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Wherever You Are
Wherever you are, God is there.
God is in the gently falling snow, the river, and the honeybee. God is in the people you meet. God is in city streets and country lanes. God is in laughter and tears. No matter where you go, how you are feeling, or what you do, God is with you.
This gentle, reassuring picture book by bestselling author Glenys Nellist and illustrator Sian James encourages children to notice God all around them, in the ordinary people and places of everyday life.
,
God is in the gently falling snow, the river, and the honeybee. God is in the people you meet. God is in city streets and country lanes. God is in laughter and tears. No matter where you go, how you are feeling, or what you do, God is with you.
This gentle, reassuring picture book by bestselling author Glenys Nellist and illustrator Sian James encourages children to notice God all around them, in the ordinary people and places of everyday life.
,
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2023
About the author
Glenys Nellist
55 books344 followersI'm the author of forty+ books for children, including the best-selling Twas the Evening of Christmas, I Wonder: Exploring God's Grand Story, The Wonder That is You, and six popular series: Love Letters from God, Snuggle Time, Little Mole, Twas, Good News and Bedtime Blessings.
Here's my little story...
Although I live in Michigan, USA, I was born and raised in a little village in northern England.
I grew up in a big old house, with two wonderful parents and seven siblings. My dad was the one who introduced me to the gospel. My mum was the one who encouraged me to work with children.
And at primary school, my teacher was the one who urged me to write. One day a week, I was one of the lucky few withdrawn from the classroom to sit in big, comfy armchairs in the teachers' lounge. There, in front of a roaring log fire, with pencil and paper at the ready, I would write.
Four long decades later, I would find myself living across the pond, married to a wonderful man, mum to four adult children and three daughters-in-law, and grandma to three bouncing boys and one gorgeous girl. And as if all that wasn’t blessing enough, I somehow became an author, despite giving up on my first book halfway through.
And if you would have told me then, that this book would one day become a series, that I would begin a second series, and a third… I never would have believed you. The only possible explanation is that our great God is able to do immeasurably more than all I could ever ask or possibly imagine.
And to God alone, be the glory.
Here's my little story...
Although I live in Michigan, USA, I was born and raised in a little village in northern England.
I grew up in a big old house, with two wonderful parents and seven siblings. My dad was the one who introduced me to the gospel. My mum was the one who encouraged me to work with children.
And at primary school, my teacher was the one who urged me to write. One day a week, I was one of the lucky few withdrawn from the classroom to sit in big, comfy armchairs in the teachers' lounge. There, in front of a roaring log fire, with pencil and paper at the ready, I would write.
Four long decades later, I would find myself living across the pond, married to a wonderful man, mum to four adult children and three daughters-in-law, and grandma to three bouncing boys and one gorgeous girl. And as if all that wasn’t blessing enough, I somehow became an author, despite giving up on my first book halfway through.
And if you would have told me then, that this book would one day become a series, that I would begin a second series, and a third… I never would have believed you. The only possible explanation is that our great God is able to do immeasurably more than all I could ever ask or possibly imagine.
And to God alone, be the glory.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 11, 2023
Wherever You Are is a beautiful children's book in every way! It has gorgeous illustrations, easy-to-understand text, a rhyming cadence that children find so appealing, and an inspiring message about God's love. I loved that the illustrations show diversity and the text appeals to different stages of reading ability: children who need to be read to and older children who read for themselves.
I recently read that you know that a book is good for children when it's also enjoyed by adults. This book is a perfect example! It's for all ages and it's a book that I will love sharing with my granddaughter! I recommend 'Wherever You Are' for families, for church libraries, and for gift-giving, also.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
Check out my full review here: https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....
I recently read that you know that a book is good for children when it's also enjoyed by adults. This book is a perfect example! It's for all ages and it's a book that I will love sharing with my granddaughter! I recommend 'Wherever You Are' for families, for church libraries, and for gift-giving, also.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
Check out my full review here: https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....
March 9, 2023
TITLE: WHEREVER YOU ARE
AUTHOR: Glendy Nellist
PUB DATE: 02.28.2023
THOUGHTS: I love the message about finding God wherever you are, wherever and whenever you my be. The illustrations capture the emotions and daily life in a beautiful way. Children will enjoy this over and over as it’s read aloud bringing joy.
AUTHOR: Glendy Nellist
PUB DATE: 02.28.2023
THOUGHTS: I love the message about finding God wherever you are, wherever and whenever you my be. The illustrations capture the emotions and daily life in a beautiful way. Children will enjoy this over and over as it’s read aloud bringing joy.
April 6, 2023
I was so excited to have won Wherever You Are by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Sian James.
It is a beautifully illustrated and an inspiring picture book. I love the diversity that is depicted in the stunning artwork.
