What Kind of Girls Does God Make? and What Kind of Boys Does God Make? teach children to embrace the beauty and intentionality with which God created them.
[Exton, PA - May 15, 2026] Reinforcing the truth that God creates each person on purpose, with love, and for a reason, Ascension has released two new books: What Kind of Girls Does God Make? and What Kind of Boys Does God Make?.
Written by Aimee MacIver, Catholic educator, speaker, and author, the books were crafted with children ages 4-8 in mind to help them understand the goodness and uniqueness of their creation.
“I hope children close the cover of these books and then immediately go do something that makes them them,” says author Aimee MacIver. “I want these books to be the moment a child realizes, ‘I am handcrafted by God! I don't have to fit in any small boxes or choose from a few false labels. The best thing I can be is what God made me to be… myself.’”
Each book was designed to help boys and girls see themselves in the stories and saints found in the pages. Artwork from illustrators Mattie Karr (What Kind of Boys Does God Make?) and Natalie Merheb (What Kind of Girls Does God Make?) showcases children from a variety of backgrounds, personalities, and interests to help create a welcoming space for the reader.
Both books include a “Find the Saints” section at the back to introduce real men and women who embraced their identity as sons and daughters of God. Woven throughout the illustrations, these saints make holiness feel approachable helping children see that they, too, are called to greatness.
What Kind of Girls Does God Make? and What Kind of Boys Does God Make? are the perfect companions for other Ascension Kids titles such as Saints Come in All Shapes and Sizes, and A Place for Me in God’s Family Tree.
What Kind of Girls Does God Make? and What Kind of Boys Does God Make? are available at www.AscensionPress.com.
Praise for What Kind of Girls Does God Make? and What Kind of Boys Does God Make?
“Full of warmth and wonder, Aimee MacIver’s new effort reminds children that God makes every one of us on purpose and that He delights in us as we are, not as we wish we could be. With sincerity and simplicity, kids learn sanctity is not reserved for someone else, but that each of us is called to a unique love that flows from being unique creations of God. How great to recall that God saw the needs of the world and decided to meet it with the very good uniqueness of this little boy or little girl. Add in the beautiful illustrations—and bravo!-- a great new gift to give to kids everywhere!”
–Brian Butler
Executive Director, Echo Community
About the Author and Illustrators
Aimee MacIver is a wife, mother, writer, artist, speaker, and educator who has dedicated her life to forming others in the Faith. Together with her husband, Colin, Aimee has joyfully served for 25 years in various ministries, including Catholic education, high school and young adult ministry, retreats, professional development, and marriage and sacramental preparation. They are also founders of Thy Ship, a Catholic travel and pilgrimage apostolate.
Aimee has authored several award-winning books covering topics such as Theology of the Body, the sacraments, social justice, Scripture study, and Baptism preparation, including Ascension’s Reconciliation and Mass companions for children: Renewed by Jesus and Receiving Jesus.
Mattie Karr is a sacred artist on a mission to help Jesus heal hearts through beauty. She always dreamed of telling stories by making movies in Hollywood, so she earned degrees in Illustration and Film from the University of Kansas. In 2022, the Lord invited her to leave her sales career and become a full time sacred artist. She still tells stories through art, but now in the heart of Kansas City, KS. To learn more about Mattie's artwork, click here.
Natalie Maherb was born in the far north of the United States, and is now living in Dubai. Following in the footsteps of the artists in her family, she studied fine art in university, worked in graphic design for a few years and then ventured into digital illustration, where she dreamt of becoming a children's book illustrator. Her favorite things to draw are nature, animals, recreations of classics and she's often inspired by her wintery birthplace.
About Ascension
Ascension is a multimedia network and the leader in Catholic faith formation and digital content. For over 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of over 20 million Catholics through award-winning books, the chart-topping Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast, more than 50 unique faith formation programs, and the Ascension Presents YouTube channel and Ascension app.
Media Contact
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