Cow in the Rain

Cow in the Rain, written and illustrated by Todd Aaron Smith, is just one book from the Cow Adventure Series. This modern re-telling of "The Good Samaritan" (found in Luke 10) is filled with farm animals. Cow and Dog are not friends. One night, during a terrible rain shower, cow gets hopelessly stuck in Pig's mudhole, and none of her friends will help her. Who comes to her rescue? Her enemy: Dog. This delightful story reminds children to treat others the way they would like to be treated. The bold illustrations are almost comic book style and cover every page.

What I Like: This book is very different from most Christian children's books! The illustrations are unique and hold the kids attention. I like the use of farm animals. The author thoroughly explains the point of the story making the lesson an easy one for little hearts and minds. He does a great job personalizing the characters.

What I Dislike: Nothing really. The book is a little long for younger audiences (my kids are below the recommended age range), but even they can fully understand the message -- if you can get them to sit still long enough to hear it all.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4-7 (according to the publisher), though I would say 3 and above

Publisher Info: Baker Books, 2002; ISBN: 0801045037; Hardback; $7.99

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Sidney and Norman

Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales, has risen to new heights with Sidney & Norman: A Tale of Two Pigs. Next door neighbors, Sidney and Norman are two pigs who are very different. Norman always found it easy to be neat and good and follow the rules. Sidney, on the other hand, struggled to get anything right. They were both aware of the strengths Norman possessed and the weaknesses that made up Sidney. One day they each received identical invitations -- to meet with God! Norman was immediately filled with excitement for the reward he must be receiving. Afterall, he was a good pig, much better than his sloppy neighbor. Meanwhile, Sidney was filled with dread. He was convinced God was disappointed in him, just like everyone else was. This meeting must be to tell him what a failure he was. The invitations were the same, but the messages God had for these pigs were very different. Norman knew God loved him, but he thought it was because he was so good. What he didn't know is that God loved his neighbors just as much as He loved him. Norman needed to put away his pride and see others the way God sees them. Sidney needed to only know one thing: God loved him. In spite of all his messes and short-comings, God loved him very much. This book holds a wonderful message for children and adults alike. The illustrations by Justin Gerard are at times monochromatic, but always enchanting. Filled with detail, the full-page paintings in a Caravaggio-like style feature wonderful contrast, reinforcing the vast difference between the two title characters.

What I Like: Everything! It is fantastically written and illustrated beautifully. My husband and I have both found great value in this book. It offers a profound and necessary message. Our kids are still too young to fully understand the story, but they love looking at the pictures. And don't miss the gems in the back! Some of the best parts of this story are in the "About This Book" and "Using This Book with Kids" parts.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent!

Age Appeal: 4-8, though it is applicable through adulthood

Publisher Info: Tommy Nelson, 2006; ISBN: 1400308348; Hardback; $15.99

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Additional Info: Visit the author's website at www.philvischer.com.

Hermie: A Common Caterpillar

Best-selling author Max Lucado has a virtual empire of children's books now, and Hermie: A Common Caterpillar is just one of his many offerings for little ones. This book, based on Just Like Jesus (written for adults), tells the story of Hermie who is "just a common caterpillar." Hermie is troubled by his commonness, and frequently prays that God will make him special. God replies: "I love you, Hermie...But I'm not finished with you yet. I'm giving you a heart like Mine." Still, when Hermie meets a strong ant, a cozy and dry snail, and a beautiful ladybug, Hermie can't help but tell God he doesn't understand why he has to be so common. Then one night Hermie falls asleep and wakes up in a cocoon. Soon, he breaks free and discovers he is a butterfly. "As Hermie flapped his new wings, he began to understand what God had been telling him. He wasn't like the ant...or the snail...or the ladybug. He was Hermie - a beautiful butterfly with a beautiful heart." Hermie then tells his best friend Wormie that God wasn't finished with him - and he's not finished with Wormie, either.

What I like: The message here is a wonderful one: We are a work in progress, and each of us has a special spot in God's design. The colorful, computer-generated illustrations by GlueWorks Animation are lifelike (in an animated movie sort of way), colorful, and fun.