This book teaches children that God is with you wherever you are. It makes a perfect Easter gift.
Thank you Glenys Nellist for this giveaway win!
It is a beautifully illustrated and an inspiring picture book. I love the diversity that is depicted in the stunning artwork.
This book teaches children that God is with you wherever you are. It makes a perfect Easter gift.
Thank you Glenys Nellist for this giveaway win!
February 15, 2023
I so enjoy all of Glenys' picture books - I'm looking forward to seeing this one too. I use them all the time with the youngest of children I work with at my Church. They're all just so beautifully written and illustrated!
Edited - my copy arrived! I absolutely love the sweet message and beautiful illustrations. My rector immediately borrowed it to share with his young children tonight at bedtime.
Edited - my copy arrived! I absolutely love the sweet message and beautiful illustrations. My rector immediately borrowed it to share with his young children tonight at bedtime.
January 31, 2023
Everything about this book is beautiful – the words, the illustrations, and the truth it contains! Gentle lyrical verse reminds us that God is with us everywhere and at all times, even in our pain. We need only open our eyes and look around to see him reflected in all creation and in the eyes of each person we meet!
February 1, 2023
Reading this lyrical, rhyming picture book, you can’t help but feel God close by - in every moment of joy, and moments in-between, in the everyday occurrences and everywhere. Feel God’s hand and presence in every scene, from the simple watering of daffodils to the moments you need His comfort most. Wonderful art reinforces God’s presence everywhere and every day.
February 3, 2023
The art and the story are excellent and a must add to your library
January 5, 2023
Reviews from the author are inevitably biased, but I'd like to share the inspiration behind this book, and the reason I'm giving my five stars to the illustrator, Sian James...
Eight years ago, on an ordinary Thursday afternoon, when my first-born grandson was just three years old, and I had the enormous privilege of taking care of him, it was snowing.
He stood by the window in our front room, and as he watched the snow fall silently outside, he was so very still that I took a photo. After a moment, he turned to me and asked, in his three-year-old voice, "Where’s God?"
I didn't know it then, but that ordinary moment on that ordinary day would become this picture book exploring the simple yet powerful premise that wherever you are, God is there.
Sian James was good enough to use two of my personal photographs as the basis for her lovely illustrations. One, of course, was the photo of my grandson as he stood by the window. The other was a photo of the street where we lived, where I raked leaves with my neighbor one long-ago autumn day. Don't ask me why, but as I leaned on my rake and the leaves tumbled down, I just had this tremendous sense of God's presence all around... in the air, in the wind, in the trees, and most of all, in the eyes of my neighbor.
Thank you, Sian, for helping readers of this book to know... wherever you are, God is there.
Eight years ago, on an ordinary Thursday afternoon, when my first-born grandson was just three years old, and I had the enormous privilege of taking care of him, it was snowing.
He stood by the window in our front room, and as he watched the snow fall silently outside, he was so very still that I took a photo. After a moment, he turned to me and asked, in his three-year-old voice, "Where’s God?"
I didn't know it then, but that ordinary moment on that ordinary day would become this picture book exploring the simple yet powerful premise that wherever you are, God is there.
Sian James was good enough to use two of my personal photographs as the basis for her lovely illustrations. One, of course, was the photo of my grandson as he stood by the window. The other was a photo of the street where we lived, where I raked leaves with my neighbor one long-ago autumn day. Don't ask me why, but as I leaned on my rake and the leaves tumbled down, I just had this tremendous sense of God's presence all around... in the air, in the wind, in the trees, and most of all, in the eyes of my neighbor.
Thank you, Sian, for helping readers of this book to know... wherever you are, God is there.
May 4, 2024
A sweet bedtime read that will help parents and guardians somewhat explain the ever-present nature of God.
The text itself although not fully rhyming has a nice flow to it as it takes a look into various daily nature occurrences and explains how God can be found in those opportunities. Although some pages have one just one sentence to explain the thought, there are other pages that combines many various events ongoing in that spread to make it a nice more rounded telling.
At the same time most of the book are shared spreads of brightly colored illustrations (and rather beautifully in most regards) thus allowing for the various ongoing events that are being told. In one case there is a split of the illustration to showcase the day and night of it but with the running-on fence in the background it does appear to be part of the same background as in the day version.
All in all it is a cute story and would make for a nice bedtime story to share with your littles....
The text itself although not fully rhyming has a nice flow to it as it takes a look into various daily nature occurrences and explains how God can be found in those opportunities. Although some pages have one just one sentence to explain the thought, there are other pages that combines many various events ongoing in that spread to make it a nice more rounded telling.
At the same time most of the book are shared spreads of brightly colored illustrations (and rather beautifully in most regards) thus allowing for the various ongoing events that are being told. In one case there is a split of the illustration to showcase the day and night of it but with the running-on fence in the background it does appear to be part of the same background as in the day version.
