Christian Children's Book Review

Pennie the Piglet

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

In Pennie the Piglet, written and illustrated by Carole Lehr Johnson, Pennie makes friends with the new girl at school, Barbara. Barbara is beautiful but she is also rude and pushy. When Pennie tells her mom about Barbara, her mom tells her that maybe Barbara needs a friend. She encourages Pennie to try and be friends with Barbara.

So Pennie does just that. The next day, when Barbara walks by her house, Pennie invites her into the yard to smell the honeysuckle. Much to Pennie’s surprise, Barbara agrees and then says she and Pennie can walk to school together. Pennie considers this the start of a friendship. Because Pennie is so excited to have a new friend, she decides to let Barbara in on a secret, something she hasn’t told anyone about. Pennie has a secret place where she loves to go and spend quiet time reading her books. She not only tells Barbara about it, she invites Barbara to share her secret place.

Barbara seems happy to be let in on the secret and share time with Pennie in her hide-out. She promises not to tell anyone about Pennie’s secret place. But [spoiler alert] when she does, what will Pennie do? Pennie’s mom says she should forgive her friend. But can Pennie do that? Will things ever be the same between them?

A handful of blank-and-white pencil sketches are scattered throughout the text.

What I Like: The story provides a good lesson about friendship and what it means to be a real friend.

What I Dislike: When Barbara is first introduced as a character, she is described as being beautiful, but the students in her class don’t like her because her beauty is all on the outside. She acts snobbish and stuck-up. There’s never any mention of her making friends with anyone until Pennie befriends her. But, near the end of the story, when Barbara betrays Pennie’s trust in her, suddenly Barbara has a whole group of girl friends. Up until this point, the reader is given the impression that Pennie was Barbara’s only friend.

Also, I’m not sure why the author felt the need to call the story Pennie the Piglet when there’s very little in the storyline that relates to pigs at all. Pennie’s last name is Littleton and Barbara’s is Stranford. The only character in the story with a pig-sounding name is a neighbor called Mrs. Thigpen. It’s not a problem; I just think the story would have been just as good without making the characters into animals.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 6-12.

Publisher Info: PublishAmerica, LLLP, 2007; ISBN: 1424170192; Paperback, $9.95.

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God Loves You, Barnabas

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Kids often have a hard time understanding why a friend succeeds at something when they themselves struggle to do well. They may even wonder if they’re good at anything! In God Loves You, Barnabas, little Barnabas bear feels the same way.

In the story, written and illustrated by Royden Lepp, Barnabas visits his friends. His friends are have special talents. One is an excellent builder. Another shines in soccer. Another paints beautifully. Even while Barnabas compliments and encourages his friends, he feels sad. He doesn’t think he has a special talent.

Just when he’s at his lowest point, Barnabas’ friends come to his rescue. One tells him, “God cares about what is in our hearts.” Another says, “You are good at being kind.”

The story ends with a simple prayer from Barnabas: “Thank you for making me a good friend.”

Lepp’s illustrations are playful and fun, sure to appeal to early readers. Also, at the front of the book, 1 Corinthians 12:4 is given as a reference for the story.

What I Like: This book is geared toward emergent readers. It has short sentences and simple, repetitive text. As a teacher, I appreciate a book like this because it appeals to young readers and, despite its simplicity, holds a great take-away value. The Scripture tie-in is an added plus. Keep in mind, however, that there is probably a small window of time in a child's life that he will enjoy this very age appropriate story structure. As a child grow in his reading skills, he will crave meatier tales.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Ages 4 and up. Best suited for ages 4-6 in my opinion.

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2008; ISBN:978-0310715870; Paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99.

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Special Info: This book is one of many in the I Can Read/ Barnabas series. Other titles include Barnabas Helps a Friend and Happy Birthday, Barnabas, also available in Kindle version. You can also read a CCBR review of Barnabas Goes Swimming.

Don't Check Your Brains at the Door: Know What You Believe and Why

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Don't Check Your Brains at the Door: Know What You Believe and Why is a logical, witty resource written by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler, to help teens defend their faith. The book uses a mix of intelligent argumentation, and humorous, slightly sarcastic narrative to expose myths underlying common worldviews. This would be a perfect gift for high school or college students! In fact, you may even want to give multiple copies--one to keep and a couple to give away.

The book is arranged in sections such as "Myths about God," "Myths about Jesus," "Myths about the Resurrection," as well as "Myths about Religion and Christianity," and "Myths about Life and Happiness." Although the book is organized sequentially, readers could read chapters in any order, as the topics interest them.

In each chapter, McDowell and Hostetler explain the biblical response to a secular view. For example, "Wimpy Jesus: The Meek and Mild Myth," dispels the notion Jesus was "soft, sentimental and effeminate." Rather, McDowell uses biblical support to show Jesus exhibited "strength under control." The chapters also include a short Bible study, titled "Brain Food," which asks readers to dig deeper into the Bible.

The book lists many references in the "End Notes."

What I Like: I love McDowell's personal and humorous writing. While always respectful of the opposing viewpoint, he understands teen perspectives and taps into their humor. With frequent references to pop culture and concerns, such as Star Wars, advertising and postmodern thought, Don't Check Your Faith at the Door is relevant and engaging. McDowell never belittles readers who have doubts, since he became a Christian while trying to disprove Christianity.

McDowell isn't afraid to tackle tough subjects, either. He discusses issues such as the biblical view of sex, why bad things happen to good people, and why a loving God would "send" people to Hell. This is a great resource to strengthen teens' faith and to give to non-Christian friends.

I also appreciate the short, easy-to-read chapters, and the inclusion of Bible studies that will make teens think, but aren't overwhelming. Chapters are rarely longer than three pages, and the Bible study would usually take between ten and twenty minutes.

What I Dislike: Nothing!

Overall Rating: Excellent!

Age Appeal: 12-21

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2011; ISBN: 978-1-4003-1720-2; Paperback, 183 pages, $12.99

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Unveiling the Kings of Israel: Revealing the Bible's Archaeological History

2012-01-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

For those of you with non-fiction readers, Unveiling the Kings of Israel: Revealing the Bible's Archaeological History is a fascinating look at how the archaeology of the Middle East supports Biblical accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah.

David Down, editor of "Archaeological Diggings" magazine, has spent over forty years excavating in the Middle East. Unveiling the Kings of Israel compares generally-accepted archaeological timelines to biblical chronology. Down maintains common timelines used to date Egypt and Palestine need to be adjusted by up to 600 years. When these adjustments are made, the archaeology of the region supports biblical records with remarkable accuracy.

Down begins with Noah and the flood, and the location of Ararat. Then, he progresses throughout the entire Old Testament, detailing finds supporting the existence of the patriarchs, judges, and kings of Israel. The book ends with a chapter on the life of Jesus. Unveiling the Kings of Israel is full of detailed photographs of archaeological relics and famous sites. Down also includes maps, charts and diagrams, to help explain the significance of major archaeological discoveries.

What I Like: I found Down's arguments about how archaeology supports biblical passages enlightening. His work adds to biblical reliability, and explains the context of the Bible. I appreciate the multiple Bible references he uses in each chapter.

I also like the abundance of photographs. They allow readers to visualize many Old Testament settings. The detailed captions Down includes with each picture tell us why the item or location is important, and make browsing through the book worthwhile, even if you don't read the entire text.

What I Dislike: I wish some of Down's charts and explanations would have been placed earlier in the book. He assumes we are comfortable with archaeological time periods (such as the Iron Age, Middle Bronze era, etc. . . ). Down writes a very helpful explanation of "How Archaeology Works," but we don't find it until chapter nine. For novices, like myself and my family, this would have been helpful to read earlier in the book.

Also, in Chapter 11, Down mentions a physical affliction specific to men when aroused. He gives a rather blunt description of statues found portraying this affliction.

Overall Rating: Very Good for content, but only Good for organization

Age Appeal: There isn't a clear age range given. I would say 8 and up for browsing, but 14 and up to actually read.

Publisher Info: MasterBooks, 2011; ISBN: 13-978-0-89051-609-6; Hardcover, 170 pages, $29.99

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Gifts from the Heart

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Kids use their imaginations to create and play in wonderful worlds. It’s no different in Victoria Osteen’s Gifts from the Heart. The story, written in rhyming verse, starts in a playroom with a brother and sister—Jon and Sue—dressing up in medieval clothes and pretending to be a prince and a princess. They “travel” to a town full of hustle and bustle. The people have been invited to a celebration for the king, and each wants to present the king with his or her best gift. Soon the children come across a sad young girl named Mary Anne. She has nothing to give the king, and neither do a handful of other children. The only thing the kids have to work with is their talents. Mary Anne can sing, another child can draw, another can juggle, and another works with puppets. Jon and Sue encourage the group to work together to build a stage and present the king with the gift of their talents—music, song, and so on.

