Books Children Love

I haven't bought any new children's books lately and even though this isn't a children's book, I thought it would be an excellent resource for teachers or parents when filtering through books at bookstores. Books Children Love by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson is about picking out the "worthwhile" books amidst the what I would call less quality ones.  Here's what crossway publishing says about the book:

A love for reading is one of the most precious gifts that we can give children. It nurtures their imagination and creativity, lets them explore other worlds, and opens their minds to new truths and knowledge in appealing, inspiring ways. But how can we sort through thousands of children's books to discover the really worthwhile ones?

Elizabeth Wilson offers us a newly revised, comprehensive guide to the very best in children's literature. Just as in the original volume, she comments on the tone and content of excellently written, captivating books in over two dozen subject areas. Hundreds of new titles have been added while retaining timeless classics and modern favorites-all of which respect traditional values. So that no matter what the children's ages are or whether they love fact or fiction, you can trust these books to share things that you can believe in and kids will delight in.

I'm definitely adding this to my Amazon Wish List!

Children's Book: The Priest with Dirty Clothes

The Priest with Dirty Clothes by R.C. Sproul is a story that will teach your children deep truth about what Christ did with our sin, and the perfect righteousness he gives us in exchange. Read this book to your children!

The story starts with two kiddos playing in the mud, their clothes are dirty. Infact, mom declares them ruined. So Grandpa comes over and their stained clothes remind him of a story about a priest…Jonathan just became a Priest and received his brand new priest clothes from the Bishop. His first assignment? To preach before the King. On the journey to the castle Jonathan’s clothes become ruined by the rainy weather. As he appears before the King, the court magician accuses the Priest of his dirty appearance before the Great King.

However, the kind King gives Jonathan another chance, but he must come back clean. Hopeful, Jonathan goes to the town fuller who tells him that the stains are permanent and he’ll need new clothes. Then the Bishop tells him he only gets one set of clothes forever and he can’t do anything to earn a clean new set. Jonathan’s only hope is the King’s Son. When he goes to the Great Prince, the Great Prince makes a promise that he’ll have clean clothes the day he goes back to the castle.

Jonathan goes to the castle in his dirty clothes before the King. As the magician tries to accuse the Jonathan the Priest, the Great Prince walks in. He tells Jonathan to take off his outer Priestly garment. The Prince puts on Jonathan’s dirty, stained garments! Then the Great Prince gives Jonathan his own royal clothes! These royal clothes are special; they will never wear out or become dirty. Not only that, the Priest will be able to stand in the presence of the King forever.

On the cross, Jesus took on all of my dirty rotten sin, and gave me his unfading righteousness-a righteousness that I could never make unrighteous! What a deep and lasting concept to teach children! Most kids will not hear about this part of the gospel? Why? Firstly, it’s hard for Christians to truly believe themselves. We SIN SO MUCH! We think that we have ruined Christ’s righteousness. We think, "how can I even share this with kids?" OR we think this topic is too big, too much and too hard to understand.

But listen! My preschoolers got it! When I asked who the King is like they said “GOD!” When I asked who the Great Prince reminds us of they said “Jesus!” When I asked who Jonathan with the dirty clothes is like they said “Us!” Imagine, these kids hearing the story over and over again growing up. This thing that Christ has done for us will be precious to them in times of mourning their sin!

What an amazing story to share with children to help them understand what it means for Christ to take on our sin, and then for him to give us his unfading righteousness. Let your children hear stories like this at a young age!

Sammy & His Shepherd by Susan Hunt

You know what I love about reading children's christians books and teaching sunday school curriculum? I understand big things much more simply. That's the skill of children's authors; they take something big and beautiful and they put it in story books and sunday school lessons and they weave an amazing story for kids to be able to grasp.

There is one section of scripture in particular that I've always been too embarrassed to ask about. Everybody loves it, but I never understood it. Yup, Psalm 23. The language has always seemed so different, lying down in green pastures? When would I get to do that, right? So when I come to that Psalm (and I haven't in awhile) I just put up this intellectual barrier. "Don't get it. I'll just move along." But Sammy & His Shepherd by Susan Hunt has been so helpful. 

This children's book is split into 10 chapters. But it's not a chapter book necessarily for elementary kids. This book could easily be read to preschoolers. Each chapter is about 2 pages with beautiful glowing illustrations to compliment each chapter. Then in the back of the book there is scripture references and questions to ask the child you are reading with.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." Okay it's time for a confession: I always thought "If the Lord is my Shepherd, why would I NOT want him?" (Knowing punctuation really helps) But this first chapter really helped me.

