Rise and Shine!

Rise and shine

and give God

your glory!

Publishers Weekly

The same cheery bear family from Warnes's picture-book version of Jesus Loves Me! makes a return engagement in this version of a joyous and child-friendly hymn. Little Bear begins his day with a bath, then sets about designing and constructing a model of the ark, just as "The Lord told Noah to build him an arky, arky." Little Bear and his parents then use a menagerie of toy and real critters, and the gentle rain of a watering can to recreate the well-known Bible story of Noah's journey. In sweet and sunny watercolor scenes-often with wildflowers and sunflowers nearby-these happy ursine characters serve as inviting hosts to the hymn and its biblical inspiration. A musical score appears on the final spread. All ages. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Tim Warnes (Papa Bear) has his home in the countryside of Dorset, England, with his wife, illustrator Jane Chapman (Mama Bear), and their son, Noah (Little Bear). When asked how he felt about illustrating this book, Tim says, "My Christian faith is central to my life, so I jumped at the challenge to illustrate Jesus Loves Me! — what a great way to use the gift God gave me!" Tim has drawn closely on his own experiences to give us a pictorial celebration of family life, and to share God's love for all of us. The hens you see in the pictures are from Tim's very own backyard.

With over forty picture books currently in print, award-winning illustrator Tim Warnes has been published in more than twenty countries. This is his first book with Simon & Schuster.