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Good News! It's Easter!

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There’s new life to be found!
 
The Easter season is an exciting time of growth and reflection as both nature and our human hearts anticipate the hope of new beginnings. Through playful illustrations in nature, best-selling and award-winning author Glenys Nellist introduces children to the gift of salvation.
 
The whimsical rhyming stories ultimately lead to the rebirth of Christ who “steps free from the cave” to  “live and love and save!” 
 
This charming board book is a delightful way to share the wonder of Easter and teach children of Jesus’s great love.
 

18 pages, Board Book

Published March 6, 2019

25 people want to read

About the author

Glenys Nellist

84 books340 followers
I'm the author of forty+ books for children, including the best-selling Twas the Evening of Christmas, I Wonder: Exploring God's Grand Story, The Wonder That is You, and six popular series: Love Letters from God, Snuggle Time, Little Mole, Twas, Good News and Bedtime Blessings.
Here's my little story...

Although I live in Michigan, USA, I was born and raised in a little village in northern England.

I grew up in a big old house, with two wonderful parents and seven siblings. My dad was the one who introduced me to the gospel. My mum was the one who encouraged me to work with children.

And at primary school, my teacher was the one who urged me to write. One day a week, I was one of the lucky few withdrawn from the classroom to sit in big, comfy armchairs in the teachers' lounge. There, in front of a roaring log fire, with pencil and paper at the ready, I would write.

Four long decades later, I would find myself living across the pond, married to a wonderful man, mum to four adult children and three daughters-in-law, and grandma to three bouncing boys and one gorgeous girl. And as if all that wasn’t blessing enough, I somehow became an author, despite giving up on my first book halfway through.

And if you would have told me then, that this book would one day become a series, that I would begin a second series, and a third… I never would have believed you. The only possible explanation is that our great God is able to do immeasurably more than all I could ever ask or possibly imagine.

And to God alone, be the glory.

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5 stars
29 (57%)
4 stars
11 (22%)
3 stars
4 (8%)
2 stars
6 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for MissBecka Gee.
2,080 reviews894 followers
October 4, 2019
The illustrations are very cute in this book, especially the little chick and the bunny.
Not much about Easter though.
In fact the book doesn't mention Easter at all past the title of the book.
It felt more like a book about spring with the exception of Jesus rising from the dead.

Thank you NetGalley and Discovery House Publishers for this DRC.
7,033 reviews83 followers
November 26, 2018
A very little book about Easter and Spring because they go together, and also an Christian ending (it goes with Easter...). There is a good message of being grateful and and happy about small thing. Simple but good!
Profile Image for Carla.
7,646 reviews178 followers
April 3, 2019
This is a very simple, yet cute book about all the new beginnings that happen in spring from flowers to trees and bunnies to chicks, we see new growth. The best beginning of all is the rebirth or resurrection of Jesus. My granddaughter enjoyed this one and loved the illustrations. She liked being able to help "read the story" because she knew the animals as well as knowing that the person at the end was Jesus. The interesting thing to me was that the word Easter, is not mentioned in the story. This would be a great book to put in a young child's Easter basket. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Profile Image for La Coccinelle.
2,259 reviews3,568 followers
April 22, 2019
Oh, dear. This is not the book for a heathen like me.

The pictures are very cute, and the rhyming text is nice for the majority of the book as new life blossoms in the spring. (Well, it was all good except for the rabbit "bouncing" his speech. How does one do that, exactly?) But then... oh, but then Jesus jumps out of a cave shouting about salvation. It was just too much for me, and I actually laughed out loud. I knew there was going to be some sort of religious message here; I just didn't expect a jack-in-the-box Jesus to come springing out. (Thank goodness it wasn't a pop-up book!)