The king’s herald scoffs at their efforts and tries to shoo them off. But then the king passes by and notices their efforts. The kids put on their show, and the king is pleased. Toward the end of the tale, the king talks to Mary Anne. “The king reached down and took her hand and said, “You’re very sweet./ Each one of you gave from your heart and made this day complete.”

Mary Anne replies with humility and joy: “We so wanted to honor you, she said bowing her head./ We could not buy you fancy gifts, so we did this instead!”

The story ends with a Kingdom Thoughts for the reader. These short quips are likewise written in rhyme, and meant to clarify lessons from the story. For example, “You may not wear a royal crown/ but you are royalty deep down.” Or “Always listen to what’s in your heart./ Then you’ll know just where to start.”

The author also includes a Bible verse (Proverbs 18:16), a personal note to the reader, and royal question and answers to help facilitate discussion on the theme of using our talents to honor God. (For example: What gifts do you have to share with the world? How can you share them?) The book is illustrated by Diane Palmisciano. She provides appealing, whimsical images full of motion.

What I Like: I think this story has a great lesson for kids: We can offer God the gift of our talents… whatever quirky thing that might be. I especially like the royal question and answer section because it provides a way for parents to discuss the story with their children on a whole different level. The author also included a fun suggestion. In the book, the kids start in a playroom. Several items from the playroom are then hidden in pictures throughout the story. Readers can hunt for those playthings on each page!

What I Dislike: The meter is off in several places, making it sometimes awkward to read aloud. I also thought the beginning of the story was too abrupt. At first I didn’t realize the kids were playing because Sue simply announced that she was a princess. I would have appreciated a longer set up before the shift to the imaginary world. Also, although I enjoyed the “find these items from the playroom” activity, I would have liked to have that direction before reading the story instead of finding out at the end.

Overall Rating: Excellent idea, excellent Q & A, good story execution. Overall rating of Very Good.

Age Appeal: None is given, but I'd recommend the K-1 crowd.

Publisher Info: Little Simon Inspirations; 2010; ISBN: 978-1416955511; Hardback, 32 pgs., $16.99

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Special Info: Visit Osteen’s website. Read a CCBR review of other books by Victoria Osteen.

The Story Bible

2012-01-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

The Story Bible, edited by Edward A. Engelbrecht and Gail E. Pawlitz, presents "130 Stories of God's Love." The book includes representations from Genesis to Revelation, each in concise two- to three-page stories. Key words are highlighted in the sidebar and defined in the Glossary at the back of the book. Each story also includes application prompts.

ASK: One to five questions encourage readers to interact with the text. These typically ensure comprehension.
DO: Activities range from discussion starters to crafts, memorization and trying new foods.
PRAY: This provides a short prayer related to the story, typically three sentences or less.

The illustrations showcase the talents of more than ten different artists. All feature bold colors, strong contrast and realistic details. Every story boasts at least one full-page, full-color illustration.

Additional features include a Preface and Introduction that detail the thought processes that went into the creation of this Bible as well as helpful tips for parents. The introduction includes guides for development and interest as well as reading strategies. This section is divided into three parts, based on age (Read to Me = 2 to 6; Read with Me = 5 to 8; Hear Me Read = 7 to 10). The Table of Contents sorts the stories chronologically and lists them by title and chapter. Bible references are provided both in the Table of Contents and the stories themselves.

What I Like: Most children's Bibles offer paraphrases and over-simplified texts, but this one is surprisingly reflective of Scripture! My husband and I (both holding Bible degrees) viewed it as an accurate contemporary translation, only abridged and illustrated. This makes sense since the text is derived from the ESV (English Standard Version) Bible. While paraphrases have their place and are quite helpful, especially with children, publications like this one offer an invaluable bridge between children's Bibles and regular Bibles. I like that it works for families whose children span various age ranges or developmental levels. We can read it together as a family and everyone gets something from it.

I also greatly appreciate the introductory matter. There parents learn that the text for this Bible was drafted while consulting both the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Formula and the Dolch and Fry Sight Word lists, both resources highly acclaimed by literacy teachers nationwide. This translates into an approachable text for early readers.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 3 and up. The introduction, however, offers instructions for children ages 2-10.

Publisher Info: Concordia Publishing House, 2011; ISBN: 0758619022; Hardback; 480 pages; $29.99

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Special Info: The face of Jesus is pictured several times in this volume, both as a child and an adult.

Thank You, God!: A Year of Blessings and Prayers For Little Ones

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

There is something delightful and irresistible about Thank You, God!: A Year of Blessings and Prayers for Little Ones. The book starts with the New Year, then goes on to spring and Easter, summer, fall and Thanksgiving, winter and Christmas.

Each two page spread in the book is done on heavy stock paper, and features a collection of famous quotes (such as Folliot S. Pierpoint’s “For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies…”), lines from favorite hymns (“Joyful, joyful, we adore thee…”), Scripture verses, and poems.

The reader will also discover one or two tiny envelopes on each spread. The envelopes open at the top and hold mini thank you notes written to God in simple and kid-friendly terms. (The first card, for example, says “Thank you, God, for each new year. Thank you for the promise of new beginnings, of new hope, and new life. Amen.”) The very last page of the book holds the biggest envelope… and a surprise. The card is blank! The reader is encouraged to write his own thank you note on it.

The illustrations, done by Sophie Allsopp, are beautiful. The brightly colored scenes are filled with warm tones, friendly animals, and inviting landscapes. Allsopp depicts a variety of ethnic children as they enjoy each season and a few holidays. Each page seems to burst with life. In addition, the book has a padded cover, which gives it a cozy feel.

What I Like: The book is sturdy. And most children will find the envelopes enticing. Although there is no real story, it’s the kind of book that young kids will enjoy for the novelty of it. The concepts in the book are meaty enough that parents could take one two-page spread at a time and use it as a short family devotional centerpiece. Best of all, Amazon has a BARGAIN PRICE on this book. It would make a nice gift book.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: None is given. As a read aloud, younger kids would enjoy it, but it's probably best suited for the grade K-2 crowd.

Publisher Info: Little Simon Inspirations, 2009; ISBN:141694754X; Hardcover, 16 pgs., $12.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99
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Special Info: Read a CCBR review of another book illustrated by Sophie Allsopp. You can also find a similarly structured book by Allsopp called Dear God: Letters For Little People. This book contains eleven mini envelopes with prayer cards. Another book of prayers by this author is Our Father: And Other Classic Prayers For Children.

Hermie, A Common Caterpillar (Level 2 Reader)

2012-01-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Hermie, A Common Caterpillar is one of the most popular stories by beloved author Max Lucado. The series has sold more than 5.5 million units! This version is offered with beginning readers in mind.

The story tells of a common caterpillar, Hermie, who wishes to be special. He can't understand why God didn't give him the strength of an ant, the house of a snail or the flashy spots of a ladybug. One morning, after a long sleep, Hermie wakes to find himself transformed into a beautiful butterfly. His friend, Wormie, is another common caterpillar. Hermie encourages Wormie with the book's main message: "God loves you just the way you are. But, guess what? God isn't finished with you."

The illustrations by Daniel Howarth feature friendly characters and lots of bold colors, an appealing combination.

What I Like: My kids have always liked Hermie. It's a well-known story with sweet characters and an encouraging message.

What I Dislike: The publisher doesn't offer an explanation of what "Level 2" means. Categorization seems to vary among publishers, so I'm not sure exactly what this means, but I would guess Grade 2. The book advertises "simple sentences, basic vocabulary words," but I would prefer more specific terms. My daughter (almost 8 years old and reading on a third grade level) struggled to get through it, not because of reading level (vocabulary or sentence structure), but because of the story length. At 48 pages, this is a very long book for learning readers. It would have fit better for this target audience if abridged or divided into chapters. Finally, this book seems redundant. It's the exact same as the picture book and the video. My kids were excited to have a new book, but quickly grew bored when they discovered it was the same story, even with the same wording.

Overall Rating: I recommend the story and would rate it "Very Good," but as a beginning reader book, this is just Ho-Hum. Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Tommy Nelson, 2011; ISBN: 1400317479; Hardback; 48 pgs; $8.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $7.19!
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This book is also available in Kindle format for $6.64.

Special Notes: See our review of the picture book version of this title. You may also be interested in our reviews of other children's books by this author. Visit the author's website at www.maxlucado.com.

