Big Thoughts for Little People

As the brains behind The Living Bible (a revolutionary, paraphrased version of the American Standard Version), Kenneth Taylor was a bit of a visionary. Taylor also had a love of bringing the word of God to children. Writing and publishing the classic Big Thoughts for Little People was just one of the ways he did this. Now a new edition of this devotional is available for a new generation of children, containing all of Taylor's original text, but far better illustrations.

At it's most basic, Big Thoughts for Little People is an alphabet book. Each two-page spread brings up a topic, includes appropriate illustrations, and offers a paragraph about the topic. Taylor also includes questions for parents to ask their children, plus the Bible verse it's all based on. For example, for the letter "d" we read:

"D is for Doing
What needs to be done.
So please do it cheerfully;
Then you'll have fun."

Taylor asks us to notice the children in the accompanying illustration: What are they doing for others? he asks. Then we read: "We should treat others just as we want them to treat us. God is happy when we do helpful and kind things for one another." Questions for parents to ask follow:

"What is the duck doing?
How are the children doing kind things for one another? Tell about each one.
What kind thing could you do to help someone?"

Then in large letters, the page ends with: "Do for other what you want them to do for you. Matthew 7:12."

The new edition also has bright, colorful, fun illustrations by Andrea Petrlik Huseinovic that are far superior to the book's original illustrations, showing people of many skin colors doing the things children do each day.

What I Like: I love the fact that Taylor wasn't afraid to share strong biblical principles (and Bible verses) with very young children. Even toddlers can sit through these brief devotionals. And whereas many modern writers would be afraid they were preaching to children, Taylor doesn't mind telling children exactly what is expected of them.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 2 - 6.

Publishing Info: Tyndale House Publishers, 1009; ISBN: 978-1414333106 ; hard back, $14.99

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $11.99

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