What's A Bathtub Doing In My Church?

What's A Bathtub Doing In My Church? contains fifteen questions kids ask about baptism. This book is cleverly written and comically illustrated by Kevin Spear. This 32-page, informative book is filled with inquisitive, animated characters - both kids and adults. On the first three pages, the author gives the scenario of a young boy and his friend witnessing a baptism. His friend has not seen anything like this before and begins to ask questions. The young boy begins feeling a little uncomfortable and embarrassed with all the questions his friend has. The author then takes several pages to explain what baptism is and all the steps one needs to take before, during, and after baptism. The author uses Bible facts to help explain this "celebration." He addresses baptism as a submersion in water and also notes the different ways denominations may handle baptism.
There is plenty of encouragement in this informative book. It explains what goes on in the baptistry, who is there with you, what talks with the pastor are like, and offers assurance that there is no need for snorkels.

What I Like:  I appreciate that this book teaches us to act on our beliefs. It will also help you and your children understand why Baptism is so important. There is a list of applicable verses for further study and a twelve worded glossary.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Publishing Info: Warner Press; 2006; ISBN:9781593171551

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Sister For Sale: Biblical Values

Sister For Sale! is written in rhyming text by Michelle Medlock Adams and colorfully illustrated by Karen Stormer Brooks. Ahh, sibling rivalry! The little boy in this story (about ten years old) has asked God to help him sell his innocently energetic, pig-tailed, little sister, Ally Grace. He tells how annoying and mean she can be, then assures others she will be nice to them. He's ready to bargain with anyone interested in buying her.

"She's worth about 100 bucks, but I'll sell her for just two."

As he mentions all of the bad things Ally Grace is capable of, he begins to wonder what it would be like not having her around. After some thought, he begins to see the good she is capable of and changes his mind.

"If you love her, God, I guess I can love her too."

From the "I Can Read!" collection, level 1.

What I Like: Although this is fiction, it holds a true message. Children often wish they were an only child. There is one Bible verse quoted from the New International Readers Version on the first page of the book.

Both my daughters, ages 10 and 11, liked this book.

What I Dislike: God is mentioned twice in this book. Once, in the beginning, and then at the end. At first, it appears the young boy is asking God for help. Later, it's clear he is asking God to help him do a terrible thing. The little boy doesn't turn to God for good. I think the author should have taken the opportunity to create a good relationship between God and the little boy. Maybe there should have been an adult in the picture helping the older brother understand he needs to ask God to help him cope with his sister. It's cute, comical, and even made me laugh, but I would not consider it to be a children's Christian book.

Age Appeal: 4 to 6

Overall Review: Good.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2002, 2007: ISBN: 0310714699

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Noah's Ark: A Hand-Puppet Board Book

This introduction to a much-loved Old Testament Bible character is a true novelty. Noah's Ark: A Hand-Puppet Board Book is a soft, adult-sized glove with a small board book built into the palm. Each finger becomes a plush puppet of one of the book's characters: Noah, a zebra, a giraffe, an elephant and a lion. The book itself is filled with colorful, cartoon illustrations by Michelle Berg. The text is simplistic, merely asserting Noah's love for the animals.
What I Like: It's a fun, , colorful, interactive introduction to Noah. What baby doesn't love finger puppets? These are so cute and soft! I like that the boardbook, while strong and sturdy, is covered with the cloth as well. The illustrations are really cute, too. Best of all, a Velcro strap keeps the book closed to prevent pages from whacking your little one in the nose.
What I Dislike: This book is extremely light on content! It doesn't mention God or the flood. Other than the title, it doesn't even mention the ark. If I were judging just the text, this book would receive a "Poor" rating for it's lack of content. But considering the age range and the very cool novelty of it ...
Overall Rating: Good.
Age Appeal: Infants
Publisher Info: Cartwheel Books, 2007; ISBN: 0439863961; Boardbook; $12.99
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Special Info: This item is also available in Spanish.

God Gave Us You

Lisa Tawn Bergen created a popular series of books featuring a family of polar bears. God Gave Us You is the first book in the series. The other titles are God Gave Us Two, God Gave Us Christmas, and God Gave Us Heaven.

In God Gave Us You, Little Cub asks Mama that age-old question: Where did I come from? Instead of giving some silly answer like, “The stork brought you,” or “We found you in the pumpkin patch,” Mama answers, “From God.” She goes on to say, “Your papa and I were alone, and we wanted a baby.” “And you got me?” Little Cub asked. “Yes, my special child. God gave us you.”

Little Cub asks many more questions about the time before he was born. Mama answers each one patiently. At the end of the story, Little Cub asks: “Did you ever want a different baby?” “Never,” Mama said. “Never, ever, ever. Your papa and I wouldn’t trade you for the world.” “Why?” Little Cub asked. “Why? Because God gave us you.”

What I Like: I like the way Mama Bear handles Little Cub’s questions. She doesn’t come across as preachy, but she certainly conveys the idea that Little Cub was a gift from God. That makes Little Cub feel very special.

I also like the illustrations. The charming, pastel pictures of chubby polar bears and other creatures, by illustrator Laura J. Bryant, have been duplicated throughout the series (even though Laura didn’t illustrate all of the books).

What I Dislike: I debated with myself whether or not to mention the one thing I didn’t like about the book. It has nothing to do with the story itself but with the printing of the book. There are two places where quotation marks were missing from where they should be in the text. Like I said, it didn’t distract from the actual story, but it did distract me from the reading of it. It’s a little thing, but as a writer and a published book author, I notice these types of things. I think publishers should be a bit more careful about what they publish, making every effort to ensure what is being printed is free from punctuation errors. ‘Nough said!

Overall Rating: My overall rating of the book, though, is excellent.

Age Appeal: Baby to preschool.

Publisher Info: Waterbrook Press, 2000; ISBN: 1578563232; Hardcover: $10.99.

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Special Info: Visit the author’s website. Visit the illustrator’s website. Read our reviews of other books by this author.