Zion Learns To See is a heartwarming books that tells the story of a saturday when Terrence brings his young daughter Zion to his work at the community center. Zion sees first hand the effects of homelessness and is so moved by the people she meets that she decides she wants to help more. Zion also brings the work of her father and the community center to the attention of her school who get involved and help out on a big scale.

An interesting book that introduces kids to a very complicated topic - that being homelessness. The topic was dealt with in an age approbiate way and it seems like a decent introduction to this complicated issue.
The only critique I have is that the story is written from a Godly perspective, which can push non-believers away.

A really beautiful book to introduce children to homelessness. Zion goes to work with her Daddy, she is confused why he stops to get 50 sandwiches until she reaches the community centre where he works.

She starts to understand that people are in various circumstances and that everyone should be treated with respect and we shouldn’t judge people by their appearance.

Beautiful illustrations, vibrant and vivid which compliment the heartwarming tale.

A truly powerful story with hard hitting themes but brought to the reader in the perfect way. A really important lesson for children about giving back to society.

Zion Learns to See: Opening Our Eyes to Homelessness touched my heart as I read it. It deals with a subject that either makes us uncomfortable or puts us on the defensive--homelessness.

At some point, we felt horror, compassion, and hopelessness upon seeing the plight of the homeless. Unfortunately, when it became so prevalent we couldn't miss it, we became blind after extended exposure or avoided the areas where they congregate until we "forgot" they exist.

With this book, Dr. Terence and his daughter, Zion, open our eyes afresh and remind us that we are not here on earth just for ourselves and our loved ones. We are reminded that "Every person matters to God, and that means every person should matter to us."

What I Liked

- The authors' ability to condense a topic of such importance into 32 pages and do it justice.
- The delicate dance between our civic responsibilities and our godly commitment.
- Zion's immediate response to the eye-opening facts.
- The reminder that we are all God's creations
- That this book is not a theory, but a commitment to God and community that Dr. Terence and his family are living out in real time.

What I Disliked

- Although I loved the bright colors, I was not fond of the artwork. That being said, I'm happy to say that it did not impede the thrust of the story.

My Key Takeaway

Although as scripture says, "we will always have the poor with us," that is no reason to give up and not do our part. Each of us can do something because the homeless are not numbers on a pie chart. but real people with real needs just like we are.

My Recommendation
I highly recommend this book to anyone with children. This is a conversation starter for raising godly and civically responsible children.

Discussions can cover
- How things are
- How they should be
- How we can make a difference... yes, children too.

I am thankful to Netgalley and IVP for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on Zion Learns to See: Opening Our Eyes to Homelessness via Netgalley. This review was written voluntarily.

Zion Learns to See: Opening Our Eyes to Homelessness by Terence and Zion Lester is a fantastic way from a Christian perspective to teach kids about homelessness and how we can help. I love how this book explains the subject in a kid appropriate way and shows tangible ways to show God's Love to people in need. I highly recommend Zion Learns to See: Opening Our Eyes to Homelessness by Terence and Zion Lester! It's perfect for any Ministry and Christian Education setting. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

Call it leading from the front or teaching by example, this involved dad brings his little one along to see who are the homeless and how to help. The lesson is well learned and others are taught to see and recruited to help. No platitudes, just love for one another. Well done.
The illustrations by Subi Bosa are clear, imaginative, colorful, and meaningful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from InterVarsity Press/IVP Kids via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

Even though I am not necessarily religious, (perhaps spiritual if anything), I still thought this was a good story. It teaches children to care for those who are less fortunate, and lets face it that is a very important thing for all humans to do, especially in this fast paced world. I enjoyed the illustrations and overall thought that the book taught good lessons about compassion and empathy.
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It's a great story of a Daddy just by taking her daughter to the community center helped her to "see" how God sees people. I love flow of the story and the artwork. I would make would rate this book if the author elaborate more about the gospel and how each person are made in the image of God. Readers can use this book to spring broad their kids to ministry and if you find some "gaps" that needs some biblical truths, you can do some of it here as you share this book to your kids.

What a great story.

We had a donation camp in our society. Watching people donate all the stuff they are not using anymore and then watching those who needed take it all with gratitude was one of the most gratifying thing I experienced.

This short story is simple and easy to understand and yet powerful. The illustrations are vivid and vibrant.

A positive book with a very important lesson to teach kids about how to give back to society.

Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Inter Versity press for the wonderful ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book had me teary eyed. Great book to explore and explain that not everyone has the same privileges or live the same and also how to make a difference. I love that it showcased her emotions and validated them. My only critique is the font choice was a bit distracting from the clean art.

