When I Fly with Papa

by Claudia May, Jena Holliday (Illustrations)

This three-movement poem invites readers ages three and up to journey with the Papa of their imagination. It can be read in one sitting or spread out over numerous days. A movement or verse can guide a moment of storytelling and reflection. Readers can even skip a day or more and return to a poem for a fresh experience with Papa as God.

Genres: Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 27, 2018

Reviews

[J.L. Neyhart]

I wish I could give this book to every child in my life! I did buy a copy for my cousin's children! It is such a beautiful picture of the relationship I believe God wants with each of his children, whether we are technically adults now or not.

One of my favorite lines in the book is "My questions find shelter in Papa; He builds a nest for my doubts."

[Trevor Limberg]

"From whom can we learn?" It is one of many key phrases which Dr. May has coined of importance for her students at Bethel University, and from her marvelous work alongside her team on this book we learn that children are often the best teachers.
Within this book we find Winnie beautifully feeling free with the Lord, who she calls "Papa." We get to see Winnie share her life, all of her life, with Papa, and we are invited to take in the liberating experience of Winnie sharing emotional freedom with God. We see Papa taking absolute delight in being able to share in all of Winnie's life, and in my own experience I was brought to tears to be reminded that our God does not require us to "have a smile" in order to talk with Papa.
The amount of hard, prayerful work is incredibly evident within this glorious book. The work which Jena Holliday, founder of Spoonful of Faith, did with her art are simply breathtaking and needed within children's books. The imagination, emotion...the human experience. They are all captured so wonderfully within this project.
Immediately after my own reading of this book I handed it over to my mother, who has worked within children's ministry for over twenty years. While she flipped through the first two pages, she slowly began take in each page more fully, and every once and awhile let out one of those needed, peaceful "sighs;" which after a trying year, was much needed. She instantly was in awe of how powerful this book was, and declared "this is important for so many...this is a treasure."
From the child in all of us, thank you Dr. May and your wonderful team for this book.

[Kari]

My annual tradition on my birthday is to enjoy a quiet day, with no devices. This year, I happened to catch a podcast a few days prior with Dr. Claudia May and I learned about this book. I paid for expedited shipping and this took book along as I walked through a local nature center. It was a beautiful and meaningful time with my Papa. It didn't feel like a children's book at all. Trust me, you don't have to be a child to experience the wonder of this book.

[Jill]

I loved the words of this book and how it is written in three parts. I think this is a beautiful read-aloud and easily interactive.