Before I Was Me

by Frank Fraser

Before I was me,
when I was still with God,
I asked Him, "Who will I become?"
"Oh, my little one," He replied,
"I have great plans for you!
I have chosen you to be
a very important person whom I will always love."
Thus begins a charming odyssey of self-discovery, as, in conversation with God, the child imagines himself as:
. . . an ASTRONAUT going off to work each morning in a rocket, stopping halfway to Mars for milk and cookies . . .

. . . a BAKER baking yummy treats everyone wants . . .

. . . a FARMER growing food for hungry people of all nations around the world . . .

. . . a DOCTOR healing giraffes and rabbits, and, yes, people, too . . .

. . . a TEACHER helping boys and bears and gophers and girls become the best they can be (while giving hugs to the downcast!) . . .

. . . a PARENT making the lives of children happy and safe; and finally . . .

. . . a CHILD! . . . important simply for who he is

and WHOM GOD WILL ALWAYS LOVE!

Genres: Religion, Picture Books, Catholic

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 15, 2017

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a book that will make you smile with every turn of the page. It has all the ingredients of a great book cuddle on the couch: lovely illustrations, splendid narrative, and a thread of delight that weaves from beginning to end.

The book takes place between a child and God, prior to the child being born or conceived (the book isn't clear on that, and it doesn't need to be). 

The discussion is one you might have had, as a child or as a parent. It paints God as a gentle, loving father without ever saying that. The illustrations may make you (or the child on your lap) giggle, and there are places where you may catch yourself wondering if your allergies are kicking in even though there's no pollen around.

It's a good thing this is a hardcover book, because I have a feeling it's going to take some abuse in my house over the years...

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I Was Me is a hardcover children's book from Sophia Institute Press. It tells the story of a little boy asking God who he will become when he is born. God told the little boy that he had great plans for him, so the little boy assumed he would become an astronaut who ate milk and cookies. However, God asked the little boy how he would get the cookies, so the boy next decided he would become a baker. This cute story continues on of God further questioning the boy with each occupation, and the boy goes from astronaut to baker to farmer to doctor to teacher to parents. The boy realizes that parents are the most important "job," but God instructs him that the only way people become parents is with a child, so the boy decides to become a child, because children are the purest representations of God's love.

This is a very simple book with a profound message. The art and illustrations draw you into the message, but also provide a touch of humor that children and parents will both enjoy. Frank Fraser does a superb job at both writing and illustrating this book as the pictures complement the story without distracting from its message. This is a very sweet book and one that belongs on every child's bookshelf. It would make an excellent Baptism gift for first time parents or birthday gift, and I can't recommend it enough!

[Kelly Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful children's book I have ever read. The illustrations are lovely, but even more beautiful is the message of human dignity and purpose. Since I deeply appreciate heartfelt sincerity, the ending was enough to fill my eyes with tears.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story by Frank Fraser with lovely illustrations and beautiful message. Can’t wait to share this book!