. Tutu paraphrases, "Then God said, 'I will make people, and I'll make them like me so they can enjoy the earth and take care of it.'" The accompanying illustration is of a group of children standing with animals, holding fruits and vegetables. The criticism is that it should be "man and woman," not "people." However, Bea loves this page most of all. It reminds her that God created all humans and that children can care for this world, as well. She also loves picking out the colors of their robes and talking about each individual child. I'm not sure she would have connected as much with a page showing a man and a woman. We've read this book every day since receiving it and B, at 2.5 years old, easily sits through it and interacts with the story. I highly recommend Let There Be Light for any young child's library. **I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.**

This book takes little ones through the seven days of God's creation. The words chosen are warm, gentle and full of wonder at God's love and the wonderful things He made. The illustrations by artist Nancy Tillman are beautiful. I especially love the way the art almost seems to sparkle, and the crowns the children wear in the book seem to glow. The book reassures little ones that God loves them and made a beautiful world for them to enjoy and take care of. The final page simply says, "You are loved." My 5 year old enjoyed this book as much as my toddler twins. Of course, the kindergartener gets more out of the creation story. The littles just like to roar at the lion and pretend to be elephants at this point, but they still enjoy it. The only thing that bothered me about this book - and I hesitate to even say it because I like the book so much - is that the image representing God or God's power is a bright, glowing, sun-like orb that reminds me a great deal of the "eye of Sauron" from the LOTR movies. I really hope the illustrator didn't intend to create such a similarity. I won't let that stop me from recommending the book though. It is sweet, magical, and reminds the smallest children of God's love. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the BookLook Bloggers program in exchange for my honest review.

Let There Be Light by Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of those rare gem of a books! Let There Be Light is a hot-off-the-presses children’s book that retells the biblical story of creation in the most magnificent of ways! The book is infused with all of the love and warmth that characterizes the story-telling abilities of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu and captures the artistic talents of New York Times best-selling author Nancy Tillman. Let There Be Light is a story that’s filled with love. Quite frankly, I think Let There Be Light is destined to become a classic – and to become one of my favorite Children’s Books of the year! You don’t have to be young to enjoy this book. If you are an art lover who enjoys beautifully illustrated books, you will want to add this to your collection!

Let There Be Light By Archbishop Desmond Tutu Illustrated by Nancy Tillman Share with your little one how God created the world around them out of His love. Let There Be Light is a retelling of Creation that will engage and share the wonder with young readers (or listeners). Each day is beautifully illustrated so that each layer of Creation is visually expressed adding meaning to the actions that are portrayed by word. The beauty, perfection, and peaceful harmony of God's Creation is observed on the sixth day when animals and humans were spoken into existence. I love the joy that is expressed in God's reaction to His Creation and enjoyment He took in enjoying it on the seventh day. This is sure to become a favorite book with the little one's in your life. This would also be a welcome addition to a Children's Church/Nursery program. With Christmas just around the corner this would be a lovely gift even for a little one who is soon to be expected or a special little someone who likes to cuddle up on your lap for a story before bed. The illustrations are lovely and just add to the whole delightfully experience. I was provided a copy of this book through the BookLook blogger program in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation nor was I required to write a favorable review. Let There Be Light by Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu is simply a retelling of the biblical story of creation. Paired with the beautiful artwork of Nancy Tillman, this book has a calming, reassuring feel about the beauty of our world and our God. Children of all ages (0-99+) are certain to fall in love with this beautiful picture book. My favorite parts are the last page and back cover which add, You are loved and You are part of something truly amazing. Two beautiful messages that all children can embrace with their hearts. My only criticisms are that the book does not mention Adam and Eve by name and just says I will make people... But either way, whether you take the bible literally or believe the story of creation is just that, a story, the book is still lovely.

