Synopses & Reviews
Oh sure, we'll all heard the story of Jonah and the Whale a hundred times. But have we heard it from the perspective of the whale who experienced that history-making event?
Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! imagines how that great sea creature from the incident might tell his side of the story, helping kids ages 4 to 8 discover a creative way of learning about that guy who was supposed to go to Ninevah.
The "Parent Connection" feature will help moms and dads take the story further with scripture references and tips on how to talk with their children about what really happened. There's even a free online app to make this bright retelling even more animated and interactive.
Review
A classic Bible story retold from the whale’s perspective depicts its divine encounter as parallel to that of Jonah. A fresh, contemporary attitude infuses the narrative voice: upon hearing God’s instructions to swallow a human, the whale responds, “A human? But they live on land. Land creatures taste like dirt. Yeech....” The whale swims as far from God as he can, but his escape proves as unsuccessful as Jonah’s; soon Dr. Crab, with tongue depressor and mirror, diagnoses the whale’s stomachache: “You swallowed some guy.” Jones, a graphic designer, offers full-bleed cartoons with flattened perspectives, bold outlines, marine colors, and characters with big round eyes. Schmidt, writer for The American Bible Challenge, stays true to the original story while also giving voice to God’s relationship with all creation, as when God explains Jonah’s mission of hope and tells the whale, “You are a part of that plan.” This playful, feisty interpretation retains the tale’s key theological themes of mission, disobedience, prayer, and repentance. A “Parent Connection” endpage provides guidance for discussion. Ages 4–8.
Publishers WeeklyReviewed on:
04/15/2013 Synopsis
For ages 4 to 8, this playful retelling of Jonah and the Whale is brought to us from the whale's perspective; also includes a Parent Connection feature and is linked with a free online app.
About the Author
Troy Schmidt has writing and video production credits ranging from assignments with Disney (The Mickey Mouse Club) and Nickelodeon to Max Lucado's Hermie franchise. He is currently the lead writer for The American Bible Challenge hosted by Jeff Foxworthy on the Game Show Network. Troy and his wife have three sons.Cory Jones is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Nashville TN. His illustration credits include the first three books in the Their Side of the Story series and Seven Steps to Knowing and Doing the Will of God for Teens from Tom, Daniel and Mike Blackaby. Cory lives with his wife Sarah in Spring Hill, TN and is expecting his first son in November of 2013.