Hear, O Little One: In the Morning and in the Evening

by Eric Schrotenboer, Meredith Schrotenboer, Guy Wolek (Artist)

This lyrical adaptation of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 introduces young children to the "Shema," a sacred statement of belief that has been recited in the morning and evening through the ages, including by Jesus Himself.
 
“Hear, O  The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

For centuries, followers of God have started and ended their day by saying the Shema, a five-verse passage in the book of Deuteronomy, as a twice-daily reminder to love God with all of their heart, soul, and strength. 

Written in rhyme for infants through four-year-olds,  Hear, O Little One  is a colorful and creative adaptation of the Shema. This innovative board book is intended to be read in the morning and then flipped over and read in the other direction for a different version at nighttime.   Help your child develop a lifelong love of God and a deep reverence for God’s Word with this one-of-a-kind children’s book.  

Genres: Picture Books

20 pages, Board Book

Published February 15, 2022

About the author

I’m an author, filmmaker, composer, and Bible teacher. I live in Grand Rapids, MI with my wife and two children, Meryn and Judah. I am a storyteller at heart and love telling stories through books, film, and music.

I love Jesus and helping people better understand the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the Bible. I love helping people fall more deeply in love with Jesus and God’s word by leading study trips to the lands of the Bible through my ministry, The Acacia Project, and with the resources we create through Fresh Wind Studios.

I am the founder of Fresh Wind Studios. We create and publish resources for kids and families. My wife and I are the authors of The Wandering Wise Men, a Christmas activity set, that includes a rhyming children’s picture book, a 37-day family devotional, and 3 plush wise men toys. We are also the authors of Hear, O Little One: In the Morning and in the Evening, a flip board book based on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the Shema.

Along with books, I make documentaries and write music for films. I have six piano albums of traditional hymns set in contemporary arrangements that you can hear wherever you listen to music.

Reviews

[Glenys Nellist]

Oh, goodness! What a creative, clever way to share the Shema prayer with little ones! Written in lovely, flowing rhyme, Hear O Little One is an adorable flip book whereby you read this traditional Jewish hymn of praise in the morning and then flip it over to read it in the evening. The inclusive illustrations in this innovative board book are wonderful. A truly charming rendition of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 that belongs on every child's and every pastor's bookshelf.

[M]

What a creative way to start imprinting the knowledge of God's love onto the hearts and minds of young children! Based on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, this book helps parents, caregivers, or teachers share the gift of Biblical truths with their children at the start and end of each day. Hear, O Little One just became my go to baby shower gift!

[Kim]

This book is one to add to your shelf! You get two books in one and the story is based on Deut. 6:4-9, all about loving God with everything we've got! The illustrations and story are beautifully crafted and will quickly become a favorite.

[Corrie]

I love the two-books-in-one concept. It’s such a simple, yet beautiful, message. My kids are a bit older now, but I imagine we all would’ve had this book memorized due to it being the bedside favorite.

[Travis West]

This is a delightful and creative reimagining of a foundational passage from the Bible called the Shema (Deut. 6.4-9), which Jesus referred to as the fulcrum of the whole Bible—“love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” Eric and Meredith have designed a beautiful little book that impresses this passage on the hearts and minds of children (and their parents!) even as it communicates the central message of the Shema (and the whole Bible, for that matter): “God loves you SO MUCH!” It’s innovative design (two books in one!) and lively illustrations will add to its allure for children, and its durable material will make it last many years even with the hard wear of small children!

[Ashlea]

Wow! Our family loves this precious book. Such a special and innovative way in which to engage young children with the Shema. Our 3 and 4 year olds are already reciting the sweet rhymes of this brilliant 2-in-1 morning and nighttime flip book. I’m grateful for this creative way to reinforce with our children this twice daily reminder to love God with all of our hearts, all of our minds, and all of our strength, as we begin and end each day. I highly recommend to other families who desire to foster in their children a strong personal identity in God and a deep reverence for His Word.

[Jo Oehrlein]

Rhyming adaptation of the Shema, with the focus on God loves you and you should love God with all your heart/soul/might.

From the front to the middle of the board book, this is about a child waking up and getting ready for the day.
Flipped over, from the back to the middle of the board book, this is about a child going to bed for the night.

I don't always love the rhythm, but I like the concept of starting and ending the day with this.

[HUGHESFAM]

This is such a beautiful and creative book!
I love how the front and back covers can be flipped to read the story in the morning and then again at bedtime- what a wonderful way to experience God's love day and night! We love reading this book to our daughters - it has a calming rhythm and a beautiful message.

[Tiffany]

This book, based on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, is a great way to start and end the day with a little one. It's a biblically sound way to introduce babies to God's Truth.

Definitely recommend this as a great gift to all families!

[Ashley Sommerville]

I love this book. My youngest and I read it every morning and evening together. It is such a good reminder of God’s love for us. I highly recommend this book, it is a definite favorite!