Animals by Design

Living in a society that appears to be growing increasingly more humanistic, Beth Philp wanted to write a book for children that could be used by parents and teachers to introduce and/or reinforce the concept of God as our loving creator. For some time she had been intrigued by how certain people can look at cars, houses, toys, and virtually anything man made and know instinctively that these were designed and produced by individuals with clever, creative minds. Yet when these same people look at the intricacies of a flower, tree, animal, the human mind and body, etc, they assume this complex design somehow just happened. How much they miss about the mind and love of our creator!

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead... Rom 1:20

In thinking about how she could turn her vision into reality, Philp decided to make design the focus of the book. She wanted to somehow show that all design begins in the mind of a designer, and that perfect, complex designs require a perfect mind. Since the book was for children, she wanted to use a form of design that was familiar and fun. Animal design seemed like the perfect choice, and Animals by Design was the result.


Animals by Design is not a standard picture book, but rather a creative teaching tool for children of all ages. Through the vehicle of imaginary animal design the reader learns that all design begins in someone's mind. After attempting to then design a real, living animal it becomes apparent that such complex design requires a superior mind. Animal fact boxes are found on each page which connect the rhyming text to the animal on that page and offer jumping off points for further study. Also, the photos, text, questions and facts provide a variety of opportunities for the parent and teacher to use the book age appropriately.

Sample text (from macaw page):
Yes, let's design an animal and pretend that he can come alive.
Let's try to give him everything that's needed to survive.
But before we can be certain that his needs have been provided,
everything about him will need to be decided.
It's the "everything about him" part that makes your head start to spin.
With countless possibilities, where should our design begin?


Specifications: Full color, 8 x 9 ½ inches, soft glossy cover, 36 glossy pages, professional design and lay out. Written in conversational rhythm and rhyme. Filled with colorful photos of favorite animals including tigers, elephants, pandas, penguins, zebras, giraffes and more. The book also has a number of amazing imaginary animals by talented artist, Bret Poulsen, that are displayed in real photographic backgrounds (see sample page below the cover as an example). Fact boxes on every page. Retails for $12. ISBN: 978-0-615-18867-6. Below is a color copy of our ad brochure.



What others have written:

Beautiful book. Excellent quality with a good Christian perspective. Scientist

From the first time I read Animals by Design, I thought of the many ways I could use it as a teaching tool in our classes. I look forward to using the book in our unit on creation. Christian Youth Educator

Animals by Design appeals to children of different ages. The art and photography are stunning and keep the attention of pre-readers. The story line catches the attention of young readers, and the factual information offers yet another level. What a great way to teach and share the joy of creation! High School English Teacher

I like the way Philp keeps the reader engaged through her use of questions. She doesn't just present information to be absorbed--she asks her readers to think critically and arrive at conclusions on their own. A great book to use in a class room or home school setting. Recommended.
Christian Children's Book Review

*********************************************************

For your copy of Animals by Design, you can copy, paste, and fill out the order form below and mail it with check or money order to the address on the form. You can also submit payment to animalsbydesignbook@yahoo.com using PayPal (check form for shipping costs). Animals by Design is also available at Amazon.com.


Thanks so much, Beth

Sufferings

As drops of rain upon parched ground so would be my tears,
yet my heart longs to weep.

My feet and hands are shackled, my lips made mute by truth-deaf ears,
yet I must sing and I must dance...

For I see how eternity cradles the earth.
I know the love that forms the child and spins the double helix,
that causes life to spring from death and joy to spring from pain.

So I will dance and I will sing and keep the vigil in the night
until the Son's first rays...


c 2001 B Philp

The Quest for Truth

It was finished! It was done at last!
It's final form was drafted.
I held now in my trembling hand a poem
entitled Truth, a masterpiece I'd crafted.

Through hours and days and weeks of
toil and tears and fear and strife,
I'd agonized and ecstasized in choosing
just the perfect words to give my
understanding and my deepest feelings... life.

Should I read it to my friend? No, that would
be unseemly and seem overly rehearsed.
I'll let her read it for herself.
She'll be among the priveleged first...

I watched her eyes peruse it once,
then back again to read it twice!
Then as she handed back my poem, she
smiled and softly said, "That's nice."

That's nice? I thought. That's nice?
That's all? I thought. That's all?
Was I the unsuspecting butt of some cruel
cosmic joke? Or were there hidden cameras
perched behind each nail hole in the wall?
Alas, no, that was truly all.

My chin dropped to my chest.
My heart fell to my feet.
To have my art rejected by a
valued friend was bittersweet.

I learned that in our quest for
truth, one walks a lonely mile.
There isn't room for two abreast.
Each must walk single file...


c 1999 B Philp

Change

Was I a freshman or a sophomore?
Just which now it isn't clear.
But I'm sure the guy I'm writing of
was in his senior year.

Captain of the football team, monitor in the hall,
president of the senior class, a big man known by all.
As for me, I was a no one. Fitting in was not my thing.
Just another faceless, nameless kid to herd before the bell would ring.

Yes, I was just a no one, but how important he was then.
It's strange... I would have never dreamed our paths would ever cross again.

But my junior year in college, much to my surprise,
he sat there in geology, no recognition in his eyes.
No, he didn't know me, but he overheard me say
that I was from our hometown so he spoke to me that day.

We introduced ourselves in turn. We looked each other in the eye.
He said, "I don't remember you."
"Oh well," was my reply.

In lab he sat all by himself, not knowing anyone.
I said, "Come on and join us." He seemed quite pleased to come.
We saw each other daily, and by semester's end
we grew to like each other. He came to be... my friend.

I pictured how it was back then, how time produced such change.
How different it had made two lives.
How weird, how neat, how strange...


c 1997 B Philp

Be You Holy - lyrics

Be you holy for I am holy.
Know I've not redeemed you with silver and gold.
But with the precious blood of my Son,
the One slain before earth's foundations were formed.

Be you holy for I am holy.
Live my Royal Law and my Spirit renew.
You are the chosen temple of God.
Let my Holy Spirit dwell richly in you.

Be forgiving and tenderhearted.
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with me.
You're my beloved. You are my sons.
Be holy and blameless when my kingdom comes.

c 2005 Beth Philp