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Mary Ellen Roberson is making her children’s book debut with her picture book, The Day Time Began – a rhymed retelling of the story of creation found in Genesis 1. She earned her BA in English and Theology from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, and is recently retired from 30 years of home-educating her five children. Teaching her children to write fueled Mary Ellen’s long-held desire to one day write children’s books of her own. Now, working up a story is among her favorite activities. However, making meaningful memories with family and friends and going on adventures with her husband and grown-up children still tops the list. Mary Ellen also loves creating and teaching interactive Bible lessons for pre-school through 2nd graders to encourage them to want to know and follow God. For over 35 years, she and her husband have worked together in the AWANA Bible Club program, teaching children and youth about God and the power of His Word. And Mary Ellen and her family all love animals — rescuing, caring for, training, and cuddling them. From her life experiences as a mother, teacher, and animal lover, Mary Ellen is excited to be devoting part of her retirement to capturing these stories in picture and chapter books for children and their parents to enjoy. Mary Ellen and her husband have lived in Lake Linganore, MD, for 32 of the 42 years they’ve been married. Visit Mary Ellen at maryellenroberson.com
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
The Day Time Began by Mary Ellen Roberson is a unique and engaging retelling of the creation story from the Book of Genesis. It stands out with its rhythmic, rhymed stanzas that bring the story of God’s creation to life in a memorable way. It offers a vibrant and delightful read for preschool through second-grade children. The lyrical narrative is easy to follow, making it a perfect read-aloud for parents and teachers. Children will love the poetic flow, which breaks down the days of creation in a simple way. The book captures the essence of the biblical creation account and infuses it with a sense of awe and wonder that will resonate with young readers.
Joanna Garcia’s illustrations are a standout feature, bringing over 160 animals to life on the pages. The realistic yet playful art encourages kids to explore the pages and identify all that God made. What impressed me most about the illustrations is how they look three-dimensional; each page is like looking through a View-Master—they come to life in a way that’s hard to explain. The Day Time Began is a valuable teaching tool for homeschoolers, Sunday School teachers, and Bible Club leaders. Mary Ellen Roberson and Joanna Garcia capture the grandeur of God's creation in a way that will excite children to learn more. I enjoyed trying to find and name all the animals, and it’s an excellent activity for kids to learn about nature and wildlife and how they came to be.
Teach your children the story of creation with this illuminating picture book. Mary Ellen Roberson presents The Day Time Began, which recounts a tale older than time itself when God chose to create the universe and all it encompasses. Using lyrical storytelling, Roberson takes readers through each day of the first week of creation. On the first day, God brought light to the universe, and with each passing day, He included the oceans, mountains, deserts, flowers, and trees. On the fourth day, God created the sun, the moon, and the stars. Over the next couple of days, He introduced various animals into the world, including fish, birds, and all the land animals. At last, He created a man and a woman, the two best creations in God's plan, and He sat back to observe and enjoy his work on the seventh day.
Drawing from scriptures, Mary Ellen Roberson has written a fun-filled children's tale that retells the story of creation in a way young readers can understand and enjoy. The Day Time Began shows the glory of God's creation and His love for all His children in this world. The book is filled with colorful illustrations of various animals, birds, and even human beings drawn with meticulous attention to detail. Illustrator Joanna Garcia's artwork is simply spectacular. The storytelling is also enhanced by Roberson's lyrical prose, which brings a song-like quality to the narrative. This is one of the best ways to introduce children to the story of creation. Although primarily written for Christians, I think other readers will also find a lot to love about this book. I enjoyed it very much, and recommend it to children and their parents alike!
The Day Time Began by Mary Ellen Roberson is a beautiful children’s picture book that explores the miracle of creation based on Genesis 1. After dedicating the book to the Lord God, Creator, Mary Ellen looks at each day and explains the highlights of creation so children can understand. The greatest and most important part of creation was the creation of a man and a woman from which the human race came. Mary Ellen shows how each part of creation was just right and prepared the way for the creation of humankind. God cared so much for the man and woman that He wanted the world perfect for them. This is one of the best-illustrated books on creation for children I have ever seen. If this had existed forty years ago when my children were young, I would have ensured they had a copy to read.
