Title: I Am Wonderfully Created Prematurely
Author: Betty Hall
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-5434-3598-6
Pages: 24
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Family / New Baby
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
The nursing and hospital staff helping premature babies have to be one of the most angelic services any human can bestow on the needy infants, unable to survive on their own. Author Betty Hall takes her thanks and gratitude to a new level by writing a sweet book about a “little, brittle” baby born three months early. With the theme of blue in coloration, it makes two statements; one being a boy, and secondly being a “blue baby,” needing oxygen for months in order to survive.
The struggle and fortitude of this “little and brittle” baby reminds the family of warriors. The daily need to grow, along with the other ailments which often accompany “premies” makes for a challenging start of life. Luckily, with the care of the medical profession, love of his mother, their family, and being the recipient of countless prayers, God has given the strength for this young boy to grow stronger everyday, and just about 200 days later, he leaves the hospital to go home.
Not exactly a cheerful and happy book, because of the hardships the story is centered around, Betty Hall does not lose hope and in the end things work out well. Therefore, this story is really ideally intended to be a comforting story to the siblings of a baby who may be in the premature ward of a hospital, giving daily hope to the brothers and sisters awaiting their new sibling’s arrival. I feel as if only someone having gone through this ordeal can take this theme and objectively write about it, so in this regard I am happy for the Hall family in having their prayers answered.
Unlike the endless illustrated children’s book with stories of fanciful talking animals, or whimsical funny creatures, or even school days’ challenges of social interaction, I Am Wonderfully Created Prematurely tells readers a harsh and real situation in which many have to go through being born. It’s a hard reality, but told softly in the way children can understand. Yes, being a tiny “little and brittle” baby has its set of problems, but children will learn to accept these problems by having faith in the medical profession and trusting in God.
This book is, in my opinion, a very important book to grace a family’s library to condition children to the tough situations their family, or others, have to face in regards to creating a new life. Not everything will work out good, but with faith all will work out for the best.