Stay tuned for another book in this Level 2 reader series. Hermie: God Listens When I Pray will be available in February 2012. Pre-order now at Christianbook.com.

Thank You, God, For Loving Me

2012-01-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

Thank You, God, For Loving Me by Max Lucado is the charming tale of little Hermie the Caterpillar. Hermie prays and thanks God for loving him, and shows just how God loves him. Illustrations by Frank Endersby help show Hermie's choices and activities throughout the day where God is included.

What I Like: This cute story is a great way to help kids understand God's loving nature towards us, but also His omnipotence. Even though the story doesn't come out and say God is omnipotent, it's pretty obvious throughout the text. For instance, Hermie refers to God being with him when he's afraid, and guiding him when there's a choice between right and wrong.

The rhyming nature of this tale really flows well, tripping off the tongue in an easy manner. I never stumbled when reading it aloud to my kids. For example:

"You watch me when I am awake
And when I sleep and play.
You always take good care of me
Through each and every day."

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 3 - 8, though I honestly think younger children would enjoy the sound of the story as well as the great illustrations, but older kids may be bored, so I'd say Infant - 5.

Publisher Info: Tommy Nelson, 2011; ISBN: 978-1-4003-1804-9; Board Book, PGS., $6.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99 or as e-book for $5.59.
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99 or as a Kindle edition for $5.59.

Special Info: We've reviewed other books by Max Lucado here.

Fashioned by Faith

2012-01-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

Fashioned by Faith, written by international model Rachel Lee Carter, offers a wonderful resource for girls seeking to know what God says about fashion, beauty and modesty. The author fluidly combines Bible study with her personal journey of understanding God's perspective on these issues. Teens will enjoy reading stories of relationships, international travel and behind-the-scenes tales of modeling, all while being challenged toward spiritual growth and application of greater knowledge of God's Word.

Each chapter offers a common format.

he says - a real guy's perspective on female fashion, modesty, purity, and what he looks for in a girl
she says - the author's testimony of struggle, triumph and biblical insight related to the chapter topic
He says - God's perspective on the topic
what do you say? - a question and answer section providing readers the opportunity to interact with the text and note their thoughts and impressions

Some of the key discussions involve the supreme importance of inner beauty and how to develop godly character; eating disorders; dressing for your body type; how to define modesty; how to apply modesty to high fashion and swimsuit seasons and how fashion choices can influence relationships. A common theme throughout is that what you wear matters. Readers learn that it's not just about them and what they like; their fashion choices affect others and can influence their testimony and reputation for the good or the bad.

The book includes a 45-day Bible study at the back, perfect for group or individual use. A 16-page insert includes color photos of the author on and off the job. Captions provide explanations and additional tips on style dos and donts.

What I Like: Just about everything! It draws from several sources, all of which influence women, be they teens or adults. The is an attractive book with an appealing format. The personal stories and photographs from the author only add to the impact of her message. I love the solid Biblical principles taught and how the author consistently reinforces her points with Scripture references and quotations. This is no shallow Bible study! The author gets into the nitty-gritty issues and exhibits a thorough understanding of Scripture. I like how she pushes readers to internalize and interact with the lessons through journaling, independent study and prayer time.

What I Dislike: I like the "he said ... she said ... He said" format, but the order seems to place guys' opinions higher than the author's or God's. I would have preferred a look at God's Word first, then her take on it and finally reinforce those with the real guys' testimonies. This is so minor, though, that it doesn't affect my overall rating.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 13 and up

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2011; ISBN: 1400316928; Paperback; 224 pages; $14.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99!
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This book is also available in Kindle format for $8.99.

Special Info: The author is a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute and speaks at women's and youth conferences throughout the United States. Learn more about her and her ministry at www.ModelingChrist.com.

The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series

2012-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

For Ian’s whole life, his family has been employed as servants at Winter Haven. Though Ian is strong and capable, he does not enjoy the attention given to Reese, heir to the estate and son of Ian’s master. However, because of their close proximity in age, the two boys become playmates. They share lessons and a tenuous (albeit competitive) friendship.

Then, as The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series by A.R. Dunning continues, Ian begins having dreams…and, shockingly, his dreams come true. Little does he know, but his teacher, Mr. McBeetle, has been feeding him a treat from another world that gives Ian this prophetic gift. Mr. McBeetle has also been feeding Reese a treat that gives Reese an incredible ability in archery.

One day Reese takes the treat meant for Ian, and dreams of entering another world through an enchanted cairn located in a ring of stones. Mr. McBeetle’s plan was for Reese, Ian, and Reese’s cousin Elizabeth to enter the world together lead by Ian and his dream. Their entrance would mark the fulfillment of a prophecy, and the beginning of a journey to save not only Mr. McBeetle’s world, but Ian’s world as well. But Reese, under the influence of the treat, enters the cairn on his own.

Under the guidance of Mr. McBeetle, Ian and Elizabeth scramble after Reese, only to find him safe and sound in a beautiful city. In order to stay in the world and save its queen from death and darkness, the three must undergo a painful cleansing. After that, each is presented with a gift and given their mission: to find Ian’s long-lost relative and undo the damage done by Reese’s side of the family.

The story continues with battles, personal challenges, and betrayals. To find out whether or not the trio is successful, you will have to read the book.

What I Like: Dunning’s world is highly imaginative. Her main characters are likable and believable. I see great promise in Dunning’s series.

What I Dislike: The ideas were creative, interesting, and fresh, but I felt like they were not fully developed—like precious seeds that had sprouted but hadn’t reached maturity. The problems were solved too quickly, which undermined the build up of tension in the storyline. After a strong beginning, the later chapters did more telling than showing. To me, that made the book read more like an outline or synopsis. As a reader, I longed for Dunning to elaborate more. I know this is part of a series, but with more details, character development, and action, this book could have easily become a trilogy on its own with a potential richness to rival great fantasy favorites.

Overall Rating: Excellent in concept, good in execution gives it an overall VERY GOOD rating. Plus it's awfully hard to pass up with a mere $2.99 Kindle price!

Age Appeal: None is given, but I think it would appeal to the 10-14 age group.

Publisher Info: Awen Publishing House at Smashwords, 2011; ASIN: B006388XE8; available only in digital format, file size 338 KB (131 pgs.), $2.99.

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy the Kindle version at Amazon.com for $2.99.

Special Info: Though there is no reference to God or the church, this book refers to the Swift Sure Hand, a creator who sang the world into existence. In addition, there is an obvious battle between good and evil, and Christian readers will identify with the cleansing the main characters must undergo—a sort of “born again” experience. However, like J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, there doesn’t seem to be an explicit tie into faith or specific allegorical content. The reader should also be aware that the book contains fantastical creatures, such as fairies, fauns, and dryads, and makes use of objects with magical properties. It draws on Celtic folklore. You can visit this author's website.

Defender of Faith: The Mike Fisher Story

2011-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

Defender of Faith: The Mike Fisher Story, written by Kim Washburn, is a true story based on the life of Mike Fisher, a professional hockey player for the Nashville Predators.

Born in 1980, Fisher was brought up in a Christian home. He gave his heart to Jesus at the tender age of six. As he said, “When I was six years old, I made the step of faith to accept him into my heart. I remembered I prayed with my mom before I went to school. I didn’t want to wait any longer!”

Although the story provides a bit of background into his childhood, the main focus of the book is about Fisher’s years on the ice, as a kid, while in high school, then in college, and as a professional hockey player. His early commitment to Christ and the church has given him a solid foundation when things got tough either on or off the ice.

What I Like: I had never heard of Mike Fisher as I’m not a fan of ice hockey. But, I am a fan of biographies, so I enjoyed reading about him.

What I Dislike: The author presents several incidents where Mike is involved in fights on the ice. According to hockey tradition, apparently it’s okay to get into a scuffle on the ice as long as you are defending one of your teammates. The author brushes over these incidents making them sound like a normal part of the game. And, they might be just that. But the theme of the story is how Mike has kept his faith and stood up for what he believed his whole life, both on and off the ice. I find it difficult to justify his unsportsmanlike conduct on the ice even if it is just “part of the game”.

The author also used a lot of hockey-related terms that I wasn’t familiar with. However, most of them were in a context that lent some meaning to the words. I think it would have been better if a bit more definition had been provided, if not in the actual text, then with a glossary of terms at the end of the book.

Overall Rating: Overall, though, this story still deserves a very good rating as it is informative and well-written.

Age Appeal: 9-12.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2011; ISBN: 9780310725404; 128 pages, paperback, $6.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $5.99!

