WonderFull: Ancient Psalms Ever New

by Marty Machowski, Andy McGuire (Illustrator)

Your children may know of the psalms, but with WonderFull by best-selling author Marty Machowski, young readers learn to use the whole book of the Psalms to pray, worship, and find help through the challenges life is certain to bring. Oliver and his grandfather spend days sitting in front of an old Oak tree, reading through the book of Psalms together. As Oliver’s curiosity about God evolves into a deep and abiding faith, his grandfather continues to read to him and pray with him, discovering together the beauty of the Psalms. Even when Oliver’s grandpa is no longer able to read with him, Oliver continues to cherish the Psalms—especially in times of trial—and he imagines what it will be like to see God face to face and his grandfather again in heaven. Ancient psalms are made ever new in this beautifully designed children’s book, and kids will grow to love and appreciate this book of the Bible. As a best-selling author to numerous books and curricula for kids, Marty Machowski draws on over thirty years of experience as a pastor to provide Scripture-based truth and hope for young readers. Machowski doesn’t just help kids become familiar with the psalms. He helps them apply what they are learning to their own lives, which is a gift that will continue to deepen their walk with Christ as they grow older.

Genres: Christian, Childrens, Nonfiction, Theology, Faith, Christianity, Juvenile

272 pages, Hardcover

Published September 28, 2020

About the author

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church, a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for more than twenty years. As leader of their children’s ministry, Promise Kingdom, he has worked for many years to develop curriculum and devotional material that connect church and home. His passion is equipping families to understand the Bible as one gospel story and help them share that with their children. He is the author of The Gospel Story for Kids series including Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God (OT); The Gospel Story Bible; and the Gospel Story Curriculum: Finding Jesus in the Old Testament and the forthcoming Old Story New (NT): Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and Gospel Story Curriculum: Following Jesus in the New Testament. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Wendy]

Introducing the Psalms to children, Machowski includes all 150, simply yet profoundly displaying to children and parents alike the order of the five books, and the groupings within. Some Psalms are looked at it more detail, with a page or two of explanation. The majority are included within groups, with just a few sentences about each. This is a large book and a long term undertaking. Many of suggestions are responsive, such as writing a prayer, so the readers would want to have time without rushing.

Woven through is a story of Oliver and his sick Grandpa, and their year as they read the Psalms together, showing how God’s word can expose, sustain, encourage and comfort. It is beautifully illustrated by Andy McGuire (like TheOlogy), and matches it in size and feel.

I did wonder whether it was trying to do more than was possible. Every Psalm could have had more explanation, and some parents may be left wondering how to explain all the bits that are left out. And, it’s a lot of work for parents - not that it isn’t worth it, but some may feel overwhelmed.

I am encouraged by Machowski’s desire to bring all the bible to life for children. WonderFull helps children to dwell in the Psalms, see God is ever present and caring in their lives, and how they point to Jesus, their true Saviour and Lord.

For a more detailed review see: https://musingsinadelaide.blogspot.co...

[Kristi Rittenhouse]

Not as enjoyable or insightful as his other books. It felt like it was lacking for most psalms. We read Dane Ortlund’s Psalms devotional book alongside it and enjoyed that even more.

[Edy Gies]

I LOVED The Ology by the same author so I had high hopes for this one but I didn't love it as much as I had hoped to. The illustrations were kind of weird and the insights were helpful but lacked the depth and insight I was expecting. If you're reading through the Psalms with your child this could be a helpful tool but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this for everyone.

[Emily H]

As with much of Marty Machowksi’s theology books for children, the short devotions serve as a good springboard for walking through the Bible with your children and prompting discussion. The commentary tends to tread lightly on the imprecatory Psalms vs. leaning into those more difficult passages with boldness and clarity. Might feel less stilted / more impactful to walk through this book by pre-reading each day’s portion and then narrating orally to your kids vs. reading verbatim.

[Becky]

Lovely.

[Whitney Rushing]

Excellent resource to walk through the Psalms with your kids! Engaging and approachable.

[Sophie Miller]

This would be an amazing resource/commentary/curriculum on the Psalms for an elementary schooler. It’s Christ-centered, has helpful prayer and journaling prompts, and a section to take things even deeper in the back.

Definitely recommend for older children (and adults!)!

[Amy]

It took us a long time to get through this book. It was not as enjoyable and amazing as The Ology. There were some sections that were great and others that were just ok. Some suggestions for the children to do were not super practical in simply using the book as a read aloud. I really felt ready to be done well before the end of the book and I love the Psalms. I don’t think we will be going through this one again, but maybe it would be nice to keep on hand to use more as a reference book/commentary.

[Jenny]

We've been sloooowly working our way through WonderFull, Machowski's exploration of the Psalms. It hasn't been our favorite Morning Time devotional, but it's well-written and well-organized, and I appreciate being able to take the time to slowly work our way through the Psalms.

[Shannon Hugo]

One of my favorite things about Machowski's work (this and The Ology) is that it can grow with your child or be applicable to your children of various ages. It plants habit-forming seeds that can be cultivated through adolescence.

[Debra]

Terrific beloved book to read with all your children; they were enthralled in every page

[Angela]

This was great to read with my child while reading through the Psalms. It has very simple explanations. I’d say better for younger children.

[Justin Blackwood]

A wonderful devotional to do with the kids!!!

[Sean Perron]

Beautiful introduction to the Psalms.

[Jenny]

When I found that Machowski had written a companion to The Ology about the Psalms, I was pretty sure I'd be adding it to our library, but wanted to get a chance to look over it first. Inter-library Loan to the rescue! A quick read-through confirmed that it will be the next Morning Time Bible Study book.

[Mary Moury]

Beautifully done