I love reading to my kids, especially my toddler; He is just now at the age where he is curious in books of all sorts and so when I got the December newsletter from BookLook Bloggers and seen this book called Let There Be Light by Archbishop Desmond Tutu I jumped on it, and I am really happy I did. This book tells the story of the the first 7 days of Earth, sharing how God made the light, day and night, and even people. Its a really beautifully illustrated book as well, not to mention the book is a good size for tiny hands because its a small board book, and the author keeps it short and sweet with his sentences. I highly recommend this book to any mom, this would make a great stocking stuffer for your little ones or even a book to get and read before Christmas!

Let There Be Light, written by: Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a beautifully detailed children's boardbook. This book brings the story of the creation to life for readers young and old! Let there be light tells the story of the creation, what was created in seven days and each page is beautifully illustrated to truly draw the reader into what is being read/taught. Both of my boys (ages 8 & 7) enjoyed reading this book on their own. I also enjoyed reading it myself. The words.. along with the illustrations are beyond just a normal picture book. "And God scattered stars across the sky like diamonds." This book not only expresses God's amazing power but also his tender love for each animal, person, star...... It truly made us feel like we were part of the creation!

This is a beautifully illustrated retelling of the creation story. Archbishop Tutu does a wonderful job with his words to convey what is present in Genesis. The words have a nice rhythm to them and appeal to children and adults alike. Ms. Tillman’s illustrations fit the words so well. They are simplistic in nature and fit more closely to what you’d expect to see in nature than a cartoonish interpretation which some children’s Bible stories tend to have. J really has enjoyed reading this particular creation story as have I. And, the board book format is far more durable when little hands want to hold the book as you read or flip through the pages on their own. Note ~ This was reviewed on Day by Day in Our World with a copy of the book sent to me from BookLook.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. In my classroom in our church, we have a copy of Archbishop Tutu’s Children of God. I’ve used it before in class, the children and I really enjoy the language of his writing of popular Bible stories. When I saw this board book available through the publisher, I jumped at it, eager to review such a great story from his larger book. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Nancy Tillman has done an incredible job of keeping the open, loving spirit of Archbishop Tutu’s storytelling and putting them into pictures. The pictures are bright enough to capture a young toddler’s attention and the easy story line is enough for pre-kindergartner and kindergartner children to understand. I loved flipping through this book, and even more so, enjoyed passing it onto the next generation.

Let There Be Light, written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and illustrated by Nancy Tillman, is a beautiful book showing the 7 days of God's creation described in Genesis 1 and 2. This book has beautiful pictures and describing each step. As soon as I got this, I read it to my kids. They (and I) really liked it. The pictures are bright and fun to look at and the writing is simple but elegant. The kids loved looking at the pictures on each pages. There are hidden images on each page within the drawings. One of the very special things about this book is the letter written by Desmond Tutu in the beginning of the book. His message of God creating each child and making them special is beautiful. I wish he would have written a few more pages about the same thing at the end of the book. All in all we will enjoy having this book on our shelf to read over and over again. I hope to find a few more of these to give away as gifts to my nieces and nephews. Note: I was given a copy of this book for free to read and review. The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

The book expresses not only God’s omnipotent power but His amazing tender love for each individual, making the child enjoying the the book feel like he or she is part of an amazing work of creation. At the turn of each new page, you will feel as if you have stepped inside the pages and are part of this marvelous and amazing creative week. Great for an early reader, to use a learn-to-read book or as a bedtime story to send your child off to dreamland sweetly. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself enjoying it as well because the story, paired with the beautiful illustrations will leave you in deep awe no matter your age.

I had no idea what to expect when I requested this book through booklookbloggers.com. When I saw that it was written by Desmond Tutu, whose book God Has a Dream (2005) helped in leading me back to Christianity and remains one of my favorite inspirational titles, I had to get it. Let There Be Light is a simple retelling of the creation story found in Genesis. Tutu’s retelling focuses heavily on the God’s love as He creates us all and the universe in which we inhabit. The very last line of this book states “You are loved.” The beautiful illustrations from Nancy Tillman make this book really stand out. My 11 month old daughter cooed and grinned at the pictures in this book. Let There Be Light is an excellent little book to read to your baby, toddler, or preschooler. They will love it. I received this book in the form of a board book, but it also comes as a Kindle edition or a hard cover book.