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Special Info: The Kindle edition of this book is available from Amazon.com for $5.99.

Little Book of Memories

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Lyn Murray’s Little Book of Memories is just that--a collection of four short stories told in a manner much like a grandmother talking to her grandchild. The uplifting stories, each one-thousand words or more, draw on the rich emotions and details embedded in the mind of the author. Each also carries a moral lesson, such as life will find a way and love works miracles. Illustrator Rebecca Riffey provides a few black-and-white, coloring-book style pictures in every chapter. There is a clear moral compass in the book that gives the stories direction and gives them a cozy, family-oriented feel.

What I Like: If you are looking for an action-packed adventure, you won’t find it here. Instead, the stories are told in that passive yet appealing grandmotherly voice I mentioned. While I wouldn’t like all my books written that way, it seems to work for this one. I can see it being a nice, snuggly bedtime book. It may even work in a children’s Sunday School setting. Of the four stories, I enjoyed Broken Kitty the most. The other three were okay. The book also includes a code for a free audio book download, which is a nice perk.

What I Dislike: This is less of a dislike than a note. I feel like the book is too lengthy to enjoy in one sitting, and even the chapters may prove to be too long to keep the interest of younger readers. It's a little pricey for a paperback.

Overall Rating: Good. I enjoyed it.

Age Appeal: None given. I'm guessing the grade K-1 crowd.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing, 2010; ISBN:978-1615660254; Paperback, 104 PGS., $9.99.

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.99.

Discoverer's Bible

2011-12-15T13:45:00.017-08:00

When your child is ready to graduate from Bible storybooks to an actual Bible, there are an increasing number of possible choices. Discoverer's Bible is one great choice. This Bible is the New International Reader's Version (NIrV), which is a simplified version of the more familiar New International Version (NIV). It's also in large print, making this Bible extra-readable. Other features of this Bible include:

* An introduction on understanding Bible chapters and verses.

* A Q & A section on "Getting to Know Jesus," which includes questions like "How do I get to know Jesus?" and "Why did Jesus have to die?"

* Full color insert pages that list famous people of the Bible and where to read about them; suggestions on what to read in the Bible when you feel a certain way; what the Bible has to say about certain topics (like Heaven, Hell, and stewardship); a list of the fruits of the spirit; and the "ABC"s of becoming a Christian (admit sin, believe, and confess).

* A dictionary of terms.

* A list of 150 famous Bible stories and where to find them in the Bible.

* 8 full color maps.

* 18 attractive, full color illustrations by Kathleen O'Malley.

* A presentation page.

What I Like: This is an attractive and kid-friendly Bible. Unlike so many Bibles, with their tiny type, this one is easier on the eyes - making it better for young readers. I also really like how it encourages children to become familiar with the Bible by listing popular stories and where to find them. This is definitely a Bible I'm hanging on to so my children can enjoy it when they are older.

What I Dislike: In reading up on the NIrV version, I found most people approve of it. However, I did discover that Isaiah 14:13 mentions "gods" in the NIrV - something no other Bible I checked did. You can see this for yourself (and compare NIrV to other versions of the Bible) at Bible Gateway. I notice that the Discoverer's Bible is available in other translations; see the Special Info section below.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 6 and up.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2002; ISBN: 978-0310703822; hardback, 2,048 pgs., $24.99.

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Special Info: To purchase the Discoverer's Bible in New International Version (NIV) and the King James Version, click here.

Miss Golden-silk Unties a Tangle

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

In Miss Golden-silk Unties a Tangle, written and illustrated by Janice Stump Clark, a young spider has a problem. She wants friends, but she has a messy front door. As she strives to see out the front, neighborhood insects walk by, each passing their own judgment about Miss Golden-silk based on the appearance of her web. First to arrive is caterpillar, who thinks no one is at home. Next in line: Grasshopper. He doesn’t even want to meet anyone so slovenly. Beetle Bug laughs at the sloppy abode. Meanwhile, Miss Golden-silk evaluates her threads and takes action. Step by step, she unties the tangle, then rebuilds the web until her house is in order. When the bugs who previously shunned her because of the untidy home spot her spanking new web, they decide she’s okay. The story ends with Miss Golden-silk enjoying tea with her new buggy friends.

Each two-page spread in the book has the story text on one side and a Scripture verse on the other. The verse is supposed to support the text. For example, the text showing Miss Golden-silk getting to work on her web is paired with this verse: “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.”

Clark uses a batik process in the illustrations, giving them a cobweb look and feel.

What I Like: The characters are simple but cute. Miss Golden-silk’s look reminds me of the main character in David Kirk’s Miss Spider stories. I also enjoyed the catchy little phrases Miss Golden-silk recites as she fixes her web. The book also includes a free audio book download, which is always a nice perk.

What I Dislike: While I appreciate the inclusion of Scripture, sometimes the Scripture/text pairing was a stretch. I’m not certain children would make a connection, and some might find it outright confusing. I would have preferred one central thematic Scripture idea that was spun (no pun intended) into the tale. (Keep in mind that is a personal preference. Others may not be as distracted as I was by the format.) I was also bothered by how quickly the bugs judged Miss Golden-silk, and then likewise how quickly their prejudices were resolved... all based on the appearance of her web instead of the appearance of her heart. Plus it's pricey for a paperback.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: No age group is given, but I think it would work for the grade K-1 audience.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing, 2011; ISBN: 978-1617775680; Paperback, 32 pgs., $19.99.

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $15.59.

The Newborn King

2011-12-13T15:56:00.001-08:00

It's a puzzle. It's a book. It's both. The Newborn King by Lori C. Froeb briefly tells the biblical Christmas story for young children - but what makes it stand out from the crowd is that each page features an easy puzzle piece for children to insert into the book.

The boardbook begins by explaining that an angel vists Mary, telling her she's going to have God's son. Then she and Joseph go on a "long journey." When the couple gets to Bethlehem there's no room in the inn so they sleep in the stable. That night, baby Jesus is born, and Mary places him in the animal's feeding trough. Angels appear to shepherds to tell them of Jesus' birth, and they go to the stable to worship the baby.

What I Like: This is an effective way to get young children more interested in the real meaning of Christmas. The illustrations by Pauline Stewart are colorful and friendly, and each page has a place for a single, large, thick puzzle piece to fit. It's easy for young children to tell which puzzle piece goes where - and moms need not fear the book will become useless if a puzzle piece gets lost - because the same image that's on each puzzle piece is also on the page. There is a convenient cardboard box attached to the back of the book, in which puzzle pieces may be stored, if desired.

What I Dislike: There is no mention of who Joseph is - so you'll need to explain to your child that he was Mary's fiance. Also, the book is very short for the price point.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: There is no recommendation, but I'd say baby to preschool.

Publishing Info: Kregel; 2011; ISBN: 978-0825455513; boardbook, 8 pgs., $9.99.

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Special Info: Read our reviews for other Wipe Clean books.

Wipe Clean Christmas Story

2011-12-13T15:39:00.002-08:00

For fun Christmas-related activities, Wipe Clean Christmas Story is a great addition to a family's collection. Designed to be used with separately purchased wipe clean pens or crayons, this thin book offers 14 different activities related to the first Christmas, including: connect the dot images, tracing, "find things that are different," coloring, hidden pictures, mazes, and putting pictures in order.

For example, there's a dot-to-dot of Mary, a nativity scene to color, hidden pictures in another nativity scene, and a maze to help the wise men find Jesus

What I Like: My 6 yr. old loves books like this for travel time and rainy days. And I love that she's remembering the reason for the season while she's having fun.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: There is no recommendation, but I'd say preschool through 1st grade or so.

Publishing Info: Candle; 2011; ISBN: 978-1859858912; paperback, 16 pgs., $5.99.

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Special Info: Read our reviews for other Wipe Clean books.

Baby's Little Bible

2011-12-10T09:33:00.001-08:00

Finding a Bible storybook toddlers are actually interested in can be a real challenge. But the Baby's Little Bible by Sarah Toulmin attempts to do be just that book.

The illustrations by Kristina Stephenson are appealing, which is especially important in a child's first Bible. They are relatively realistic but have just enough of that "cartoonish" flavor to appeal to young children.

The stories chosen by Toulmin are what I'd describe as typical for a first Bible. They include the most popular Bible stories, including:

* Creation
* Noah's flood
* God's promise to Abraham and Sarah
* Old Testament Joseph
* Moses
* Jericho
* David and Goliath
* Jonah
* Daniel and the lion's den
* the birth of Jesus
* Jesus choosing his "helpers"
* several of Jesus' healings
* the parable of the Good Shepherd
* the feeding of the crowd
* Jesus calming the storm
* Jesus teaching the Lord's Prayer
* the first Palm Sunday
* Jesus' death and resurrection

Each story is greatly simplified and covers only the basics. The Bible comes with either a white, blue, or pink cover.

