Dearborn author Glenys Nellist shares her recently released illustrated collection of Bible stories for children, entitled “I Wonder – Exploring God’s Grand Story,” illustrated by Alessandra Fusi. For more information, go to glenysnellist.com.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – “I wonder,” a question often posed in local author Glenys Nellist’s children’s books, has become the title of her latest book, a beautifully illustrated collection of Bible stories for children.
“I Wonder – Exploring God’s Grand Story,” written by Nellist and illustrated by Alessandra Fusi, released Sept. 21, is available online through Amazon and Baker Books, and may be ordered at the Allen Park Barnes & Noble.
Nellist said the book’s debut is exciting for her, because it is her first full children’s storybook Bible.
“Retelling Bible stories is what I love to do, but to be able to compile them all into one storybook Bible is just amazing for me,” she said. “It is my most comprehensive, longest book to date.”
“I Wonder” is 200 pages, with 30 stories, split equally between the Old and New Testaments.
“It’s definitely an accomplishment for me, and kind of a dream come true,” Nellist said.
She said she selected Bible stories based on their ability to encourage children to think about the tale being told. Each story is followed by three questions, designed to encourage discussion.
“It is a Bible that encourages children to really wonder about God, and the stories and their part in God’s grand story,” Nellist said. “I think this Bible includes some stories that you might not find in other children’s Bible storybooks. It begins with creation, and it ends in Acts, after the resurrection, with the story of Lydia.”
She said that while the book includes the iconic stories of Jonah and the whale, Noah’s ark and Daniel in the lion’s den, it also includes question-raising stories about Elijah, to whom God comes not in a loud way, like with an earthquake, wind or fire, but in a quiet way, in a whisper.
“To me, I want to think about that, I want to ponder about that – God whispers,” Nellist said.
After telling a story in the book about Jesus calling his disciples, she asks children what they think it would be like to be an apostle.
“That is much more invitational, and enables the child to think, ‘Wow, what is it like to be a disciple, and could I be a disciple,’” Nellist said. “So, that’s the sort of approach that’s explored.”
She said she also wanted to include as many of the women in the Bible as possible, because they are often underrepresented.
Nellist said the Bible stories take a gentle approach, and are never preachy, which makes it a great gift.
“I don’t want to preach; I don’t want to teach,” she said. “I want to invite.”
Nellist said she hopes Muslims will find meaning in “I Wonder” as well.
“We share the same history in many ways,” she said.
Nellist said children are also drawn to Alessandra Fusi’s beautiful illustrations, and she feels that they add to their sense of wonder.
“They are so colorful and vibrant,” she said.
Nellist said her next book, “’Twas the Season of Advent,” set to the familiar rhythm and rhyme of Clement C. Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicolas,” also known as “The Night Before Christmas,” will be available in late October.
She said it includes 25 devotions for families to follow from Dec. 1 to Christmas Day.
Nellist’s current work in progress is “’Tis the Season of Lent,” which will be released in 2024, is written in the same manner, and includes 40 stories, one for each day of Lent.
As a former teacher, Nellist created and compiled resources and material to accompany “I Wonder,” which are available on her website for parents and teachers.
For more information, go to glenysnellist.com.