When God Created My Toes

When God Created My Toes pairs long-time children's Christian book author Dandi Daley Mackall with newer-to-the-field illustrator David Hohn - who, incidentally, has quickly become one of the best illustrators in children's Christian books.

In Mackall's familiar rhyming style, and with Hohn's realistic and fun illustrations, we meet a young girl we can all relate to. She's a bit tom-boyish, and tends to be so curious and fun-loving she gets into trouble. As she plays in a huge mud pile she's created, she wonders:

"When God created my toes
Did he make them wiggle?
Did he know I'd giggle?
Did he have to hold his nose
when God created my toes?"

As she skates and skins her knee, she wonders what it was like when God created that knee. As her father helps her do flips in the air, she wonders what God said when he created her hips. As she creatively paints all over her house (walls, couch, and all), she wonders if God clapped when he created her hands. As her exasperated mother gives her a bath to wash off the paint, she wonders what God said when he created her hair. When she surprises her father, scaring the daylights out of him, she wonders if God played peek-a-boo as he created her eyes. When she comes inside from creating a snowman, she wonders if God gave her an Eskimo kiss when he created her nose. As she hugs her cat too hard, she wonders if she loved God right when he created her heart. And as she dresses up in fancy clothes for a pretend tea party, she wonders if God was pleased with the result when he was done creating her.

What I Like: Hohn's illustrations are delightful, and I like the unique layout of the book (it appears to partially be the little girl's creation. There are notebook pages throughout, showing her handwriting and sketches). I also love that Mackall's text reminds us that God created every part of us just the way he wanted us to be.

What I Dislike: I only wish the book ended with a definitive statement about how pleased God is with us as his creation. Instead, the book is a series of questions the author never really answers.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but many children as young as 2 or 3 will enjoy it, too.

Publishing Info: WaterBrook Press, 2008; ISBN: 1400073154; hard back, $9.99

BUY NOW at ChristianBook.com for $7.99

OR buy at Amazon.com for $9.99 each.

Special Info: Check out the our other reviews for Dandi Daley Mackall and David Hohn books.

The Learning About Jesus Series

The Learning About Jesus Series by Carol Edwards is both promising and disappointing.
In this series of self-published books, Edwards introduces children to Jacy, a young eagle who (in book one, Jacy's Search for Jesus) loses his mother before he can learn to fly. But Jacy remembers his mother's words: "If we ever become separated, look for Jesus. Jesus will never leave you. He will take care of you." So that's exactly what Jacy tries to do. He wanders around the forest asking other creatures where he can find Jesus. Most can't help him, but a donkey who happens to be walking through the forest gives Jacy some hints about who Jesus is.
In book two (Jacy Meets Betsy), Jacy meets a green rabbit named Betsy. We don't know why she's green, but she tells us her mother says, "It doesn't matter what color you are. Deep down we're all just the same and we all want the same things." Betsy joins Jacy in his search for Jesus and his mother, and they run into a sleepy bear along the way. The bear seems to know a lot about Jesus. "You've been looking in the wrong places. Jesus has been with you from the very beginning. He knew you before you were born," he tells Jacy. Immediately after filling Jacy in on the basics of Jesus, the bear disappears into thin air, and Jacy concludes he was an angel.
In book three (Jacy Faces Evil), Jacy and Betsy bump into a deer and tell him how they've been lost in the forest due to a strange crow. The crow cringed every time they mentioned Jesus, and while he insisted he didn't know anything about Jesus, later tried to lead them to a place where Jesus had once spent a lot of time. Jacy and Betsy end up in a dark hole, instead, stuck because Jacy still doesn't know how to fly. Fortunately, the bear angel reappears, gives Jacy a pep talk, and Jacy learns to believe in himself enough to fly. It's been a close call, but now the deer wants to join the pair on their search for Jesus and Jacy's mother.
Book four (Jacy: A New Beginning) is scheduled for release in 2009, and according to the author, Jacy finds himself more assured and sets off to find his mother with renewed vigor. Along the way, he demonstrates and teaches what he's learned about Jesus.
What I Like: The basic idea for this series is a good. It shows a relatable character learning about and trusting in Jesus. The characters are often likable (though not perfect) and interesting, and the illustrations by Daniel J. Frey are often bold and vivid.
What I Dislike: Like so many self-published books, this series would benefit greatly from an experienced editor. The books would be far stronger if they were cut down considerably; there's a lot of meandering and unnecessary, weak sections. There are also inconsistencies in the typesetting (for example, sometimes the author capitalized "Him" when speaking of Jesus and sometimes she doesn't) and there are improper paragraph breakdowns. The illustrations are also inconsistent; some are quite good, while others are quite amateurish.
All that said, I must confess my three year old loves these books! She asks me to read them over and over, and often spends time "reading" them herself. Clearly, there is kid appeal here. I only wish the series were more polished.
Overall Rating: Because my daughter likes the series so well: Good.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but as I say, my three year old likes it, too.
Publishing Info: Majestic Publishing, 2002, 2006, 2008; ISBN: 0975531409, 0975531417, and 0975531433; hard back, $15.95 each
BUY NOW at Amazon.com for $15.95 each.
Special Info: Check out the publisher's website for free Bible-related kids' puzzles.