What I Like: My 3 year old son, who loves books but doesn't care much for most Bible storybooks, likes this book. The illustrations are great, and I appreciate the simple language. I think this storybook Bible is a good, basic introduction to Bible stories.

What I Dislike: There are relatively minor things that bother me about this book. For example, the author writes that God named Eve; but the Bible says Adam named her. There is no mention of the fall. In the introduction to the New Testament, the author writes, "The New Testament stories are all about Jesus." Well, yes and no. The New Testament is more than just the gospel. In the story of Noah, the author writes, "'Look at the rainbow! It shows my promise; I will keep the new world safe for ever.'" God makes no such promise, of course. In the Bible, he states he will never flood the whole earth again, and the New Testament makes it clear this world will come to end someday.

Some parents will also dislike the fact that some stories are so simplified, important aspects are left out. For example, Moses' story is told all in one chapter. This means we rush through the amazing story of his adoption and the story of the plagues isn't mentioned at all. On the other hand, the author does choose to tell the whole story of Jonah, which is unusual in a children's Bible; she doesn't stop when the big fish (shown as a whale here) spits out Jonah. She goes on to briefly tell of his work in Nineveh.

I think parents have to remember this is not a Bible, nor is it even a very complete Bible storybook. It's simply an introduction to Bible stories for very young children.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: There is no recommendation, but I'd say 1 to 4.

Publishing Info: Lion; 2011; ISBN: 978-0745962719; hardback, 160 pgs., $9.99.

Buy the white covered version at ChristianBook.com for $0.99,
the pink covered version at ChristianBook.com for $8.19,
or the blue covered version at ChristianBook.com for $8.19

OR buy the blue covered version at Amazon.com for $9.99

TJ and the Time Stumblers: AAAARGH!

2011-12-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

AARGH! is the unusual title of book two in Bill Myers series, TJ and the Time Stumblers. Myers, author of the popular Eighties series, McGee and Me, still uses humor and creativity to teach character-building lessons.

TJ Finkelstein is having a hard time adjusting to life as a junior high student in Malibu, California. After her mother died, TJ, and her family move from small-town Missouri to Malibu. Life in Malibu is not at all the same, and to make matters worse, she is being shadowed by Herby and Tuna, two annoying, miniature boys from the future.

Herby and Tuna have come back in time to study TJ, since she is an important, historical figure in the 23rd century. However, they use faulty equipment, don't understand life in the 21st century, and generally make TJ's life more difficult. When pirates blast holes through TJ's bedroom walls, or get stuck in her locker at school, it is up to Herby and Tuna to reset time and fix the present. In the midst of many unusual events, TJ has an opportunity to cheat in her English class. She has no idea making one little wrong choice will lead to such dire consequences.

Unbeknownst to TJ, her cute neighbor, Chad, is faced with a similar dilemma. Even though he is a professional surfer, he may not win the next competition without the help of a mechanically enhanced surf board his friend made for him.

Herby and Tuna show TJ and Chad just how serious cheating can be. Plot Spoiler Ahead: Herby and Tuna provide powerful glimpses of a terrible future, and eventually, both TJ and Chad make the right choice.

What I Like: Although the topic is serious, Tuna and Herby's mischief leads to some hilarious mishaps for TJ. We used this as our family "read-aloud", and both my ten-year-old and seven-year-old laughed hysterically, more than once. My son (age seven) said he liked the glimpses of the future the best, and my daughter liked the "crazy zworkedness and torkedness." (Did I mention, Myers makes up words, writes words backwards, writes words up and down, and uses tons of sound effects?)

As a mom, I appreciate how clearly Myers shows long-term consequences of the choices we make. We see how choosing to do something you know is wrong can lead to poor character and a lifetime of regret.

What I Dislike: Even though my kids got a kick out of the sound effects and goofy use of text, I found it annoying to read, especially aloud.

Also, none of us liked the cliff-hanger ending. Although we know TJ is going to confess to cheating, we never see how her teacher handles her confession. We also don't know whether TJ and Chad actually become friends, and we don't see how TJ's rival, Elizabeth, handles knowing TJ won't write papers for her. I guess we will have to read book three!

Overall Rating: Very good

Age Appeal: 8 and up

Publisher Info: Tyndale; 2011; ISBN:978-1-4143-3454-7 ; Paperback, 188 pages, $6.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99.

The One Year Devotions for Girls Starring Women of the Bible

2011-12-08T06:00:00.001-08:00

If you’re looking for a relevant, interactive devotional book for your daughter, consider Katrina Cassel’s The One Year Devotions for Girls Starring Women of the Bible. Each of the 365 devotions is set up like this: First, it provides one or two key Scripture verses (written out in full). Next, the author gives a devotional essay that ties the Scripture to a female character from the Bible. The often thought-provoking text is written with compact clarity. Finally, readers find more questions to consider and a suggested plan of action on the margins of each page. Every seven days, the book provides a quiz, an activity, or a puzzle. These weekly breaks help review recent lessons. While the puzzles usually feature a verse from the Bible, the quizzes seemed geared to help girls identify their strengths and weaknesses, similar to what you might find in a popular teen magazine.

The book highlights not only familiar women, such as Eve, Ruth, and Esther, but lesser known women, such as Hagar, Vashti, and even a few nameless characters. Readers are encouraged to learn from not only the wisdom of the characters but from their mistakes as well. In addition, the book is set up in chronological order, which makes it feel like a journey through the Bible.

What I Like: I love the format. Each devotion fits on one page, and is packed with encouragement, helpful suggestions, and excellent questions to ponder. They are well-written, and teen-friendly. The quizzes and puzzles are a refreshing angle. Plus the book is very reasonably priced.

What I Dislike: Some of the puzzles seemed a bit young for older readers. I liked the quizzes, but for some of them I didn't fit into one of their "if you said, this, then you're this" type categories because I didn't have more A than B or C answers. A longer quiz would help alleviate that problem.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Ages 10 and up

Publisher Info: Tyndale House, 2011; ISBN:978-1414338743; Paperback, 432 PGS., $13.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $10.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.19.

Special Info: Read CCBR reviews of other books by Katrina Cassel. Preteens might enjoy Cassel's The Christian Girl's Guide to Being Your Best.

Kondi's Quest

2011-12-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Kondi’s Quest, written by Sylvia Stewart, is the story of a 12-year-old girl who lives in Malawi. She lives in a country where poverty and superstition are the norm and witch doctors are prevalent. Even though she has given her heart to Jesus, but she is still afraid of many things and she doesn’t understand why God allows bad things to happen to her.

Kondi’s mother is a Christian, but her father is not. Kondi doesn’t understand how her father could love her if he hits her and her mother when he comes home drunk. Kondi tries very hard to remember that God loves her even when it seems like her own father doesn’t.

Kondi is on a mission: She wants her father to become a Christian and she wants to find a way to make money so her family won’t be so poor. Neither one is a simple task, but Kondi is determined to make things better for her family. When the opportunity presents itself, though, will she succumb to the temptation to use witchcraft to help her achieve her goals?

The author includes a glossary at the end of the book that defines the foreign words that are used throughout the text.

What I Like: The story takes place in Malawi, a country where superstition is prevalent and witchcraft is practiced. It would be difficult for a Christian, especially for one as young as Kondi, to live in such an environment. The author does a good job of making the reader feel some of the fear and uncertainty Kondi experiences in her everyday life.

What I Dislike: Even though the author included a glossary of terms, I didn’t know it was there until I got to the end of the book. Sometimes it was difficult to figure out what a word meant in the story because they way it was used in context didn’t always give a clear indication of what the word meant.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 8-12.

Publisher Info: OakTara Publishers, 2011; ISBN: 9781602902886; 152 pages, Paperback, $15.95.

Buy now at ChristianBook $11.99!

Or buy at Amazon.com $11.65.

Special Info: Visit the author’s website.

A Girl's Guide to Life: The Truth on Growing Up, Being True, and Making Your Teen Years Fabulous!

2011-12-01T06:00:00.001-08:00

If you have a tween or teen girl wrestling with life issues and questions, Katie Meier’s book A Girl’s Guide to Life: The Truth on Growing Up, Being True, and Making Your Teen Years Fabulous! provides some guidance and answers.

