God Made Me in His Image: Helping Children Appreciate Their Bodies (Holcomb)

One day, a group of students and their teacher travel to a zoo safari park to learn all about the different animals. During a fun jeep ride around the park, the guide shares fascinating information about lions, rhinoceroses, elephants, buffalo, and more, pointing out distinctive characteristics about each animal’s body and how those qualities make the animals special. Along the way, the children start to notice how their differences in appearance make each of them special too. Their teacher helps them reflect on their own body image and teaches them how they were created uniquely in God’s image. 

Because bodies can be confusing and sometimes embarrassing to children, Justin and Lindsey Holcomb wrote God Made Me in His Image for parents to use in helping their kids understand how God made their bodies in his image. Parents and caregivers can use this powerful book, illustrated by Trish Mahoney, to help children understand their feelings about their bodies and help them accept them by highlighting God’s loving design of our individual physical characteristics.

God Made Me in His Image is part of the God Made Me series which equips parents to have important, impactful conversations with their children, helping them to grow in understanding of God, themselves, and others. Each book in the series contains a special section just for parents and caregivers that provides biblical guidance and offers additional information and resources for talking about the topic addressed in the story.

AUTHOR

Justin Holcomb, PhD, is an Episcopal priest and professor of theology and apologetics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. Justin is a City Network Leader for Made to Flourish. He serves on the boards of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments), Heart Support, and Leaders Collective. He has authored, coauthored, or edited more than fifteen books on numerous topics, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, biblical studies, and historical theology. He and his wife, Lindsey, coauthored the award-winning children’s book God Made All of Me and God Made Me in His Image. 

Lindsey A. Holcomb, MPH, works at Samaritan Village, a safe home and therapeutic program for adult survivors of sex trafficking. She is a former case manager at a sexual assault crisis center and a domestic violence shelter and is the cofounder of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Together, Lindsey and her husband, Justin, conduct a variety of training seminars on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to child, sexual, and domestic abuse. She is also the award-winning coauthor of Is It My Fault?, Rid of My Disgrace, God Made All of Me, and God Made Me in His Image. The Holcombs live in Orlando and are parents of two daughters. 

ILLUSTRATOR

Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Seattle where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children, both budding artists too. Trish is the illustrator for the God Made Me series and The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible.

Endorsements

“This is an awesome resource! If you have kids, this is what they need. Who am I? Someone God made and called ‘very good.’” 
Michael Horton, Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, California; author of Core Christianity 

“In a world of bullying, anger, and disdain, this precious book reminds adults and children alike that each one of us, no matter our differences, has dignity and value as God’s hand-knit image bearer. Read it over and over again—for your children and for yourself.” 
Diane Langberg, Ph.D., Psychologist 

“In this Instagram age of ‘the most beautiful kids in the world,’ I’m immensely thankful for the Holcombs’ encouraging and insightful book. I wish I had had it when I was a child and hated my freckles. Rather than just telling kids are great because they’re kids, your children will learn that their beauty and importance come from a loving Father’s creative hand. Buy this for your kids and for all your friends’ kids too.” 
Elyse Fitzpatrick, Coauthor of Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus