Noah's Ark

I've yet to find the "perfect" picture book version of Noah and the Great Flood, but Peter Spier's Noah's Ark certainly has some unique qualities - and a Caldecott Medal - to recommend it.

As the author and illustrator of more than thirty picture books, Spier has a unique style of illustration, and he uses it - and nearly it alone - to retell the popular Bible story of Noah. The first two-page spread shows an ancient city burning, with soldiers marching through the countryside. But nearby, Noah is planting a vineyard. "...But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord," Spier writes. Next, a simple poem about the Flood (written by a 17th century poet) is quoted beside an illustration of Noah and his family working to load the ark.

From this point on, the book features no text - just illustrations. Some take up an entire two page spread, but many pages have multiple scenes on them. We see Noah loading up the animals, shooing away extra pairs who wish to board. We see him close the ark as the rain begins to fall, while many animals stand outside, still hoping to enter the big boat. We the see water cover everything and Noah feed and care for the animals inside his ark. We see him fish off the side of the ark, and sit gloomily in the dark, apparently wishing the flood waters would recede. We see him send out birds repeatedly, until a dove finally returns with an olive branch. We see Noah and his wife embrace because of what this branch means, and we see animals eagerly trying to chew the leaves up. At last the waters recede, and Noah releases the animals. And we see what a mess they've left behind in the ark. On the last two page spread, we see Noah and his family working the land, and Spier writes: "...and he planted a vineyard."

What I Like: Children of nearly any age love examining Spier's detailed illustrations, and there are many fun things to think about in this book. (For example, readers might notice that some animals - like the rabbits - multiplied quickly on the ark.)

What I Dislike: The biblical substance of the story is missing in this book. We don't learn why Noah built the ark, nor do we see God's hand in the story - anywhere. Although the last page shows a rainbow in the sky, we don't learn why the rainbow is there or what it means.

Overall Rating: This is not the best book to introduce your children to the story of Noah and the Great Flood, but it's a nice supplemental book that can keep your child busy for long periods, helping them think about what it might have been like to be on the ark. Therefore, I give it a "Very Good" rating.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but toddlers and slightly older kids will enjoy it, too.

Publisher Info: Dragonfly Books, 1992; ISBN: 0440406935; paperback; $7.99

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Questions from Little Hearts

Kathleen Long Bostrom and Elena Kucharik's "Little Blessings" series has proven so popular, the publisher is now releasing the individual titles in collections, saving parents money. Questions from Little Hearts is one of these collections.

Featuring the previously-released titles What is God Like?, What is Prayer?, What About Heaven?, and Are Angels Real?, this collection is an excellent beginning to many children's basic theological questions. (Click the titles in blue to read our reviews of the individual volumes.)

Each title in the collection begins with rhyming verse in a child's voice, asking a series of questions. This is followed by rhyming verse in italics, meant to be either God's voice or a parent's voice, answering every question and then some. Each title ends with complete Bible references, backing up every fact in the book.

In What is God Like? we learn that no one knows what God looks like, that he's been around since the world began, knows every hair on our head, can have a soft or loud voice, that he's both strong and gentle, he's sad when we are and glad when we are, his anger is slow to come, that he's all light, that he lives in heaven and in the hearts of those who love him, and more.

In What is Prayer? we learn that God is always eager to listen to us and hears our every word, that you can pray in any position (on your knees, standing, laying down, etc.), through prayer we can ask God to forgive us and he will, that we should pray for others, God answers every prayer, why we say "amen," and more.

In What about Heaven? we learn we can't see heaven from earth, that we get to heaven by believing in Jesus, that no one will be sick or sad in heaven, that we'll be with God and Jesus in heaven, and more.

In Are Angels Real? we learn that angels serve God, angels are with us wherever we go, that we should pray to God (not to angels), that all angels fly but not all have wings, angels never die, that humans don't become angels when we die, and more.

Every title is accompanied by Elena Kucharik's famous pastel illustrations showing adorable children doing a variety of child-like things.

What I Like: I love that Bostrom emphasizes in every title that we should turn to the Bible for answers, then gives detailed notes for parents and older kids so they can fact check her writing. The rhyming verse is a big hit with young children, and every child I've read these books to loves Kucharik's illustrations.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 3 - 6

Publisher Info: Tyndale House, 2009; ISBN: 1414329989; hardback; $14.99

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Special Info: Read more of our reviews of Kathleen Long Bostrom's and Elena Kucharik's books.

Kids' Money Book

When I saw Kids' Money Book: Learning what God Says about Spending, Saving, and Sharing in a book catalog, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Given the state of this country's finances, this is a perfect time for a children's book teaching biblical principles about money.
When the book arrived in the mail, I was a little taken aback. The book is thin - only 10 pages, including the covers. However, it's made from board book type paper, and there are cut outs throughout for children to insert coins inside.
A quick glance at the book shows vivid illustrations and lots of sidebars; some of the latter are just for fun. For example, there are hidden picture games and mazes. Others ask kids to consider difficult questions, like whether the children in the book are spending their money wisely, or whether they've ever thought what it might be like to not be able to afford toys and clothes. And every two page spread has holes for coins, to encourage kids to learn denominations and counting with money. (For example, when the children in the book spend 30 cents for food to feed a zoo animal, readers are asked to place three dimes in the slots. Elsewhere, a "piggy bank" is shown full of slots, and readers are asked math questions like "How much money is in the piggy bank when it's full?")
The heart of the book, however, is a series of short stories about Nick and Grace, two young children. In the first story, they go to the zoo, paying to get in, and paying to feed the giraffes. Nick also considers buying a game at the gift shop, but remembers the Bible verse "Choose the good." (Isaiah 7:16) and decides he'll decide later whether to buy it. Later, he asks Grace if she'll lend him the money to buy the game, and we learn that the Bible tells us:

"We must restore or pay back anything we borrow (Psalm 37:21)
We must share willingly and gladly (Matthew 5:42)
We must use wisely everything God has given to us (Luke 19:15 - 26"

Then readers are asked: "How would you answer Nick? If Grace lends Nick her money, what does Nick need to do?"
Next the kids visit a toy store; initially, they want to buy something for themselves, but then they see the store is gathering toys for needy children. They recall the Bible verse: "Remember the poor." (Galatians 2:10) Nick decides to buy a toy both for himself and for a needy child; Grace only buys for the needy child.
Now the children head to an amusement park; they are planning to ride the roller coaster when a girl next to them says she doesn't have enough money for the ride because she lost a dime. Nick and Grace remember the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31) and give her the dime she needs.
What I Like: I love the concept of this book! The format, while expensive to produce, does provide some nice opportunities for money counting. All the sidebars add lots of fun, too.
What I Dislike: This book just doesn't meet my expectations. Sometimes the Bible verses barely seem to support what's being taught in the story, and other times I think clearer Bible verses could have been implemented. Too, so many important biblical principles are left out. The most obvious is tithing, but what about the idea that God gives us our money? That we shouldn't seek money or material things? Or that love of money leads to bad things? Leaving these important principles out makes this book a bit wishy-washy.
Overall Rating: Despite this book's flaws, there is no other Christian children's money book this young-kid-friendly. With parental guidance, I think it's a good tool for an introduction to money. Therefore, I give it a "Very Good" rating.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 6 and up, but my 3 year old finds it interesting.
Publisher Info: Product Concept Manufacturing, 2008; ISBN: 6339572001; spiral bound board book, $12.99.
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Annie Funk: Lived to Serve, Dared to Sacrifice

If you're looking for stories of real people to inspire your children to serve God, school teacher Sharon Yoder's Annie Funk: Lived to Serve; Dared to Sacrifice is a good choice.

Yoder uses straight-forward storytelling to help us learn about the first female Mennonite missionary to India, Annie Funk. She begins with Annie's birth in 1874, and sequentially moves on to Annie's aspirations as a child in school, when she dreams of being a missionary in Africa or China. Annie then goes to school to become a teacher, and once she earns her teaching certificate, she attends a Bible training school. Although she yearns to be a missionary, she feels people in American slums need her help, so she moves to Tennessee, then New Jersey.

By the time Annie is thirty, she's been praying a long time to be sent abroad as a missionary. Finally, she approaches a mission board, who agree to let her go to India...if she goes with another missionary woman. At the last minute, the other missionary woman becomes ill and cannot make the trip, so Annie decides to go on her own. When her family expresses fear for her long voyage, Annie says: "Our Heavenly Father is as near to us on sea as on land. My trust is in Him. I have no fear."

Annie serves well in India, and when she learns females are poorly valued in the country, she sets up a school just for girls.

Five years after arriving in India, Annie receives a telegram saying her mother is very ill. Annie must go home, at least for a time. She sails to Liverpool, where she is supposed to board a ship called the Haverford, but a ship company is on strike, and the ship isn't sailing. The ticket seller offers her a ticker on the Titanic, instead.

When the doomed Titanic begins to sink, Annie is offered a seat on a lifeboat. She climbs aboard, but a moment later, some children in the boat begin crying for their mother, who has been left on deck. Annie climbs from the lifeboat and helps the childrens' mother aboard.

There are no more lifeboats.