Mary Ellen Roberson brings the creation story to life in The Day Time Began. A retired educator, Mary Ellen knows how to write to keep a child’s attention. This book is faithful to the Bible’s creation story and a wonderful introduction to children of how God brought this world, everything in it, including time, into being. Joanna Garcia masterfully illustrated this book in vibrant colors that will give your child pleasure as they name all the various animals in the book. Another theme parents can discuss with their children is that God created humankind as the pinnacle of creation and wants to have a relationship with them. Spend time with your children discussing this book and all the ramifications of accepting God’s miracle of creation as the truth concerning how the world came into existence.
In The Day Time Began by Mary Ellen Roberson, the author condenses the story of creation in the Bible into a book that young listeners and readers can better understand. The narrative follows God as he speaks the universe and Earth into existence. In the text, children read about the Lord's daily accomplishments and see the people, landforms, water, animals, and celestial bodies in the pictures, giving them a view of what the Earth may have looked like as God was creating it. Roberson shows when time began and everything that followed from that moment through the next seven days. Certain words, like God, are capitalized to place particular emphasis on them.
Mary Ellen Roberson breaks down each day of creation into simple terms so children can grasp what they need to know about creation. Reading this book to children from an early age will help them comprehend the true wonder of God's abilities and the dedication he poured into his tasks each day. Joanna Garcia provides gorgeous, almost illuminated designs that will draw young readers' eyes to the cover and every page of the book. She even included dinosaurs! I read the book to four of my young children, and the pictures captivated even my four-year-old. Best of all, every child had questions as we read, sparking more religious discussions. Caregivers who hope to provide their children with a timeless story of creation and the beauty of God's work will benefit from reading The Day Time Began to their children.
The Bible is one of the most influential texts in the history of mankind. Its teachings allow children to reflect on life, good and bad. Mary Ellen Roberson gives us that approach through The Day Time Began. The story is based on Genesis 1, which tells of the world's creation in seven days. Through melodious verses, we appreciate how God created light and separated it from darkness. Then, we follow the different creations: the sky, the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars. The latter shine at night and allow us to mark the seasons and the passage of time. Finally, the appearance of all forms of life is described until the divine design is completed.
The Day Time Began is a charming book. The illustrations stand out in their level of detail, full of life, and with a great variety of animals. It is surprising how many creatures are on each page, perfectly balanced and with a remarkable depth effect. Young readers will be able to develop an appreciation for nature and its diverse life forms. Mary Ellen Roberson presents the Genesis story in a captivating way, using a lyrical style. It is ideal for children to understand the creation process with easy-to-read sentences. She also faithfully respects the original content, using language and tone appropriate for her audience. The Day Time Began is an excellent tool to foster a love of reading and God's teachings, helping children begin to build a personal relationship with the divine.
This book is a must have for your library. This stunning book explains creation from a Godly perspective with words and pictures that are unparalleled. I tried to read it to my granddaughter, but at the time she wasn't interested. About an hour later, I found her reading the book with a look of utter joy on her face! She immediately asked me to sit down with her and read it with her. The stunning artwork kept her captivated and we started singing the words. I am excited to spend more quality time with my grands exploring The Day Time Began each time they visit.
Can't say enough good things about this book! My 2.5 yr old loves the story and all the gorgeous illustrations. It's one of those books written for kids, but still enjoyable for the parents to read.
Definitely our new favorite ❤️
I'm always looking for fun ways to introduce little ones to the gospel and this one was a winner. The story was succinct and easy to read with gorgeous artwork that keeps young ones engaged from page to page. I bought 2 more as gifts for family members and I'm certain this will be a book that gets passed down to the next couple of generations. You will love it ☦️ ❤️
This is an absolutely beautiful book to teach children about creation. It is sound in teaching and the beautiful illustrations will draw your child’s attention as well as yours into the book. Can’t say enough about just how beautiful this book is and a great way to share the story of creation with children!
MaryEllen did a beautiful job capturing the story of how creation began. The illustrations are beautiful and allow you to feel a part of being present at the creation of time. This book is a great tool to share God's love from the beginning when God created the world. Definitely going to be a go to gift for baby showers!