God’s World is good! In this beautifully illustrated children’s book by Archbishop Desmond Tutu we are reminded of just how good God’s creation truly is. This book takes us back to Genesis and walks us through the six 24 hour days that God took to create this magnificent world we call home. The illustrations are bright and colorful. My children enjoyed the magical way the images stood out to them as they turned every page. I especially liked how the artist incorporated our Lord Jesus Christ in every page illustrating that God is omnipresent. This book is a great reminder of just how much God loves his creation and that everything he created is good and is right. I liked that while I was reading, “Let There Be Light,” my children were interacting with me and were so familiar with the story. I would read, “On the first day God created…”and my children would say “LIGHT!” This children’s book is the retelling of a true story straight from Genesis in the greatest book ever written, the word of God–the BIBLE!

I want to say that I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars on this book. The pictures are nice and the book is easy to follow. Here is the reason why I gave it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I understand this is a kids book, but there were a couple parts that I had to explain to the children and relate it more to stories that they have heard about how God created the earth. Overall, I think it's a nice kids book that is geared more at a little older group of kids. It explains how the creation of earth through the bible was created and what God did on each day. I'm personally use to the way it's written in bible stories and so this kinda threw me off for a minute. I would say that if you are looking for a nice, easy kids book about the creation, then this is your book. *I received this item for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am always on the lookout for good biblical children’s books for my two little ones. Let There Be Light is a beautifully illustrated board book that retells God’s creation of the world. I love the illustrations in this book. You can tell that the illustrator took inspiration from Archbishop Tutu’s home of Africa. The author writes in a way that is easy for little ones to understand but also keeps it biblically accurate. My two year old enjoyed the descriptions and illustrations. I would recommend this book, and I am glad to say that it is a book that we regularly read and enjoy. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Absolutely stunning, true to Scripture and yet poetic and imaginative. My children (4 + 2) have loved it and continuously bring it to me to read, or just sit on the floor gazing through the illustrations! I am always on the lookout for memorable and creative ways to teach God's Word to my children, and I think this is an excellent tool for breaking down the creation account found in Genesis 1-2 for children. Even for myself, it helps me to visually see and wonder anew at God's work of creation. The illustrations are realistic and yet magical, the text is short enough to be enjoyed by young children such as mine and yet still remain faithful to the biblical account. A superb read! I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins Christian Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

You know Nancy's lovely illustrations from her lovely "On the Night You Were Born" book, among her others, and she continues her lovely work with this book. Every illustration is gorgeous and could stand to be a print on your wall, by itself! The pictures will draw you in, but the simple and direct prose by Archbishop Tutu is perfect for the illustrations.His tale of the 7 days of creation is perfect for younger children. Miss Grace was able to read it herself, with help on a couple of words, and then when she finished the book, she went back through and found God in every one of the illustrations (the first one below is easy, but the one above is harder). We had a great discussion about finding God in everything after that as well! This is a LOVELY book, that is perfect for gift giving and sharing with your young child!

Let There Be Light is an engaging children’s book based on the biblical story of creation. The easy to understand text and the stunning illustrations bring to life the beauty of God’s workmanship. Although the book is aimed at younger children, people of all ages can enjoy this story. As soon as I opened the book Ellie wormed her way over to look at the brightly colored pages. The pictures are beautiful and realistic. Sometimes children’s stories can add an element of fantasy to biblical truths. As a parent I want to be careful not to turn true biblical text into mystical fables. I’ve read that others didn’t like how the book states “I will make people” and the illustration depicts children of different nations instead of Adam and Eve. This part didn’t bother me. If a parent is worried about this I think it would be helpful to read the actual scriptures found in Genesis with this story to compare and contrast. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to others! I love the beautiful drawings and the message the author portrays. I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are 100% my own.

