The Book of Belonging
from Mariko Clark:
“Mom, does God love boys more than girls?”
This was the question that started it all. My daughter, Aidah, asked me this way back in 2020 and I was flooded with a mix of rage and grief that feels so particular to parenting.
"OF COURSE NOT...What makes you ask that!?"
She explained that her story Bible only had two stories about girls and the rest were about boys. I wanted to buy a new one, but the same was true for many of the available story Bibles that I checked out.
And once I started pulling at that thread, reading with a critical eye, I started to notice other things that didn’t sit well with me. It was like a house project - once I decided to address one thing, I started saying WELL WHILE I’M AT IT…
I’ll find a story Bible that’s gender balanced and while I’m at it, I’ll make sure it’s racially representative…and while I’ll at it, I might as well see if I can find one that focuses less on morals and more on identity…and while I’m at it, it would be cool to see if they have any contemplative practices for kids…
And before you know it, I found myself saying ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT. I’LL JUST START FROM SCRATCH.
So I just did it myself.
Um, yes. I wrote the story Bible I wished to see in the world. The Book of Belonging. Not just for Aidah, not just for girls but for all kids. Because when it comes to the love of God, everyone belongs.”
WATCH MY REVIEW!
It’s not as much a kids Bible as much as it’s a resource to help parents talk with their kids about complicated ancient stories.
You don’t even need to have kids! I read it all by myself and I loved it as a picture story book about the story of God unfolding with humanity.
go get the book
KIDS BIBLES NEEDED A REVAMP
I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s worth supporting. Even if you don’t need to read this book it’s worth purchasing just to support creative work like this!
next up…
The Women We’ve Been Waiting For
This book is primarily for women but it really is for everyone.
The book is a 40 day devotional focused on minority women and women with disabilities in history who paint a picture of self-care for social change… arguing the idea that taking care of ourselves is good for the world! It's good for others because it gives us a holy imagination for community flourishing.
I’ve never read anything like it before and I think it’s worth the read.