Kid Review – Doing Something New – Picture Book
Perkins, Mitali. Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings. Illustrated by Andres Landazabal. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Kids, 2026.
Guide to categories: Kid Review – review of books for elementary-aged and younger children
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Summary
Jesus, now I come to you,
at the start of something new . . .
Children all encounter change differently. And whether a new year, a new school, a new neighborhood, or a new team, change can be hard.
Through Doing Something New, award-winning author Mitali Perkins reminds kids that wherever they go and whatever they do, in all of these changes they are not alone: Jesus is with them. And not only is Jesus with them, but he also understands and empathizes with them because he, too, has experienced new and difficult things.
In Doing Something New, you’ll find
- a heartfelt prayer kids can lift to God during times of newness and change,
- a charming story brought to life through Andrés Landazábal’s vibrant illustrations of children in new everyday situations, and
- a note from the author to encourage further conversation about trusting Jesus in the midst of hard things.
Doing Something New is a prayer that offers children―and the adults who read with them―language to pray in times of change or stress. Rooted in the promises of the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-10, this book provides comfort and reassurance that everything matters to Jesus.
Share Doing Something New with the children in your life and help them see how Jesus is with them in every moment of their lives.
Purchase Doing Something New on Amazon – https://amzn.to/4xfmlMy
My Kid Review
Perkins understands what it is like to be new. Her compassion shows through in her text. Doing Something New is a great adaptation of the Beatitudes for children.
Perkins takes children (and their readers) through the Beatitudes and applies them to different events in a child’s life. The text and illustrations depict experiences children might encounter, like starting a new school, losing a loved one, helping others, standing up for what is right, and more.
Landazabal’s artwork beautifully illustrates the text and helps children visualize the meaning behind the story.
Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings would be a beautiful addition to the picture book section of a K-12 Christian school library.
I received a complimentary copy of Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings. This is my honest review
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