Sheep Share

Anne Catharine Blake's Sheep Share is clearly modeled after wildly popular mainstream board book author Sandra Boynton's work. In Blake's simple board book, we see black and white sheep "amused," "blue," "bored," "lonely," "shy," and so on. They learn to share and play fair, and on the last page: "Sheep trust the Shepherd's love."

What I Like: This sort of simple book is good for teaching basic concepts, and while the illustrations aren't nearly so colorful and interesting as Sandra Boynton's, they are still attractive.

What I Dislike: The point of this book is unclear. Are the sheep trying to learn to please God? It will also be the rare young child who understands without an adult's explanation that the picture of a Bible-era man with a shepherd's hook on the last page is supposed to represent Jesus.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: Baby to preschool.

Publishing Info: Concordia, 2001; ISBN: 978-0570071679; board book, $5.49

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Special Info: See our reviews of other books by Anne Catharine Blake.

Margaret's Print Shop: A Novel of the Anabaptist Reformation

Margaret's Print Shop: A Novel of the Anabaptist Reformation, by Elwood E. Yoder, is a historical novel about the Anabaptist Reformation. This story is set in sixteenth century Strasbourg, Germany. In that time, Strasbourg was a German city although it is now a part of France.

Twenty-eight year old Margaret was a printer who was very sympathetic to the message of the Anabaptists. She was very attracted to fellow printer Balthasar Beck, who also sympathized with the movement. She printed Twelve Articles, which was a pamphlet calling for independence for the peasants.

As Margaret printed Christian Baptism, a pamphlet written by George Blaurock, she read it eagerly. She began to think seriously about the idea of baptism only after confession of faith in Christ, wondering if this belief was based on the Bible. She realized that there were not enough German translations of the Bible available for people to read and discern for themselves. Margaret also agreed to print a pamphlet by Hans Hut, a document that spoke for abolition of the Latin Mass.

When a man named Conrad Grebel asked Margaret to print his pamphlet which outlined the beliefs of the Anabaptists, she agreed to do so knowing that it would be risky for her. Before she could even finish printing it, she was asked to appear before the censorship committee. They were upset about the petition to abolish the mass that she had already printed. They ordered her to stop printing "inflammatory materials."

Beck declared his love for Margaret,vowing to face all their trials together. Even though they faced opposition, they were able to be married. They opened their own printing press, attended Anabaptist meetings, and grew in their love for each other. They saw friends imprisoned, but they held firm to their convictions. Eventually, Beck was imprisoned because he refused to fight in the Emperor's army. Things got worse for the Becks when the censorship committee threatened to shut down the Beck printing press. The pamphlets she had printed by Groebel were publicly burned, she had to pay a hefty fine, and every document she printed was examined. She vowed, even with her husband in prison, and a baby growing inside her, that she would continue God's work.

What I Like: This novel is packed with useful historical information without being tedious. It is well written, bringing the reader into the lives of the main characters.

What I Dislike: Even though the author gives us an epilogue that lets us know the fate of the main characters, I would have liked to read how Balthasar Beck was released from prison, and a little more detail about the end of the story.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9 - adult

Publisher Info: Herald Press, 2005; ISBN:0836193032 ; Paperback $14.99

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Word Wise: Volume One, God's Amazing Book

Want to teach your kids about the Bible? Word Wise: Volume One, God’s Amazing Book, written and illustrated by Alison Brown, is an excellent tool for doing so. It’s chock full of stories and facts about the books and characters in the Bible.

But, this is not just a story book about God’s word; this is a workbook filled with different types of puzzles for kids to enjoy while they learn. The puzzle types include fill-in-the-blanks; word searches; code breakers; and crosswords.

There are plenty of illustrations scattered throughout the text. Some of them look like they’ve been drawn with colored pencils, others are black and white.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-11.

Publisher Info: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2009; ISBN: 1848710275; Paperback, $8.00.

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by Alison Brown.

A Special Fish for Jonah

There are so many picture books about Jonah and the big fish, I almost groan when I see a new one published. However, Andy McGuire's A Special Fish for Jonah deserves all the attention it can get. Not only does this title offer the highest quality writing and illustration, but instead of retelling the famous Bible story, the author uses it to highlight a biblical truth quite different from the one usually associated with Jonah.

McGuire begins by summarizing - in a short paragraph - the story of Jonah, but then he asks: "How did God pick the special fish [to swallow Jonah]? Maybe, just maybe, He asked an angelfish to look into it." Then, the magic begins.

God gives an angelfish the special job of finding just the right fish to swallow the phrophet Jonah. The angelfish looks everywhere, posts a help wanted ad on the mast of a sunken ship, and conducts may interviews. She knows she can't choose just any fish. Some are obviously too small, others too skinny. Some are too scary-looking, others are too hungry. (McGuire pictures a shark here, carrying a fork and knife while wearing a bib that says "I [heart] people." Later, the shark shows up wearing a dolphin mask. "Nice try, but I don't think so" the text reads.)