What I dislike: I think this book could be more clear what it means to have a heart like the Lord's. This is mentioned, but never explained in any way.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: Toddler - preschooler

Publishing Info: Tommy Nelson, 2002; there are several versions of this book. The board book (with accompanying CD) is ISBN 1400308887, $12.99. The hardback is ISBN 1400301173, $12.99.

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Special Info: There is also a 40 minute DVD of this story.

Izzy the Lizzy

Izzy the Lizzy has become an instant favorite in our home! Written by Renee Riva and illustrated by Steve Bjorkman, this book tells the "gently dangerous" story of Izzy the Lizzy (a lizard) who happens upon a spider named Anastasia. Anastasia has a bee caught in her web and is about to eat him when she sees Izzy looking right at her, also with a hungry look on her face. Anastasia begs for mercy from Izzy, but is interrupted by the bee, Jeb, who would also like some mercy. Through whimsical illustrations and sometimes tongue-twisting rhyme, all three characters learn to give and receive mercy.

What I Like: Everything! This is such a fun book. The vibrant illustrations are irresistible. The text always sends my kids into giggles. They love talking about who will be lunch today and who will receive a merciful pardon.

What I Dislike: Nothing. At first, I was a little put-off by the morbid nature of the tale, but quickly learned to love it and its wonderful message.

Overall Rating: Excellent!

Age Appeal: 3-8 ... my 18-month-old loves the pictures, but the concepts are little advanced for him just yet.

Publisher Info: Waterbrook Press, 2005; ISBN: 1400070597; hardback; $9.99

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Adam and Eve: A Story About Making Right Choices

Part of the "I Can Read the Bible!" series, Adam and Eve: A Story About Making Right Choices is a board book that crossed many age groups. With it's bright colors and bold illustrations, the book is perfect for infants, and the DVD, which accompanies the book, is filled with activities for early readers.

The creators offer an easy-to-comprehend version of this very important Bible story, one that is often overlooked in children's books. Instead of focusing on creation and all the different plants and animals, this book emphasizes the choice Adam and Eve made to listen to the serpent (depicted as a snake in this book) instead of obeying God. A cute little monkey follows Adam and Eve through the garden and clearly identifies for children when the wrong choice was made.

The DVD which accompanies the book contains more than 100 activities including an animated version of the book, games, vocabulary builders, Bible verses and a musical version of the story, in karaoke style, encouraging kids to make right choices.

What I Like: The illustrations are fantastic. Similar to stained glass, the feature bold outlines and vivid colors. Also, the text is large and clear, perfect for early readers. My kids love this book with or without the DVD. The story is told in a clear fashion. I really like the emphasis on choices. The book highlights the fall of man as being a decision made by Adam and Eve rather than a heartless surprise punishment. The book does a wonderful job explaining consequences being directly related to choices we make.

What I Dislike: The story repeatedly states the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit as: "have to leave this garden." That's not what God said; it's not what Scripture says. I understand children's books don't like to talk about death, but I feel this is a key element in Christian doctrine and faith. Simply "leaving the garden" does not identify the spiritual death of humanity, nor does it create a need for Christ to redeem sinners on the cross. Some clarification by parents may be necessary.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 3-8, though my 18 month old loves it.

Publishing Info: Candy Cane Press, 2006; ISBN: 0824966600; board book & DVD; $14.95

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God's Wisdom for Little Girls

Written by best-selling author Elizabeth George, God's Wisdom for Little Girls has a lofty goal: To help children understand Proverbs 31 and how it applies to their life today. Each page of this book (charmingly illustrated by Judy Luenebrink) deals with one character trait; through pictures and rhyming text, it shows little girls how that trait might apply to their life. The last page of the book breaks down some of the bigger words used in the book (like "diligent" and "gracious"), saying what they mean, and where moms can find the corresponding text in the Bible. God's Wisdom for Little Girls says that "God's little girl is:" priceless, kind, eager, helpful, cheerful, busy, hearty (giving it our all), diligent, caring, prepared, creative, prayerful, artistic, confident, gracious, careful, thoughtful, and cherished.

What I Like: The concept; Proverbs 31, while an important passage to all women, isn't always easy for grown-ups to understand. But the author does a fine job breaking down each concept and applying it to modern life. (Moms may learn something, too!) These virtues are things we should try to instill in our daughters from an early age, and God's Wisdom for Little Girls really help mothers do that. The illustrations vary in color intensity (some are vivid, some are pastel) and are quite detailed. They depict little girls playing, working, and loving.

