Book Blurbs 4

Maternal Body

• Who wrote it? Carrie Frederick Frost, a professor of theology at St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary

• What’s it about? The subtitle is “A theology of incarnation from the Christian East”. Frost looks at Orthodox theology, iconography, writing, hymnody, and practice as they relate to conception, pregnancy, birthgiving, postpartum, and breastfeeding. She also considers the heretofore underappreciated significance of women’s physical experiences of motherhood.

• Something I appreciated: This book is so good. I love the author’s care in disclosing her own experience without projecting it onto others or sacrificing too much inclusivity. I love her theological rigor and depth. And I love her persistence in modeling the kind of theological work that is ripe for women’s and mothers’ instigation.

• Something I’d critique or add: It would be interesting to read a Western Christian response or interaction so that I can better understand which parts are Eastern distinctives. Also, I think the book would still command my rapt attention if it were 900 pages instead of 90.

• How is it relevant to Good News for New Moms? This book is essentially a version of the project I have wanted to do here. I aspire to create something that’s even a small fraction as insightful and worshipful as Frost’s.

Showing: What Pregnancy Tells Us about Being Human

• Who wrote it? Agnes R. Howard, an adjunct assistant professor in humanities at Valparaiso University, who researches the history and culture of pregnancy and childbirth

• What’s it about? What does pregnancy mean? What can we all learn about “being human”, about interdependence, and about virtue from our evolving knowledge and experiences of pregnancy?

• Something I appreciated: The whole thing! Another fantastic read. But I especially appreciated the engagement with relatively new medical knowledge of conception and pregnancy, and how that affects our interpretations of childbearing. I also liked the exposition of virtues exemplified in pregnancy.

• Something I’d critique: There’s an interesting assortment of sources quoted—an even broader historical range of perspectives (when available) would be enlightening, since the focus seemed to be on a few specific time periods.

• How is it relevant to Good News for New Moms? As part of the journey into new motherhood, pregnancy is well worth our theological and philosophical reflection, and this book is a terrific place to begin.

Mother God

• Who wrote it? Author and minister Teresa Kim Pecinovsky, with illustrations by artist Khoa Le

• What’s it about? Publisher’s blurb: “With lyrical, rhyming text and exquisite illustrations, Mother God introduces readers to a dozen images of God inspired by feminine descriptions from Scripture. Children and adults alike will be in awe of the God who made them as they come to know her as a creative seamstress, generous baker, fierce mother bear, protective mother hen, strong woman in labor, nurturing nursing mother, wise grandmother, and comforting singer of lullabies.”

• Something I appreciated: The illustrations are gorgeous and poignant. A few in particular moved me to tears. And the book illuminates some neglected Scripture passages.

• Something I’d critique: At present, I probably find myself a little more conservative theologically than the author, so when I read the book to my preschooler, I felt more comfortable editing some of the book’s phrases to similes on the fly (“God is like…” rather than “God is…”). I have since learned that there’s an accompanying Scripture Guide available online, which answered some of my questions about the Biblical rationale for the ways God is depicted and described.

• How is it relevant to Good News for New Moms? Since it’s a children’s book, Mother God is a little different than my usual Book Blurb material, but nothing could be more relevant to our work here than God’s motherly care for God’s people, so beautifully envisioned in this book.