Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love by Brennan Manning and John Blase/Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell

Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love is a wonderful book about an older couple who look after the neighborhood children in a little Mexican village.  They feed the children sopapillas with honey and talk to them about the love of Abba God.


The thing that I loved most about this book was the illustrations.  I was taken in by the sunny, colourful paintings that graced every page.  The depiction of  Willie Juan and Ana (the older couple) made their characters come to life.  I loved the background scenery and landscapes as well.

Brennan Manning beautifully describes the love of Abba Father in a way that children can understand and connect to.  I believe that children's ideas of God come from those they are most close to.  These surrogate parents generously live their life and their love of God before those who need their love and care. 


I love the continued use of the phrase, "Smack-Dab in the Middle" throughout the book.  It allows children who can't yet read take a part by memorizing the big red words, "SMACK-DAB IN THE MIDDLE!"  I am sure most kids will shout it out with enthusiasm. 

Honestly, to me the only drawback to the book was the font.  I found it a little crowded and hard to read.  It does however, line up with the Mexican theme of the book.


All in all, a very beautiful way to teach little ones about the love of the Father.  I am now off to look up online how to make sopapillas, because Manning makes them sound irresistible!

This book was provided to me free by Book Sneeze for an unbiased review.