God is With You: That is All You Need

Like a father gently guiding his children, Larry Libby offers advice, Bible stories, and personal remembrances in his lovely book God is With You: That is All You Need.

Each two page spread in this beautifully illustrated book reminds readers God is with us - no matter what! You may be "facing a scary time," God may feel far away, everything may seem awry, you might be hurting, others may tell lies about you, nobody may seem to understand, someone you love might die, you might need to do difficult things, your best friend might move away...but God is with you and will help you.

For example, in the first two page spread, titled "When You're Facing a Scary Time," Libby reminds readers about the biblical Isaac, who moved to a new place "where the neighbors were unfriendly." But God remained with him. Then he tells a story about how he and his boyhood friend once accidentally got locked inside a school building that seemed empty. They panicked and broke a window trying to escape. Just then, a janitor walked into the hallway. "If we had waited just a few more seconds, we would not have broken the window. We forgot that God is always with us. The God who was Isaac's Friend in scary times is your Friend too. God would like us to remember him when we feel afraid."

The last several pages of this book remind us that God is knocking at the door of our hearts. If we haven't already let him in, Libby says he hopes will will do it right away. The last page of the book offers a simple prayer for doing so.

Throughout, Corbert Gauthier's illustrations delight. He gives us everything from luscious woodlands filled with beautiful animals, to humorous and expressive young children (of various ethniticies) playing baseball, to a depiction of Jesus playing with children in biblical times. Each illustration is detailed and rich.

What I Like: I like Libby's style. As you read this book, it really does feel like a grandfather or father is sitting with you by the fireside, offering gentle advice through relatable stories. Libby also offers scripture references throughout. Cauthier's traditional and warm illustrations are a perfect match.

What I Dislike: Nothing, but some parents may object that three illustrations depict Jesus Christ.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but I think kids even a bit older will like this one.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2003; ISBN: 0310703433; hardback; $12.99

Special Info: Visit artist Corbert Gauthier's website for peek at his lovely artwork. Read more of our reviews for Larry Libby's titles, as well as Corbert Gauthier's books.

Buy it Now from Amazon.com for $12.34,

OR buy it from ChristianBook.com for $9.99

Google "Followers" Disabled...at least for now

Unfortunately, it appears some people using Internet Explorer cannot access any Google blogs using the "Followers" feature. Therefore, at least until the problem is resolved, I've removed the "Follow" feature. I apologize to those who've been having trouble accessing the blog!

A Little Bit of Faith

A Little Bit of Faith is the first in a new series called The Precious Girls Club. Written by Cindy Kenney, this book is a great stepping stone between picture books and chapter books. It offers short chapters and at least one full-color illustration for every 2-3 pages. Based on the original Precious Moments, the illustrations feature a slightly more modern, "tweeny" version of cuteness.

The story centers on Katie Bennett, a young girl who recently moved to a new state with her family. She struggles with feeling out of place. How can she survive math class and find a way to make new friends? With the help of her mom, her cool aunt, and her guardian angel named Faith, Katie learns to step outside her comfort zone. At their encouragement she starts a Precious Girls Club complete with regular meetings and fun charm bracelets that emphasize the special traits God gave each individual girl. But will anyone come? Will she finally make friends? Or will the kids just make fun of her and her "imaginary" guardian angel?

Throughout the story Katie learns what virtues make precious girls: they are loving, kind, caring, loyal, helpful and responsible. The value the Golden Rule. Most of all, they do their very best with the gifts God has given them.

Readers who enjoy this book are invited to visit the website: www.PreciousGirlsClub.com. There girls can gather tools for starting their own Precious Girls Club at home. They can also have fun with games and interactive activities based on the book's characters or shop the "Precious Girls Store," which is filled with everything from charms, bracelets, plush toys and snow globes (like the one where Faith lives). The site also includes a "parent's section" where moms and dads can manage their daughters' accounts, send them messages, find party planning tools, conversation cards and much more.

What I Like: My daughter loves the pictures. At five years old, she's just learning to read and isn't ready for chapter books yet. This book, however, is bridging the gap for her. The characters are really sweet. I like that the story deals with real issues girls face -- the desire to blend with the crowd; that in-between spot between being a kid and a teen; worrying about their appearance and what others think of them -- while pointing them toward God and godly adult figures. Too often tween books have kids solving all the problems on their own. I really like the positive parental influence in this book. And, of course, the website is fantastic.

What I Dislike: I'm a bit uncomfortable with the guardian angel aspect. I wish Katie spent more time praying to God, asking for His help rather than talking with Faith and seeking her guidance. It feels almost like the character bypasses our direct relationship with God and places undue importance on angels.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 6-12

Publisher Info: This book is available as paperback or hardback, but from different publishers. Both are 72 pages long.

Dalmatian Press, 2008; ISBN: 1403751234; Paperback; $4.99.
Precious Moments Inc., 2009; ISBN: 9780981715919; Hardback; $9.95.

Buy the Hardback from Christianbook.com for $9.95!
Or buy the Paperback version from Amazon.com for $4.99.

Special Info: Read the entire first chapter here. In the bottom half of the page you'll find a "Book Sneak Peak." Click on that then "Download." Book 2 of this series, Operation Kindness, is set for an October 2009 release date. See our reviews of other books by this author.

