A Picnic with the Barleys

Karen Hunt's A Picnic with the Barleys, is a sequel to The Rumpoles and the Barleys, but like the best sequels, it stands alone quite nicely.
In this tale, the Rumpoles (a family of mice from a wealthy neighborhood) trot off on a sunny day to meet with some country acquaintances. One of the Rumpole children, Prunella, brings her special pink parasol, and Mama dresses to the nines in a purple frock and bonnet. As the family nears the picnic area, Papa warns the children to stay away from a nearby bog where weasels live. "Weasels don't like [mice] very well," Mama explains. The children promise to do as their parents ask.
Soon, the family meet up with many country mice, including their new friends, the Barleys. Mama feels overdressed and embarrassed, but the country mice make her feel welcome all the same. The children play all sorts of games, and the girl mice admire Prunella's pretty parasol. But Prunella doesn't allow one little mouse, a "big and bold and grabby" girl named Cordelia, to touch her parasol. Later that day, Prunella realizes her parasol is missing. Her brother, Eustace, spots Cordelia carrying it off toward the bog. Not wanting to disobey his parents by following her, Eustace warns her to come back. Suddenly Cordelia screeches "Weasels! Help! Help!" Dagwood, one of the country mice, runs into the bog to save her - just as a scary weasel is drawing near.
All the other mice praise Dagwood's bravery and courage, but "poor Cordelia was quite forgotten. She hung her head and blew her nose into her pinafore." Prunella approaches her. "I'm sorry I didn't share my parasol with you," she says. "And I don't mind that you lost it [in the bog]. Let's forgive each other and be friends." As the day ends, Prunellas' parents add, "Remember, it is also brave to say 'sorry' and to forgive.'" The book ends by quoting Psalm 86:5: "O Lord, You are so good and kind, so ready to forgive; so full of mercy for all who ask for Your help."
What I Like: Hunt's illustrations are outstanding. They are reminiscent of Beatrix Potter's, but are more detailed and colorful. The story itself is a good one, too, with messages about sharing, putting yourself in someone else's shoes, bravery, apologizing, and forgiving.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Very good.
Age Appeal: The publisher doesn't specify, but I would say 4 - 8.
Publishing Info: Harvest House, 2008; ISBN: 0736921737; hardback, $12.99.
Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99.
Or buy at Amazon.com for $10.18
Special Info: You may wish to visit the author and illustrator's website.

The Light of the World

Even if your child has a Bible, a picture book that chronicles the life of Jesus - from birth to resurrection - can be helpful in giving him or her an overall view of what Christ's life was about. Enter The Light of the World by Newberry award medalist Katherine Paterson.

This beautiful book begins with a short note by the author (who is also a former missionary) explaining that in the beginning, God called for light, and there was light. Many years later, the prophet Isaiah knew humans were living in a dark world, but that God would soon be sending them a different sort Light. "This," the author says, "is the story of light coming into the world."

Paterson begins when an angel tells Mary she will bear God's child. We learn Mary is engaged to Joseph and that Mary's baby is born in a stable. We learn about the shepherds and the wise men, too. We also learn that Jesus grew up in Nazareth. Next, we see Jesus as a man of thirty. He's left his life as a carpenter and begins "the work for which he had been born. He showed God's love by healing those who were sick and making friends with those who had no friends. People came from far and wide to hear the good news of God's love for them."

We learn that Jesus chose twelve men to be his companions and disciples. Then we hear some of Jesus' stories, including the parables of the lost sheep and the farmer who uses seed to plant his crop. We see Jesus heal a lame man, and see him welcome small children to his side. We learn that some people were saying it was against the law for Jesus to call himself the Son of God. We see Jesus on the first Palm Sunday; we see him give the first communion, we see him go to the garden of Gethsemane, "brokenhearted because he know what was going to happen."

Soon, soliders arrive and take Jesus away while people cry out "Crucify him!" Jesus is hung on a cross. (The illustrations show three crosses in the distance; no detail can be seen.) When Jesus died, "darkness covered the earth. The light of the world had gone out." Jesus is buried and a great stone rolled over the opening of his tomb. Two days later, an angel approaches some "women who had loved Jesus." She tells them: "He has risen from the dead." We learn that Jesus' friends saw him many times after that, but "even after he went away to heaven, they knew his Spirit was always with them. The light had come into the world, and not even the darkness of death could overcome it." The author concludes:

"The light still shines through everyone who, like Jesus, lives the good news of God's loving kingdom."

What I Like: The illustrations by Francois Roca are gorgeous. They are warm in color, rich in detail, and reminiscent of many old master paintings of biblical scenes. I also appreciate Paterson's simple, down to earth retelling of Christ's life. We have a tendency to break up Jesus' life into books about Christmas and books about Easter, so it's refreshing to have a synopsis of his whole story in one book that can be read in a single sitting.

What I Dislike: Nowhere does the author say that Jesus was the Son of God. Instead, she has the angel say, "He will be great. Indeed, he will be called the Son of God." (Emphasis mine.) It's a subtle flaw, but an important one. Also, I would have liked a stronger acknowledgement that Christ lives even today.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8.

Publishing Info: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2008; ISBN: 0545011728; hardback, $17.99.

Buy now from buy at Amazon.com for $12.23

Special Info: You may wish to take a peek at the author's website.