I am a huge fan of the illustrator of this book, Nancy Tillman. Some of our favorite books have been written AND illustrated by her including On The Night You Were Born, Spirit of Christmas... and more. Her illustrations are beautiful, magical and vivid. This particular book, Let There Be Light, was written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize Winner), and he did a beautiful job of describing the 7 days of Creation to children. Originally printed as a hardback book with paper pages, this one that we received to review was in board book form. I LOVE finding our favorite books in board book form, it allows Bubby to thoroughly enjoy looking at the pages without MY fear of him destroying it!

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. They are full of vivid colors, which will really grab a young one's eyes. The text tells the creation story in a simple manner. This book would be perfect for a really young one and would really serve as the perfect introduction to the creation story and who God is. Most children's Bibles are complex enough that a two-year-old may not understand or fully comprehend, but this book is so simple. It would be a great Easter or Christmas gift. I'm stowing my copy away to give to Bug at a later date as a gift.

LET THERE BE LIGHT tells the story of the creation in language young children can understand and teaches them the order in which the world was created. With Archbishop Tutu’s storytelling skills combined with Ms. Tillman’s artistic skills this book is a masterpiece, bringing the story of creation to life. If you are looking for a storybook about creation for your favorite toddlers and preschoolers, this book is perfect. Also good for a church nursery, a Christian daycare or preschool library. Recommended. Available in boardbook, hardcover, and ebook.

Each of the pages in this children’s book include original illustrations which are accompanied by a few words of text. With those words, the author describes what God (our Creator) made on each of the 6 days of creation. Then, he also shares how God rested on day 7, and how He was very pleased with his work. The illustrations are beautifully done, and have little surprises interspersed throughout the pages. For example, a vague figure can be seen among the clouds or in the center of the sun on some pages, representing the Creator no doubt. It was fun to look at the pages and try to uncover the hidden pictures. I would say the book is good to share with the little ones in your life. The only criticism I have is something my husband pointed out to me: The end of the book has the potential to cause confusion regarding the creation of Adam and Eve, the first people. While the text speaks of the creation of man, the illustration shows several children rather than an adult male and female couple. So, this would need to be discussed with your children as you read it to them. Also, the book does not include any Scripture references. It is probably best suited for ages 4-8, but kids of various other ages could enjoy it also. It can bring about interaction, discussion, a time of learning about the days of Creation, and a time of togetherness. Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program (previously known as Book Sneeze). I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

"Let There be Light" is our latest free review book! It's written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and is illustrated by Nancy Tillman, who's done lots of best-selling books I haven't actually read. It's a lyrical, colorful portrayal of creation. The text is taken from "The Children of God Storybook Bible" by the archbishop. This book is well-paced for reading with a two-year-old! The text is brief and simple, and the illustrations are interesting and colorful. My Assistant Reviewer also enjoys "The Jesus Storybook Bible," but listening to an entire page of text is somewhat beyond his abilities at 7:30 pm. We talk about the pictures a lot. So "Let There be Light" is nice for us and in the same genre, because we can read through it, then count the giraffes and elephants, squeak and roar at the mice and lions, etc etc. I am pleased with this addition to our bedtime library. Honestly, I requested this book partly because one irate review complained that the cloudy outline of God's male genitalia was embarrassingly evident in one of the first pages. I thought that accusation was hilarious. I couldn't figure out which cloud formation offended that reviewer, in the end, but you can't be too careful---clouds are notoriously brash.

Let There Be Light by Desmond Tutu is a biblical retelling of the seven days of creation. The writing in the book is good, but what makes it even better are all the illustrations. The illustrator, Nancy Tillman, uses photography and art to create the illustrations and they are beautiful! My kids love the pictures in the book and have read it several times! I received this book free from booksneeze, in exchange for my review and personal opinion of the book. I do not have to give a positive review.