The book opens and closes with a message from the author. Meier explains that the book is not set up in a linear fashion but that chapters can be read in any order. Because it’s written from a Christian perspective, Meier also provides some Scripture references in the text. The rest of the book is divided into three sections, where Meier tackles topics involving the mind, body, and soul of a young girl.

Under “mind”, Meier addressed self-esteem, romance, prejudice and perception, pressure and the real you, going online and the digital you, and disorders and who can help. In this section, I thought Meier’s online/digital advice and frank talk about disorders was spot on. She acknowledged both the advantages and dangers of electronic communication, and gave good advice on how to protect yourself from those dangers. For disorders, she not only laid out warning signs, she provided information about where a teen can go to find help.

Under “body”, Meier discussed beauty, fashion, puberty, sex and sexuality, guys, and personal rights (which had to do with sexual harassment, abuse, and self-defense). I thought the two best chapters in this section were on beauty and sexuality. I appreciated Meier stating that in today’s society, how we look on the outside really does count… because, let’s face it, it does. She suggests teens dress in a way that makes them feel confident without going overboard on makeup. The chapter on sex and sexuality briefly brings up masturbation and sexual temptation. Meier makes it clear that sex is for after marriage. Most of this chapter follows a question and answer format.

Under “mind”, Meier looked at family, friends, religion, volunteer work, and choosing who you will be. Meier paints a picture of what a family should be—loving, supporting, protecting—and then gives some straight talk about what to do when families don’t get along or are abusive. In the religion section, she points out the main differences between Christianity and a variety of other religions and gives succinct summaries about each religion she mentions. (They are Buddhism, Wicca, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism.)

What I Like: I appreciate the inclusion of website and numbers teens can call to find help for eating disorders… which, as the author notes, is a major problem for teen girls. I was impressed with the scope of the issues she addressed, and how she fit them into one of the three subheading of mind, body, or soul. Meier gave a lot of great advice and information without sounding preachy, which means this book might also work for a general market audience. She appealed to logic as well as emotion in making her presentations. I wish a book like this had been available for me when I was a teen!

What I Dislike: In the self-esteem chapter, Meier repeatedly referred to the “Land of No”, a phrase she got from a book by Caroline Knapp called Appetites. Since I haven’t read that book, I found this reference a little confusing. In the romance chapter, I didn’t think the checklist for determining what kind of emotional girl you are was very accurate or realistic. It’s hard to fit girls into one of two categories when it comes to romance. I thought a few of the chapters were a bit too shallow (fashion, prejudice), but they did, at least, provide a nice overview. Also, while the book gave some Scriptural references, I felt like it didn’t provide enough. I would have liked a list of Scripture to look up or a workbook-like section for girls to find out more about where God stands on some of the issues Meier addressed. Perhaps that would have helped flesh out some of the chapters that I felt addressed the topics too superficially. Finally, I felt like in Meier’s attempt to “talk teen”, some of her wording seemed awkward. Some of the slang in the book is already obsolete.

Overall Rating: Very Good... Plus Amazon has an excellent low price on this book, making it a real bargain!

Age Appeal: Ages 13 and up

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2010; ISBN:1400315948; Paperback, 224 PGS., $12.99
Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.99.
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $4.65.

Special Info: Publisher Thomas Nelson also offers A Guy's Guide to Life: How to Become a Man, written by Jason Boyett. Read a CCBR review of this book.

A Guy's Guide to Life: How to Become a Man in 224 Pages or Less

2011-11-30T11:00:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a last-minute gift for that hard-to-buy-for teen boy on your list, Jason Boyett's A Guy's Guide to Life: How to Become a Man in 224 Pages, may be a fun choice. Boyett uses humor, faith, research and frank language to sensitively handle a wide spectrum of issues teen boys are interested in. Boyett speaks directly to guys on issues ranging from how to knot a tie, to how sex works, to developing meaningful friendships.

This book is organized into three sections. Section one explains the working of a guy's mind, and covers topics such as stereotypes and peer pressure, communication (with parents and girls), dating, and being a gentleman. He advocates listening to and respecting parents, staying away from "danger zones" on dates (empty houses, movie theaters, etc. . .) and holding doors open for anyone, regardless of age or gender.

Part two is labeled "Body," and gives detailed instructions about grooming and clothing, exercise and healthy choices. This section also contains a "Sex Chapter" where Boyett explains how sex works and discusses how Christian teenage boys should view sexuality and dating.

Boyett discusses masturbation, pornography and oral sex in this chapter. While he has no problem with hand-holding and kissing, Boyett defines any other sexual behavior as "sex," which should be reserved for marriage. He explains pornography is never positive, and can become an addiction. About masturbation, Boyett says, "God created your sex drive, but it is doubtful he intended masturbation to be a good use of it." However, he also says most teens will struggle with it, and he warns against carrying "the kind of guilt that, if it continues to fester, can drive a person away from God." Step to Manhood #52 is, "Deciding to hold off on having sex until you're married and sticking to that commitment no matter how tempting things get." He also discusses what to do if you have already gone too far.

The last chapter in this section is a refreshing and empathetic look at the emotional and physical changes teen girls are going through.

"Part Three: Soul" discusses faith, family, friends, your neighbor and the future. Boyett explains what it means to follow Jesus and live in His grace. He also recommends boys volunteer, contribute to church, and consider service or mission projects. He makes a compelling case for attending college, whether in an Ivy League setting or community college. Especially helpful are Boyett's ideas about how to pay for college, and think about your future.

What I Like: Guys will appreciate Boyett's clear explanations and conversational tone. He treats readers as intelligent, mature teens, capable of using straight-forward information to make wise choices.

Boyett is unequivocal about his faith, but he relates to teens, and never preaches, but instead, comes alongside the boys he is writing to.

I also like Boyett's humor. While we don't usually use the terms "boobs" and "butt," reading them in his book, along with his funny commentary, could lighten up awkward topics. I can imagine appreciating a good laugh here and there, if I was reading this with my son (in several years!)

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 13 and up (and parents)

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2010; ISBN: 978-1-4003-1595-6; Paperback, 209 pages, $12.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.49

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.69.

Special Note: Boyett explains a very strict version of "courtship" but is more in favor of dating, with hand-holding and light kissing (as opposed to "deep, open-mouthed" kissing) allowed.

Andi's Circle C Christmas

2011-11-25T12:24:00.002-08:00

Andi's aunt is visiting the ranch, putting a real damper on the holiday season in Susan K. Marlow's Andi's Circle C Christmas. Aunt Rebecca is grumpy. She's always picking on Andi for not being lady-like. And she bosses everyone around. Andi doesn't like it one bit - but she's not sure what to do about it. She's tempted to talk back, but her big sister warns: "You won't dare talk back to Aunt Rebecca. Or do anything mean to her. Mother would be so ashamed...Christmas is Jesus' birthday. Remember?...You can't give Jesus a real present, like a pot holder...But you can give Him the present of trying to make Aunt Rebecca happy."

"I can try," Andi says without enthusiasm. "But I think I would like to give Jesus a different present." Nevertheless, next time Aunt Rebecca bosses Andi around, she actively remembers asking God to help her make her Aunt happy, then shuts her lips tight.

Then Andi and her aunt take a buggy ride in order to go to a Christmas tea. One of the wheels bounces off the buggy, leaving both Aunt Rebecca and Andi stranded in the rain. It's too far to walk anywhere, so Andi decides they can unhitch the buggy horse and ride him back home. Aunt Rebecca could never think of riding a horse, however; it's not lady-like. She tells Andi to ride back to the ranch by herself to fetch help. This brings Andi to tears. She doesn't want to be the boss, she discovers. But she knows she can't leave her possibly hurt Aunt alone in the rain and mud after dark. Finally, she convinces her aunt to ride behind her on the horse.

Safely back at the ranch, Aunt Rebecca is kinder to Andi, appreciating her help and courage. On Christmas, Aunt Rebecca still scolds a little about peeking at the presents, but she does it with a smile. "Happy birthday, Jesus!" Andi thinks.

What I Like: My 6 year old daughter loves the Circle C series of books; she can easily relate to Andi, who struggles with the same things she does - including being respectful and kind even when she doesn't like someone. I like Andi's Circle C Christmas because it's a sweet, innocent tale that encourages my child to think about kindness and how it pleases God. The 10 black and white illustrations by Leslie Gammelgaard also add to the reading experience.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: There is no recommendation by the publisher, but I'd say 5 to 8.

Publishing Info: Kregel; 2011; ISBN: 978-0825441875; paperback, 80 pgs., $4.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $4.99
OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $4.49

Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by Susan K. Marlow, including additional books in the Circle C series.

