First sentence: Every little boy and girl can be afraid about something at some time. Being afraid means you have fear. Having fear can be a good thing…or a bad thing.

God Cares When I’m Afraid is a new children’s book by Stormie Omartian. She first points out that not all fear is bad or wrong. There is a healthy, normal, good fear. But sometimes fear isn’t good. We can be afraid of things we shouldn’t be worried about, things that may not even be real. No matter what our fear is, she stresses that God cares and that God is present. God can see you through each and every time you are afraid. God hears the prayers of little children no matter how little. He can comfort you and help you not be so afraid.

The book addresses fear in general but also talks specifics and situations.


I think this is a practical book. While it doesn’t cover each and every scenario possible that a child may fear, it does deal in principles teaching truths about God that can be applied to other situations. Plus it encourages prayers and praise!

Cute children book helping to teach children what it's okay to be afraid of and when to pray to God to ask for his presence to help you not feel so afraid. Who to talk to when you're afraid to feel better. Good for younger children

"God knows where you are. You are never alone because He is always with you. That's why you can never be lost to Him."

The line above is one of the most profound things I've read in the whole book. What I loved about this book that it talks about the need for prayer in every situation in your life. It highlights it through the simple things that children face each day.

The book, however, does not touch on the topics of unanswered prayer. I do realize that this is a children's book and teaching on this topic would be difficult. That being said, I was looking forward to reading the book's take on this topic. It would have been a great way to introduce this topic to young children.

All in all loved the illustration and the short prayer at the end of every story point.

I liked the overall message about fear and how to handle fearful situations. I think the examples would be easy for children to understand and apply. I appreciated the diversity in the illustrations and especially that the art did not simply add one black child among whites. However, the cover could be more interesting. My one gripe about this book is that Stormie tells children that their dreams aren’t based on reality or that creepy fears aren’t really anything to worry about because “there’s nothing there.” Since I’ve read and liked Stormie’s other books on prayer, I was disappointed because one of the foundations of prayer is to fight spiritual wickedness. Although perhaps not popular to share, demonic spirits are real and can reside in a room or on a person. It’s not a good idea to teach children that monsters aren’t real when we know full well God teaches us we’re in for a battle and we need spiritual armor. It would be best if she focused on that and nix the “nothing there” belief. As far as the dreams, some dreams can be incredibly significant and some can be attacks.

This book is primarily for smaller children under the age of ten and the first time it should be read with a parent or trusted, adult loved one.
It is firmly based on the beliefs of the Bible and is part book to read and part workbook.
The author begins by taking the young reader through all the many different kinds of fear that they may experience in their daily lives. Making sure that they are aware of the difference between fears that are "good" because they protect us and the kind that are "bad". Explaining that they are bad because they either are based on something not real (like a bad dream) or cause us to hate someone (like a bully).
The best part is that this book is constantly encouraging us to talk to God. Telling us that He knows all about what is happening to us and is always listening and ready to help. No matter what we may need we can rely on our Heavenly Father who loves us.
So make reading this book a family affair and make sure your children know about the solutions to the fears facing them in their own lives.

God Cares When I'm Afraid is a book that interested me as I think books on emotions are vital for helping children understand and talk about their feelings. I liked the sound of this book as, although I don't typically choose religious books, it sounded like a great way to explain fear to children and I was intrigued to see the 7 tips to help the children.

I was quite disappointed with the story. I didn't like how there were good and bad fears as a fear is a fear for a reason, it might be irrational to someone else but it's still very real for that child so I don't think it's good to categorise fears and make children feel that their fear is not worthy of talking or worrying about. I also found there was too much emphasis on all the different kind of fears there are, it should be a reassuring read but it seems to be making children think about all the scary things there are out there and this could make some children learn new fears!

Although this is a religious story for children and I understand many people have faith in God to guide them, I didn't think the prayers were an appropriate way to deal with fears. God may be there to help and protect children but shouldn't we be focusing on helping them to be more resilient and stand up for themselves. What if that police officer didn't come to help the lost boy, would he have just waited rather than finding a safe place and someone who could help him. I am also not keen on the 7 tips to help with fear, with 5 of them involving God, I think that's a bit excessive and contradicts the purpose of the book to help children with fears. The other 2 being tell family and pray with family, pretty obvious and not something children won't have heard before.

I did like the page on Jesus and the disciples as I think that was a clever and relevant connection to the feeling of being afraid. The illustrations in the book are fantastic with lots of bright and colourful pictures of a wide range of situations and a diverse group of children. I am sure these illustrations would keep the children's attention. Overall I think this book looks very nice but sadly the story is very disappointing for me and not one I would want to share with the children. God is definitely there to help but we also need to make strong and resilient children rather than encouraging them to wait for everything to come to them!

This book was a bit of a miss for me unfortunately. I understand and like the concept but I didn't agree with some of the statements about 'good' and 'bad' fear. I also have a differing opinion about the way the children's prayers to God have been written but I do not wish to offend so I will leave it at that. Not a book I would personally buy but I'm sure it would be great for certain families.

This author was a major influence on me many years ago through her music. It pleases me to see how her ministry continues through her writing.
This is a simple book that explains a wonderful truth to children about a caring and loving God.
Through the familiar verse in Luke chapter 18 and verse 16 she unpicks what this could mean for little ones grappling with fears and things that make them afraid.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Stormie then makes this scripture be a reality in the lives and experience of you children by showing that God is accessible to them through prayer. That he never sleeps and cares for them.
While some may say this is too simplistic an approach it is taking God at his word and making the promises of God a thing children can find for themselves. Through taking about fears, nightmares and bullies these pages tell that God is available and part of young lives through prayer and the support of loved ones.
It is a practical book that takes a very direct approach to this biblical promise that will be most comfortable for Christian parents. It has good solid teaching and makes Prayer a more personal conversation with God through examples in the text.
If you are not religious or of a different faith this direct message may cause conflict but it’s message is universal it terms of the need to voice one’s fears, share concerns and talk through things that make one afraid. This book teaches children that God is there for them and wants them to come to him in prayer to address these issues.