A taste of the story...

Sammy lives in a lush pasture. One day he meets another sheep from the other side of the fence. He soon finds out that the other sheep was never given a name and is always hungry & scared. Sammy on the other hand was given a name as soon as the good Shepherd bought him. Sammy lives happily because he knows that even if he were in danger his shepherd would lay down his life for him. Sammy says this "Of course I'm happy. I have the best shepherd in the whole world. I know that I will never want for anything." (emphasis-mine) That's when it clicked, "Aha, I shall not want  for anything!" 

What a great and simple way to introduce children to the good shepherd. Susan Hunt does a delightful job in showing children how amazing the good shepherd is. I am excited to show children this book at a young age-that they may understand the beauty of this passage and how it points us to our Good Shepherd.

Rediscovering Catechism...

People have asked me from time to time what my thoughts on catechism are. My initial reactions were, "What the heck is that? Isn't that a Catholic thing?" So when I found out that it's something that some christian churches/families do, I thought I'd find out what it is and why people do it. Then I came accross "Rediscovering Catechism: The Art of Equipping Covenant Children" by Donald Van Dyken and bought it. Now that I've finished it, I've discovered a few things. Firstly, protestants were actually catechizing before Catholics. It was adopted by the catholic church when they saw how well it taught the children. Also, I learned what catechism is. It's basically questions and answers. For example the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer listed is: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." The third thing I learned? There are some really rich catechisms! Isn't that answer to man's chief end simply beautiful?! 

I haven't looked at all the Catechisms, I've only peaked at them on-line. But the Hedielberg and Westminster seem to be well-known in reformed circles. The content of the catechisms are just really rich material. I'm not completely sure what James and I would do. My objections aren't so much about the lessons being boring (God's truth is not boring), it's not that the concepts (adoption, justification, sanctification) are too big. In fact concerning truths that people say are too big for children Matt & Elizabeth Schmucker says this "Pack in truth while your children are little and trust the Lord to unpack it in his time" and Tedd & Margie Tripp say in Instructing a Child's Heart, "We give our children big truths they will grow into rather than light explanations they will grow out of." So that's not it necessarily. My questions have more to do with: Are these things that we will be able to/should cover in our everyday interactions? Are these truths that I can reinforce in every bible story I read and when the car breaks down on the side of the road? 

I can see them being used as a bible class in homeschooling or a formal class at church taught by an elder. So I can definitely see that. I love the content, I'm just trying to figure out HOW it would look to teach those truths. I definitely have more research to do on this topic. I highly recommend the book I read on the subject and (and Michael Horton does too). 

For your enjoyment I posted a rap on the Hedeilberg Catechism (thanks Ysabel). C.J. Mahaney challenged Avoice to make a rap on it at the 2010 Next Conference. You can listen below and follow along with lyrics as well. 

Heidelberg Catechism

Verse 1

Yeah I'm on a mission like a couple spies, and that guys is the reason why I catechize. The good news we almost forgot I recognize, Heidelberg rediscovering the gospel prize. It's not scripture but the truth in it will mention he, introduction hide and seek the 16th century. Written in a time when your mind was the weaponry, this document is back into the populace shouts to Kevin D. Better than you think not as bad as you remember, purpose driven truth, from Frederick the elector. He would initiate, the 129 questions to illustrate truths like Christ propitiates. All in a document, whose purpose was to teach children, a guide for preachers, and confessions in a church building. And this is all fact The Heidelberg Cat has been around but now it's seem like it is coming back.

Hook



We believe in the cross, believe in his life, 


We believe in his death, believe he's the Christ.


We believe that he rose from grave yes it is him


And we read the Heidelberg Catechism



We believe in the after life and we believe nothing's after Christ, so we stand our ground, cuz the truth's been around from the word to the Heidelberg.

Verse 2

Year of the Heidelberg resulting in renewed passion, and we could see it in our lives lights camera action. Let's take a gander and address a few questions from Heidelberg document then look at the answers. But before that make sure that, you know how it's broken down, in a Q & A format, a few sections. Suggestions how to read this not to sound promotional, but Kevin put it in his book to make it a devotional. Each question each answer has a bit of commentary, so the application of it is not some involuntary. Mystery, the history screams through rings true but I'll just leave that up to God, cuz that's between you. to believe, but to believe you gotta read you and then you meditate on all the truths that the Heidelberg will illustrate. What's that the catechism homey where you been the good news we almost forgot let's get it in!