All in all it is a cute story and would make for a nice bedtime story to share with your littles....
February 20, 2023
We were so excited when we received the latest book from Glenys Nellist. We have many of her books and have always admired her way of gentle writing for kids
‘Wherever you are’ is a perfect reminder that God is everywhere and he is in everyone we encounter. In light of what is happening in the world today, this book comes at a perfect time. It’s rhyming flows well. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and fill the pages giving you the feeling you are there. I was especially happy to see inclusion and representation of children with disability in this book with all its perfect subtle details
Another perfect read by Glenys Nellist! I would also highly recommend you read her other beautiful books!
‘Wherever you are’ is a perfect reminder that God is everywhere and he is in everyone we encounter. In light of what is happening in the world today, this book comes at a perfect time. It’s rhyming flows well. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and fill the pages giving you the feeling you are there. I was especially happy to see inclusion and representation of children with disability in this book with all its perfect subtle details
Another perfect read by Glenys Nellist! I would also highly recommend you read her other beautiful books!
February 27, 2023
This is a wonderful read for all ages!
I got a chance to read Wherever You Are to my college-age kids. It was a book I wish I could have read to them when they were young. The message of God’s presence was a comfort to me as it reminded all of us that we are never alone. The words are simple but poetic, and the illustrations are beautiful.
I’m so glad my kids aren’t too big for story time and would let me practice before reading to kids at church. The kids (and adults) in the church loved the book. It was a good way to remind them of God's presence in the good and bad times, as several kids have had struggles this past year. This will make my list of books to read to kids once a year because we all need that reminder.
I got a chance to read Wherever You Are to my college-age kids. It was a book I wish I could have read to them when they were young. The message of God’s presence was a comfort to me as it reminded all of us that we are never alone. The words are simple but poetic, and the illustrations are beautiful.
I’m so glad my kids aren’t too big for story time and would let me practice before reading to kids at church. The kids (and adults) in the church loved the book. It was a good way to remind them of God's presence in the good and bad times, as several kids have had struggles this past year. This will make my list of books to read to kids once a year because we all need that reminder.
April 7, 2023
Wherever You Are is a stunning, heartwarming, precious, diverse, magical, unique, and uplifting story!! This book is one of the most gorgeous books I've ever read! It answers the question, "where is god?". I can think of no better way to explain to a child that God is always with you. God is simply wherever you are regardless of the circumstances or location. This book highlights how God is in the beautiful things he created on earth like fireflies, how he is with you in your sadness, with you in joy, and with you always. I cannot accurately express how beautiful, moving, and comforting this book is! I truly adore it! It is so well written and has the best message! I also love how inclusive the characters in this book are!
March 1, 2023
This book has beautiful illustration to pair with the words that remind your child (and yourself) that wherever you are, God is with you. There is such a diversity between all of the places listed that anyone that reads this books will connect to at least one place that God is with you.
My kids absolutely loved the detail of the illustrations. They liked pointing things out on each page and hearing about how God is with them in places they see frequently or even every day. I also loved that many of the places listed are outside in God’s creation.
Such a sweet book that would make a great baptism or baby shower gift!
My kids absolutely loved the detail of the illustrations. They liked pointing things out on each page and hearing about how God is with them in places they see frequently or even every day. I also loved that many of the places listed are outside in God’s creation.
Such a sweet book that would make a great baptism or baby shower gift!
February 16, 2023
This book for children absolutely touched me to the core...at 63 years old! After some stressful days and weeks, this gem showed up in my mailbox in God's perfect time. It is just what I needed to remind me that God is with me in it ALL! Sian James' beautiful illustrations bring the text to life. This book, for children and adults alike, could easily be read everyday as not to forget we are never on our own.
February 28, 2023
This lovely, lyrical picture book by the wonderful writer, Glenys Nellist, reassures the reader that God is everywhere that we are: in sunshine and in tears, in friendship and in flowers. The comforting words and images blend into a beautiful reminder that there is no place on earth or beyond that God is not present. While written for young children, I found this to be a reminder to adults as well. No matter what challenges we face, God is with us! Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
March 4, 2023
This book is an absolutely charming addition to Glenys Nellist's library of works. With its simple message of God's presence coupled with with beautiful illustrations by Sian James, this book offers a wide-ranging representation of God rather than a narrow denominational one. Here you'll find a God that is everywhere and in everything for everyone, and with subtle details representing a wide diversity of children and adults – covering age, race, and ability. It's an abiding presence and love.
March 30, 2023
Absolutely beautiful- and so inspirational and hopeful.
This was a GREAT read-aloud with our grade one class, and they had so many wonderful connections to this message of God is always with us.
I also loved how there was an activity package to go along with it- our students really enjoyed learning the sign language, and designing the bookmarks.
