A Very Big Problem

Written by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Narrated by Lisa Larsen

In the beginning, God's garden is beautiful and peaceful, but it doesn't stay that way. Everyone has something to say! Rain brags that it's the most refreshing. Birds boast that they're the most splendid. Earthworms bluster about their busyness. Then Children come along, claiming to be the best of all. And it's only fair that the best is loved most, isn't it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Aug 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781545915899

Amy-Jill Levine

Amy-Jill Levine (“AJ”) is Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace and University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita, and Professor of New Testament Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University. An internationally renowned scholar and teacher, she is the author of numerous books including The Difficult Words of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week, Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent, Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven, and Signs and Wonders: A Beginner’s Guide to the Miracles of Jesus. She is also the coeditor of the Jewish Annotated New Testament. AJ is the first Jew to teach New Testament at Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute. In 2021 she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. AJ describes herself as an unorthodox member of an Orthodox synagogue and a Yankee Jewish feminist who until 2021 taught New Testament in a Christian divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt.

Reviews for A Very Big Problem

[kalliegrace · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Based on the creation story, everyone argues they are the most loved by God. God says they love everyone and everyone is needed. Something about this didn't work for me so I didn't keep it for my children. The illustrations are cute and the message is fine though.

[bah195 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A beautifully written and illustrated children's book about creation and God's love.A simple and quick book that's great to read to your child at betime.

[sandsing7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The illustrations are beautiful, but the book is a bit long for the target age group. There are too many groups that claim God loves them the best. Perhaps it would work if they reduce the amount of text and make it a board book? I don't think I would recommend it.

[cherylgrimm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

God’s garden has a problem...a very BIG problem... when the elements, all its denizens, from the elephants down to the worms, boast their importance and God’s favor. But they can’t all be the apple of his eye, can they?Taking turns to state their case for hierarchy, denoting their vital contribution, land begins, feeling that being first, it should be lived most. Rain, sun, flora and fauna, even children.God was not happy with the bickering and informs them all that while each has their own important reason for being there, it’s the symbiotic connection that gives his garden its glory.Woke, they see how they matter, to God, the garden, themselves. A peaceful calm settles in. As with any garden, serenity can be found by merely inhabiting it. (MY favorite part.)Brightly illustrated with fun characters, it can teach children that all God’s creations, big and small, elemental and physical, are vital to the existence of the next.Noted at the end is Midrash, a rabbinic form of storytelling, for which this book is intended to convey. The story untold, but obvious.Thank you LibraryThing for the chance to win this book and Flyaway Books for offering it.#AVeryBigProblem

[atdcross · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a very cute book with a cute story so simple and quick, you can very easily read it right before putting the children to bed. Teaches that God loves us all equally, regardless of our weaknesses or strengths. Easy for children to understand.

[hazel1123_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book has a very simple story that even young children can understand and appreciate. God created so many different and wonderful creatures and things, and that they are all necessary, important and equally loved. The desire to be the best or the most important and its corollary, that others are less and not as important is rooted in a human belief that there just isn't enough love and kindnes. The illustrations are very large, colorful and interesting. Children like to name the animals and talk about why they are important and part of the whole. Overall this is a very good book.

[janeslist · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as part of the LibraryThing EarlyReviewers program. The book is true to the description, but I just didn't really enjoy spending that much time reading the descriptions of all of Creation being jealous of each other, even if God shows up and says they love all equally because they are different. Perhaps if I had a kid who was dealing with jealousy I might see this as a tool, but I don't know. Some of the illustrations are quite beautiful, and very colorful.

[rolyat-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

#A Very Big Problem teaches children about jealousy and superiority. These are important issues in everyday life. Even as grownups, we face these problems in our everyday lives. Best to teach our children about equality and unconditional love while they are young. This book does just that with a wonderful story. Whether you believe in God or not, #A Very Big Problem goes a long way towards explaining these confusing issues. Loved this book! Five Stars!