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In God's Name
Multicultural, nondenominational, nonsectarian. A modern fable for parents and children.
Everyone and everything in the world has a name. What is God's name?
Like an ancient myth in its poetic text and vibrant illustrations, this modern fable about the search for God's name celebrates the diversity and, at the same time, the unity of all the people of the world. Each seeker claims he or she alone knows the answer. Finally, they come together and learn what God's name really is, sharing the ultimate harmony of belief in one God by people of all faiths, all backgrounds.
"After God created the world
all living things on earth
were given a name.
The plants and the trees,
the animals and the fish,
and each person, young and old,
had a special name.
But no one knew the name for God.
So each person searched for God's name."
- from In God's Name
"Provides a wonderful illustration of the many faces through which God is known and understood....Children of all ages will come away with a deeper grasp of God's many-faceted splendor." -The Rt. Rev. Edward W. Jones, DD, Episcopal Bishop of Indianapolis
"After the creation of the world 'no one knew the name for God.' So each person searched,' and some answers are charmingly set against primitive-style illustrations." -The New York Times Book Review
"What a lovely, healing book!" -Madeleine L'Engle
38 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1994
About the author
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
70 books50 followersRabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck where she served for 36 years. Upon her retirement she founded the Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts Initiative, now at Herron School of Art and Design at IUI.
After receiving her B.A. and M.A. from Temple University, in 1974 she was the first woman ordained from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. In addition to being the first woman to serve a Conservative congregation, she and her husband, Dennis C Sasso, are the first practicing rabbinical couple in world Jewish history.
Sandy has written and lectured on women and spirituality, the discovery of the religious imagination in children, women’s leadership, and reimagining the Bible. She is the author of several nationally acclaimed books. Most notably, in 2004, Sandy received the Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Literature and, in 2012 took home the National Jewish Book Award for Best Illustrated Children’s Book for The Shemah in the Mezuzah. In 2019 she won the Glick Regional Author’s Award.
Sandy has been honored as one of the “Influential Women in Indiana” by the Indianapolis Business Journal and was featured among “Indy’s Most Influential Clergy” by NUVO News Weekly. She is the recipient of the “Sagamore of the Wabash”, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of the State of Indiana and has been the recipient of The Heritage Keeper’s award for: the Indiana State Museum, the Torchbearer’s Award from the Indiana Commission for Women, and was designated as a Living Legend along with her husband by the Indiana State Museum.
She has authored more than 30 children's books, 2 books for adults, and numerous articles and essays.
After receiving her B.A. and M.A. from Temple University, in 1974 she was the first woman ordained from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. In addition to being the first woman to serve a Conservative congregation, she and her husband, Dennis C Sasso, are the first practicing rabbinical couple in world Jewish history.
Sandy has written and lectured on women and spirituality, the discovery of the religious imagination in children, women’s leadership, and reimagining the Bible. She is the author of several nationally acclaimed books. Most notably, in 2004, Sandy received the Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children’s Literature and, in 2012 took home the National Jewish Book Award for Best Illustrated Children’s Book for The Shemah in the Mezuzah. In 2019 she won the Glick Regional Author’s Award.
Sandy has been honored as one of the “Influential Women in Indiana” by the Indianapolis Business Journal and was featured among “Indy’s Most Influential Clergy” by NUVO News Weekly. She is the recipient of the “Sagamore of the Wabash”, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of the State of Indiana and has been the recipient of The Heritage Keeper’s award for: the Indiana State Museum, the Torchbearer’s Award from the Indiana Commission for Women, and was designated as a Living Legend along with her husband by the Indiana State Museum.
She has authored more than 30 children's books, 2 books for adults, and numerous articles and essays.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 12, 2019
This is an adult picture book. Although, with some discussion it could be used with children. The illustrations are brilliant with big figures that will appeal to children. By exploring how different people see God, the text encourages everyone to accept how others relate to God. Definitely has potential for discussion.
October 24, 2024
Both this book and my last one, Birth of the Chosen One, are good for possibly helping people recover from church hurt/spiritual abuse. We shouldn't try to limit God. The modern concept of hell is most likely completely wrong and is based on a set of horrible translations!
January 8, 2018
This is one of my favorite children's books, with a very serious adult message about the name(s) of G-d. In a gentle way, in a non-judgmental style, Sandy Sasso, the first woman rabbi in the Reconstructionist movement shows how there are many names for G-d, often times based out of our own experience. So for instance, "The farmer whose skin was dark like the rich brown earth from which all things grew, called G-d, 'The Source of Life'".
The illustrations are bright, charming. This book is appropriate for children and I have used it successfully in Hebrew Schools, with kids sitting around a mirror as a lake, in children's services, with adults and with the annual interfaith thanksgiving service. It teaches the message that although there are many names for G-d, there is ultimately only one G-d. Highly recommend.