I highly recommend this picture book for classrooms, homeschooling, Sunday school, and for your own family library.
This was a GREAT read-aloud with our grade one class, and they had so many wonderful connections to this message of God is always with us.
I also loved how there was an activity package to go along with it- our students really enjoyed learning the sign language, and designing the bookmarks.
I highly recommend this picture book for classrooms, homeschooling, Sunday school, and for your own family library.
February 11, 2026
I think the author of this book must have been reading my mind when she wrote it. From the very first page where a child is lying in the grass and staring at the clouds to the last page where a child is blowing a dandelion in the breeze, I could relate to seeing God in all the situations: in the whisper of snow, in the rustling leaves, in the tears, in the laughter, in the silence. I love this book!
February 1, 2023
With beautiful pictures and words, Glenys does it again in reminding our children and us, their parents, that God is always with us. I love her newest book to share with my kids around the dinner table or before bed, and it’ll be coming with me to teach Sunday school too. We can never tire of sharing this truth, God is with us. Thank you Glenys!
February 19, 2023
LOVE IT!! I read it to several kids at church (between the ages of 2 and 8). The children enjoyed the story time and wanted to talk more about God afterwards. The children also found people in the book "just like them" ... way to go on the inclusivity!! I look forward to sharing Wherever You Are with other children and families.
February 28, 2023
I’m always on the lookout for a good picture book to give for big life events like birth, first day of school, or graduation. Wherever You Are, written by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Sian James, has risen to the top of books that I’ll be giving as a gift to help children remember that no matter where they are or what happens in their life, God is always there.
This beautiful book takes the reader throughout the many seemingly ordinary events of life and how God is in every one of them. From the gently falling snow to the promise of each early morning’s light, God is there. The illustrations wonderfully celebrate the joy, and sometimes pain, that we all experience throughout life as the reader is reminded of God’s presence.
I highly recommend this book as a great reminder to kids traveling through this crazy world that no matter what, God is wherever they are. I could actually see this book lying out at a baby shower OR a high school graduation for all the guests to write a note of encouragement in.
This beautiful book takes the reader throughout the many seemingly ordinary events of life and how God is in every one of them. From the gently falling snow to the promise of each early morning’s light, God is there. The illustrations wonderfully celebrate the joy, and sometimes pain, that we all experience throughout life as the reader is reminded of God’s presence.
I highly recommend this book as a great reminder to kids traveling through this crazy world that no matter what, God is wherever they are. I could actually see this book lying out at a baby shower OR a high school graduation for all the guests to write a note of encouragement in.
February 27, 2023
Oh, I love the sweet, simple message of this book. It will be a favorite of ours for years to come. As always, Glenys has the best illustrator who catches the diversity of ALL GOD'S PEOPLE. I love the bright and beautiful colors in this book and such a thoughtful message. No matter where you are, God is there.
February 27, 2023
This is a beautiful book, perfect for children, but resonates with adults! It reminds readers that God is with them, and loves them, everywhere and anywhere. One thing I love about the illustrations is the colorful depiction of children of all walks of life- inclusive of color, abilities, and mind set. I’ve ordered a couple more of this title, to gift. 💝
February 27, 2023
I loved this book. My 9 year old and I read it together. He had thoughtful reflections and questions. We both loved the beautiful illustrations. We loved that it gave creative space to think about all the places and spaces where God is with us. It's simplicity and richness make it a great book for all ages.
January 31, 2023
All of Glynnis' books are so beautifully written and illustrated but this one is especially beautiful. I've seen little teasers of the words and illustrations and can.not.wait until the book is in my hands to read to my little friends!
June 6, 2023
A sweet and joyous message that God is with you in all things. Wherever you are, God is there! Told in lovely rhyming text and gorgeous flowing illustrations by Sian James, this picture book is sure to be a favorite of both children and adults.
February 4, 2023
This book is beautifully written and illustrated, and is a perfect way to remind children (and us all) that God is with us always- wherever we go!
March 4, 2023
Such a beautiful book with the beautiful message that God is wherever you are.
February 28, 2023
This book does a beautiful job capturing the presence is God in the everyday moments of life, with special attention to nature and life's challenges and joys. The illustrations include differently abled children and adults of a multitude of ages and races such that everyone can see themselves represented within these pages and everyone can hear the message that God is, quite simply, wherever they are! Another beautifully written, deeply meaningful book from Glenys Nellist!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2023
It often takes a question from a child to get us thinking about the important things. This book is the result of a little tyke’s question to his grandma. Her answer is so precious, so tender, the illustrations so sweet. Children will relate well to both text and illustrations. Adults? Have the tissues ready. This is such a tender reminder of the nearness of God. Don’t delay getting copies for the children in your life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews