Robin's Top 10 Kids' Books

I chose to focus on books for an audience of preschool and younger.

10. Just For You by Mercer Meyer. A little one is trying so hard to be a good helper to his mother, but he can't anticipate the problems with mowing the lawn or washing dishes. The end is heartwarming when he does something perfect: expresses his love with a hug.

9. Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do You Hear?

by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. Babies and toddlers will enjoy the visit to the zoo and will learn the names of the animals. Parents will be inspired to make the animal sounds for their giggling child.

8. The Berenstain Bears and the Truth by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Brother and Sister Bear accidentally break Mama's favorite lamp when playing soccer indoors and they place the blame elsewhere. The lie grows and snowballs until Mama and Papa help the cubs see that it's far worse to lie than to do something wrong and be honest about it.

7. Help Me Be Good About Being Greedy
by Joy Berry. One of three friends greedily devours all the chocolate chip cookies and as a result, his friends desert him. (No pun intended!) He learns the definition of a fair share and he learns how to avoid being greedy. Children will like the comic book-like plot on the right-hand pages, and parents will appreciate the simple problem-solving steps on the left-hand pages.

6. Timothy Goes to School by Rosemary Wells. Timothy is excited about his first day of school, but his feelings are crushed by Claude, who teases him about his clothes. By the end of the week, Timothy claims he's not going back to school. Then he meets Violet, who's having a similar problem. They forge a friendship and enjoy school once again.

5. Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You? by Dr. Seuss. Mr. Brown imitates all sorts of silly sounds: a fish kiss, a train whistle, and even thunder and lightening. There will be lots of giggles as young children learn words and sounds.

4. The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson and Jerry Pinkney.

I have always loved this story of an outcast among ducks who patiently suffers only to become a grateful and magnificent swan. The language in this version is descriptive and even if the book is longer than most, my children listen attentively.

3. If You Take A Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff. In this series of books by Laura Numeroff, a simple request sets off a hilarious chain of events. This is our favorite because the tiny mouse amazes a classroom of children when he builds a house of blocks and outfits it with tiny clay furniture.

2. Stone Soup by Marcia Brown. This is an old tale of hungry soldiers who trick greedy villagers into giving them something to eat. It's a real reminder of charity in every day situations.

1.Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. A mother soothes her little bunny to sleep by saying goodnight to all the items in his room. The relaxing flow of the words makes this a bedtime classic in our house.

Our New Baby

If you're looking for a book to introduce the idea of a new baby entering the family, Our New Baby by Beth Atchison may be a good choice.

In this Level 3 (independent reader) book (which works just as well as a read-to-me book), a young child who appears to be no older than kindergarten age learns he'll soon have a baby brother or sister. He has lots of questions and some concerns, but his mother says, "God is sending us this special baby. God sent you when you were a baby. You are very special too."

As his mother's tummy grows larger, the little boy learns to play quietly when she needs extra rest. His mommy tells him he'll be able to help take care of the baby, too, by singing to it, fetching the baby bottle, and maybe even helping to change diapers.

He feels a little lonely when his mother and father leave for the hospital, but grandma stays with him and together they pray for the family and the new baby. When his new baby sister comes home, he thinks she's loud and wrinkly, but he thanks God for her. And when his friends come over, sometimes he quietly peeks into her nursery to show her off.

What I Like: This is a simple introduction to common concerns a young children have about gaining a new sibling. The book has a mostly positive spin (the exception is the mention of loneliness), and offers lots of ideas about how older siblings can "serve one another in love" (Galations 5:13). The illustrations by Nancy Munger are colorful and do a great job expressing joy throughout.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher 3 to 7, but this book may be too simplistic for 7 year olds.

Publishing Info: Standard, 2005; ISBN: 978-0784717066; paperback, $2.29.

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Erin's Top 10 Kids' Books

10. What Do You Do With a Kangaroo? by Mercer Mayer. I've always loved this silly tale about a spunky girl whose daily routine keeps getting interrupted by obnoxious animals. Mayer's adorable, detailed, 1970s-era illustrations show our heroine standing up for herself, although the animals finally get the best of her and become her friends.

9. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. This is a heartwarming story of a little bunny who thinks of multiple ways to run away from home. No matter what he suggests, his mother is determined to follow him. A reassuring picture of a mother's love, the book could also be used as a parallel for Jesus' love for us.

8. My Good Night Bible: 45 Bedtime Bible Stories for Little Ones by Susan L. Lingo. This is the one devotional my children ask for again and again. Simple enough for toddlers, it still holds plenty of appeal for my daughter, who is 8. Familiar Bible stories are followed by questions, a short prayer and something comforting to think about while falling asleep.

7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. The first read-aloud chapter book my son ever sat through, it is a fantastic story of a yummy chocolate world being invaded by naughty kids. The end just goes to show that being nice and well-behaved pays off!

6. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery. When orphaned Anne Shirley surprises her adoptive family by not being a boy, the mischief and confusion have only begun. Anne's propensity for getting into scrapes keeps us laughing, while at the same time we are touched by the life lessons she learns.

5. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. When likeable, wealthy Sara Crewe is suddenly transformed into a penniless orphan, she is sent to the attic of her boarding school and forced to be a servant. Sara is a model of how to be "content in all circumstances" but we still are thrilled as her cold attic is transformed into a warm, cozy retreat by a mysterious benefactor.

4. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The engaging adventures of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they live through the Civil War without their father are coupled with character lessons including being generous, handling one's temper, the danger of being idle and being honest in matters of the heart. Reading Little Women, I realized for the first time you could love Jesus and still struggle with doing the right thing.

3. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Join awkward Meg, her practical friend Calvin and her precocious little brother Charles Wallace as they try to rescue Meg's father who is missing in space. Down-home country meets science fiction in this otherworldly journey where Meg learns priceless lessons about love and individuality.

2. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. 11-year-old Will Stanton, 7th son of a 7th son, shows us even though the struggle of good against evil extends beyond the borders of space and time, we all have a choice to make. The second in Cooper's five-part series, this is the book I pick up every year around Christmas (the book takes place between Mid-Winter's Eve and New Year's Day) to remind me of how important it is to make choices on the side of good. (The movie The Seeker: The Dark is Rising is absolutely awful and bears little resemblance to the series.)

1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: Definitely my favorite book of all time, I never tire of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy who are helped by talking animals and magical creatures to meet Aslan and fight the evil White Witch. A tale of betrayal and redemption, the novel is also a beautiful allegory for the Gospel accounts of the life of Christ.

The Berenstain Bears: Faithful Friends

In The Berenstain Bears: Faithful Friends by Jan and Mike Berenstain, children learn how to cope with difficulties threatening friendship. And unlike some of the Berenstain books recently released, this one has strong Christian content.

Sister Bear's best friend is Lizzy Bruin, but when a new girl comes to town, their friendship runs into trouble. Suzy MacGrizzle is nerdy, and nobody wants to play with her. Sister feels sorry for her, and despite her friends' protests, begins hanging out with her. They have lots of fun looking through Suzy's telescope, catching butterflies, and other things Sister has never done before. But suddenly her old friends, including Lizzy, refuse to play with her. Brother Bear suggests Sister's old friends are jealous. Lizzy, he says, is "just worried that maybe you don't kike her as much as you used to."

Cousin Fred (who likes to memorize) says, "You know what the Bible says: 'Wounds from a friend can be trusted.'" Or, as Suzy trsanslates, "...when a friend who loves you hurts your feelings, you need to find out what is bothering her." Fred replies, "And the Bible also says that we shouldn't stay angry with out friends. God wants us to make up with them if we have an agrument."

With these things in mind, Sister, Brother, Lizzy, and Fred gather extra fishing tackle and ask Lizzy and Sister's other friends to join them fishing. When Lizzy's line ends up in a mess, Sister helps her untangle it. "You're a great friend, Sister," Lizzy says. "I always have been and I always will be!" Sister replies.

The book also includes one page of discussion questions and activity ideas related to the book.

What I Like: My daughter adores the Berenstain Bears, and while their stories have always been moral, I'm delighted to see some of their books now contain solid Christian content.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0310712534; paperback, $3.99.

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Beverly's Top 10 Kids' Books

10. Home For a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. I love this book because it is replete with repetition, soft but engaging illustrations, and fun animal sounds. You'll love reading this book aloud as much as your child will enjoying listening.

9. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen is thrilling to the last page, and your child will quickly learn to recite this book with you! My daughter used to hold her breath, eyes wide, listening with suspense to this delightful story.

8. Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace. Betsy is five years old and wishes for a best friend. When Tacy moves into her neighborhood, a friendship that will span years begins. These two loveable girls have all types of adventures and go through experiences, happy and sad, that will touch your heart.

7. Homeplace by Anne Shelby. Your child will get to see how one family grew and their house expanded over the course of six generations. The story is told from the perspective of a grandmother to her granddaughter, and will touch your heart!

6. The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney is the first in a series of books that tell of a widowed mother and her five children. The family is desperately poor, and must be very creative just to "get by." This is such an honest story that will really make your children think.

5. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is beautiful not only because of its unique illustrations, but because of the soothing lilt to its rhyme. I love reading it out loud to my children because it is truly calming.

4. Reading the Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder evokes many happy memories for me. My mom read it to me when I was a child, and I cannot wait to do the same with my girls. You will laugh and cry with the Ingalls family as you follow them from the woods of Wisconsin, to Kansas, to Minnesota, and to the Dakota Territory.

3. The Child's Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos is my very favorite children's Bible story book. The gospel is clear, the words are easy for a child to understand, and there are beautiful illustrations to enjoy throughout the book. Read more here, in my review.

2. Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schooland will teach a child the doctrines of God, and about the Bible in a plain way. This book is so beautifully written that you will be touched as you read it to your child. See my review of this book here.

1. I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss, is absolutely a favorite in our household. The book features children pretending to be their favorite animals in delightful ways. You'll love the sweet illustrations, and the way it inspires children's imaginations. I've also mentioned the book in this review.

Tell Me the Story

Tell Me the Story, written by well-known Christian author Max Lucado, is a collection of short stories that illustrate the truths of the Bible. There are six stories in all, each preceded by a Bible verse. The first story, titled “In the Beginning,” takes its quote from Genesis 1:1 (NIV). Other stories use quotes from various parts of the Bible.

According to the blurb on the book jacket, the stories are “tiny slices of the larger story of God and His people.” The first story is about the Creation as told by the angel Michael. It offers a unique perspective on how and why the universe was created. “Morning” is about the Crucifixion, and “Warfare” is a story that illustrates how the angels protect us in our everyday lives.

The illustrations, done by award-winning artist Ron DiCianni, are few but they are masterpieces of exquisite detail, full of color and light.

What I Like: I like the variety of the stories in the book. I also like the nuggets of wisdom imbedded in each story and the beautiful illustrations in the book.

What I Dislike: This book is not promoted as a collection of previously published stories, so readers might feel short-changed when they realize they’ve read a story before - or at least a version of it.

There are at least three previously published stories in this edition. One of them, titled “Too Late,” is basically a rewrite of the author’s Coming Home. The version in this collection is somewhat different from the original, though, as the author changed the ending. However, he didn’t change the characters’ names, the location, or the basic premise of the original story.

This book's “The Fall” was previously published as Because I Love You. “Into His Presence” was previously published as Just the Way You Are. However, I don’t know if either of these has been rewritten, since I have not personally read the original versions.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 9-12 is the suggested reading level for this book. But in the introduction, Max Lucado says, “These stories and paintings are for children from six to sixty who desire to see God.” I don’t think children as young as 6 would find much of interest in this book. I’d say you’d have to be at least 9 or 10 to even begin understand most of it. This book is geared more for the older set, teenagers through adults.