I'm afraid I don't really get it. The book would've been fine on its own as a story about spring and renewal. The religious aspect just kind of comes out of nowhere and hits you over the head. It's kind of unnecessary, and turns what could've been a book with wide appeal into one that's aimed at a smaller audience. If the author wanted to write a book about Jesus' resurrection, she should've just done that; combining it with all the nature stuff (including the monarch butterfly, which I'm not sure even exists in the Middle East) is just confusing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Discovery House for providing a digital ARC.
Profile Image for Ryan.
5,754 reviews33 followers
January 24, 2019
This story started out great. Based on the bunny on the cover, I thought I was getting a Easter bunny tale. Instead I got a rhyming, hoping tale of spring renewal. Until the last two pages when Jesus was resurrected. While I know Jesus is the reason for the season, it just came as a surprise after the bunny cover. Good christian households will probably love this book. I can see it being a big hit at Sunday school. But for me, and general audiences, I wish the cover was a little more forthcoming.
#LitsyAtoZChildrens
Profile Image for Karen Stallman .
898 reviews102 followers
March 15, 2019
I bought this for my niece who is 2 and she loved it!
Wonderful words and illustrations that speak to the “new beginnings” around us each spring—flowers, bunnies, trees and the best “beginning” of all—Jesus’s resurrection. Beautiful way to explain the wonder of Easter to a young child. This would be a perfect Easter basket book!

I received an electronic ARC of the book from Net Galley and ordered a Board Book version. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Christine.
199 reviews23 followers
March 15, 2019
The illustrations are absolutely precious! I love reading holiday stories to my children.

Thank you, NetGalley and Glenys Nellist for the opportunity to view this e-arc in exchange for me honest review.
Profile Image for Laura Thomas.
Author 13 books257 followers
February 25, 2019
The sweetest rhyming board book for tiny book lovers! This springtime read shows how new life is found in all walks of nature, from the bunny to the oak leaf—and especially remembering at Easter that new life is found in Jesus. The illustrations are exquisite, and this book is sure to become a favorite for little hands! I was delighted to receive a free advanced reader copy from the publisher.
Profile Image for Stevie.
228 reviews3 followers
June 5, 2019
A beautifully written book about appreciating the small changes in life. Growing and making yourself better day by day. It was very sweet and the illustrations are colorful and well done. This book would be a great addition to a Sunday school setting, church groups or catholic schools. I do wish the cover showed that this story involves Jesus, but it wouldn't stop me from reading it to my children.

Netgalley provided me this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Ann.
2,648 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2019
This is a precious book about what Easter is all about. It has beautiful illustrations to go with the story and hold the child"s attention. This book would be a wonderful addition to your child's book collection. Thank you Discovery House Publishers via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. .This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Fayelle .
448 reviews5 followers
March 19, 2019
Mrs. Nellist's books initially seem so simple, which is neat because they aren't intimidating, but familiar. And then the more you look, the more you find. It's endearing. As expected, as usual, it's a beautifully simple book, with surprises and lovely words on each page, all leading up to the glory that is Easter. Her books never disappoint, and my girls love it (yep, even the 9 yr old, but ESPECIALLY the 5 yr old)!

I'm buying a couple soon for some Easter gifts!
Profile Image for Nicole.
381 reviews
March 5, 2019
Good News! It's Easter! was an enjoyable story about the new life and changes in nature that occur in the spring. The colorful illustrations kept my 3 year old focused during the story, and even my 5 year old enjoyed it. I loved how the ending included the resurrection of Jesus since that is a very important part of Easter and we are a Christian family. The only part I thought I didn't care for was the part where Jesus said, "I was dead but now I'm back to live and love and save!" I thought the wording was a little strong for my 3 year old, and I would have preferred it say something like "I have risen and I'm back to live and love and save!" Overall, this is a book that I will continue to read with my children, and I recommend it to other parents of young children.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Discovery House Publishers through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Profile Image for Jennifer Guyor Jowett.
137 reviews4 followers
March 5, 2019
A beautiful message is delivered on every page of Good News! It's Easter! Glenys Nellist gives us the perfect addition to every Easter basket.
Profile Image for Suzette.
147 reviews12 followers
April 28, 2019
This beautifully illustrated book gives a simple, yet beautiful picture of the enormity of the transformation that Jesus went through from his burial and resurrection. Glenys is an expert at rhyme, and beautifully tells the story of remarkable change that occurs and mirrors the transformation of Jesus going into the tomb as one who was dead and comes out of the tomb victorious. It uses animals at the beginning of the book (eggs/chicks, tadpoles/frogs, caterpillar/butterfly) which small children are familiar with, and then shows Jesus coming out of the tomb (from death to life). I wanted to shout "good news" along with the last page because Jesus' resurrection is truly good news.
Profile Image for Storywraps.
1,968 reviews39 followers
April 11, 2019
"Good News! It's Easter! is the first in a series of three adorable board books published by Discovery House. Written in rhyme by the best-selling author of "Love Letters from God", the story is simple and reveals the beauty and power of Easter. It proclaims the good news of the resurrection of Jesus.

