Title:  Gizzie B. & LiLiMae G. – A Special Love Story
Author:  Dr. Aine Bergin, PsyD
Illustrations by:  Angelica Sandoval
Publisher:  Christian Faith Publishing
ISBN:  978-0980-4981-2
Pages:  54
Genre:  Illustrated Christian-Faith Children’s Book
Reviewed by:  Beth Adams

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Readers are introduced to this very interesting horse, Gizzie, as he lived a solitary life grazing the pastures, beginning to feel the ailments of older age, such as arthritis and loneliness.  Then one day he was moved into a beautiful place, Rolling Creek Ranch, and had a lovely little Irish lady become his caretaker.  There, he was given bountiful amounts of good, healthy food, and lived among many other pets and animals on the ranch. Life was much improved, but after awhile a new form of loneliness set in – this time it was due to him realizing he did not have any other horses to be with.

Then one day he sees the horse trailer pull up and the big doors opened.  He thought he would be taken away, but to his surprise a beautiful black mare came out of the trailer, and she was then stabled next to him.  He and this other horse, named LiLiMae, became more than friends, they became horse-lovers; as Gizzie would bring her carrots, and they would walk trails together.  In essence, by the grace of God, Gizzie’s dreams were fulfilled.

Interlaced with quotes from the Bible, this book pages with a style of illustrations which are quite unique; colored crayon on paper, with what seems to be a younger artist’s interpretations.  This turns out to be exactly the case, as the illustrator, Angelica Sandoval, was only 14 years old when she drew this book’s remarkable pictures.  Then we discover the author, Dr. Aine Bergin, is the little Irish lady, caretaker of Rolling Creek Ranch, which makes this book morph from a fanciful children’s book to one being actually based on a true story.  Amazing!

The author’s insight to her knowledge of psychology indeed points to articulating the deep feelings of Gizzie, understanding the minds of animals more so than most common people.  As for the Scriptures, I found this one very appropriate to the theme of the book, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.’” (Genesis 2:18).

Creative, loving, and educational in the teaching of Christianity, author Dr. Aine Bergin’s book Gizzie B. & LiLiMae G. – A Special Love Story is a must-have book for younger children to learn the complexities of emotional health, and that all of God’s creatures have deeply rooted needs and feelings of love within.  I would imagine this book to be perfect for story-telling-time in schools and Bible study classrooms, as well as on the bookshelves of families with young children.