Angel in the Waters (Paperback)

by Regina Doman (Author), Ben Hatke (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In its mother’s womb, a tiny baby grows, explores the waters, and talks with the angel who is there.

These gentle illustrations and wise words tell the story of that baby and the angel in the waters . . . a story that delights all children, because the journey from conception to birth is their story, too.

About the Author
Regina Doman is the author of several books for young adults, including most recently Black as Night: A Fairy Tale Retold ( Bethlehem Books) and is the series editor of Catholic Teen Novel Project (Sophia). Ms. Doman wrote Angel in the Waters while expecting her first child in 1995. Today she and her husband have five children. She recalls how the came about:

"My youngest sister Anna started to talk when she was not even two years old. My sister Alicia who was studying early childhood education had read that some young children who learn to talk early can describe life in the womb. So Alicia asked Anna if she remembered being in Mommy's tummy.

'Yes,' Anna said.

'What was it like?' Alicia asked.

Anna said, 'It was warm, and dark, and there was an angel there.'"

Ben Hatke is an artist and illustrator working in Virginia where he lives with his wife, daughter, two cats, and eleven chickens. As he illustrated this book, he and his wife began waiting and preparing for their second child to emerge from the waters.

He created the striking illustrations for Angel in the Waters using a blend of traditional and digital media.

Ben is currently working on an assortment of children's book and comic book projects.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sophia Institute Press (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928832814
• ISBN-13: 978-1928832812
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,785 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "In the beginning I was...", March 16, 2005

By	P. Fry "Pauli" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Thus begins this unforgettable story of a pre-born baby's life from consciousness through birth. This book is a masterpiece which has a profound effect on both children and adults. Although many non-religious people might dismiss it as fanciful, the idea of a small helpless pre-born baby speaking to an angel is a sensible and comforting belief. A book like this could tend to be sappy or sentimental, but instead the story is very simple and honest.

The entire narration is from the child's point of view. This has an absolutely disarming effect. Reading the words of the book will almost assuredly make many parents cry, especially those with small children, so you might want to read this through a few times before reading it to your child.

There is a part where the angel explains that beyond the "outside world" there is an "even bigger world" that the angel will lead the child into someday. That reminded me of the poem of St. Francis which says "Dying we are born to eternal life."

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift for Life!, January 2, 2005

By	S. Wedel (Belt, MT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Angel in the Waters" is a wonderful and beautiful book! The illustrations are rich and colorful. The story is a tremendous illustration that pre-born babies (usually called fetuses) are indeed human beings. That is a reality much overlooked in our modern society. I highly recommend this book for BOTH children AND adults. It could offer joy for pregnant women or women who have recently given birth, and compassionate truth for women considering an abortion and those encouraging her to do so. It will teach children of all ages, including teens, that human life begins at conception and is indeed sacred. Thank you to the author and illustrator for this important little book!!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful depiction of life in the womb!, November 12, 2004

By	Joshua M. Janko (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Regina and Ben... You did a great job on this book.
I enjoyed reading it online and I hope to buy some copies
for friends who are expecting. Thank you again for a gem of
a book to use in future ministry.
God bless you and keep up the great work,
Joshua Janko
seminarian (Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana)