“The joy of children makes their parents’ hearts throb and reopens the future.” – Pope Francis

Interest Level:  PreK – K

Reading Level:

Grade 2  [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]

2.8         [AR reading level]

Review and Comments:

The joyful anticipation of the birth of a new baby is always exciting for a family.  For Little Cub, the soon-to-be big sister, there are also a lot of questions about her new brother or sister. Mama and Papa lovingly answer all her questions and teach her about God’s plan for families.  When they say, “God gave us two,” it expresses to Little Cub that she and the new baby are beautiful and individual creations of God.  They are precious gifts to Mama and Papa.  They also explain all the wonderful things she will experience as a big sister.  The reader sees time pass when Little Cub finds it harder and harder to sit on her mother’s lap because there is less room.  Finally, the day of the birth arrives and Little Cub is very excited to learn she has a brother and a sister.  She proclaims, “God actually ‘gave us three!’”

The colorful illustrations in this book add so much to the story about the bear family that children will enjoy examining every detail. Each page shows Mama, Papa, and Little Cub participating in special family activities, and that certainly enhances the message of the family being a sanctuary of love.

Possible Concerns:

There are no concerns with this book.

Further Discussion:

Things to discuss and do with the first child of the family before the birth of a baby:

• Draw a picture of the family.
• Show pictures of the first child as a baby. Help prepare a scrapbook for the new baby.
• Pick out a special toy for the new baby.
• Discuss: the best part of being the first child, ways to help prepare for the child, ways in which the child can help when the baby comes home.
• Write a family letter to the new baby. In the letter, tell the baby how much he or she is loved and wanted.
• Pray for the baby every day.

Catholic Resources:

• God Gave Us Two begins with a quote from Psalm 127:3. “Children are a gift from God; they are his reward.”  This psalm is worded differently depending on the version one reads.  Check out this site to learn about the approved translations for Catholics.
  • These are some examples of approved translations of Psalm 127:3.
    • “Certainly sons are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward.” (The New American Bible, Revised Edition – NABRE)
    • “Children too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb.” (New American Bible)
    • “Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.” (Douay-Rheims)
    • “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” (New American Standard Bible)

• Prayer of an Expectant Mother 

• Prayers and Blessings for Expectant & Postpartum Parents

• CCC 1652 “By its very nature the institution of marriage and married love is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and it is in them that it finds its crowning glory.”

Children are the supreme gift of marriage and contribute greatly to the good of the parents themselves. God himself said: “It is not good that man should be alone,” and “from the beginning (he) made them male and female”; wishing to associate them in a special way in his own creative work, God blessed man and woman with the words: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Hence, true married love and the whole structure of family life which results from it, without diminishment of the other ends of marriage, are directed to disposing the spouses to cooperate valiantly with the love of the Creator and Savior, who through them will increase and enrich his family from day to day.”

• CCC 2378 “A child is not something owed to one, but is a gift. The “supreme gift of marriage” is a human person. A child may not be considered a piece of property, an idea to which an alleged “right to a child” would lead. In this area, only the child possesses genuine rights: the right “to be the fruit of the specific act of the conjugal love of his parents,” and “the right to be respected as a person from the moment of his conception.”

• CCC 2270 “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.

From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.”