I bought one for my grandkids and myself from the author and this is a good easy read for children with beautiful illustrations! Highly recommended and look forward to the next one in the future!
What a beautifully written and illustrated children's book about Creation! Will surely inspire young readers to appreciate God's love and His amazing Creation. A true keepsake for our grandchildren and one I will enjoy as much as they do. Our 6 year old granddaughter was completely captivated by the thoughtful and simply stated words of the writer and so excited by the incredible illustrations. She loved trying to name every species of the animals and the flowers. Sure to please young and old readers alike. Wonderful gift idea too!
“The Day Time Began” is a captivating, biblically accurate story of creation told in rhyme. This book is short enough to hold a young child’s attention but long enough to explain the basic details of creation as told in the Bible. The artwork on every page is stunning and provides a wonderful opportunity for children to recognize different fish, birds, and animals as well as plants. Adults and older children will enjoy reading it to the little ones in their lives as much as the young children will enjoy hearing it. I highly recommend this delightful and engaging book!
“The Day Time Began” is a captivating, biblically accurate story of creation told in rhyme. This book is short enough to hold a young child’s attention but long enough to explain the basic details of creation as told in the Bible. The artwork on every page is stunning and provides a wonderful opportunity for children to recognize different fish, birds, and animals as well as plants. Adults and older children will enjoy reading it to the little ones in their lives as much as the young children will enjoy hearing it. I highly recommend this delightful and engaging book!
The story of creation is already an amazing story. The added illustrations in this book, brings the story ALIVE. This will definitely be a Christmas gift for my nieces and nephews this year!
My kids love this book! The story is engaging and the pictures are stunning! I immediately purchased another copy to give as a gift. This is a treasured book in our house already and would be a great addition to any home or church library. The quality is excellent and would make a great heirloom piece to pass down to future generations.
I feel so content watching my baby boy finger through the pages of The Day Time Began. It glorifies God in so many different and beautiful ways. Each time I read through it I notice something on each page that I didn’t see before. It makes reading to my child that much more fun! I am so excited for my child to grow up reading this gorgeously written book!
Wonderful book! Must have. My 2nd grader loved reading this book, captivating story and beautiful images. She was able to read it independently and enjoyed it thoroughly. Can’t say enough positive things. You won’t regret purchasing this lovely book!
I bought 3 of these! For my grandkids and one for me! The story craft is remarkable. An old story come alive with Biblical accuracy, yet her own unique style of words. It's simple and beautiful. The illustrations are stunning and truly allow God's creations to shine with HIS brilliance.
Buy one for your grandkids and another to share with guests who stop by for a visit. Best gift by far!
Wow! This book is amazingly written and beautifully illustrated. My 3-year-old daughter kept saying “Mom, I have to show you something. Look at all these animals!” Every turn of the page brings remarkable creativity, well-fitted to the account of Creation and undoubtedly pointing to the most amazing Creator. Children and adults will keep pouring over the pages of this outstanding, timeless book. The Day Time Began is our new favorite and will be our new go-to gift!
Wow! This book is amazingly written and beautifully illustrated. My 3-year-old daughter kept saying “Mom, I have to show you something. Look at all these animals!” Every turn of the page brings remarkable creativity, well-fitted to the account of Creation and undoubtedly pointing to the most amazing Creator. Children and adults will keep pouring over the pages of this outstanding, timeless book. The Day Time Began is our new favorite and will be our new go-to gift!
Beautiful and amazing. The illustrations are beautiful, children will be drawn to them. The amazing book takes God's Word and lets the story come to life. Simple and straightforward account of creation.
This children’s story book is a perfect introduction to faith for young children. The simple language, vibrant illustrations, and engaging stories make it a joy to read out loud capturing the attention of even the youngest children. The art work beautifully depicts the story of creation from the Bible making it come alive. I’m purchasing more copies for gifts.
What a beautiful description of the beginning of creation. The poetry captures your mind and the illustrations capture your heart. Our family loves this book and I cannot wait to give it as gifts for all of our loved ones.