Let There Be Light is a product of the partnership between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and illustrator Nancy Tillman. Telling the 7 day creation story, this sturdy board book is perfect for little hands and really should be marketed to a younger reader. And I'm not sure what I was expecting from the storyline, but it really should be attributed to the writer of Genesis as it's lifted straight from the Bible. For Nancy Tillman's part, this book is incredibly illustrated an beautiful. Her interpretation of the Scriptures is rich and stunning. If you're a Tillman fan, this book will not disappoint as it is a celebration of creation and diversity. Really, this is a book we love and one my 3 year old reaches for often. But the author issue bothered me. If you're looking for a way to introduce the creation story to your toddler, this is a beautiful book. Once you're past the introduction stage, I'd look for something deeper. *Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my fair and honest opinion.

In this creation story, the gorgeous artwork of Nancy Tillman brings to life the loving, poetic words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, giving children a timeless tale in a picture book I pray becomes a timeless classic. It's exactly the book I'd want to write and read with young children to emphasize the beauty, diversity, and love in all God creates. Whether you read it to a child or to yourself, you cannot help but smile and feel loved.

This lovely book tells the story of creation from Genesis, from day one when God said, "Let there be light," to day seven when God rested. A story that has been told for generations, this gorgeous book provides vibrant illustrations that are sure to capture the imagination of any child. Each page is beautifully illustrated as it tells the story of what God created on each day. The next time I teach creation to one of my classes, I will be certain to use this book because I know the kids will love it and your kids will too.

“Let There Be Light” was sent to me by Zonderkids, a division of Zondervan Publishing, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review. This Christian children’s story is written by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It is illustrated beautifully by Nancy Tillman. It is loosely adapted from the story of creation. I like when Bible stories can be learned in a fun way that will hold a child’s attention. “Let There Be Light” is also a board book – durable for little hands. I’d recommend this book.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu's name on this cover commanded my attention, and I was eager to receive the book for review. It may be the small size and the board book version, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd anticipated. However, it would be difficult for any book to live up the expectations of Tutu's name. It's a pleasant Christmas story that children will enjoy, and the message is certainly a good one.

This is a stunning book. I would say it is the most beautiful story of Creation from the Bible that I've ever seen. Though it is simple in text, it follows the Biblical account of the seven days of creation well. The illustrations are a treat to the eyes. I would highly recommend this for all children and adults alike. Please Note: Book Look sent me a copy of this book to review. This review is not influenced by anyone else - it is my own.

What a great addition to any little child's library. A nice sturdy board book, for those wild little ones who love to rip pages in regular kids books. The illustrations are very nicely done, artsy and whimsical. The story flows very well. Both my children sat engrossed. This book has inspired me to seek out other books by this author and illustrator. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Let me begin by saying that I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. Written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu a Nobel Prize Peace Winner and illustrated by Nancy Tillman, I knew right away this was going to be well written and beautifully illustrated. I was not disappointed. Told that even the youngest of child can understand it keeps in line with the King James Version of the Bible and broke it down so easy that even my toddler was awed. The reason I gave it 4 stars was that at the end of the story it talks about God saying that he will make "people" and showed an illustration of lots of different people. I wished he would have stuck with the tried and true Adam and Eve. Sure we know that he created people but before "people" there was Adam and Eve. Besides that moot point this is a great book for all ages.