"[Annie's] hands and knees trembled. Then Annie remembered that she was not alone. She knew that her Heavenly Father was with her on the sinking Titanic. He had promised never to leave her or forsake her. She was comforted and closed her eyes to pray. The Titanic with its bright lights began tilting into the water. Suddenly a very loud crack startled Annie...Then the ship broke into two...Then the ship slid out of sight. It disappeared in the dark, cold water. Morning dawned. The Titanic could not be seen anywhere. However, all was well for Annie. Her Heavenly Father had been near to her on land. He also had been near to her on sea. Annie was home with Him."

What I Like: Annie is nothing if not an inspiring character. She strove to be well educated, served the poor, and fought against the tide to educate the girls of India. Her story peaks with her Christ-like behavior on the Titanic.

What I Dislike: Overall, I think this is a worthwhile book. Still, Yoder's writing isn't quite as strong as I'd like, and the illustrations by Jolynn Schmucker, while pleasant, sometimes seem awkward and amateurish.

Overall Rating: Because the Annie's true story is so compelling, I give this book a "Very Good" rating.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but I'd say it's most appropriate and interesting to children 6 to 9.

Publisher Info: Faith Builders Resource Group, 2008; ISBN: 0981656919; paperback, $5.99.

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A Little Hero in the Making

Following up on her book of manners for girls, A Little Princess in the Making, Emilie Barnes also offers A Little Hero in the Making, just for boys.

Drawing on the desire of some young boys to emulate comic book, sports, and other types of heroes, Barnes begins by saying:

"So are you ready to become a real-world hero? Got your cape tied on? Ready to become a little hero 'in the making'? Great! Let's get ready to fly...and master those manners!"

Every four pages then explores a different set of manners: helping at home (including using words like "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "I'm sorry"), being a good playmate, meeting new people out in the world, hygiene, table manners, and having a brave heart.

For example, in the chapter on meeting new people, Barnes writes:

"Sometimes when you're out exploring your world, you might meet someone who looks or acts a little different. But inside, they are just the same as you. They deserve a hero's friendship, too!
The best thing to do when you meet anyone new is to smile at them and say 'hello.' You can shake their hand - that's a very grown-up thing to do...Heroes also show kindness to others by calling them what they would like to be called - Mr. Lawnmower or Mrs. Snapdragon or Dr. Sniffle. That shows kindness and respect - and it's very brave of you."

What I Like: I appreciate that Barnes is trying to instill manners in boys in a fun way. Michal Sparks' watercolor illustrations are charming, showing boys playing sports, wearing red capes, and wearing armor. I especially like the comic books pages in the book, showing young boys doing "heroic" (that is, polite) things.

What I Dislike: Barnes has taken the meat from A Little Princess in the Making and put a superficial slant of heroism on it. In other words, while Barnes did a great job of interweaving princess-like things in her book for girls, she does a poor job of making manners make sense with heroism. I also wish she'd more often cited scripture; she really does so only once, when she quotes the Golden Rule (but doesn't tell us it comes from the Bible). Sparks' comic book pages do a much better job of putting forth good manners in a way that appeals to boys; too bad there are only three pages of those comics in this book.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publisher Info: Harvest House, 2007; ISBN: 0736919783; hardback; $14.99

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When Was God Born?

When Was God Born? sounds like a Christmas book, but it's actually not. Written and illustrated by Phillip W. Rodgers, this book helps children discover the origin of God.

Bailey sits in the waiting room with his Grandma eagerly anticipating the birth of a new sibling. He soon becomes impatient thinking about all the cool stuff he'll do with his baby brother. When Grandma reminds him that God is in control, Bailey's thoughts turn to a new question: When was God born? Grandma explains that God is older than everything. She tells of how He created everything in the world, from the sun, moon and stars to the mountains, fish and oceans. He even created Bailey with "a heart made to love Him and to love one another." Bailey finally gets it: "He was and He is and He always will be! From the very beginning, He thought about me when making the earth and the land and the sea!"

The book concludes with another impatient plea from Bailey for his new brother and a reminder from his grandma that this new cub might be a sister.

The full-page illustrations are cute and colorful. All the characters are quite expressive.

What I Like: It's cute, and I like that it clearly teaches truth.

What I Dislike: Only one biblical reference is provided: Ephesians 1:4. This verse describes how we were planned from the beginning, but it doesn't support God's existence. I wish more biblical supports were provided. Also, the text rhymes, but because the meter is inconsistent, this isn't immediately obvious. I had to read it a couple times before catching the right rhythm.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Kregel Kidzone, 2008; ISBN: 0825436087; Hardback; $12.99

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Special Info: Other books in the "Discovering God" series include How Tall is God? and When Does God Sleep?