Heaven: God's Promise for Me

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

“We wondered when our Granny died,/ Where did she really go?/ It’s lonely here without her,/ And we just miss her so!”

When someone dear passes away and little ones start asking questions about Heaven, where can a parent turn for help? Check out Heaven: God’s Promise for Me, by Anne Graham Lotz. Kid-friendly, whimsical pictures created by Laura J. Bryant depict children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and animals of all kinds.

The story explores the promises God gives us about our eternal home. The book opens with a letter from Graham to parents, telling why she wrote the book and giving them some encouraging tips about how they can pass on their faith. Then the story begins. Written in rhyming verse, it follows a brother and sister as they pray for answers about Heaven, and then look for answers in the Bible. They discover that God not only has a great big house with many rooms, but that “Jesus, His Son, is preparing a place. With treasures from above--/ Our favorite foods and colors,/ And the special people we love…” Jesus will also wipe away our tears, and there will be no crying or pain or sickness or sadness or hunger!

The book goes on to describe the beauty of our Heavenly home. Finally, in the grand tradition of Billy Graham, daughter Anne Graham Lotz masterfully takes the tale to a poignant culmination by encouraging readers to put their trust in Jesus. In fact, after the story, the author includes a prayer kids can recite to ask Jesus into their hearts. The book also includes questions parents can use to help talk about Heaven (such as “Where is Heaven?” and “Will you be welcomed in Heaven? Why?”) and a helpful list of Scripture references used to build the foundation of the story.

What I Like: The book seems like a great tool to help guide children to understand eternity and how to put their faith in Christ. The inclusion of Scripture references provides both parent and child with a stepping stone to further explore the ideas presented in the story. I also LOVE the bright and appealing watercolor illustrations.

What I Dislike: Rhyming books are hard to write well. (In fact, out of the rhyming books I’ve read most recently, Crystal Bowman is one of the few authors who consistently gets the meter right.) In this book, the meter works some of the time, but sometimes it’s simply off. Because of that, when I read it out loud, I stumbled over a several verses. Still, the message and illustrations paired with the extra support (letter to parents, prayer, Scripture references) are strong enough to offset that flaw.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Ages 4 and up.

Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2011; ISBN:978-0310716013; Hardcover, 40 PGS., $16.99

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Special Info: Anne Graham Lotz is the CEO of AnGeL Ministries. You can find out more information about this ministry at her website. She mainly writes books for adults. Some titles are The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life, Just Give Me Jesus, and Heaven: My Father’s House.

The Amazing Word of God

2011-11-23T05:57:00.000-08:00

Similar to The Message by Eugene Petersen, The Amazing Word of God presents paraphrased Scripture. Only this volume does it entirely in rhyming verse. The publisher calls it:
"a refreshing, uncomplicated reading of the most popular books of the Bible, including prophecy."

Author Penny Zee labored for seven years over the project, motivated by the conviction that children and adults absorb more and learn faster through poetry than prose. It begins:

In the beginning God created the heavens
And then He created the world
And as His Spirit hovered over the waters
His magnificent plan unfurled

The book includes 50 Bible stories. These are listed in the Table of Contents along with their main character(s) and corresponding book(s) of the Bible. The Life of Jesus includes over 100 sub-stories.

At well over 500 pages, this book touches on nearly every book of the Bible. Some obvious exclusions are Psalms, Proverbs, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Colossians, several minor prophets and some of the smaller epistles. Catholic readers will also notice the absence of books such as Judith, Maccabees and Baruch.

As this is not intended to be an exhaustive account of Scripture, some sections offer abridged accounts. For example, the book of Judges is represented only by the life of Samson. This portion comes immediately after Joshua and the battle of Jericho, thereby skipping centuries of history and several other leaders of Israel. This is just one example of how the book proves selective in its portrayals.

What I Like: Poetry is exceedingly difficult to write fluidly; the hurdles magnify when one seeks to relay Scripture accurately. The author's hard work is evident in the pages. She clearly consulted several versions of Scripture (as evidenced by the bibliography at the back of the book) and some commentaries. This book could prove a helpful reference tool, offering fresh perspectives on certain parts of Scripture.

What I Dislike: The rhythm and flow of text is inconsistent. Some parts are wonderful, but others can be frustrating to read. The author has employed a coded system of punctuation to help readers pace the lines "properly" (detailed in the book's Introduction), but the reading is still cumbersome in many places. Unfortunately, I often focused so much on how to read that I missed what I was reading.

The book's endorsements are sensational and, I feel, misleading. My greatest concern with this book is that many people will mistake it for an actual Bible rather than a paraphrase. Considering the title and the publisher's claims all over the book jacket, this would be easy to do. Such a mistake is dangerous because (1) the text includes the author's interpretation of Scripture rather than a translation of Scripture and (2) several parts of the Bible are not represented here. As long as readers clearly understand what it is and what it is not, however, this book could prove a wonderful resource.

Finally, the most minor of concerns, the top of every page includes the author's name and this book's title, but not the applicable book of the Bible or even the story re-told. With a book this size, it would be easier to find desired sections, if they were labeled more specifically. Also, I would love to have direct Bible references (book and chapter) listed with each story. This would more easily facilitate further study.

Overall Rating: Good -- Noting the clarifications made above.

Age Appeal: All ages, though I recommend 8 and above.

Publisher Info: Creation House, 2010; ISBN: 1616381612; Hardback; 560 pages; $21.99

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This title is also available in Kindle format for $13.19.

Good King Wenceslas

2011-11-22T11:00:00.001-08:00

In 1853, an Angelican priest named John M. Neale wrote the lyrics to the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas," which tells the story of a real 10th century Christian Behmian king, well known for his generosity. In the book Good King Wenceslas, illustrator Tim Ladwig brings this carol to life, showing the king watching a poor man gathering sticks for his fire one bone-chilling, snowy evening. The king instructs his young page to gather food and wine for the man, then the two walk into the snowy night to deliver it. The page isn't sure he can make it through the deep drifts, so the king instructs him to walk behind him, in his footsteps. Finally, they deliver the food and drink to the poor man, and the carol reminds us:

"Therefore, Christians all, be sure,
wealth or rank possessing,
ye who now will bless the poor,
shall yourselves find blessing."

The book uses all the verses of the song; except for a short introduction (which explains who the king was), there is no additional text. The last page of the book features simple piano sheet music and all the lyrics to the carol.

What I Like: Tim Ladwig's illustrations are gorgeous, featuring the shadows and lights cast by candles and fireplaces, and the glow of the moon on snowy scenes. He does a superb job of bringing this traditional carol to life. The cover of the book does the inner illustrations no justice at all.

I also must admit I didn't know the carol before reading this book. No matter. I hopped onto YouTube to listen to it, and immediately enjoyed it. I also let my children listen to the carol before we read the book. (You could also look at the book while the carol is playing, but there are a number of pages in the book that are wordless. These add a great deal to the story, showing the page gathering food, and showing the poor man's reaction to the gift of the food - but make it difficult to listen to the carol and look at the book at the same time.)

What I Dislike: Some of the lyrics are slightly modified from the original version, presumably to make the carol easier for young children to understand.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 5 and up, but my 3 year old likes the book, too.

Publishing Info: Eerdmans; 2005; ISBN: 978-0802852090; hardback, 32 pgs., $17.

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The Donkey's First Christmas

2011-11-22T07:00:00.001-08:00

God often uses the least likely people to accomplish his goals, and in The Donkey's First Christmas by S.T. Schroder, he also uses a stubborn donkey.

This little blue donkey doesn't want to do anything - unless it's his own idea. To avoid working for his master, he puts on illness, or hides, or just plain refuses to move. But one day, despite hiding, limping, coughing, and loudly braying, his master gives him - for free - to a man.

The donkey's heart sinks as he sees his load: A very pregnant woman, plus some luggage. "I won't and you can't make me," the donkey thinks, but the woman offers him a pear: "There you go you sweetie. Let's have a bite to eat. It wouldn't do to start our trip without a little treat." The donkey decides he'll do as the woman asks - "but only for today."

The woman's kindness keeps the donkey walking, even when he thinks he can't go a step further, until at last he collapses in a stable. The next thing he knows, he hears a baby crying.

"Then when I saw the mother
pull her tiny baby near
an angel who'd been watching
Leant and whispered in her ear
'You see now little donkey
what a special thing you've done?
By helping carry Mary
- you helped God's precious son.'"

What I Like: This is a cute book, with chunky, sweet illustrations in soft colors. It appealed to both my children - who, like so many young kids - sometimes want to be as stubborn as the blue donkey. Although the book does not give the full story of the first Christmas, it does create an opening to discuss it, all while holding a young child's attention better than a more realistic book might.