Ahh... this book is gorgeous! The pictures are so beautiful and the story is so simply told. This is a wonderful book that draws everyone in. It is definitely going to be a favorite in our house. The story is very close to the Biblical version and I appreciated that very much. I highly recommend this book for every family. I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book for the purpose of review. My integrity is not for sale. Those who know me well are aware I would relish the chance to give a bad review in exchange for a free book. If I've failed to do so, it has nothing to do with the source of the material and only with the material itself. This is a children's book with the text taken from Desmond Tutu's Children of God Storybook Bible and the illustration done by Nancy Tillman, who's also done On the Night You Were Born and the favorite of my household, Wherever You Go, My Love Will Find You (I try to read it to my daughter every day). The text is quite recognizable to anyone familiar with modern Bible translations, but is infused with the depth and whimsy of Archbishop Tutu's many years loving and struggling with and alongside the beloved people of his native South Africa. You won't find attempts to bring this children's work into the fights over evolution; Tutu's words focus on the purpose and beauty of God's creation in ways that illumine the mind and bring joy to the heart. Tillman's illustrations are possibly her best work to date. Using her typical style and variety of mixed media, she brings out the vastness of the simple text, while also supplying art of pronounced subtlety, captivating the adult and child alike. My daughter is only one and a half, but she enjoys the vivid pictures and will certainly only grow more fond of this book as she matures. I really like this book and I hope these authors continue to collaborate on future projects. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

So right for children and every body

The first thing I want to talk about in this book are the beautiful pictures. When you turn a page in this book you see a huge wonderful picture that is jumping off the page. Creation is a fun topic to discuss with children and this book makes it even more special with the bright pictures and the easy to read and understand text. My 6 year old and 2 year old both love paging through the pages of this book .

This book is the perfect introduction to creation for children. The pictures are spectacular enough to keep even us cynical adults engaged when we read it over and over again to our eager little ones, and the words perfectly evoke the great mystery and gift of creation.

“In the very beginning, God’s love bubbled over when there was nothing else---no trees, no birds, no animals, no sky, no sea---only darkness.” Let There Be Light combines the love and warmth of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the extraordinary talents of bestselling author and illustrator Nancy Tillman. This retelling of the biblical story of creation vividly portrays the wonder and beauty of God’s creation on each of the seven days. Using Archbishop Tutu’s lyrical text from the Children of God Storybook Bible and Tillman’s remarkable illustrations, Let There Be Light brings the story of creation to life for readers young and old. At the start of a new year, let's go back to the beginning, shall we? In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. This book had vivid illustrations and I really liked how they were portrayed. The only thing I had a problem with was the fact that the author added a lot of other things in it and doesn't really follow the Bible. Otherwise, it's a good book for kids and a good read aloud story.

This is a beautiful retelling of the creation story. The pictures are very well illustrated - colorful and realistic enough to keep the attention of a young child. I loved reading it and looking at the pictures. It will delight young and old alike.

This board book retells the creation story in a fun way. The pictures alone are wonderful. This story book will keep the attention of just about any child.

My almost 3 year old likes this book pretty well, although I love it! The illustrations are just breathtaking. I like the diversity of the people created.

This book is about the first 7 days of the world according to the bible. Check out my photos and full review here:[...]

Beautiful book for all.

A beautiful book, in words and illustrations for my grandchildren.

I absolutely LOVED this book!! I truly believe it is a treasure that will be passed down from generation to generation!!

Wonderful book. Beautiful illustrations!

This book made me cry because it was so beautiful. I looooooved it!!

An elegant retelling of the seven days of creation. Beautiful illustrations by the same author who wrote On the Night You Were Born.

Beautifully illustrated, which is why I bought it. Suitable for toddlers and children up to around 5 years. A lovely very simple book.

Beautiful book can't wait to buy more from this author

Such a beautiful retelling of the creation story and the illustrations are breathtaking. So good I ordered another one as a gift for our infant school.

Another wonderful book. Was a gift to our Sunday school and they were really thrilled.

amazing and touching

The friend I bought this for loved it- both the words and illustrations and a boon to gave it written by the bubbly Archbishop Tutu

What a marvelous way to tell the Creation Story to little ones - simply told and beautifully illustrated.

What wonderful illustrations. I just had to keep on looking at them.

A lovleyt version of the creation story for children, with fabulous illustrations

a delightful book for all ages, wonderful illustrations