A Father’s Love Runs Deep and Wide—but God’s Love Is Even Greater
Just in time for Father’s Day, families will be able to get their hands on the new children’s book Daddy, How Much Do You Love Me?, from Awana president, Matt Markins. This illustrated picture book written for ages 4-7 celebrates the joy of fatherhood and inspires dads to create intentional, joy-filled moments with their kids.
Daddy, How Much Do You Love Me? tells the tender story of a father and his son and points children to the even greater love of their heavenly Father. A dad and his son journey through familiar places, making memories as they read, wrestle, dance, and explore the deepest oceans, tallest mountains, and brightest stars. Along the way, the boy asks, “Daddy, how much do you love me?” and discovers that while his dad’s love is big, God’s love is even bigger, farther, deeper, and higher than he could ever imagine.
The story encourages kids to ask questions and have meaningful conversations with their parents. Children will love its gentle reminder of the everyday adventures and rhythms of life that show just how deeply they are loved—by their dads and by God. Yet Markins didn’t just write this book for children. He wrote it for their dads too. Markins, a leading researcher in child discipleship and children’s ministry, explains, “I want to encourage fathers to read with their children, and in the process,inspire fathers to connect with their children relationally by making memories together. While Bible engagement is the most foundational factor in child faith formation, relational connection is the biggest catalyst in faith formation.”
Markins passion for fathers connecting with their children and building a lasting relationship runs deep. His own father left his family when Markins was preschool aged, and the vivid memory of the traumatic day remains with him. When he was 16, his father told him over the phone that he didn’t want to see him anymore. The impact of those events has massively shaped his ministry and journey as a father to two sons.
Daddy, How Much Do You Love Me? includes a parent page guiding dads in learning to love like God the Father by being present, patient, and pursuing their children. In his note to dads, Markins shares observations from the Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32, “In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus takes the opportunity to describe what God is like by telling a story about, of all things, a father and two sons. What is Jesus trying to tell us about God as a father? And what can we as fathers learn from the father in the parable? The father has two sons. The younger son is immoral and rebellious; the older son, good and self-righteous. Although in some ways the two young men seem incredibly different, I think deep down they are both asking the same question: Daddy, how much do you love me?”
Daddy, How Much Do You Love Me?
by Matt Markins, Illustrated by Daniela Sosa
June 1, 2026
Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-581-3 / Retail Price: $16.99
RELIGION / Christian / Family
Matt Markins serves as the President and CEO of Awana, a global leader in child discipleship. As a leading researcher in child discipleship and children’s ministry, Matt has commissioned fourteen research projects since 2013, including a study conducted by Barna Group called, Children’s Ministry in a New Reality. He’s a board member at large for the National Association of Evangelicals and is the coauthor of six books, most notably Forming Faith: Discipling the Next Generation in a Post-Christian Culture and his newest release, Daddy How Much Do You Love Me? He’s also the cofounder of the Child Discipleship Forum and D6 Conference. Matt and his wife Katie have been involved in children’s ministry for more than twenty-five years and live in Nashville. They have two adult sons and daughter-in-law. You can follow Matt Markins on X (@Markins).
For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com