Publisher Info: Books, 2005; ISBN: 1581345232; Hardcover, $16.99.

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $12.99.

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $12.74.

Special Info: Visit the author’s website. Visit the illustrator’s website. Read our reviews of other books written by Max Lucado. Read our reviews of other books illustrated by Ron DiCianni.

Do You Want a Friend?

If you know a child who isn't familiar with Jesus, Do You Want a Friend? by Noel Piper (wife of author and preacher John Piper), is a nice way of making Christianity seem appealing to young children.

The picture book opens with a little boy sitting on a porch. He's just moved and he doesn't know anyone in the neighborhood. He yells out: "Friends! Friends!," hoping someone will apply for the position. Soon he has friends of all ages and descriptions. "Do you want a friend, too?" the author asks. "Do you want a friend who loves you? Do you want a friend who comforts you when you are sad or sick?" Who helps you be strong, who helps you know God, who makes you happy, who prays for you, who forgives you, who helps you do good?

"Maybe you have a lot of friends. But can any of them do ALL these things ALL the time? No. Jesus is the only friend who is everything we need. There is no friend like Jesus."

The author then explains that Jesus died for our sins and that he is "the best friend of all."

What I Like: Every page describing Jesus includes a quote and reference from the Bible to back up the claim. Throughout, colorful illustrations by Gail Schoonmaker show people of many ethnicities and abilities. On the last page of the book, the sheet music to "One There is, Above All Others" (vocal line only) is printed.

What I Dislike: The author's offers next to no explanation about why Jesus died on the cross and what that means for each of us. Do You Want a Friend? does a good job of making the idea of knowing Jesus appealing, but you will need another book to help explain why we need Jesus.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publishing Info: Crossway, 2009; ISBN: 978-1433506215; hardback, $12.99.

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $9.99.

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Christine's Top 10 Kids' Books

10. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. This book may not be considered classic children’s literature by many; some of you may not have ever heard of Pippi Longstocking. But she was one of my favorite characters when I got into reading chapter books.

9. Curious George by H. A. Ray. Curious George isn’t just one book; it’s a series of books about a curious monkey named George. Curious George belongs to The Man in the Yellow Hat, and he is always getting into trouble because he’s so curious about everything.

8. Corduroy by Don Freeman. This is the first title in a series of books about a stuffed bear named Corduroy. Corduroy is a lovable little chap who starts out his life in a big department store before he is bought by a little girl with a big heart.

7. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. No list of classic children’s books would be complete without the mention of Alice in Wonderland. In this fantasy chapter book, Alice goes on a wild adventure in Wonderland where she meets one-of-a-kind characters like the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts.

6. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss Dr. Seuss wrote many great books, but The Cat in the Hat is one of my favorites. Dr. Seuss made a huge contribution to children’s literature with his zany cast of characters and his nonsense rhymes. No list of classic children’s books would be complete without mentioning him, either.

5. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. This chapter book is a delightful story about a boy and his two hunting dogs. The ending is really heart-wrenching, though.

4. The Giver by Lois Lowry. Prolific writer Lois Lowry has written many great children’s books. The Giver is a science fiction chapter book about a futuristic society that demands perfection of its citizens, but at a great price.

3. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. This chapter book is the one that got Sharon Creech recognized in the world of children’s literature. It’s a poignant story about Salamanca, a girl who must come to grips with her past.

2. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The first in a series, this much-read and much-loved book became the catalyst for a TV show. I’ve read all of Miss Wilder’s books and loved every one.

1. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. Whenever I think about great children’s books, this title comes immediately to mind. Every child should read it.

