Book Review: When I Thank God by Matthew Paul Turner, Illustrated by David Catrow

ABOUT THE BOOK

When I Thank God

By Matthew Paul Turner

Illustrated by David Catrow

Age Range: 3-7 years

Book Description: A vibrant, adventurous exploration of how thanking God and others brings wonderful gifts to our own lives, from the bestselling author and illustrator of When God Made You

I’ll ask God to help me see
What being thankful really means.
To help me know how gratitude grows
And in my life is seen.

Written in Matthew Paul Turner’s signature rhyming style, When I Thank God helps kids understand the benefits of showing gratitude to God and others. Not only does it recognize everything God gives us and show love to the people God sends to bless us, but it does beautiful and amazing things in our own lives and hearts.

’Cause when I thank God
A change happens in me,
And I might get a glimpse of all I can be.

Purchase Link

Penguin Random House

About The Author

Matthew Paul Turner is a photographer, speaker, and author of numerous books, including the bestselling When God Made You, When I Pray for You, and What Is God Like?. 

About The Illustrator

David Catrow is the illustrator of many picture books, including Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon and its sequel, Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon, written by Patty Lovell; I Wanna Iguana and its two companion books, I Wanna New Room and I Wanna Go Home, written by Karen Kaufman Orloff; Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel; The Middle Child Blues by Kristyn Crow; and We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution. He lives in Ohio with his wife, Deborah.

MY REVIEW

When I Thank God by Matthew Paul Turner, Illustrated by David Catrow

When I Thank God is such a beautiful, heartwarming book about gratitude, faith, and the wonderful things that can happen when we take the time to recognize and appreciate the blessings in our lives. Written in Matthew Paul Turner’s signature rhyming style, this vibrant and engaging story encourages children to look at what God has given them, appreciate the people He places in their lives, and discover what being thankful truly means.

What I especially love about this book is that it goes beyond simply teaching children to say “thank you.” It beautifully shows that gratitude changes us, too—opening our hearts, helping us see the good around us, and giving us a glimpse of all that we can be. That is such an important lesson for little ones to learn, and honestly, it’s a wonderful reminder for adults, too.

David Catrow’s colorful, playful, and wonderfully expressive illustrations make the story even more special. Every page feels full of life and adventure, perfectly complementing the joyful message and making this a book that children will want to read again and again. I also love that the rhyming text makes it easy and fun for young readers to follow along.

As someone who truly enjoys books that bring faith, family, and meaningful lessons together, I absolutely loved the message behind When I Thank God. It’s a sweet reminder that there is so much to be thankful for and that cultivating a grateful heart can make a beautiful difference in our lives. This would be a wonderful addition to a child’s bookshelf and an especially lovely book to share during family reading time.

Published by Convergent Children’s, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, When I Thank God is a 48-page hardcover for ages 3–7 and is available now. 

Deliciously Savvy received product and/or compensation in exchange for an honest and unbiased review and all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for stopping by and enter a giveaway or tow before you go! Good luck!