In "Zion Learns to See," Terence Lester, alongside his son Zion, presents a poignant narrative that invites readers on a transformative journey of understanding, compassion, and empathy. Through the eyes of a child, this book beautifully illustrates the power of perspective and the importance of seeing beyond the surface to recognize the humanity in others.

The story follows Zion, a young boy who is blind, as he navigates the world around him with the guidance and love of his father. Through simple yet profound encounters, Zion learns to perceive the world not just through his sense of touch, smell, and hearing, but through the richness of his imagination and the depth of his heart.

What sets this book apart is its ability to convey complex themes of empathy and inclusivity in a way that is accessible to readers of all ages. The authors skillfully weave together moments of joy, sorrow, and discovery, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

Terence Lester's writing is imbued with a sense of authenticity and tenderness, drawing readers into Zion's world with sensitivity and grace. Through his words, we are reminded of the beauty that lies in diversity and the power of human connection to bridge the gaps between us.

Moreover, the collaboration between Terence and Zion Lester adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, giving readers a firsthand glimpse into the lived experience of blindness and the resilience of the human spirit.

"Zion Learns to See" is not just a book about disability; it is a celebration of the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. It challenges readers to look beyond the surface and to see the humanity in others, regardless of their differences.

In a world that often feels divided, this book serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that true sight comes not from our eyes, but from our hearts. It is a testament to the power of love, empathy, and understanding to transform lives and communities.

In conclusion, "Zion Learns to See" is a beautiful and timely reminder of the importance of seeing with more than just our eyes. It is a book that will touch the hearts of readers young and old, leaving a lasting impression that transcends the pages.

What an important message this story shares and that is “everyone matters.”

Spend the day with Zion as she goes to work with her Dad. Whilst there she is introduced to the concept of homelessness and what may lead to this.

This is a very simple explanation of homelessness to make the topic more accessible to young children so that they can form a very basic understanding.

This book may not suit people who are non-religious or follow different religions as there are a number of mentions of God.

I really enjoyed the book. The illustrations have depth and engaging colors; while the story gives an important message. I think the title is a little off, or doesn't quite fit, but this book was amazing regardless.

Zion goes to work with her father one day at the community center and learns how to actively engage in a situation which initially made her feel uncomfortable. Her father helps her learn the important lesson of seeing the worth and good in everyone; and they really do mean everyone! This book's goal is to teach everyone how important it is to try and see people as God see's them, and despite of religious views, this is an important lesson for everyone. Learn to see and treat people with respect and dignity and we will have a beautiful planet.

Zion has a special day with her dad, where she observes him at work. What ensues is a beautiful adventure of generosity and kindness towards those less fortunate than her. This book is short, sweet, and to the point, clearly stating its message through an engaging story with simple dialogue and colorful illustrations. If you want to start a conversation about serving the community and how differently people live, this is the perfect book to do that. I enjoyed it!

I wasn't sure what to expect going into this but I did really enjoy it, the message that it sends to children for those less fortunate than them is a wonderful thing to teach at an early age and I think that the book handled it so well. However, I feel as though this book isn't for everyone as it does mention God quite a lot so perhaps the parents who aren't religious may not want to read this to their children but this didn't bother me that much and I still enjoyed it.

I was sent this E-Arc on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review

I think talking about homelessness is important, but this book sort of glossed over some of those realities in favor of just repeating "everyone matters to God" throughout the book. I did give it an extra star for showing kids how to actually do something helpful, but overall, I probably wouldn't recommend this one.

I really enjoyed this book about a child learning to look past the outside and see that on the inside people are all the same and in need of being treated with love and respect. I found the story to be well told, and the characters were engaging. I also really liked the illustruations and I think that they will keep kids engaged as they learn that just because someone has less doesn't mean that they are worth any less to God and that we are told to help them when we can.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

A kind, touching story that invites children in and lets them know about homelessness that is child friendly without being condescending or without downplaying the ugliness and injustice that is homelessness. Zion’s father cites God and his belief as the main reasons he helps the homeless but the story’s main focus is on helping them, period. This book can easily be read in religious as all as atheist households!

Zion joins her dad at his work on Saturday and she experiences a world she didn't know exist. She goes to the community center and helps her dad pass out food and items to homeless people. During this time, she learns that God loves everyone and everyone matter--even people who are dealing with circumstances out of their control. This was my first book that really showed the reality of homelessness and why it is so important to go out and help them as they are part of our community.

I loved everything about this story
From the story itself, the illustrations, and most of all the message. I'm all about service to people in need and this story placed a smile on my face. Everyone matters no matter the situation they are going through. I love how Zion was able to have this first hand experience, in which she was able to share it with others. Everyone should have this exact at least one or twice in their life, maybe it will result into more changes that are needed.