Leading Little Ones To God

Written by Marian M. Schoolland and illustrated by Paul Stoub, Leading Little Ones To God, will do exactly what its title suggests. This devotional book is written to help children understand more about God and to grow to love Him.

Each of the 86 lessons in this book feature a short Bible story, questions to think and talk about, short memory verse, suggested Bible reading, hymn, and a prayer. The lessons are divided into fourteen parts: Looking for God, God is Very Great, All That God Does is Good, Sin Spoiled the World, God’s Law, God Loves Us, What Jesus Did, About the Holy Spirit, How We Become Children of God, How God’s Children Live and Grow, God Helps His Children Live for Him, When We Pray to God, About God’s Church, and Things That are To Happen. The painted illustrations feature both children of various ethnic groups, and some of the Bible stories told in the lessons.

What I Like: The format of this doctrinally sound devotional is perfect for a family with children of multiple ages. Parents can choose which sections of the lesson to use. The questions section provides opportunity for family discussion. The Bible stories are written in a conversational tone that kids relate to. My experience is that kids are spellbound, eyes wide, if you read the lesson in a dramatic voice! The author has used italics liberally to show parents what words to stress to make the truths more evident.

What I dislike: I’ve used this book as a Sunday School teacher, and have found myself wishing that there were an illustration to match each lesson.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-10, according to the publisher, but many 3-year-olds have enjoyed this book as well.

Publishing Info: Wm.B.Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995; ISBN: 0802851207; Paperback, $20.00

Buy It Now At Christianbook.com for $15.99

Special Info: Some parents may have trouble with the illustrations of Jesus, which appear several times through the book. Also, all of the hymns used in the book are from out-of-print hymnals. Many of the hymns are familiar, and the others can be read as poems.