Wait Until Then

Randy Alcorn's Wait Until Then is both touching and wise. Any parent who wants to explain what happens to us when we die, how to deal with the death of a loved one, and how to cope with serious disappointment will want to read this book with their child.
The book introduces us to Nathan, a boy of about 9 or 10, and his grandfather. We learn that Nathan loves baseball, and that his grandfather once played in the major leagues. Nathan and Gramps share lots of good times playing catch, talking about baseball, and fishing, but Nathan has a great disappointment in his life. He's in a wheelchair. Too, Gramps is slowing down. He uses a walker, and he has cancer.

Yet when Nathan asks Gramps if he misses baseball, Gramps replies he'd rather play catch with Nathan than play next to some of the great major league players. "I'm grateful for my baseball years," Gramps says. "But they weren't as important as other things - like marrying your grandma and having children, including your mother."
Gramps tries to help Nathan cope with his negative feelings about being in a wheelchair. When Nathan bemoans the fact that he can't play ball, Gramps reminds him: "One day you will [run the bases]...God promises that one day we'll live on a New Earth. He'll fix everything. Nothing will be bad there. And we'll have better bodies than the greatest Olympic athletes." Gramps also tells Nathan that God had a special reason for putting Nathan in a wheelchair, whether or not they can see what it is just now. He also explains what Nathan needs to do to accept God's gift of salvation.
Then Gramps goes to the hospital. When Nathan visits, Gramps reminds him: "I want you to love Jesus and pray to him every day. It's fine to enjoy baseball. But remember, everything we love should cause us to love Jesus more, not less." Gramps dies, and Nathan recalls everything his grandfather taught him. He looks forward to the day he and Gramps can play baseball together.

The last two-page spread of the book shows Nathan running the bases on God's New Earth.

What I Like: This book could easily have been trite or preachy, but it's neither. The story brought tears to my eyes, and I believe it will touch you and your children, too. I also like that Alcorn has backed up his fictional story with plenty of Bible verses. And the illustrations, by Doron Ben-Ami, are amazing! They are rich and lifelike...so much so, many look like photographs, not drawings. I can't imagine better illustrations for this book.
What I Dislike: If you're not a baseball fan, there might be a a couple of moments where you find yourself wondering what the characters are talking about. However, the moments pass quickly, and do not detract from the overall beauty of the book.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: 9 - 12, although some younger listeners will enjoy it, too.
Publishing Info: Tyndale, 2007; ISBN: 1414310412 ; hard back, $14.99
Buy Now at Amazon for $11.69.
Special Info: Author Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. Check out their website for great ministry articles, sound clips, and more. To see some of Doron Ben-Ami's amazing illustrations from this book and others, visit his website.

Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Gospel

Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Gospel is one of four books in a series by Joey Allen. This series teaches the most foundational teachings of the Christian faith in simple and precise language. It is geared toward preschool and elementary age children, written at their level of understanding.

This book introduces Gracie, a young girl who wants to share with everyone "the best news in the whole world ... that God loves you and wants to be with you forever." She goes on to explain real happiness only comes from God. God wants us to be happy, but we have a problem: sin. Sin is the bad things we do. "You sin with your words, thoughts and actions." Gracie asks children if they have ever been punished by their parents for doing something wrong. "The punishment for sin is separation from God." She continues to tell readers that Jesus lived a perfect life and died on a cross to take our punishment for sin. Three days later He rose from the dead. He is alive and wants to give us eternal life as a free gift.

Gracie explains that some people believe they can earn their way to heaven by doing good things. "But no one is good enough to go to heaven. Being good does not take away your sins. Jesus is the only One who can take away the sin that separates you from God." Gracie says we only need to trust in Jesus, the same way we trust in an airplane. We don't do anything to help the airplane fly, and there is nothing we can do to help ourselves be saved.

When we trust in Jesus, He gives us a home in heaven. "Even if you die, you will come back to life -- just like Jesus did!" All our sins are erased the moment we trust in Jesus. Before trusting in Jesus, "sin bosses you around." But trusting in Jesus sets us free so that we can love and obey God. Gracie explains that when we trust in Jesus, we become children of God and God will never stop loving us -- even if we do bad things. God wants us to grow to be like Jesus, so He sent the Holy Spirit to help. We grow by spending time with God: reading our Bibles and praying.

