Loved By God

Client: Hillsong City & Vine
Services: Illustration

Our second book written by Kathryn Joy MacDowall and illustrated by us. This book is written for parents to read over their children at dedication or baptism.

The Book, Illustrated

Illustrated spread of a heart made of stars and a child being cradled in two large hands, with the hand lettered text "Before time began, you were in God's heart... now here you are, life's adventure to start" — "Before time began, you were in God's heart — now here you are, life's adventure to start."

Illustrated spread of a lion beside a child and a child in a graduation cap painting, with the hand lettered text "Wonderfully made — brave and kind, strong and smart" — "Wonderfully made — brave and kind, strong and smart."

Illustrated spread of a tree full of birds and a baby counting on its fingers, with the hand lettered text "You're worth much more than birds in a tree — He even counts the hairs on your head" — "You're worth much more than birds in a tree — He even counts the hairs on your head."

Illustrated spread of a family riding in hot air balloons above clouds and a growing child's silhouette, with the hand lettered text "God is always with you, wherever you go... forever His child no matter how big you grow" — "God is always with you, wherever you go — forever His child no matter how big you grow."

Illustrated spread of a child sheltering under an umbrella in the rain and flowers blooming, with the hand lettered text "If grey skies bring rain and howling winds blow... sweet smelling flowers bloom and grow" — "If grey skies bring rain and howling winds blow, sweet smelling flowers bloom and grow."

Illustrated spread of a parent and children praying together on a beanbag and a glass bottle filled with tears, with the hand lettered text "When you pray, your Heavenly Father hears... He listens to each word and bottles your tears" — "When you pray, your Heavenly Father hears — He listens to each word and bottles your tears."

Illustrated spread of a child talking with a robed figure on a rock and a child surfing beside a sad turtle, with the hand lettered text "You can talk to God about the good and bad, when you feel happy, and when you feel sad" — "You can talk to God about the good and bad — when you feel happy, and when you feel sad."

Illustrated spread of children playing instruments and dancing, and a child reading in bed, with the hand lettered text "Clap and dance and sing, you can worship God with everything" — "Clap and dance and sing, you can worship God with everything."

Illustrated spread of a diverse group of children and dogs running and playing together, with the hand lettered text "You're one in a billion, there's no one like you! You're special and loved, your whole life through" — "You're one in a billion, there's no one like you! You're special and loved, your whole life through."

The Brief

Cumi was invited again to work with Kathryn Joy MacDowall on her latest book, Loved By God. Her vision was a book designed for parents who are about to have their children dedicated or baptised, allowing them to sing God's love over their children as they read the rhyming story. The illustrations capture the beauty and playful innocence of babies and young children, alongside intimate moments with God and community. Written as a poetic affirmation rooted in the psalms, drawing on Psalm 17, Psalm 119 and Psalm 139, the book teaches children from infancy through early readers that God intentionally made them and faithfully loves them, with elegant hand lettering by Shamila Joy running throughout.

What Cumi Created

A complete illustrated book, cover to cover, front and back cover art, a dedication page, and every rhyming spread inside.

Credits

Illustration: Cumi
Illustrator: Mark Kessler
Author: Kathryn Joy MacDowall
Hand-lettering: Shamila Joy