When I was eleven my parents gave me a Bible for Christmas. It had a white faux leather cover with “Holy Bible: Concordance” printed in gold on the front.

Although I was too young to fully comprehend its significance to the civilized world, I knew I held in my hands a precious, sacred book, one that contained marvelous stories of mankind and miracles, fish and forbidden fruit, Jesus’s birth and resurrection. I also noted that the Bible seemed to be a book people often quoted from but didn’t necessarily read cover to cover.

If only there had been a picture book like One Perfect Plan: The Bible’s Big Story in Tiny Poems by Nancy Tupper Ling and Alina Chau (WaterBrook, 2023) to help me figure out how to approach such an intimidating tome! I would have had a beautifully illustrated lyrical roadmap of sorts — an appealing introduction to some of the best stories told within the context of the Bible’s larger message.

In One Perfect Plan, Nancy Tupper Ling accomplishes the daunting task of distilling the essence of beloved Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments in luminous rhyming couplets, all beginning with the word “One.” “One garden” for the garden of Eden, “One drop” for the great flood, “One stone” for the story of David and Goliath, and so on. A scriptural reference follows each poem.

The book opens with the Creation story from Genesis I, setting a dramatic tone:

One word --
then light breaks into darkness;
the sky, the seas, and life -- how wondrous!

We next read three poems about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the evil serpent, and man’s subsequent fall from grace:

One world --
now broken as sin enters in.
How will our Father restore it again?

This is followed by the first of five “One God” poems interspersed throughout the book — powerful declarations of His redemptive love resounding like a chorus:

One God --
whose plan is perfect and true --
will bring new life to me and to you.

Tiny poem follows tiny poem, citing instances of God’s covenants with man (Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, Esther, Daniel, Jonah). In return for their faith and commitment, God keeps his promises, “protects and defends.” As our Savior, Redeemer and Friend, He “loves all children from now till the end.”

The final series of poems encapsulates the story of Christ, showcasing the striking efficacy of Ling’s “One” poetic device. One angel appeared to the Virgin Mary foretelling the coming of the Savior, One heavenly light guided the shepherds to the manger, One child, Jesus, was God’s precious gift for salvation, One touch was all Jesus needed to heal the sick.

Ultimately, Jesus was crucified upon One cross, and when a large stone was rolled away, it revealed One empty tomb. Amazing how one man’s life and death on the cross ultimately changed the world!

The final three poems are an uplifting affirmation of God’s glory and his perfect plan for mankind, an invitation to spread the word of the Lord far and wide:

One Holy Spirit --
like wind descends;
with new believers, Christ's kingdom expands.
God calls us still to show the Way
so all will hear this Good News someday.

One heaven on earth --
where we will dwell.
Every tear's wiped away, and all will be well!

One God --
our God, so perfect and true --
has offered new life to me
and to you.

Alina Chau’s vibrant, dynamic illustrations illuminate and amplify Ling’s verses to maximum effect. Gorgeous double page spreads pulsate with life and energy via skillful use of free flowing whirls and swirls. We see ocean waves crashing, the powerful churning and tumultuous splashing of the sea as it engulfs Noah’s ark or surges and swells around Jonah’s breaching whale.

Loose lines and fluid curls also depict the movement of air, the floating of clouds, the licks of flames. Light, which represents the presence, direction, and guidance of God, is artfully incorporated in many spreads — from the first time sunlight “breaks into darkness” in Genesis, to depictions of stars in the sky (especially the Star of Bethlehem), to a joyous sunrise as Jesus restores sight to Jairus’s daughter.

Perhaps the most spectacular depictions of light occur near the book’s end: when it pours forth from the empty tomb, as it becomes a cross bearing a crown of thorns, or as a glittering extension of a dove’s tail striking the hearts of believers, the dove being a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit.

Chau employs other Christian motifs as well: flowers (Eden, new life), fish (to feed the masses), bread and wine (Communion), lamb (Jesus), gold crown (reward awaiting in Heaven). Her crown of thorns frames the dedication pages and endpapers, and her gorgeous title pages incorporate story elements emerging from a spooling papyrus scroll, upon which the books of the Bible were initially written and copied by hand.

Her final double page spread showing God’s Kingdom is breathtaking: a majestic gold crown frames His heaven on earth with worshippers filing into His house. A dove and lamb grace each side of this eternal circle, along with flowers in clusters of three (Holy Trinity).

The brevity of the poems in One Perfect Plan will engage young readers, making them keen to read the stories. They’ll begin to understand how just one action, even if seemingly small, can have enormous consequences. Ultimately we look to one God: consider what he has done and can do!

Though there are many interpretations of the Bible, most will agree that one’s relationship with God is an intimate, personal thing — a “one-on-one,” if you will. Like lovingly strung prayer beads, these poetic gems sing true. There is a hopeful message here, along with incentive to explore one’s faith.

As for me, I still have my white Bible, the only Bible I’ve ever owned. Thanks to One Perfect Plan, I know just where to find some new-to-me stories.

I hope kids who read this book will embrace the power of one, and in their everyday lives remember that one act of kindness, one encouraging word, one conscious decision to be their best selves can make all the difference.

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ONE PERFECT PLAN: The Bible’s Big Story in Tiny Poems
written by Nancy Tupper Ling
illustrated by Alina Chau
published by WaterBrook/Penguin Random House, October 2023
Poetry Picture Book for ages 3-7, 40 pp.

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Lovely and talented Anastasia Suen is hosting the Roundup at Small Poems. Be sure to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being shared around the blogosphere this week. Enjoy your weekend — Happy December and Happy Advent!

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*Interior spreads text copyright © 2023 Nancy Tupper Ling, illustrations © 2023 Alina Chau, published by WaterBrook/PRH. All rights reserved.

**Copyright © 2023 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.