Just when the angelfish is about to give up, she bumps into a most unusual fish, called Specialfish by his mother because he's "so big and a little weird." When the angelfish asks why he's weird, Specialfish suddenly swallows an anchor that's sinking into the sea. "I'll swallow anything," Specialfish says. "I've swallowed furniture and tools and toys and treasure chests and small boats. If it falls into the water, I'll swallow it."

"The angelfish smiled. 'Have I got a job for you!'"

Specialfish hovers around Jonah's boat, waiting to swallow him, while the other fish cheer him on. Specialfish does his job beautifully, but is soon complaining of a tummy ache. The angelfish says, "Perfect!"

After Specialfish spats Jonah up onto the beach, he asks:

"'So what will the man do now?'...The angelfish shrugged her fins. 'Who knows? Maybe God has special plans for people too.'"

The last two page spread of the book pictures every fish shown in the book, this time labeling them: Red Devil Anglerfish, Hammerhead Shark, Pinecone Fish, and so on.

What I Like: Everything! I hope Andy McGuire continues to write Christian picture books, because he's got the knack! The illustrations are realistic, beautiful, and often humorous, and the text is strongly written, clear without being preachy, and fun. My 4 year old adores this story and is enjoying learning the names of all the different kinds of fish, too.

What I Dislike: Not a thing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8.

Publishing Info: Harvest House, 2009; ISBN: 978-0736925617; hardback, $15.99

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by Andy McGuire.

Chronicles of Faith: Ben-Hur

Chronicles of Faith: Ben-Hur , retold by Dan Larsen, is a story full of action and adventure. It tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, who overcomes tragedy, meets the Lord, and finds peace.

Twenty-one years after Christ's birth, two young men, Messala and Judah are talking together. Messala, a Roman, is mocking Judah, who is Jewish. Although the two young men had been friends when they were young, Judah began to see a distance growing between them. He realizes that he will no longer be able to call Messala his friend.

When Judah is falsely accused of intentionally murdering the govenor, he sees how much hatred his former friend really has for him. With no trial, Judah is sentenced to life as a galley slave on a pirate ship. For three years he has no news of his precious mother and sister.

Ben-Hur is noticed and admired by a tribune, Quintus Arrius on the ship. When they are attacked by an enemy ship and shipwrecked, Ben-Hur saves the life of Arrius. Arrius vows to adopt Ben-Hur as his son and make him his heir.

Five years later, Ben-Hur is a noble man who carries himself with dignity. He is filled with anger against the people who ruined his life, and wants to take revenge. He finds his chance when he gets the opportunity to race his nemesis Messala. Although he wins the race, he still has no peace in his heart.

He doesn't know that his mother and sister are alive, but ravaged with leprosy. Ben-Hur eventually encounters Balthasar, one of the wise men. The two men travel to Jerusalem, hoping to see Christ. Three days later, they happen upon John the Baptist, and witness the baptism of Jesus. He waits to see this King take His throne, but he is confused that it doesn't happen as he expects.

Ben-Hur is eventually reunited with his mother and sister after Jesus heals them from their leprosy. He witnesses the death of Jesus Christ and finally understands that Jesus is the Son of God, and that His kingdom is not of this world.

What I Like: The author does a pretty good job of condensing a really long story and still allowing readers to feel the emotions of the main character, Ben-Hur. I like the way Ben-Hur's salvation was written.

What I Dislike: The illustrations are very dark, sometimes too much so.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Barbour Publishing, 2008; ISBN: 1597899704; Paperback $7.95.

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Special Info: Check out our other reviews of Chronicles of the Faith books

Donkey to the Rescue

Tim Dowley's Donkey to the Rescue is a simple retelling of the story of the good Samaritan, told from the prospective of the Samaritan's donkey.

Donkey is feeling grumpy. It always seems like it's hot and he has to carry such heavy loads. The last thing he wants to go is go on a long journey, yet that's what his master asks him to do. So up a mountain Donkey climbs with his master on his back. "Perhaps there are robbers," thought Donkey and felt even grumpier.

Just then, Donkey spies a man on the ground. He's been beaten and robbed. Donkey's master wants to stop, but Donkey isn't so sure. He's still feeling grumpy. Finally, he obeys and carries the beaten man to safety. "'Poor man,' thought Donkey. 'Perhaps I shouldn't be so grumpy.'" When the beaten man thanks Donkey, the author writes: "Next time Donkey wouldn't be so grumpy."

The last page of the book explains Jesus told the story of a man and his donkey who helped a man who'd been robbed. "He said we should help anyone who needs us - not just our friends."