The illustrations are bright, charming. This book is appropriate for children and I have used it successfully in Hebrew Schools, with kids sitting around a mirror as a lake, in children's services, with adults and with the annual interfaith thanksgiving service. It teaches the message that although there are many names for G-d, there is ultimately only one G-d. Highly recommend.
April 21, 2021
beautifully read as part of All Souls New London service on April 11, 2021
"Three Ministers Walk into a Deli and Speak of God"
The song "Spirit of Life" just before story for all ages in wonderful as well.
https://youtu.be/kiuEF0k3qJw
"Three Ministers Walk into a Deli and Speak of God"
bits of that reading and service in this blog post : https://lunawings.blogspot.com/2021/0...
"Three Ministers Walk into a Deli and Speak of God"
The song "Spirit of Life" just before story for all ages in wonderful as well.
https://youtu.be/kiuEF0k3qJw
"Three Ministers Walk into a Deli and Speak of God"
bits of that reading and service in this blog post : https://lunawings.blogspot.com/2021/0...
May 31, 2023
This is a good book to share with kids as a way to talk about different religions and faith backgrounds. Lovely illustrations that reflect the diversity in our communities.
November 18, 2025
Beautiful art work and great story with many names for God. This could work for all ages.
read-to-me
February 4, 2017One of the deacons read this to the children (and adults) during an evening service at retreat.
I liked the series of names that different people gave God based on their own lived experience (though looking at the illustrations later, the attempts at multi-racial-ness were at times a bit awkward -- "the farmer whose skin was dark like the rich brown earth" was illustrated as just light brown; and "the girl whose skin was as golden as the sun" genuinely shows up throughout the book with her shiny yellow skin, making her look a bit non-human), but then the characters each start insisting that theirs is the perfect name for God (which, yes, feels historically true) and "no one listened. Least of all, God," and I was really uncomfortable with the idea that God doesn't listen. (Especially since a bunch of these names are literally names that show up in the Bible, and the author is a rabbi.)
And at the end, everyone gets together and says all the names and, "At that moment, the people knew that all the names for God were good, and no name was better than another" -- which I agree with, but which I feel was undercut by previous narrative in this book?
[Sidenote: The people all gather at a lake-mirror, which reminded me of "The Conference of the Birds" from Sufism.]
Also,
I liked the series of names that different people gave God based on their own lived experience (though looking at the illustrations later, the attempts at multi-racial-ness were at times a bit awkward -- "the farmer whose skin was dark like the rich brown earth" was illustrated as just light brown; and "the girl whose skin was as golden as the sun" genuinely shows up throughout the book with her shiny yellow skin, making her look a bit non-human), but then the characters each start insisting that theirs is the perfect name for God (which, yes, feels historically true) and "no one listened. Least of all, God," and I was really uncomfortable with the idea that God doesn't listen. (Especially since a bunch of these names are literally names that show up in the Bible, and the author is a rabbi.)
And at the end, everyone gets together and says all the names and, "At that moment, the people knew that all the names for God were good, and no name was better than another" -- which I agree with, but which I feel was undercut by previous narrative in this book?
[Sidenote: The people all gather at a lake-mirror, which reminded me of "The Conference of the Birds" from Sufism.]
Also,
January 22, 2009
Beautiful art and wonderful story. Long and short: everyone has a name of God that means something to them, Healer, Father, Giver of Light, but they couldn't agree and thought their name was the best. It's an interesting look at a very spiritual topic that I think works well for children.
August 6, 2016
Perhaps the best young child's book I've ever read. Non-denominational, non-judgemental, and inspiring. A group of people search of the name of God...and find it. I won't spoil it, find it read it, you'll want a copy, too!!!
September 14, 2022
One of my all time favorite children’s books about God; how we all understand God from our own experience, and how in the end, God is all of that and infinitely more.
I added it to my Goodreads list today, but I’ve read it many times.
I added it to my Goodreads list today, but I’ve read it many times.
February 14, 2009
This one of my favorite childhood books! This book is about how we each experience God differently. It is illustrated beautifully.
Read
October 13, 2013WOOW 7
January 27, 2015
I love everything that Rabbi Sasso has written. This is no exception. A beautiful ecumenical message about the diversity and unity of God.
May 18, 2016
Wonderful!!
This book is a lovely way to talk about God being one even if people see God differently. We can be united in the one God even among the differences. Fantastic book!!
This book is a lovely way to talk about God being one even if people see God differently. We can be united in the one God even among the differences. Fantastic book!!
May 28, 2012
Great book to read to kids.
October 13, 2015
I like this book very much, and I would like to have my own copy to keep.
October 11, 2015
I want to buy this for us, and then for everyone with kids I know.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews