I Can Only Imagine: A Friendship with Jesus Now and Forever by Bart Millard with Laura Neutzling; Illustrated by Sumiti Collina Published by Thomas Nelson

My thoughts:  This is a sweet children's picture book of a child imagining what it will be like in Heaven and how spending a day with God would be like. It is a very light-hearted romp in the life of a child. His imagining has him wondering about all the things that he loves about his current life and if they will be part of what Heaven is all about. Ice cream, pets, swimming, playing ball....

It ends with the child's expressing his delight that he knows that God is with him in the here and now.

While this picture book has imaginings about Heaven it doesn't touch on the story behind Bart Millard's song "I Can Only Imagine" and simply takes the theme of imaging what it will be like for someone in Heaven and seeing the face of God.

Personally, I think that it this book is a bit on the light side and trivializes the beauty and joy of Heaven and the Holiness of God the Father and God the Son. I am sure the story will open doors to explore the expectations we can have for what Heaven will be like for us and being thankful for a Savior and God that loves us always.

About the book: Encourage your children’s sense of wonder and faith with I Can Only Imagine, inspired by the hit song by MercyMe. This beautiful picture book will capture your family’s childlike faith and imagination.

I Can Only Imagine asks questions a child might ask and invites families to wonder together: What is heaven like? What does God do? What would it be like to spend a day with Jesus? Children will see that although experiencing the glory of heaven may be far off, we can enjoy a friendship with Jesus every day - right here on earth. Whimsical, playful illustrations and thought-provoking questions make this a book that families will cherish.

Fun and vibrant illustrations offer a vivid visual and will help your children see that God can be found everywhere, every day.

I think about heaven as I look up at the sky

And watch the fluffy clouds roll by.

The more I imagine, the more I wish I knew.

I wonder, would God like pancakes with extra syrup too?

And if God and I spent the day together, what exactly would we do?

The Christian worship song “I Can Only Imagine” touched countless lives with its glorious representation of being in the presence of God, and this beautifully illustrated picture book invites you and your children to imagine those same wonders. Share the joy of a personal relationship with the Lord with your family today through the creative, faith-filled book I Can Only Imagine.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.