A new illustrated children’s book, “God’s Amazing Creation from A-Z” (2015, Courier Publishing, 96 pages, $15.95) offers a Scripture-based phonetic approach to reading, using animals mentioned in the Scripture as learning aids.

Author Anita Dickard “has discovered the rich presentation of animal life as a part of God’s creation,” says Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, “and it is amazing how many of these animals actually do appear in Scripture.”

The book features full-page, highly detailed color drawings by graphic artist Stacey McAdams. Dickard, of Easley, said the book has two purposes: to implant in young minds the “what and how” of God’s revelation of himself in his creation and in the Bible, and to teach anyone who wants read how to do so.

“By learning the initial phonetic sounds of the letters of the alphabet, a person of any age or ethnic background can learn to read,” Dickard said. A “firm foundation in both the Word of God and the ability to read” empowers individuals to discover God’s plans for their lives, she said.

Dickard is a retired educator with 32 years of experience. She was the 2006 South Carolina Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year. McAdams, who lives in Missouri but grew up in South Carolina, is a high school art teacher and an exhibiting artist.

To order “God’s Amazing Creation,” contact the author at Dickardafs73@aol.com. Reduced pricing is available for bulk orders.