(NOTE: This book was given to me by Mind & Media as a gift from the publisher who has donated the books for the purpose of receiving reviews. If you would like to become a Reviewer for Mind and Media, click here!)

I just received this book TODAY and I had to sit down and write up my review right away because I am absolutely taken with this book! Bless the Lord: The 103rd Psalm is most beautifully illustrated by Johannah Bluedorn.

You can read more about Johannah Bluedorn and see more of her lovely artwork at her parent's site, Trivium Pursuit.com, but suffice it to say that she was homeschooled and self-taught in art. Now, I am a collector of beautifully illustrated children's books - I CANNOT resist them! Each of Miss Bluedorn's pictures are so full of little, itty-bitty details - I found myself looking at each page for a very long time and I know that return visits to the book will reveal even more detail used to highlight the meaning of each verse. Here is the Psalm that is illustrated in the book.

Praise for the LORD's Benefits
A Psalm of David.
1	Bless the LORD, O my soul:          and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2	Bless the LORD, O my soul,          and forget not all his benefits:
3	who forgiveth all thine iniquities;          who healeth all thy diseases;
4	who redeemeth thy life from destruction;          who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;
5	who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;          so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6	The LORD executeth righteousness          and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7	He made known his ways unto Moses,          his acts unto the children of Israel.
8	The LORD is merciful and gracious,          slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9	He will not always chide:          neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10	He hath not dealt with us after our sins;          nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11	For as the heaven is high above the earth,          so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12	As far as the east is from the west,          so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13	Like as a father pitieth his children,          so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14	For he knoweth our frame;          he remembereth that we are dust.
15	As for man, his days are as grass:          as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16	For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone;          and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17	But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting          upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18	to such as keep his covenant,          and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19	The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens;          and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20	Bless the LORD, ye his angels,          that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21	Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts;          ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22	Bless the LORD, all his works          in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

I cannot wait to sit down with my kiddos and share this book with them. The book is of the highest quality with heavy paper inside so that younger children can read the book by themselves and not have as great a chance of ripping the pages. The last few pages in the book has the Psalm set to music by Harvey Bluedorn. If your child is taking piano, they should easily be able to play this simple tune!

Miss Bluedorn has written and/or illustrated other books - I think I've found another author whose books I need to start collecting!

... Kris ...