Gellman, Marc. And God Cried, Too: A Kid's Book of Healing and Hope. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. HarperCollins Publishers, 2002. ISBN 0060098872. $17.89. 108 pp. Reviewer: Joy Criddle Reading Level: Primary; Intermediate Rating: Significant shortcomings Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction; Subject: Consolation--Juvenile literature; Suffering--Religious aspects--Juvenile literature; Fairness--Juvenile literature; Books--Reviews; "Little Angel Mikey is a guardian-angel-in-training. He doesn't understand how God can let bad things happen in the world...Big Angel Gabe is a wise old angel, and it's his job to help answer Little Angel Mikey's tough questions and to guide him through the mystery of suffering and into a hopeful place." (front book jacket) The author, a rabbi, presents some interesting ideas, but I disagree with his representation of God. In his attempt to help children of all religions and beliefs he depersonalizes God. By keeping God from being a specific person who is perfect in all attributes, Gellman creates the image of a God who would be difficult to trust or from whom it would be difficult to receive comfort. How can a person trust a God who is so limited in his characteristics? How can a child feel trust in a God who is so vague and undefined? (Page 86, paragraph two: " not even God knows what the future will be.") This book would best be read with a parent, since the concept of God Gellman presents might weaken the faith in the God the child believes in. This quote from the end of the book is representative of the useful ideas the author presents about dealing with life's challenges: "What everybody can be sure of is that love makes you feel better. Love is the best thing we get, and the best things we give, and the only thing that never ever dies. Just remember this: every time you cry...God is crying, too." (p.103)
