Bedtime Stories for Little Angels

Can a kid ever have enough bedtime stories? Probably not. And Bedtime Stories for Little Angels by Sarah J. Dodd and illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic is a good addition to any child's library.

With short stories that are fun, yet not filled with adventures to keep kids awake, Bedtime Stories for Little Angels has ten tales that will enchant children. Included in the book are:

"The Balancing Trick"
"Sophie Slips Up"
"Accidents Happen"
"Patchwork Princess"

What I Like: All of the stories center around an easily identifiable value. For instance, in the story "Watch and Wait," Poppy learns about patience. In "Tasha's Gift," the topic is sharing toys. I can't think of many better ways to put my children to bed at night than thinking about a value they need to learn.

The illustrations by Ms. Kolanovic are soft and cute. They won't excite your little one to make bedtime more difficult, either.

What I Dislike: All of the main characters in the stories are girls. While this doesn't detract from the stories, I would like it if some of the stories had little boys as the main characters. There are boy characters, however, in the form of brothers and fathers.

Values are discussed, but the Bible and God aren't mentioned at all. I would have appreciated more discussions about God, or at least mention of Him. The publisher does state that the stories are loose interpretations of Jesus' parables. If you're familiar with the parables, you can see the correlation. For instance, the story "Hugly Comes Home" seems to be based on the parable of the woman with the lost coin.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publisher Info: Lion Children's, 2009; ISBN: 978-0-7459-6114-9; Hardback, 45 PGS. $12.99

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Special Info: This book was put out by a British publisher, so instead of "mom," it's "mum," and a flashlight is referred to as a "torch."

Ryann Watters and the King's Sword

If you are looking for an engaging, spiritually challenging read for younger teens, Eric Reinhold's modern-day fantasy, Ryann Watters and the King's Sword is a perfect choice. Ryann Watters is a friendly, humble, and conscientious teen, who is given a mission by the angel, Gabriel, himself.

Ryann is given a staff and a ring, and told he must find the king's sword. Little does he realize, the ring will lead him into an amazing new world. Together with his friends Libby and Terrell, he travels to Aeliana to search for the sword. Unfortunately, Drake Dunfellow, another boy from school is given gifts by a dark angel, and asked to stop Ryann and his friends.

Through his quest, Ryann learns more and more about the power of the Word, and continually looks to his Bible for guidance. He learns to trust in the Bible, and be a good friend. In time, he defeats Drake, finds the sword, and shows himself to be a true hero.

What I Like: Ryann is a solid, mature Christian boy, who will appeal to teens who have been brought up in church. He loves God, is excited about his quest, and isn't afraid to spend his free time studying the Scriptures. He does have to learn about friendship and forgiveness, but he is likable and realistic. Libby and Terrel are also authentic, three-dimensional characters who will appeal to boys and girls alike.

The fantasy world is exciting and new, while the real world is realistically portrayed. Both portray angels and demons, and the reality of spiritual warfare.

Reinhold also includes the full text of Ephesians 6:11-17, concerning the armor of God, at the back of the book.

What I Dislike: I only have one minor complaint. Drake, who works for the dark angel, Ekron, sets up a portal to Aeliana and the next time we see him, he is leading a huge army. We don't see how he makes this transition, but I wonder if Reinhold is trying not to spend too much time focusing on the forces of evil.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9-14

Publisher Info: Creation House, 2008; ISBN: 978-1-59979-288-0 ; Hardcover, 225 pages, $17.99

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Special Info: Christian directors are currently filming a movie version of Ryann Watters and the King's Sword, set for release in 2011. They even filmed the real-life sections on location, in Mount Dora, Florida. The book sequel, Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith was published in 2009.

I Wanted to Know All about God

Teaching kids that God is a tangible person even though we can't see Him can be a tricky thing. With I Wanted to Know All about God by Virginia L. Kroll, parents get a hand. The book teaches that even though we can't see God, He's everywhere with us.

"I wanted to know all about God,
so I went out looking for him in signs of his creation.

I wondered what God does in the mornings.
Then I smelled the dew on the grass at dawn."

The Monet-esque illustrations for I Wanted to Know All about God are by Debra Reid Jenkins.

What I Like: The ideas in this book are very easy for little ones to grasp. I think it helps make God more tangible to them. I can't say enough good things about the illustrations, too. Every image reminds me of impressionist artists, with soft, inviting colors.

What I Dislike: Nothing, though this book definitely reminds me of another book I reviewed recently: God's Light, Shining Bright.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8, but for the board book edition, I'd suggest baby - 5.

Publisher Info: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 1994, 2010; ISBN: 978-0-8028-5380-6; Hardback, 10 PGS., $7.99

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Special Info: This book is also available as a full-length hardback for $15.00 and paperback for $8.99 through Amazon.

9 Fruits Alive

Looking for a book to explain the fruit of the spirit to your child? 9 Fruits Alive is a part of the God Counts! series, and does just that. Written by Mindy MacDonald, this book will teach your children to understand spiritual fruit in terms they will understand.

"Apples, bananas, and grapes are yummy, but fruit of the Spirit is for more than your tummy."

On each page, the text and cheery illustrations depict ways that children can show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. For example, children will learn that they can be peacemakers by speaking loving words during an argument. They will learn that they can show patience by waiting for their turn on the slide.

There are cutouts in the book with plastic fruit to feel and count.

What I Like: Children often need practical examples of how they can obey God's commands. This book provides that! My girls have read this book so many times because it is so engaging. I like it that the book teaches children that they cannot have the fruit of the Spirit unless the Holy Spirit helps them.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Multnomah Books, 2004; ISBN:1590523822 ; Hardcover, 24 PGS., $11.99.

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Special Info: There is one illustration of Jesus in the book. Also, we have reviewed other books in the God Counts! Series. You can read them here.