This book has quickly become one of our favorites!! Our little reader, 2.5y/o has us reading it over and over already. Very engaging illustrations!
This book is a treasure for a little hearts and minds to get a glimpse of the Creator and the beauty and majesty of His creation. The exquisite illustrations captivate the imagination of children. Thank you for writing a wonderful book.
My school-aged children absolutely adore this book. The beautiful, soothing words and illustrations make it a joy to read. It’s the kind of story that begs to be revisited time and again - a true keepsake in our family.
The children's book , "The Day Time Began", is a delightful treasure. The book has captivating pictures and an engaging narrative of the creation story. I look forward to mailing this to my younger grandchildren.
Simply Beautiful. Simple, learnable rhyme retelling the Creation story with stunningly beautiful illustrations. Deserves a spot on every book shelf.
This book is a delight to persons of any age! Absolutely beautiful!
Such a wonderful well-written book about how God created the world! The illustrations are amazing, too! Can be a great gift for a child
Beautiful, delightful book that reminds us of the wonder of God's creation!
As you turn the pages of The Day Time Again, you will be reminded of just how incredible, beautiful, and hopeful God's creation is - from the first rays of light to the tiniest hopping bug! Mary Ellen Roberson's engaging narrative, told through rhythm and rhyme, pulls readers in and delivers the story of Creation in an exciting and memorable way! Meanwhile, Joanna Garcia's stunning artwork makes each page explode with life and color. You'll almost feel the splash of the waves and the smell of the wildflowers! Kids (and adults) will love discovering all the realistically illustrated animals. (I've read this book several times, and I'm still discovering new creatures hidden in the pages!) Above all, this book is full of hope - reminding us of God's perfect plan for Creation and His great goodness. This book would be a gorgeous and cherished addition to any library, and a perfect gift for families and children!
Beautiful and peaceful retelling of God's miracle of creation. Wonderful rhythm, vibrant art.
A delightful biblically supported story of creation
I've purchased several copies of the beautiful book for several children and groups I interact with. Even the babies are enthralled with the spectacular pictures and vivid colors in these well thought out pages. I highly recommend this lovely book.
A delightful biblically supported story of creation.
From the first page, this beautifully illustrated book draws you in with breathtaking images depicting the story of creation. Every time I have looked through this book, I have noticed new details in the illustrations— a new species of bird, a tiny butterfly or flower, an endearing interaction between a pair of animals, the colors and movement of the waves, etc etc! The simple yet poetic story within will captivate young audiences and adults alike. This would be a perfect gift for baby showers, Confirmation, birthdays, Christmas, and Easter, to name a few ideas.
I showed this book to my aunt while she was in the hospital and it brightened her day. She was immediately taken in by the color and beauty of the full page illustrations and comforted by the familiar message.
I am so glad that this book has finally made it into the world, as I know it was a dream that has been a long time coming to fruition. Highly recommend!
A timeless treasure for anyone looking to instill an appreciation for God’s creation in young hearts.
The Day Time Began, is a beautifully crafted children’s book that celebrates the awe-inspiring story of how the world came to be. With a blend of lyrical storytelling and stunning illustrations, this book introduces young readers to the beauty, complexity, and intentionality behind God’s handiwork.
From the first page, the book captures the reader’s imagination with its vivid portrayal of the universe’s beginnings. Each day of creation is brought to life in rich, poetic language, making it easy for children to understand and appreciate the majesty of God’s work.
The illustrations are another standout feature of The Day Time Began. Vibrant and whimsical, they perfectly complement the story’s tone, pulling readers into a world where imagination knows no bounds. Each page is a visual feast, brimming with details that encourage lingering and discovery.
Perfect for children of all ages, it nurtures a sense of faith, gratitude, and awe that will stay with them for years to come. This book is a perfect addition to my daughter’s library. A timeless treasure for anyone looking to instill an appreciation for God’s creation in young hearts.
Great visual tool for teachers!
This is a beautiful book and a great tool for teachers of littles!
Beautifully written and illustrated book
A wonderful book - speaks the truth of the Biblical account of creation in an easy and beautiful way for children to understand. The illustrations are remarkable and make the words come to life. A meaningful book for sure