What I Dislike: These aren't dislikes so much as cautions. I think it's important for mothers to tell their daughters they may not be able to live up to all these virtues - especially at first. It's also important to stress that we can only be a Proverbs 31 woman (or girl) if we lean on the Lord. Initially, I also questioned some of the named virtues; for example, "artistic." I couldn't recall a Bible passage that said Godly women should be artistic. But when I checked the last page of the book and saw how the author defined artistic ("a skillful expert"), my objection disappeared. Some parents may also object that God's Wisdom for Little Girls is sexist; it doesn't depict little girls romping around with cars and tools; they are mostly shown doing traditionally feminine things. There is certainly room for romping in every girl's life, but romping isn't one of the virtues mentioned in Proverbs 31. (There is a little girl shown digging in the garden, however.) Yet, overall God's Wisdom for Little Girls takes a pretty difficult subject and makes it approachable for preschoolers.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 5 - 8

Publishing Info: Harvest House Publishers, 2000; ISBN 0736904271; hardback; $15.99.

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Special Info: To get an idea what the illustrations are like in this book, check out the artist's website.

Thank You Prayer

Thank You Prayer by Josephine Page is a simple way to teach young children about prayer and thankfulness. The rhyming book doesn't have a storyline; instead, it's a written prayer that contains thanks for food, "for loving me," "the world so sweet," birds, family, and children everywhere.

What I like: The illustrations, by Caroline Jayne Church, show friendly animals in vivid color. The cover of the book is padded cardboard, and the pages are thin cardboard - more durable than regular paper pages, but more like an adult book than the thick cardboard of a board book. (My 18 month old hasn't destroyed the pages yet!)

What I dislike: The prayer does not begin with a salutation (like "Dear God"), nor does it end with an "amen." Parents can easily add these on, though. I do wish the text were a bit more "deep," but the wonderful illustrations really help make up for this; my daughter's attention is held rapt when I read this book to her.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 8 and under.

Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc., 2005; ISBN 9780439680998; hardback; $8.99

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Special Info: You may wish to check out the illustrator's website.

My Little Library of Bible Stories

This collection of 12 books is conceptually wonderful. Each of these three inch by three inch board books covers an important aspect of the Bible. There's one book for baby Jesus, another for Jesus' adult life, a book for various Bible heros, one devoted to the creation, one for The Lord's Prayer, and books for Daniel, David, Esther, Jonah, Joseph, Moses, and Noah.

What I Like: The concept. The small size is also nice for infants and toddlers.

What I Dislike: The illustrations are unimaginative, for the most part. Some are colorful, others are pretty bland. The text is clunky, dry, and often very wordy for young children.

Overall Rating: Poor.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 3 - 6.

Publishing Info: McGraw-Hill, 2004; ISBN 1588452328; set of 12 board books; $12.95

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My Bible Storybook

My Bible Storybook, written by Mindy MacDonald and illustrated by Melanie Mitchell, is part of the God Counts series. Other books in the series focus on specific points of Scripture such as the twelve disciples or the nine fruits of the Spirit, but this book covers 10 different Bible stories: "The Very Beginning" (creation), "A Very Bad Apple" (Adam and Eve), "A Big, Big Boat" (Noah), "The Littlest Ruler" (baby Moses), "A Giant Fight" (David and Goliath), "No Lion's Dinner" (Daniel), "Something's Fishy" (Jonah), "The King in the Barn" (Jesus' birth), "Fishes and Loaves" (feeding of the five thousand), "All for Us" (Jesus' death and resurrection). Each story is told in rhyming verse, four stanzas of two lines each. Biblical references are given throughout.The pages, thinner than most board books, are die-cut to reveal 3-D plastic molds of key elements of each story. Colorful and bright, the book begs to be touched and read.

What I Like: Everything! The short stories are simple to understand and easy to repeat. Perfect for early readers. More importantly, the text is accurate with biblical accounts. I appreciate the references provided. It makes it a natural connection to a real Bible. The illustrations are vivid and bold. My kids love touching the different characters and sticking their fingers through the die-cut holes.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8, but my kids have loved this since age 1

Publishing Info: Mulitnomah Kidz, 2005; ISBN: 1590524101; board book; $14.99

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