Children's Book Review: Through Living Waters

The newest book from Ascension Kids, Through Living Waters, An Origin Story about Baptism, introduces us to Rachel, a young girl living during the time of John the Baptist. Even though Rachel is scared by the swiftly swirling water of the Jordan River, she often comes to hear John preach, being careful to stand back from the river.

“The kingdom of heaven is near!” he cries. “Repent of your sins and turn to God. Be baptized!”  

One day when Rachel goes to listen to John, she sees another young man wade into the water. He speaks to John for a moment and then plunges beneath the water. When he arises, “the heavens opened. The Spirit of God, looking like the flutter of a dove ”comes to rest upon the man, and a voice is heard booming from above “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Rachel hears the people around her talking about the man. They say his name is Jesus, and he’s from a small town called Nazareth. She wonders who is and why he seems to be so important. 

Born of Water and Spirit

Through Living Waters goes on to show us how Rachel continues to encounter this man named Jesus in different ways and at different times. She overhears Jesus telling Nicodemus that he must be “born of water and the Spirit,” if he wants to enter the kingdom of God. Can Jesus bring eternal life? she wonders. Does it have something to do with water?  

Rachel hears that Jesus can turn water into wine. He can walk on water and calm stormy seas. He tells the people that they need to become like little children. Whenever Rachel encounters Jesus, he makes her feel safe and loved. Even so, she still stays away from water.

Then one day, Rachel hears some awful news. Jesus has been crucified and died. But later, incredibly, she hears that he has been raised from the dead. When his apostles visit her town again, weeks later, they share even more wonderful news. Jesus not only rose, they say, but he also "ascended into heaven!”  

“He sent us the Holy Spirit!” they explain, and Rachel remembered the dove she saw, the Holy Spirit, descending on Jesus when John baptized him in the Jordan River.

But, there’s a problem. In order to have the eternal life that Jesus promised, Rachel will have to be baptized. She will have to overcome her terrible fear of the rushing, swirling water. She will have to go into the river.

She listens some more to the words of Peter, who says “Jesus is alive! And we are promised eternal life with him in heaven if we live according to his words!”

Will Rachel find the courage to conquer her fear? Will she ever be baptized? The rest of this short children’s story describes what Rachel chooses to do.

A Baptism Story

Through Living Waters: An Origin Story about Baptism is the fifth book written by author Claudia McAdam for Ascension Kids, the children’s imprint from Ascension Press. Her other books include titles like The Day God’s Helper Came, A Miracle for Micah and Louie’s Lent. It is illustrated by Gina Capaldi and is 32 pages in length, making it perfect for night-time reading. 

The author has also included two pages of notes after the story to help children think more deeply about baptism. Beginning with the meaning of “to baptize,” a Greek word signifying to “plunge” or “immerse”, through references to the Old Testament and the Gospels, all of the notes are designed to guide the reader to a fuller understanding of this sacrament. The last note is especially relevant for today’s readers:

The Catechism states that for everyone, “Faith must grow after baptism” (CCC 1254). That is why we renew our baptismal promises each year at the Easter Vigil. And every time we dip our fingers into the holy water font at church, we remind ourselves of life with the Risen Christ now and throughout eternity.

A free discussion and activities guide is also available, by contacting the author directly at ClaudiaMcAdam.com.  

This book would make a perfect gift for older children who are preparing for baptism, but it would also be valuable for children who were baptized as infants, so that they can learn more about what their own baptism means and that they are called to grow in faith. It reminds readers that baptism is the beginning of our life with God, the start, not the end. 

Through Living Waters: An Origin Story about Baptism is $16.99 and is available at Ascension Press  or on Amazon.