GOD’S PERFECT PEACE: Book Review & Giveaway
Do you know a child who wrestles with worries at bedtime? I do. GOD’S PERFECT PEACE may be the Bedtime Blessings book to help our little ones settle their minds for rest.
Check out the following review to see if this book is a good fit for a precious child you know. Plus, there’s a special giveaway with this one!
The Author
Glenys Nellist is an award-winning author of children’s books, including The Wonder That is You, and Twas the Evening Before Christmas.
Nellist was born and raised in a little village in northern England but now lives with her husband in Michigan. On her website, she shares some heartwarming thoughts:
“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 One day a week, I was one of the lucky few withdrawn from the classroom to sit in big, comfy armchairs in the teachers’ lounge.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.”
Check out the author’s website. She offers an amazing activity pack to go along with GOD’S PERFECT PEACE. It includes colorful bookmarks, blessing cards, coloring pages, a craft, and more. The activity pack contains a beautiful bounty, and it is free!
The Illustrations
The illustrator, Natalie Merheb created lovely scenes using soothing, muted jewel tones throughout the book.
This book is filled forest animal families preparing little ones for bed. Most of the animals are in their natural homes. But there may be a fun element added to the illustration such as a pillow, blanket, or a book. There are ten animal families illustrated. A few of the nocturnal ones appear to be taking an evening nap.
The last illustration shows a human parent reading to two children before bedtime.
About GOD’S PERFECT PEACE
The first page of the book sets the tone with Isaiah 26:3a (NLT) printed out:
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you.”
Written in beautiful rhyme, GOD’S PERFECT PEACE contains bedtime blessings with affirmations about God’s love, protection, and peace.
The book begins with the phrase. “Don’t let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid.” Much of the first half of the book tells children what God’s peace is like.
“God’s peace is like a river as it gently trickles by.
It’s quiet, like the sunset, or the softest lullaby.”
Most of the second half of the book contains sweet blessings to read and pray over children.
The last page is a note to the adult reading the book. The author suggests tracing the shape of a cross or a heart on the child’s forehead or palm as they say a blessing over them. There are three scripture references on this page.
Conclusion
This rhyming picture book tenderly reminds children why they can enjoy a peaceful night of rest. I can see this book creating a lovely tradition passed down from generation to generation of placing bedtime blessings in children’s hearts and tracing reminders of love on their heads.
I highly recommend this comforting bedtime book of blessings.
Giveaway
Furthermore, the publisher, Paraclete Press, has kindly donated a copy of GOD’S PERFECT PEACE to give to one of you. Thank you, Paraclete!
Winners must reside in the contiguous United States.
The winner will be announced here on July 11, 2025. I’ll send an email to the winner from sallymatheny.com. The winner never pays for anything. I pay all shipping costs as a way to give back to my readers and to help promote excellent books.
As always, we select our giveaway winners from this blog’s email subscriber list.
However, for this giveaway, you can get a second entry if you tell us a tradition your kids enjoy at bedtime. Is it a choice of two books and one song? Or, perhaps it’s 2-out-of-3 arm-wrestling matches followed by a 1-minute dance party. Whatever it is, let us know in the comments section below.
Congratulations to D. Hammelef of Michigan. You won the book!
I was provided a free copy of this book for my honest review.
Motivated by the power of story, history, and His Story, Sally Matheny’s passion is telling the next generation wondrous things.
Her nonfiction writing appears in worldwide, national, and regional publications including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.
She and her husband live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are blessed with three children, two sons-in-law, and armfuls of grandbabies. Connect with Sally on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.
16 Comments
Brenda Covert
My grandkids want at least 2 stories, and then they say their prayers and get good night kisses. A few years ago I would sing them all the lullabies, but at 5 & 7, they want stories, not songs!
Sally Matheny
Brenda, those sound like sweet moments to remember. You just have to crank out a new song that’s not a lullaby. And get them to sing along! 🙂
Danielle Hull
The Lord has been speaking to me about peace and joy, and I think this would be perfect for my granddaughters, as my kids are older now. My husband usually does the bedtime routine. He shares something from the Bible and prays with them.
My nephew thought reading books meant it was time for bed lol!
Sally Matheny
Hi, Danielle. Your husband sounds like a dad who made bedtime meaningful. I’m sure your kids will treasure those memories and probably carry that tradition to the next generation. Your granddaughter will surely enjoy GOD’S PERFECT PEACE.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Danielle Hammelef
Bedtime is always books of choice for each child and then after tucking them in, I have hand puppets that “sing” made up special songs for each child.
Sally Matheny
Hi, Danielle. Oh, how fun! I’d love to see a photo of those hand puppets. It sounds like your bedtime routine promotes lots of giggles and happy hearts.
Thanks for sharing with us. As with all the commenters here, you have two entries in the drawing for the book.
Glenys Nellist
Thank you so much, Sally, for this lovely review. I’m excited to see who wins my new book!
Sally Matheny
Hi, Glenys. It is my pleasure to introduce people to excellent books. Thank you for writing this sweet and valuable gem.
Kathy
Glenys, your new book is stunning! I love its illustrations and your rhyming text. What a sweet way to help children settle down for bed, trusting God to watch over them!
When my kids were little, we always read several books before bed.
Sally Matheny
Hey, Kathy! I’m glad you stopped by. Reading to our children is so important. It is a wonderful way to connect and close out our days.
And, since you’re a subscriber to this blog and you left a comment, your name goes in the drawing two times!
Anna
One kid likes a back rub, the other likes to be tucked in and prayed with, & the other likes a song or two before bed.
Sally Matheny
Hi, Anna. You are a mom in tune to the different love languages of your children. What a blessing!
natalie
Such a sweet faith based bedtime book for littles! My daughters love to get last minute wiggles out and read about 20 books just kidding or am I? 😉 If I am willing to read that many they’ll take it and probably fall asleep 5 books in. God bless!
Sally Matheny
Hi, Natalie. Wow! You do have book-lovers! You must be supplying them with excellent books. Keep it up! 🙂
Deborah DeCiantis
This book looks like a perfect Christmas gift for our three- and almost-three-year-old grandchildren. The youngest always wants two books (she will try for three), sometimes a blanket (but not so much in this 90+ degree heat), and a song. If I can’t decipher the one she asks for, she’ll accept the song I offer. When we pray at bedtime, she has started offering her own prayers, which are becoming longer and amazingly heartwarming to hear.
Sally Matheny
Aw, that’s so sweet. At least you have a good singing voice. Most of my grands prefer my reading aloud to them over my singing. 🙂
It sounds like the bedtime routines at your house are blessings all around!