Verse 3

From the word to the Heidelberg, we see that what's the comfort of life should come first. And in death that I with, body and soul but belong to the savior, commentary from me man, tell this to your neighbor. Moving on, how many things are necessary for thee, enjoying this comfort, to live and die happily? Three, my sin's misery, deliverance from sin, and gratitude for God is how the answer ends. Let's stretch it out the Lord's day 23 the grandaddy of them all, questions 59 and 60. What good does it do to believe in all this? In Christ I am right heir to the promise. Paraphrase, anyways I'm kinda limited I'm just trying to say a couple things my man Kevin did. On the Heidelberg, go and get you one, and by the way CJ homey this was fun.

Children's Book: God knows everything by Carine Mackenzie

God knows everything! It’s something we talk about a lot at preschool. This year we especially have a lot of secrets going on in the class. We talk about how secrets make others feel sad but then I like to tell them, “You know what, I don’t know what you guys are talking about because I don’t know everything. But even though I can’t hear you, God knows what you are saying because he knows everything. He knows your hearts and the words that come out of your mouths. Just because you are whispering, doesn’t mean God can’t hear you. Remember God knows everything.”

That’s why when I saw this simple board book at the Children Desiring God conference, I had to get it! This little book by Carine Mackenzie will give children big truths about God in a simple way. It will reinforce things we are already trying to teach children. Here are the words on each page:

God knows everything. God knows the number of hairs on your head. Some have a lot…some have a little.

It’s in the bible: The hairs on your head are all numbered. Luke 12:7

God knows everything. God knows when a little bird falls to the ground.

It’s in the bible: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one falls to the ground with God knowing. Mathew 10: 29

God knows everything. God knows how many stars are in the sky. He knows all their names.

It’s in the bible: He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Psalm 147: 4

God knows everything. Jesus knows everyone of his followers, just as a good shepherd knows his sheep.

It’s in the bible: I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. John 10: 14

God knows everything. God knows what we are thinking about. We cannot keep secrets from him.

It’s in the bible: God knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21

God knows everything. God knows all things. He knows if we love him.

It’s in the bible: Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you. John 21: 17

To purchase this book go here. There's also a coloring book that you can purchase here.

*Also stop by tomorrow for some pictures from our trip to Minnesota @ the Children Desiring God conference. We met Russell Moore, the Michael's, Jill Nelson, and John Piper!

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R.C. Sproul

Excited about another children's book by R.C. Sproul to come out! This one is to be released sometime in September so watch out for it. This is what Crossway says about it:

"This imaginative tale from R. C. Sproul, based on a true story, begins one evening with Mr. McFarland leading family devotions. When his daughter asks him how she should pray, Mr. McFarland shares a 500-year-old story about a barber and his famous customer.

Master Peter is a barber well-known to all in his village. One day, when Martin Luther the Reformer walks into his shop, the barber musters up the courage to ask the outlawed monk how to pray. Luther responds by writing a letter to the barber. The barber’s life and many others’ are changed as they encounter a model for prayer by using the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed.

Sproul’s beautifully illustrated story will delight children and help them learn to pray according to the Bible. The full text of the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed, along with a brief biography of Martin Luther, will make this a treasured book to be returned to time after time."

Image from JT blog

Ronnie Wilson's Gift by Francis Chan

Look out for this book next month! You can pre-order this book on Amazon for just over 8 bucks. The recommended age according to christianbook.com is 4-8. Here is their description of the book as well:

"When Ronnie Wilson learns of Jesus' sacrifice, he wants to give Jesus a gift in return. But how can he get it to heaven? With each attempt he performs a simple act of service for someone in need, and eventually learns that what is done for the least in God's kingdom is done for Jesus himself."

God Made Them All

It's fun to learn about animals but while teaching children about animals but how often do we forget to credit the God who made them?God Made Them All by Melody Carlson is a fun book about all the animals God made. Not only to I appreciate the durability of this board book but it rhymes too! This book is great way to start telling your kids about all the animals that GOD made! I love these lines:

I saw the desert, vast and dry.

But what lives in that sand?

Amazing creatures can survive

Just the way God planned.

If I could have it my way I'd put an exclamation mark at the end of that last line (at least that's how I'd read it anyways). Yes, God planned that the animals that live in the desert, are able to live there in the dry heat. Does anybody hear a bit sovereignty in that line like I do? ;) I love it. The last page ends like this with a mouse sitting on an elephant:

By now you've met some animals-

Some big ones and some small.

But each of them is special,

For God has made them all.

God is the sovereign creator of all things. There are value to things in this world because God made them, what a simple book to share hints of those truths! 

