Can God See Me?

Can God See Me? by Penny Reeve and Shannon Melville (Wombat Books) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN: 9781922074973

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Upon reading the title of Penny Reeve’s newest picture book, Can God See Me?, I wasn’t sure what we’d be in for – a book about the bible perhaps? A book for a very niche Christian market? However, Shannon Melville’s quirky front cover illustration featuring a wallaby in a purple wig towing a boy, a bear and a hippo on its bike, not only made me look twice, but set the intrigue going.

The story does indeed open with the young protagonist reading the Bible and questioning whether God can actually see everything he does. It’s a normal enough beginning, but from here on in, it’s clear that the imagination of a child really does have no boundaries.

With the questioning theme running throughout the story – what about here … and here … and here – the boy continues to add even more crazy characters and scenarios to his list of possibilities.

What if I was way up on a hill?

What if I was in a basket being held by a bear on a chair on a BMX?

What if a wallaby and a hippo wanted to join in – and then we all went DOWN the hill?

I can just imagine young readers wanting to add even more crazy ‘what if’ situations – they may well drive their parents or teachers a little mad.

While the central religious focus of Can God See Me? may not be for everyone, there is no doubt that Penny Reeve has been very clever in her light-hearted approach to what, for some, would be a very serious question. Looking at these sorts of questions in such a fun way is, indeed, a masterful way to engage young children.

Can God See Me? is a fun story, with fun illustrations, ideal for sharing with children from the ages of 4 to 7. Religious focus aside, it would also be a fabulous stimulus for writing classes in the mid-primary years of school.