"As the book concludes, Jesus becomes the ultimate example of new life as He rises from the tomb to overcome death and brings the gift of salvation!"

It is a wonderful introduction to the Easter message that little ones will understand. It would be a lovely gift to give and to share as we celebrate the reason why many families celebrate Easter.

The delightful illustrations are colourful, vibrant and happy. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Sally Wilsey.
643 reviews9 followers
July 16, 2019
Good News! It's Easter! by Glenys Nellist

This is a wonderful books about beginnings of spring and the message of Easter with the return of Jesus. It starts with the tulip from bulb to bloom. Then goes to the Monarch Butterfly going from caterpillar to butterfly. It has other things that evolve in it too and also teaches the children about how one thing can become another. It ends with Jesus coming from the cave. I find this book good to hold a childs interest and spark some curiosity of nature and how one thing can become another. It shows the beauty of spring and Easter time but also gives the message of the true meaning of Easter. I found the illustrations to be vivid and attractive to any child. I recommend the book to 3+ and would be a great Easter story book for Sunday School.
52 reviews3 followers
November 15, 2019
Let’s be honest. Easter can be a tricky subject to share with very little ones. In Good News! It’s Easter! various plants and animals share their good news – a tulip has gone from darkness to light, a caterpillar has changed to a butterfly etc. Each experiences new life in some way. Finally, we hear the ultimate good news from Jesus himself: he was dead, but now he’s back to live and love and save! Parents can use the book to introduce Easter themes in as much detail as their children can handle. I loved how each verse is foreshadowed in the illustrations. It may take children a few reads to notice, but once they do they’ll feel clever knowing what verse comes next!
Profile Image for Ashley Fuhr.
278 reviews33 followers
September 9, 2020
I didn't review this book right away because I was unable to get it delivered to my Kindle. When I came across it on Amazon, I ordered it for my kids. I'm so glad I did. This book is SO cute and has a clear and easy gospel message. The rhyming is cute and easy enough for a child to understand, but also profound enough for an adult to enjoy. The illustrations are beautiful, as well. I'm so glad we have added this sweet book to our collection. It's a definite must for Easter (and all year long!)
Profile Image for Felix Hommy Gonzalez.
142 reviews6 followers
April 20, 2019
What a beautiful book about Spring, change, and new beginnings! This would be the perfect book for kids to read during Easter. It’s a short book full of joy and hope and the illustrations are gorgeous. Highly recommended!

***I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
Profile Image for Panda Incognito.
4,711 reviews96 followers
June 19, 2019
Good news! This book has an ethnically accurate Jesus! I was not expecting that at all. Firstly, I thought this was just a general springtime take on Easter, and secondly, almost all Easter books have a white Jesus. The book's inclusion of the resurrection at the end was abrupt and will blindside nonreligious readers, but it made me very happy to see a brown Jesus at the end of this book.
188 reviews
December 18, 2019
... in this book there are wonderful drawings, for little ones it is easy to look at and easy to understand as well. The colors are calming - it´s a bit religious but that´s okay in my opinion!

Note 3 or B
Profile Image for Hillary.
115 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2021
This became an instant favorite with my almost 2 year old. She requests it over and over.
6 reviews
November 18, 2024
Easter is not complete without this wonderful book. A must for the littles!
Profile Image for Andréa.
12.1k reviews112 followers
Want to read
April 26, 2021
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Michelle.
5 reviews
April 16, 2019
This is a very cute and fun way to introduce Jesus as a part of Easter. The illustrations are wonderful and it will be a treat to read this to my 5 year old.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
516 reviews20 followers
May 17, 2019
4 Stars **** 4/5 stars
Cute book with lovely illustrations. The book is more about spring and new life than about the traditional Christian Easter story except at the very end. Grandchildren really enjoyed having me read the book to them so it won the "kid's approval" award.
I received a digital version of this book from netgalley and Discovery House in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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