God Helps You

God Helps You is a lift-the-flap book written by Julie Clayden and illustrated by Lizzie Finlay. Readers join a young boy named George as he learns about people in the Bible and what their stories can teach him about God. Each two-page spread follows the same format: God can ... (do this) ... even if ... (you face this challenge). When readers lift the flap, they discover how God did just that for someone in the Bible.

For example: "God can give you friends, even if ... you move to a different place. When Ruth moved to a different country, she didn't know anyone. But God gave her new friends, a husband and a family."

The text discusses Ruth, Moses, Gideon, David, Martha, Daniel, and Jonah.

The simple illustrations are bright and colorful, very appealing to young children.

What I Like: The format, the illustrations, the color, the content ... It's a great book! My kids ask for it over and over again. I love that it encourages them to trust God in every circumstance. What a valuable lesson!

What I Dislike: My only complaint is that the text actually starts on the inside cover before the title page. I missed it the first time I read the book. This is a very minor point.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 2-5

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2008; ISBN: 0310716691; Hardback; $9.99

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

Jesus and the 12 Dudes Who Did

Jesus and the 12 Dudes Who Did is part of the God Counts! series. Written by Mindy MacDonald this die-cut board book parallels the life of Jesus with descriptions of the men who were His twelve disciples. The left side of each two-page spead features a picture and story about an event in Jesus ministry - either a parable He told, a miracle He performed or something He and His disciples experienced. The right side features a picture of the twelve disciples and a short description about one of them. The group dwindles one by one until all twelve have been named.

Nan Brooks serves as illustrator. Like other God Counts! books, this one features bold, colorful illustrations and 3-D pieces; in this book it's the disciples' faces that pop through the die-cut pages.

What I Like: Very few children's books teach about the disciples! My kids like the counting aspect, the die-cut holes and 3-D faces.

What I Dislike: The book doesn't flow well. The stories are not chronological and seem to compete with, almost interrupt the descriptions of the disciples. All this makes the book difficult to read and confusing for younger children.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: 2-6

Publisher Info: Multinomah Kidz, 2004; ISBN: 159023830; Boardbook; $10.99

Buy it from Amazon.com for $9.34!

Special Info: My Bible Storybook is another in the God Counts! series.

The Big Book of Bible Questions

The Big Book of Bible Questions is written by Sally Ann Wright and brightly illustrated by Paola Bertolini Grudina. Each colorful page has two short columns with the same "Q" and "A" format, including a brief paragraph telling more about the event. For example, on one page, the subject is Peter.

Column 1:

Q: "When did the Holy Spirit come to believers?"

A: "On the day of Pentecost."

(This paragraph tells about the tongues of fire, and the power it gave them.)

Column 2:

Q: "Where did Peter heal a man who was crippled?"

A: "At the Beautiful Gate."

(This paragraph tells about Peter and John's encounter with the crippled man.) All of the questions asked throughout the book are also printed in the back of the book, along with the scripture reference. What I Like: I like the layout of the book. It is written in kid-friendly language. I also like the questions and scripture references in the back.

