A Review of WonderFull: Ancient Psalms Ever New

Marty Machowski’s WonderFull is designed to be a transformative experience for a boy named Oliver. Oliver dreams of two things: a fresh start in life and the recovery of his beloved grandfather from cancer. Similarly, his grandfather has two desires: a long visit with his grandson and the opportunity to read WonderFull to him, just as he read it to Oliver’s father. WonderFull is a study in the Psalms with applications and provocative questions. Knowing his time is limited, the grandfather starts reading the book to Oliver. As his health deteriorates, Oliver takes over the reading. After the grandfather’s passing, Oliver’s father continues the journey, helping his son navigate his grief.

Why I Love This Book:

Comprehensive Coverage: Every single Psalm is included, with key verses highlighted. Readers will need to refer to their Bible for the full text, encouraging deeper engagement.

Engaging Content: Each Psalm is paired with a story, theme, or summary to aid young readers. Some Psalms feature "Connect to Jesus" and "Connect to You" sections, creating a personal and spiritual connection.

Ideal Bedtime Stories: This book makes for wonderful bedtime reading, taking 150 days to complete. It’s an enriching way to meditate on these ancient songs. If the journey feels long, it’s perfectly fine to take breaks and return refreshed.

Comfort and Hope: The Psalms offer a sanctuary for all believers young and old, providing comfort in doubt, encouragement in suffering, and hope amidst seemingly insurmountable problems.

Realistic and Uplifting: Aimed at children from middle elementary school and older, the book doesn’t shy away from the reality of death, suffering or pain. Instead, it reveals our ultimate hope in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins.

WonderFull is more than just a book—it’s a journey of faith, resilience, and understanding, offering your child deep insights into God’s character and steadfast love.