Yeah, I may have teared up with this one. In He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New, Alyson Punzi offers hope to kids facing unresolved endings. Toys getting ruined. Friends moving away. Family members getting sick but not getting better.
Often times I find that Christian books imply that if you trust God, everything is going to have a happy ending (on this side of eternity).
But some of us have children with complex medical issues that will never go away. And many of us have experienced moves where it’s hard to find new friends. I’m sure y’all can think of similar situations in your own lives.
However, Alyson Punzi’s story reminds children (and parents) that the Lord always hears our cries and one day will make all things new.
My daughter enjoyed the illustrations, and related to the girl who jumps in puddles and collects rocks. The illustrations are endearing, emotive, and relatable.
This is an excellent picture book for kids who are going through big changes, or experiencing the pangs of simply living in a broken world. Punzi offers this hope:
“Because God made and saved us,
we hope in what is true:
he promises that, one day,
what’s broken, he’ll make new.”
I received this book from Crossway as a gift. All opinions are my own.
He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New
by Alyson Punzi
Crossway, 2025
56 pages
Lauren Ducommun 
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