Forever You

November 19, 2012
A rhymed phrase repeats the central message throughout this instructional story: “Your soul is in all you are and do—soul and body, forever you.” Lataif and Rojas employ simple drawings and language to convey an elusive theological concept, explaining how the soul reveals itself through activities and feelings. Pastel-colored cartoons against solid white backdrops depict people of different skin tones, ages, and abilities engaged in various activities: feeding sheep, smelling flowers, climbing trees, playing instruments, taking baths. One scene shows an intergenerational family meal, a cross displayed behind them, with the words, “Your soul shows through when you love. You love your friends. You love your family. You love God.” Another depicts the importance of daily choices in taking care of both soul and body: a picture of children brushing teeth, eating apples, and playing baseball accompanies text that reads, “Your soul is a gift for safekeeping.... Watch what you choose to do.” A front page for grownups describes the principles for Christian faith formation the book intends to illustrate. The story seems designed for and most appropriately used in religious education settings. Ages 4–8.