What I Dislike: The illustrations are too cartoonish.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 6-9

Publishing Info: Abingdon Press; 2008; ISBN: 978-0-687-65088-0

Buy now at Christianbook.com for $14.00

The Miracles of Jesus

Although many Christian Children's Book Review readers have expressed interest in finding more picture books detailing the New Testament, there tends to be an inherent problem with such books: They often bore young children. However, Tracy Harrast's The Miracles of Jesus addresses this problem head-on and comes up with a creative solution.
The basic idea of the book is simple enough: Tell brief (two or three paragraph) versions of five of Jesus' miracles in easy, kid-friendly language. But the book doesn't stop there. Estelle Corke's illustrations add color and interest to the stories. But it's the publisher's addition of a spinning wheel on each page that really makes this book a favorite among toddlers and preschoolers.
Each two-page spread includes some feature that moves when the child turns a simple, sturdy wheel on the side of the page. For example, we see moving water poured into jars to make wine, the whipping of the ocean before Jesus calms it, Jesus' legs moving as he walks across the lake, bread and fish multiply in baskets, and a coin appear and disappear from a fish's mouth. It's a simple and effective way to get small children more involved in the stories of Jesus.
To add to the book's effectiveness, each story includes a notation about where in the Bible parents can find the miracle, plus a one sentence summary to help young children get the "meat" from the story. For example, in the story of the wind and waves obeying Jesus, the author writes: "Jesus is stronger than anything we fear."
What I Like: I think this book is an excellent introduction to the miracles of Jesus. My three year old loves moving the wheels in the book, and is really beginning to remember each story well. I also appreciate the one sentence summaries, which help me help my child get "take away value" from each story.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 3 - 5, but some children as young as 2 will appreciate this book.
Publishing Info: Kregel Kidzone, 2008; ISBN: 0825455405; board book, $12.99
Buy NOW at ChristianBook.com for $9.99
OR buy at Amazon.com for $11.04.

God's Word Is Cool!

God's Word Is Cool, co-authored by Beverly Weaver & Jordyn Thompson and illustrated by Clifford weaver, is an interactive study guide of the Bible for kids. There are lessons for everyday issues and Biblical topics, like God’s love, the Devil and lying (just to name a few). A brief explanation of each topic is given, followed by discussion questions and a Bible verse. Space is also given for children to draw or write something that relates to each lesson.

What I Like: The simplicity. The book is very simply put together and is easy-to-follow and comprehend.

What I Dislike: I was very disappointed with the illustrations in the book. They are not very appealing. They remind me of clip-art.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: The publisher suggests an audience of 5-12-year-olds. Given the book’s format, I would say the age group would be more like 5-10.

Publisher Info: Masterpiece by Design, 2006; ISBN: 0978894804; Paperback, $12.95.

Buy at Amazon.com $12.95.

The True Princess

Perfect for the little girl in your life, The True Princess examines the true meaning of being a child of the King. Moving beyond the stereotypes of spoiled, pampered princesses, Angela Ewell Hunt places the archetypal storybook princess within a situation that requires a new set of skills and a fresh approach to life. When the princess is taken into hiding during her father's time away from his kingdom, she learns to care for herself and complete useful tasks. Upon her father's return, he recognizes her not because of fine clothing or jewelry, but because of her loving servant's heart. This simple, moving story effectively illustrates the character traits of humility, love and servitude for children.

What I Like: The illustrations by Diana Magnuson are luminous! Her use of light is marvelous; a golden glow seems to emanate from nowhere and everywhere simultaneously. Bright, clear jewel tones, royal robes and colorful dresses make this title a feast for the eyes.

Many little girls are princess lovers; my 5 year old adores this book, and will look at it for lengthy periods of time, "reading" her own version of the story. Rather than encouraging children to emulate a "prima donna" attitude as other princess stories might, the focus is placed upon attitudes of the heart that God wishes us all to develop. Hunt's story reads like a fairy-tale, and I believe it will become a classic within literature for Christian children.