Get a free book on Adoption

Are you considering adoption? Does someone you know and love want to adopt? Well if that is your case, then this will be a great resource and encouragement for you! Via Justin Taylor's blog I found out that the audio book Adopted for Life by Russell Moore will available for free the entire month of February! Go HERE to download it and follow the directions. I've mentioned Russell Moore, a couple of times. See here and here. If you do NOT have have this book, this is a great time to get it for free FREE! Did I mention it was free already? Sorry. I'm excited.

Fool Moon Rising

I first saw Fool Moon Rising by Kristi & T. Lively Fluharty at Westminster Bookstore (which provides an excellent list of children's books).  This fun, rhmying book tells a tale of the moon boasting away at all the great songs about him, all the people that have visited him, how he could change shape and even disappear! Then one day his pride is revealed and he confesses that his light comes from the Sun. Now he reflects,

"the light with all his might

The Sun is now his boast"

And it ends with a little boy on his knee's praying:

"So God I pray for grace each day

To find the joy thats true,

In all my days in all my ways

In making much of You!"

Some bigs words like: brag, boast, pompous and croon are in the book as well as abstract words like: fame and pride. So either explaining the words as you go to little ones (that will endure it) or reading the book to older kids that will understand it will be most helpful. Either way, I hope that you add this book to your family library!

Would you like to see the entirety of the book? It's beautiful! Just go to Crossway and click on the book.

Most of All, Jesus Loves you! by Noel Piper

Most of All, Jesus Loves You by Noel Piper is a short simple sweet and most of all TRUE book. Kids know that their parents love them, or their grandparents love them, or that that aunts and uncles love them, but how often do they hear that Jesus has a greater love for them? What a great message to share within Christian families! I could see how it would be a great book to read before saying goodnight. There's not more than 1 line on each page, making it really excellent for toddlers and younger preschoolers. An extra thing that I really love about the pictures is that the people are diverse.

It's a little too short for older 4 and 5 year-olds in my class. They were surprised the first time I read it to them. They said, "That's it?" or "That was short."But it was still good for them to hear: nobody has greater love than Jesus. I highly recommend this book. I saw it on amazon for .17 cents. It's also, a great book for Sunday school classes and Christian Preschool Centers.

Just the Way I Am by Krista Horning

Have you ever thought about the sovereignty of God in relation to disability? Does he really make people that way? Did he plan for it? Is it true of all people that God knit us together in our mother's womb? It is true-even of those with disabilities? Just the Way I Am by Krista Horning is about God's good design in disability. God is sovereign and here is a book that that talks about it. It's simple enough for children to understand and healing for families dealing with disability.

In a world where 90% of pregnant women (whose babies are) diagnosed with Down Syndrome choose to abort, we may start to see these children become fewer and fewer. Teaching our children that God made people this way, and that the weaker parts are INDISPENSABLE is so important! Let this be a book in your home library to teach about God's sovereignty. Read it to children in your life. Bless hurting families with the truths in this book. Here is John Piper's endorsement:



Also here is a short review on the book from the Desiring God blog.

Buy the book here (they don't sell it on Amazon).

The Poison Cup by R.C. Sproul

tThe first time I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. I was in the children's section and sat right down on one of those mini chairs and read it all the way through! R.C. Sproul has children's books! I thought. Through the story Sproul focus's on the atonement and what Jesus had to suffer for his people. This is a quality book you will want to read your children. Check out the trailer:



If you go here you can buy the book. If you'd like to purchase the animatic DVD go here.

The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village

Last week I featured a book called Halfway Herbert by Francis Chan. Yup he doesn’t have just one children’s book out but TWO (and another on the way)! Yay for us! Before it was a book, it came out on youtube. So I’ll let you see the story for yourself!

You can purchase the book here.

Jesus Storybook Bible

Sorry guys! This post was scheduled for wednesday (my book-featuring-day) but I must have done something wrong b/c it didn't work out. So here is the post that was supposed to be up on weds.  Watch the video with a child in your life! Buy the  the bible too! It's worth it! 

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The Jesus Storybook Bible is rich. It's written by Sally Lloyd-Jones (sorry, no relation to Martyn Lloyd-Jones) and the art is by Jago.We have it at our church and sometimes while we wait for the parent’s to pick-up I love to read the story that relates to our lesson. The pictures are full of color but more importantly, there’s no fluff in this bible. The tag-line is “Every story whispers his name.” So often children’s bible’s are filled with “me, me, me” “Jesus loves me.” “God made me special” Jesus is my friend.” “I am special.” (while those things may be true, we are not the focus God is) So when you come across a children’s bible that with a tag-line like that (God-centered), you gotta appreciate it! 