What I Like: The idea behind this book - a retelling from the Donkey's perspective - is a good one. The main parts of Jesus' parable are all covered and the illustrations by Steve Smallman are expressive and appealing.

What I Dislike: My only complaint about this book is the emphasis on how grumpy Donkey feels. This gives the impression Jesus' story was about overcoming our grumpiness, when in fact the story is about helping anyone who needs us. The last page of the book does make this more clear, but the book would be stronger if the story itself - not just the author's moral at the end - emphasized this.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, baby to preschool, but I'd say toddlers and preschoolers.

Publishing Info: Candle Books, 2005; ISBN: 978-0825473005; board book, $5.99

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by Tim Dowley.

Beauty and the Pig

In today's world, young ladies are bombarded with messages about outer beauty. Beauty and the Pig, by Pam Forster, is a collection of Bible studies about the difference between outward beauty and true inner beauty. Not only will young ladies learn about beauty, they will also learn how to do an in depth study of God's Word. Mothers can do this book together with their daughters as well.

There are ten studies:

Beauty and the Word – Proverbs 11:22, studying the origins and meanings of the words in this verse

Beauty and the Pig – Further study of Proverbs 11:22 using a concordance such as Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Beauty and the Pit – Proverbs 22:14, comparing the "strange" woman to the virtuous woman

Beauty and the Drip – Proverbs 19:13, learning to use a concordance while studying the contentious woman

Beauty in the Heart – I Peter 3: 3-4, learning to study a passage of Scripture and marginal references

Beauty and the Feast – Esther 2:20b, studying the book of Esther chapter by chapter

Beauty on the Move – I Peter 3:6, studying Sarah's life and character

Beauty in the Works – I Timothy 2:9-10, modesty and adornment

Beauty and the Fool – Chapter study of 1 Samuel 25:3a and 33, Abigail had beauty with discretion, Nabal was a fool

Beauty in the Gates – Proverbs 31:10, 30; Ruth 3:11, studying the life of Ruth

What I Like: I LOVE this study. It is so biblical and comprehensive. I like the charts that can be filled out. There are also little activities to do throughout that make the truths clearer. At the end of each study, there are detailed suggestions for further study. At end of the book, there is a review, and a short section of questions for young men. The author notes that "young men, as well as young ladies, need to learn about godly beauty from the Bible."

What I Dislike: Nothing!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9- Adult

Publisher Info: Doorposts, 2003; ISBN:1891206192 ; Spiral bound, $17.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $17.99.

Special Info: This study is done in the King James Version, but the author urges readers to use their translation of choice. You can also purchase this book directly from Doorposts.

Charlie the Prayin' Dragon

Charlie the Prayin' Dragon is an adventure story written in rhyme by Kimberly Gildroy. The illustrations by Justin Sanchez are vivid and cartoon-like.

Jake and Jimmy are two bored cowboys who head up to Bunkleberry Hill for a camp out. At the top of the hill, they encounter a very scary dragon.

Poor Jimmy and Jake are so scared that they can only stare at this mean looking beast. Most likely, they are preparing themselves to be scorched to death, until the dragon drops to his knees in prayer.

While the speechless cowboys watch in amazement, a light from heaven shines on the dragon and blesses him with a heart full of love. The cowboys become friendly with Charlie the dragon, and bid him farewell in the morning.

What I Like: The story is cute and will hold a child's attention. The illustrator does a wonderful job! The pictures are very engaging. I like the short section at the end of the book that showcases each of the three main characters.

What I Dislike: The rhyme is inventive, but awkward in places. The "conversion" of Charlie is not explained in any detail and God's name is never used. I think the story would be more effective as a Christian book if there were more of a lesson for children to take away from it.

Overall Rating: Ho-hum. I would have given it a "Good" rating if the price had been lower.

Age Appeal: The publisher says 9-12 but I'd say that younger children may enjoy it more.

Publisher Info: Book Surge Publishing, 2008; ISBN:143921185X ; Paperback $12.99.

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Special Info: Here is the website for this book.

All About God's Animals: Colors

Janyre Tromp's All About God's Animals: Colors is a great addition to a young child's library. Each two page spread features animals sporting a particular color, along with vivid photographs of the animals, plus a question. For example, "God gave me huge antlers that I regrow every year. Who am I?" Pictured (and labeled) on the page are a moose, warthog, moth, and bear.

Each two page spread offers a similar layout and covers either red, green, blue, black, yellow, pink, white, orange, or gray.

What I Like: This is a beautifully executed book, and I especially appreciate that it features animals you might not find in other books for young children, including a wolverine, anole, shield bug, red panda, and many types of birds.

What I Dislike: Nothing,

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but I'd say toddler to preschool.

Publishing Info: Kregel Kidzone, 2008; ISBN: 978-0825438783; board book, $6.99

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other Jeffrey Stoddard books.