The Seeds That Grew and Grew

It is surprisingly difficult to find good children's books covering Jesus' parables, but The Seeds That Grew and Grew by Jeffrey E. Burkart is worth adding to your family's bookshelves.

Drawing the text from Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23, in simple, rhyming language we hear how Jesus climbed out of a boat to teach a crowd. The text then fully covers the parable of the seeds, describing seed that falls upon good ground but is eaten up, seed that falls on stony soil, seed that gets chocked out by thorns, and seed that falls onto good soil.

"The people said, 'That story's keen,
But tell us, please, what does it mean?'
Then Jesus said, 'Now lend an ear.
I will make this story clear.

'The word of God is like the seed
That's scattered to a world in need.
But some who hear God's Word don't know
What it means, so faith doesn't grow..."

And so on.

Throughout, illustrations by Chris Sharp add humor and interest.

What I Like: This is a basic book that sticks closely to the Bible. It is short (only 15 pages) and holds the attention of toddlers on up. The illustrations are detailed and fun.

What I Dislike: Nothing, really. The rhyming is sometimes a bit forced, but overall, this is a great retelling of Jesus' parable.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but some toddlers will like this book, too.

Publishing Info: Concordia, 2000; ISBN: 978-0570075394; paperback, $2.49.

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $1.99.

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Kristina's Top 10 Kids' Books

Recently, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof wrote about his pick of the top 10 best children's books of all time. His article garnered some controversy, and we at Christian Children's Book Review found ourselves wondering how we would choose differently.

However, as we began compiling our own "Top 10" lists, we started to have more sympathy for Kristof. As any book lover can tell you, choosing just 10 books for a list of favorites is a true challenge. Tell us to write about our favorite 100 books, and we'll find the task much easier. But there is value in brevity, so for the next few days, we'll each post our personal list of the best 10 children's books ever written.

Personally, I found many much-loved books (Curious George, anyone?) didn't make it onto my list. I'm sure each reviewer at CCBR found the same. This doesn't mean we don't read these books - often! - to our children, and it doesn't mean we don't recommend them. It just means there were 10 other books we thought were better.

So without further appology, here's my personal list of the top 10 kids' books of all time:


10. Stories Jesus Told by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen. I've yet to find a better children's book about Jesus' parables. Simple text, fun illustrations - a really terrific book for kids! Read my full review here.

9. Aesop's Fables. Although these old stories (actually, they are anecdotes) frequently mention Roman gods (especially Jupiter), they offer wise advice children and adults can both learn from.

8. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. There are many great Dr. Seuss books, but this is probably the best. What kid can't relate to thinking they don't like a food, even though they've never tasted it?

7. The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. What child can resist the sweet and bumbling Pooh Bear, gloomy Eeyore, fearful Piglet, exuberant Tigger, and all the other friends of the Hundred Acre Wood? If you've never read the original Winnie the Pooh stories, you're in for a whimsical treat!

6. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. If I could only choose one book for my babies, it would be Goodnight Moon. Although the text is deceptively simple, this story has mad appeal for young children, who love to hear (and see - there are many details to discover in the black and white and brightly colored illustrations) about a young rabbit who just can't seem to fall asleep.

5. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. A beautiful tale about loving and being loved, The Velveteen Rabbit will warm the hearts of gradeschool children and parents alike.

4. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. A charming tale of guilt, redemption, and love, especially ideal for girls from first grade to - well, adulthood.

3. The Laura Ingalls Wilder collection by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Follow the high and low points of an average girl and learn a whole lot about American frontier history in these books based on the author's real life.

2. Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. If I had to choose just one Bible for my children, this would be it. The illustrations fascinate my daughter, and the text is not only interesting to even small children, but every story told points to the fact that the entire Bible is about Jesus. Read my full review here.

1. Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales by Beatrix Potter. It's impossible for me to pick just one Beatrix Potter tale to include in this list. With gorgeous illustrations and delightful stories about Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddleduck, Tom Kitten and more, no family should be without the complete Beatrix Potter collection.