Preacher Creature Strikes on Sunday

If there's a child in your life being introduced to church after toddlerhood, Preacher Creature Strikes on Sunday by Mike Thaler makes a funny, useful gift.

Written in Thaler's goofy, punny style that's great for both boys and girls, a gradeschool boy tells us his mom is taking him to church. "I've heard all about church," he says. There's lots of sitting and standing, over and over. You have to sit on smelly seats called pews. You sing super long songs while you stand. ("It's sort of like the Pledge of Allegiance...only longer.") The preacher's talk is called a sermon and it can last for hours...even weeks! (Which is "why the preacher is called 'The Sermonator.") The sermons are about the Bible, which is a book God wrote ("I wonder if he used a computer") about strange people...Like the guy who wandered in the desert for forty years. ("He should have stopped at a gas station and asked for directions.") And a guy who took a cruise...inside a fish.

The boy's mom says God is invisible and can see everything you do. He loves you, no matter what, and wants you to be with him in Heaven someday. (Heaven is "more fun than an amusement park.")

The boy isn't exactly thrilled to go to church, but once he gets there, he's surprised. The people seem friendly. He gets to be with a bunch of other kids and play games and sing songs. They even put on a play about a boy named David "who beats up a big bully named Goliath. The preacher says he was able to do that because God helped him. He says God will help us too, if we ask him." In the end, the boy decides, "I love church. I wish every day was Sunday. Mom says when you love God...every day is Sunday!"

Throughout, Jared Lee's illustrations delight, being just as zany as Thaler's text. In them, characters have bubbles, like you'd seen in a cartoon strip, and say things that add to the story. For example, when the boy says going to church is called "being in the service," Lee's illustration shows a little boy being yelled at by an Army sergeant.

What I Like: Humor is a superior way to teach young children, and Thaler and Lee are experts at tickling young kids' funny bones. For children who've never been to church before, this is a terrific introduction - one that will make them laugh and understand. Thaler and Lee are a perfect match, and I hope they create many more books together.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 6 to 9, but many preschoolers will like this book, too.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 031071589X; paperback; $4.99

Special Info: Read our other reviews of books by Thaler and Lee. Visit Mike Thaler's website for Q&A's and author visit information; visit Jared Lee's website for samples of his illustrations and free activities and teaching ideas.

Buy it Now from Amazon.com for $4.99,

OR buy it from ChristianBook.com for $3.99, or buy all four books in this "Tales From the Back Pew" series for $14.99.

What Does the Bible Say About That?

If your 8 to 12 year old has lots of questions about the Bible - especially about how it pertains to his or her everyday life - What Does the Bible Say About That? by Carolyn Larsen is a must have.

This well organized book begins like this:

"News flash! Learning to live for God doesn't happen overnight. Nope, it's a journey. Think about it - when you start out on a long road trip, more than likely your mom or dad has the trip mapped out. Well, your Christian life journey is mapped out, too - in the Bible. This amazing book is not just a bunch of 'do this and don't do that' lists. It's the history of God's love for you and how his Spirit living in you will guide, protect, love, forgive, and love you again."

Larsen also explains that we all fail, but that God is full of grace so we can begin again, fresh. She says, "What Does the Bible Say About That? will help you understand how God's love and grace is part of your everyday life."

By either checking the index or the detailed table of contents - or simply by paging through the book, which has topics arranged alphabetically - your children can learn what the Bible says on a wide range of topics, including ambition, angels, anger, cheating, clothes, divorce, diaries, dancing, the environment, fortune telling, fear, free time, Heaven, Hell, history, humility, judging others, math, money, music, natural disasters, the opposite sex, pain, prayer, quitting, rebellion, rest, sadness, sarcasm, self control, sex, smoking, texting, the trinity, unborn children, worship, and more - over 300 topics in all.

"Texting?" you may ask. "Smoking? Does the Bible really discuss these things?" Sort of, the author tells us. She says texting is impersonal, but God puts great importance on personal relationships. Texting is fun and fine, but we mustn't forget to speak face-to-face with each other and showing how we care for each other. And smoking isn't a good thing because God wants us to care for the body he give us.

When discussing "hot" topics like sex and drugs, the author is biblically accurate. She tells readers sex is designed for a husband and wife and that our society has cheapened sex. Dating should be kept pure; don't experiment with sexual activity. She says drinking alcohol impairs your judgment and isn't good for your body. She says God wants us to take good care of our bodies; that means eating well (not too little and not strange diet foods)...You get the idea.

Each topic also includes a "Today I Will..." section encouraging kids to apply what they've learned. Throughout, newspaper cartoon style illustrations with captions by Rick Incrocci add interest.

What I Like: What an excellent guide for both kids and parents! Even if you aren't ready to allow your child to freely peruse a book that discusses sex and drugs, keep this on your shelf to help you guide your child through difficult issues. It's a great read together, devotional-style book that you can trust to be biblically sound. It's not exhaustive, but succinct and to the point.

What I Dislike: Nothing. However, even though the author offers Bible verses for each topic, it would be nice if she gave additional passages to look up.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 8 - 12.

Publisher Info: Crossway, 2009; ISBN: 1433502135; paperback; $15.99

Buy it Now from Amazon.com for $10.87,

OR buy it from ChristianBook.com for $11.99