Scripture references are noted on every page to reinforce the facts of the text. The author includes a note to parents at the beginning and end of the book offering further explanation and helps for teaching this important message to children.

The illustrations, also done by Joey Allen, are cute -- similar to the original Campbell's Soup Kids. The background is always white, but the drawings are bold and colorful.

What I Like: This book is incredible! We need more books like this that clearly state the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith for young minds. The text is perfectly accurate, directly in line with Scripture, yet told at a level children can understand. I wasn't thrilled with the illustrations at first, but my kids love them. The size of the book is great too. The author packs all the necessary information in a tight package. It's great.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent!

Age Appeal: 4-8 (my 3-year-old also likes it)

Publisher Info: New Leaf Press, 2005; ISBN: 0892216174; Hardback; $5.99

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Every Child a Light: The Pope's Message to Young People

Every Child a Light: The Pope’s Message to Young People, written by Pope John Paul II, is not your usual children’s picture book as it does not tell a story. Instead, it is a beautiful collection of his thoughts on faith, life and God’s love in relation to children. Almost all the excerpts in the book come from his talks to children and young adults over the years. He offers words of encouragement, love and hope to children and adults of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths.

Although this isn’t considered a book of poetry, John Paul’s words flow like poetry across the pages. One such excerpt, titled “All Children Are Important,” reads as follows:

What is beautiful about you
is that each of you looks at other children and offers a hand
with no regard to color,
social condition, or religion.
You offer your hand to one another. . .
All children are important.
All of them!

What I Like: The book is filled with color photos of the Pope with a child or a group of children. The photos radiate with his love for them. Also, the excerpts are short and easy-to-read.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: The reading level is for ages 9-12. However, younger children would probably enjoy sitting on Mom or Dad’s lap, looking at the beautiful photos filled with children.

Publishing Info: Boyds Mills Press, 2002 ; ISBN: 1563970902; Hardcover, $16.95.

Buy now at Amazon $11.53.

Special Info: This book was, of course, written by a former Catholic Pope. Even though it was written by a Catholic, the texts used in the book do not preach Catholic doctrine; rather, the ideas and thoughts presented reflect a generally Christian viewpoint. Christian ideals, such as Baptism, the Trinity, Faith, family prayer, and the hope for the future through our children, are all expressed in the text. This book reaches out to people, especially children and families, of all races and religions.

God Gave Us Two

The sequel to God Gave Us You is God Gave Us Two. Author Lisa Tawn Bergren has a number of books in this series featuring the same adorable polar bear characters. Each book is illustrated by Laura J. Bryant. The pictures are soft and sweet, portraying a tender family in mostly pastel colors. The scenes are playful, a joy to the targeted age group.

This story follows Little Cub as their family is about to grow: her mother is expecting a baby! Little Cub asks her parents all sorts of questions about the coming addition. "Why do you need a new baby?" "If we don't like the new baby, can we send it back?" "If the new baby cries too much, can I move next door?" "Will the new baby look like me?" "Will you forget about me?" These and many other questions are answered with love. "God gave us you. Now he's given us two." Mama's tummy continues to grow and grow until the big day arrives. Little Cub spends it with Gramma and Grampa having all sorts of fun until Papa comes to get her. Everyone is surprised with the news: she has a new little brother and a new little sister. "God gave us three!"

What I Like: Kids always have questions when Mom is about to have a baby. They're family is changing. This book does a wonderful job assuring older kids and putting their doubts and fears to rest. It affirms their uniqueness and solid position in the family. I love how the focus remains on God. Throughout the text Little Cub's parents point to God as a Giver of gifts and "a creative Creator."

What I Dislike: It has a very specific audience -- a little girl about to become a big sister to twins. The end was definitely a surprise. I found it odd that a family of naked polar bears was going to the hospital to have a baby. It seemed an unnecessary detail. Some of the text was random, requiring a second read to understand. Also, the illustrations were a bit "country-cutesy" for my taste.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Waterbrook Press, 2001; ISBN: 1578565073; Hardback; $9.99

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Additional Info: Please take note of the specific audience. The main character is a little girl about to become a big sister to twins, a boy and a girl. Also, this book may not be appropriate for families who choose a home birth. The reference of a hospital may scare or confuse kids who understand childbirth happens in a familiar place.