Love Your Neighbor

Loving our neighbor is a difficult commandment to follow. But, Love Your Neighbor, by Melody Carlson, makes it seem easy. With cheerful illustrations by Susan Reagan, how could you not love these characters? The author and illustrator work wonderfully together in teaching children to love your neighbor as yourself. That's hard to do when your neighbor is not very nice to you. The text is rhythmic; the pictures are bright and cheery; the story is both realistic and imaginative - much like the minds of children.

What I Like: I especially liked the whimsical illustrations. Children have a creative imagination, and these pictures will keep them glued to the pages. I also liked they rhythmic text. Children are somewhat mezmorized with words that rhyme.

What I Dislike: I don't necessarily have any complaints. This is a cute book, and children love it! But, as a mom, I prefer stories with stronger lessons.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publishing Info: Broadman & Holman ; ISBN 080542383-4 ; $12.99 ; Hardback.

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For God So Loved the World: My John 3:16 Book

For God So Loved the World: My John 3:16 Book was written by Dandi Daley Mackall, award-winning author of more than 400 books. Starting with creation and all its wonders, this book tells of the gifts God has given us. Each rhyming stanza of four lines ends with "For God so loved the world." The author then lovingly tells that God's greatest gift was Jesus. She clearly explains the Gospel message in a way little hearts can understand. This book highlights a global theme. Each page features the title phrase in a different language including Spanish, Tahitian, Nigerian, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Portugese, French and English. The book concludes by quoting John 3:16.

Russian artist Elena Selivanova fills the pages with beautiful illustrations. Children from around the world are shown in many different environments. Spectrums of color delight the eyes while sweet expressions tickle the heart.

What I Like: Everything! This book is beautifully written with a strong Scriptural foundation. The illustrations are fantastic. (The picture here appears pastel, but the book is not.) My kids love this book and I do, too.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8, though I would say 2 and above

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2007; ISBN: 1591455243; Hardback; $12.99

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Give Me Grace

From Newbery-winning author Cynthia Rylant comes Give Me Grace. This book is short and sweet, perfect for toddlers. It features seven prayers, one for each day of the week. The prayers are told in rhyming verse making them easy to memorize. Also, the book's format emphasizes the names and order of the days making this book a practical teaching tool, as well.

The author is also the illustrator. She fills every page with bold, striking colors. Her illustrations are very folksy, almost child-like in technique.

What I Like: Children often fall into praying the same thing all the time. This book gives them alternatives and teaches them to pray for different things. I love the colors! The illustrations are truly vibrant. I also like the listing of days of the week. My daughter is learning these now; this may prove a valuable help to her efforts.

What I Dislike: I support the ACTS model of prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. The prayers in this book seem to focus only on supplication. None of them praise God for who He is or even offer thanks for what He has done and given. One prayer does say "Make me thankful ..." but none of them actually offer thanks. They all are phrased in a "do this, give me this, bless these people ..." way. God encourages us to come to Him with our requests, but asking for things is not the one and only point of prayer. With seven prayers, I would have liked at least one of them to focus on the other important aspects.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: Baby-Preschool

Publisher Info: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1999; ISBN: 0689822936; Hardback; $12.95

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Additional Info: This book is also available as a boardbook in English or Spanish.