Here is a timely video about the birth of Jesus. It’s a double-blessing because you check out the words and pictures before buying it AND you can watch it with kids in your life this Christmas season!

 

You can purchase the book here.

Halfway Herbert learns about the Holy Spirit

Recently one of the children in my class gave me a gift card to Barnes & Noble. As I use my journal weekly, the pages are once again getting low. So I thought I’d save the card for a new journal. But who am I kidding? After I found a cute journal, I headed straight for the children’s section. I figured there wouldn’t be a huge selection of “religious” books, so I browsed some of my faves like “Goodnight Moon”, “If you give a mouse a cookie” or “Brown Bear, Brown Bear.”

Out of curiosity I also looked at the “religious” children’s books. Sadly, there were not very many quality books (then again I wasn't there for hours or anything). They had a slew of different bibles and things like that so when I saw a book by Francis Chan I was so surprised! I’d known about this book since it’s release in October, but I’d never seen a copy of it before! 

Notice the half done hair & teeth! Love it!

The book is about little Herbert that did only half of everything he was supposed to do. He only tied one shoe, brushed only half his teeth, and eventually only told half the truth. Telling only a half-truth eventually got him into trouble. His dad explained that half a truth is a whole lie. He explains to Halfway-Herbert that Jesus wants his people to love him WHOLE-hearted and live WHOLE lives out for God. Herbert’s dad tells him “When we decide to follow Jesus all the way, God’s spirit fills up our hearts and helps us obey God.” Herbert understands that it is hard to do things all the way but with the Holy Spirit we can be helped to obey God. Herbert prays a prayer of repentance for not obeying God and asks for the Holy Spirit so he can know how to follow Jesus. Now Herbert tries to finish things. Chan writes, “He isn’t perfect, but God’s spirit helps him.”

After reading the story of Half-way Herbert, I figured my journal could wait. So I bought the book and I can’t wait to read it to the kiddos!

*If you are interested in quality children's books, stop by each week. Every Wednesday I will be featuring a children's/teen book that I believe is quality material. *

Filtering the children's books we purchase

Is it weird that when I go to a christian book store I immediately head to the children's section? Well, ever since I've listened to a message by Jill Nelson from www.childrendesiringgod.org on "Choosing God centered Resources" I've had more of desire to find good, sound (theologically correct), God-centered children's books.

So often children's books that have to do with bible themes are fluffy, moralistic, irreverent books. For example, stories about animals being able to see Jesus or give Jesus transportation (instead of the focus of Jesus himself), stories about morality (instead of being like Jesus), stories of bible characters dressed up as animals (young children are very literal and concrete-how confusing would that be!) these are some common themes-just to name a few. 

Like parents will often filter what their children can or cannot eat, choosing God-centered resources should be the same. Just because they sell a book in the local Family Christian Bookstore doesn't mean that book is a theologically correct book, centered on God (just sayin'). Having said that when I find a good quality book I get so excited! I imagine the kids I know it would be perfect for, I think about taking it to future babysitting jobs (yes I'm 24 and I still babysit), or giving it away to a child at a birthday party, and maybe even the book being a childhood memory for my own future children. Yes, children's books excite me!

Today I'd like to feature a book or graphic novel written by John Piper (or as my best friend Christy likes to call him "J. Pipe"). This book immediately attracted me because of a particular teenager in my life. Each week she comes to church by herself. She sits with my husband and I with her head in a book the entire time. Not just any book, a comic book-well a graphic novel to be precise. Junjo Romantico-to be even more precise. James and I recently ordered some book sets from the Desiring God Christmas sale-and to my delight this book was included in one of the sets!  I'm very excited to receive the book in the mail! Hope you get a chance to check out the book sometime!

The Gadarene - Graphic Novel (Trailer) from Edd Blott on Vimeo.

I would encourage you to listen to the msg by Jill Nelson on "Choosing God-centered Resources" here just scroll about half way down and download it for free to your itunes.

Book on Adoption: Heirs with Christ by Joel Beeke

I haven’t bought this book but it does have a good review by Justin Taylor.

Description according to monergism.com:

The Puritans have gotten bad press for their supposed lack of teaching on the doctrine of spiritual adoption. In Heirs with Christ, Joel R. Beeke dispels this caricature and shows that the Puritan era did more to advance the idea that every true Christian is God’s adopted child than any other age of church history. This little book lets the Puritans speak for themselves, showing how they recognized adoption’s far-reaching, transforming power and comfort for the children of God.

Here’s a trailer for the book:

 

Watch an interview with author here.