Laronda Koffi

When LaRonda Koffi felt the Lord’s leading to write children’s picture books she established her own publishing company, Jesus Loves Me Books. God Has a Purpose for Me is the first title printed by Koffi, but it seems she may have plans to develop an entire series of similar titles to encourage young children in the Lord.

Aya is a bright-eyed little girl who loves her God and her family. Aya is a character that most young Christian girls can relate to. She goes to church each week with her family, enjoys visiting with her friends and participates eagerly in Sunday School activities. One week at church she hears a sermon that creates lingering confusion. The topic? How to Fulfill God’s Purpose in Your Life.

Koffi interjects some sweet, pure humour into the story as little Aya attempts to decipher the words the pastor used during his sermon. “Pur-pose. Is that when a man asks a woman to be his wife?” Our entire family was delighted by Aya’s earnest attempts to understand. God Has a Purpose for Me is written for 4–7 year olds, and Aya would appear to be within this age range – full of curiosity, eager to learn and easily confused.

Aya looks to various family members for clarification on this important issue. After she tries making God happy through her actions wearing pretty clothes and making a joyful noise for the Lord she finds herself exhausted. Looking for guidance once again, she discovers that God would have her glorify Him through every thing she does, whether big or small. Armed with the peace of mind this knowledge brings, Aya strives to bring God glory in all of her actions. Aya’s life illustrates practical ways to glorify God through everyday situations, providing children with a character that they can emulate.

Written in simple, clean, sure prose the story reaches Koffi’s intended audience on their level without being condescending. While Koffi’s writing is competent, the illustrations by Victor Guiza leave something to be desired. Guiza is successful in creating a darling little girl in Aya, but falls short in some areas. Digitally executed background objects and landscapes often lack depth. Despite the character’s bright eyes (although often discrepant in size in Aya’s mother’s case) and expressive faces, there is a feeling of repetition and recycling of certain components of the illustrations. The most obvious example is when Aya’s Grandmother, ‘nana’, goes through three consecutive illustrations without a change of facial expression, and only a slight change of posture in the third illustration.

However, young children are often less critical than adults, and I don’t believe mine noticed anything amiss. The bright, cartoon-like illustrations, featuring children with exceptionally large heads, are reminiscent of Saturday morning television programming. Most children will likely feel familiar and at ease with the artist’s style.

Cheerful little girls like Aya who seek to please God above all else, and to bring Him glory in all they do are true treasures. While wholesome, faith-based role models for our children were once provided abundantly, the proportion of such characters is shrinking in comparison with ‘worldly’ examples of childhood. Koffi is to be commended for creating Aya to support the desires of young children to seek out what pleases God and to act upon it.

Reviewed at http://quiverfullfamily.com… (altro)