What I Dislike: The Christian aspects of the story are subtle. While a passage from the Bible is included at the back of the book, adult explanations may be needed for younger children to make the connection between the story and how God wants His children to behave.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8.

Publishing Info: Charisma Kids, 2005; ISBN: 1591856337; hardcover

Buy now at Christianbook.com for $7.99

Buy now at Amazon.com for $9.95

Special Info: Angela Hunt is also the author of some excellent Christian fiction for adults. If you are looking for some reading for yourself, her other titles are wonderful. Titles worth looking into include Doesn't She Look Natural? Fairlawn Series #1, She Always Wore Red Fairlawn Series #2 and Magdalene.

Count Your Blessings

If you're trying to instill a thankful heart in your child, Count Your Blessings by Allia Zobel-Nolan isn't a bad place to start.

This novelty book features heavier pages (it's not quite a board book; the pages are thin cardboard) with die-cut, silver foil stars on each page. The rhyming text reveals a bear's thankful prayer to God, counting up ten blessings in his young life.

"The blessings you give me are like stars in the sky
I couldn't count all of them--hard as I try.
So tonight as I stargaze, I'll list just these ten..."

The little bear tells God he's thankful for his cat, his big sister, yummy food, his grandma, his two best friends, his baby brother, fish and dolphins, his father, his home, and for keeping him safe all through the night. As you turn each page, one less star appears, allowing a nice opportunity to practice counting.

What I Like: The basic idea is good. Every child needs to learn to pray thankfully and to think about the basic things in their lives that are good. Trace Moroney's illustrations (which feature several winter scenes) are warm and appealing. And toddlers and preschoolers love the shiny stars--and the chance to show off their counting skills with them.

What I Dislike: The rhyme is sometimes awkward, and doesn't necessarily tell us why the little bear is thankful. For example, he says he's thankful for his big sister, but since many children have mixed feelings about their siblings, the book would be stronger with a few more details about why he loves her and is thankful for her. It's also odd that he thanks God for his brother, sister, and father...but leaves out his mother.

Overall Rating: Good. There is nothing exceptional about this book, but it is a decent introduction to the topic for young children.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 7, but I think this book is most appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers.

Publishing Info: Kregel Kidzone, 2003; ISBN: 0825455111; hard back, $12.99

Buy NOW at Amazon.com for $11.04.

Special Info: Check out our other reviews of (much stronger) Allia Zovel-Nolan books.

Quack Quack Polka

Quack Quack Polka, written by Deedra Scherm, offers an interactive rhyme founded on Psalm 139:14: "I will praise Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" While the Scripture is quoted only once at the back of the book (with reference), the poem is actually repeated three times in the book. The second time is meant to be read quickly and the third time softly. The last page encourages readers to shout the final verse of the poem: "I'm so happy how God made me!"
The illustrations by Laura Dreyer are bold and playful. They provide much interest without too many details.
What I Like: My kids love this book! I like that it's colorful and sturdy. The size is nice, 7 x7". Also, it teaches a great lesson: kids should be just who God made them to be and allow others to be who God made them to be.
What I Dislike: The subtitle of the book is "A fun tune to say you are wonderfully made." Maybe I'm not up on my polkas, but I couldn't find a tune that worked with this text. I would love to sing it with my kids, but I don't know how. Chanting works just fine for us.
Overall Rating: Very Good.
Age Appeal: 6 and under
Publisher Info: Lemon Vision, 2008; ISBN: 1934789038; Boardbook; $7.99
Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99!
Or buy it at Amazon.com for $7.99.
Special Info: See our reviews of other books by this author/illustrator team.


Addendum: The author contacted us shortly after this review was published, and I'm so glad she did! The Little Buds series, of which this book is a part, contains DVDs, CDs and books all with a holistic view of learning; they teach Christian virtues along with counting and phonics. The author says it's "like a Christian Sesame Street." This book, Quack Quack Polka









, was written to highlight the letter 'Q'.
My only dislike above was the lack of a tune. The videos provide this! Click HERE to watch the polka on youTube. I'm grateful to the author for informing us. However, I'm still going to keep my rating at "Very Good" because the book alone doesn't provide this valuable information. I never would have made the connection on my own. Thanks, Deedra!