Lola Mazola's Happyland Adventure

Lola Mazola's Happyland Adventure: My John 3:16 Book is brand new from award-winning author Robert J. Morgan. Through creative storytelling, inviting illustrations and the occasional running rhyme, this book parallels a young girl's desire trip to a theme park with our opportunity to go to Heaven.

It begins with a young girl, Lola Mazola, begging her father for money to go to Happyland. The brochure tells of a wonderful place with rides, shows, lakes hotels, a water park and a zoo! But her daddy doesn't have the money. He tries to sell a painting so that she can go, but no one buys a painting that day.

The next day Lola goes to Sunday School where her teacher, who is also her Uncle Tom Tweed, teaches the class about John 3:16. He examines the verse little by little from the beginning. He explains that God is the One who made everything. "He made trees and plants. Bees and ants. And fleas and seas and knees and peas. And bumblebees and chimpanzees." Tom Tweed goes on to say that even though we can't see God, He is all around us and He loves us very much.

Next Tom Tweed talks about the world and how we are all part of it. He repeats the verse: "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son ..." Then he explains who God's Son is: Jesus. He tells the class about Jesus' birth; how He grew up to be a man, a teacher and a preacher. "He was perfect. Perfectly perfect." Then Tom Tweed tells of Jesus' death and resurrection. "Why did Jesus die and return to life? For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish ..." Then the teacher talks about Heaven and how it is God's happy land; how it is so much better than here. "It's perfect. Perfectly perfect." So what does perish mean? "To perish means never getting to go to God's happy land." We're not able to go to God's happy land "because we have all broken God's rules in the Bible ... But since Jesus died on the cross, God can forgive us ... Then we can go to His perfect place." We get this free gift when we believe in Him. But what does that mean? Lola's uncle explains this, too, then gives the class a sample prayer they can pray along with their own copy of John 3:16 to take home with them.

When Lola gets home, she is still upset about not being able to go to Happyland. That is, until Uncle Tom surprises her with a gift: $100! It's enough for her to go! As she packs her bags, she tells her father it's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for her. He reminds her: "Not quite ..." Her father opens his Bible to John 3:16 then tells Lola again of the gift God gave her: eternal life if she will believe in Jesus.

As bonus features, this book offers a letter to parents at the beginning and notes in the back for the whole family. A certificate is included for kids to sign and date when they choose to believe in Jesus. Finally, a "Now what?" section which offers four practical tips for helping believers grow their faith and relationship with Jesus.

What I Like:This is the first children's book I've seen that so clearly details God's plan of salvation in such a logical manner! I love the step-by-step (inductive) study of this verse. It's beautifully accurate and age-appropriate. The running rhymes and sporadic repetition are fun to read and hear! The illustrations by Glin Dibley are friendly and colorful. Finally, the front and back matter are excellent.

What I Dislike: Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible - a version likely unfamiliar to most. It was a little distracting to me because I've memorized John 3:16 in different, more common versions.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: B&H Kids, 2008; ISBN: 0805446338; Hardback; $9.99

Buy it Now from Christianbook.com for $7.99!
Or buy it from Amazon for $9.99

You may also purchase a set of 10 paperbacks from Christianbook.com for $39.89 -- perfect for Sunday School gifts!

Special Info: Jesus' face is pictured twice in the illustrations.

The Children's Illustrated Bible

The Children's Illustrated Bible includes 140 stories from Scripture retold by Selina Hastings. When you open this book, you will be pleasantly surprised. Along with each Bible story, there are colorful maps and photos, tidbits of historical knowledge, actual Bible verses (KJV), and helpful definitions. The illustrations are artfully done by Eric Thomas and Amy Burch.

The 140 stories are separated into the following categories: The Old Testament, The Patriarchs, Life in Egypt, Life in Canaan, Conquering Nations, The New Testament, Jesus of Galilee, Daily Life in Jesus' Time, The Early Church, and Paul's Journeys.

There is also an introduction to the Bible which describes the midieval Bible, the Old Testament, The Five Books of Moses, The Dead Sea Scrolls, The New Testament, The Gospels, and Early Editions of the Bible. At the end, there is a section entitled Who's Who in the Bible Stories, making it easier to look up the stories based on a bible character.

How I wish I had known about this little Bible when I was teaching Sunday School! There is so much teaching material packed into the 320 pages of this book. I love the patriarch's family tree, the chart that shows the rulers in the time of Jesus, and the diagram of the plan of the city of Jerusalem.

What I like: This is indeed a comprehensive learning tool. I cannot stress how helpful the illustrations, diagrams, charts, and definitions are. This is definitely a good book for parents to use when they really want to give their children more in depth information about a particular Bible story.

What I dislike: This book is not for those who have poor eyesight! The type is extremely small and hard to see. I have heard complaints about the way that The Lord's Prayer is rendered, and I must agree. The book reads: "Our Lord who is in Heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom is coming. We will obey you on Earth as you are obeyed in Heaven. Give us our daily food. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive the sins of others. Do not lead us into temptation, but save us from evil." Parents may also want to be aware that Jesus is pictured in many of the New Testament stories.

Overall Rating: Very good

Age Appeal: 7-12, although parents can use this book with ages 4-8

Publisher Info: New Leaf Press, 1996, ISBN:089221332, hardcover, $16.99.

Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $16.99!

or buy at Amazon.com for $14.32 (this is a newer edition, published in 2004)