What I Dislike: Schroder's rhyming text occasionally is forced, but my only major complaint is the text, which uses a capital O whenever an O appears in the text, reminding us of the first illustration in the book where the donkey is shown braying "e-Or!" While this is creative, it - combined with the thin font designed to appear hand written (or, perhaps it is hand written) makes it difficult for me to read the story without hesitating.

Overall Rating: Despite the problem with the font, very good.

Age Appeal: Toddler to early gradschool.

Publishing Info: Tilli Publishing; 2011; ISBN: 978-1908053015; paperback, 24 pgs., $9.99.

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Special Info: To see a book trailer for The Donkey's First Christmas, visit the author's website. There, you can also download an excerpt from the book and email the author about free lesson plans to go with the book.

The Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale

2011-11-21T11:21:00.001-08:00

Once there were three trees with very specific wishes. One, author Elena Pasquali writes in The Three Trees, wanted to be made into a chest that held treasure. Another wanted to be made into a ship holding a mighty king. The last tree was more content: "I want to stay here on the hillside, pointing to heaven."

Many years later, the trees are chopped down. The first two are eager to meet their destiny, but the third mourns: "Now my dream is over."

A carpenter takes the wood from the first tree and makes it into a feeding trough - not a treasure chest. The tree sighs at it's new, humble life. But then one night, a newborn baby is laid into the trough. "Suddenly the first tree knew that it was holding the greatest treasure the world had ever known."

A shipwright takes the wood from the second tree, but he makes it into a humble fisherman's boat - not the ship of a king. The tree sighs at it's dull life. But then one night, someone riding in the boat says "Peace. Be still." And the stormy sea turns calm. "And the second tree knew that it was carrying the mightiest king the world had ever known."

The wood from the third tree sits for a long time before someone hastily makes it into a cross. A man is attached to the cross, and the cross stands on a hillside. The man is removed and the cross is empty.

"Then came a bright dawn. By a miracle, the man who had died was seen alive again. The tree that had borne his death was now a symbol of his life. And the third tree knew that it would stand for ever, pointing to heaven."

What I Like: God will often use us in ways we do not expect - and even the most humble among us are useful to him: Two facts beautifully illustrated in The Three Trees. This tale is simple and well told, and is sure to become a favorite not just for Christmas and Easter, but all year long. The illustrations by Sophie Windham have a beautiful folk art feel to them, making this a book a visual treat, as well.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 5 and up, but my 3 year old likes the book, too.

Publishing Info: Lion; 2011; ISBN: 978-0745962894; hardback, 32 pgs., $14.99.

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Special Info:This folktale has been featured in a number of books. including one by Angela Elwell Hunt, which we reviewed here.

Janie's Freedom: African-Americans in the Aftermath of the Civil War

2011-11-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

The South was a turbulent place after the Civil War ended. The slaves were free from slavery, but not necessarily from trouble. Many white men resented having to free their slaves, so life was still hard for a black person in the South. Many of the freed slaves left the South and traveled to the North to find work and greater acceptance.

Janie is one such slave. It’s been two years since the end of the war. She is still living at Rubyhill, a plantation that was mostly burnt when Sherman’s troops came through. She has been raised by Aunty Mil, an elderly, blind slave on the plantation who has treated Janie like her grandchild. Janie was taken away from her parents when she was five and sold to Rubyhill.

Aunty Mil has taught Janie about God. When Aunty Mil feels it is about her time to “go to Heaven” she encourages Janie to leave the south and head North for a better life. The Master of the plantation is dead and his widow is leaving to join her family in Philadelphia. Her parting instructions to her former slaves are: “Stay at Rubyhill as long as you like. Take whatever you can use from the house or from anywhere else on the land. My men won’t be coming back. Neither will I. May God bless you all and keep you safe.”

After the departure of Miz Laura, Janie and four other young form plantation slaves decide to leave “home” and strike out for Chicago. Janie has always wondered what happened to her parents and hopes someday to be reunited with them. The journey to the North is not easy, and the former slaves must trust in God to help them through to a better life.

Janie’s Freedom: African-Americans in the Aftermath of the Civil War, written by Callie Smith Grant, is told from two perspectives, that of Janie herself and that of Annie, Janie’s mother. Both characters tell their stories of how they were separated from their family members and for their hopes to be reunited.

What I Like: I like historical fiction. You get a good sense of what it was like for former slaves living during this time period. Janie’s character is based on a composite of former female slaves who still lived in the South after the War.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12.

Publisher Info: Barbour Publishing, 2006; ISBN: 9781597890861; 144 pages, Paperback, $4.99.

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Special Info: This book is part of the publisher’s Sisters in Time series.

BibleRhymes' Christmas Story

2011-11-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a Christmas book that evokes the spirit of Dr. Seuss? If so, then BibleRhymes' Christmas Story by K.W. McCardell with the artwork of Antonella Chirco is for you.

The Christmas story is familiar to almost everyone: Mary and Joseph are to be married, but Mary turns up pregnant before vows are made. An angel appears to both Mary and Joseph to reassure them. The baby is born in a stable.

But, you've probably never seen the story in rhyme:

"Mary and Joseph, a wonderful pair,
Were a couple in love who'd lock eyes and stare.

They wanted to share their lives to the end,
And planned to be married ... the ultimate friends."

What I Like: As I eluded to, the rhyming in this book is great. It is easy to read aloud, and the story is told in a fresh way. It frequently made me smile - even laugh once or twice.

The artwork by Antonella Chirco is simply amazing. I'm still trying to figure out what medium or mediums are used.

I also wanted to note that I think the quality of the book is superior to many books aimed at the same audience. The pages are of a rather thick paper, and they seem like they'd put up with abuse more readily than some. The price-point of this book may seem steep, but I really believe it's worth it.

What I Dislike: The only thing I really didn't like is the fact Mary and Jesus are both blue-eyed.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publisher Info: BibleRhymes Publishing, LLC, 2008; ISBN: 978-0-9790605-2-6; Hardback, 28 PGS., $17.95

Special Info: The face of Jesus is shown, though only as a baby. We've also reviewed other books in the BibleRhymes series. You can find them here.

Buy it at Amazon.com for $17.95.

Once Upon a Clear Dark Night

2011-11-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Once Upon a Clear, Dark Night, written by Jeffrey E. Burkart, tells the story of the three Wise Men’s trip to Bethlehem to witness Jesus’ birth. The story is based on the Bible verses of Matthew 2:1-12.

It starts with the Wise Men seeing the star in the East. They then travel to Jerusalem to see King Herod. He instructs them to go to Bethlehem and find Baby Jesus, then return and tell him where Baby Jesus is. They travel to Bethlehem and bring gifts for the new King, but they are warned in dreams to return home without going back to King Herod.

The figures of the characters in the illustrations by Natalia Vasquez remind me of wooden carvings. They are colorful but not very expressive.

What I Like: This book is part of a series of books by the publisher that tell many different stories from the Bible. I like the continuity you get in a series of books.

What I Dislike: This book is written in rhyming verse. As many of you already know, I am not a big fan of books that are written in rhyme as it is difficult to do it and do it well. Unfortunately, this book is another example of a story written with rhymes that are sometimes forced.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Arch books, 2011; ISBN: 9780758625793; Paperback, $2.49.

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Special Info: Read about the author at this website. Read our reviews of other books by Jeffrey E. Burkart. Read our reviews of other books illustrated by Natalia Vasquez.

Do You Love Me More? (Faith Basics for Kids)

2011-11-14T15:51:00.000-08:00

"Do you love me more than you did before?" This is what the little boy in Do You Love Me More? by Crystal Bowman and Ava Pennington wants to know. With illustrations by Kristi Valiant, we follow the boy through his day, where he frequently stops to ask God his question.

"My friends come by to have some fun.
I share my toys with everyone.

I help my friend who stubs his toe,
so God, I really want to know.

Do you love me more
than you did before?"

Then, the boy's mom pulls out the Bible, and explains the concept of grace.

"We read the book and then I see,
God sent his only Son for me.

He died for me and took my place.
God's love is free. He calls it grace."

What I Like: I love how this book is from a boy's perspective and he's questioning whether by doing good works, God loves him more. All too frequently, this seems to be the message in today's society. And the note to parents/teachers at the end gives some great verses to emphasize what the Bible says about being "good" versus being saved.

I also loved the fact that the family in the book weren't your homogenous white family. It's refreshing.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publisher Info: Standard Publishing, 2010; ISBN: 978-0-7847-2916-8; Hardback, 26 PGS., $8.99

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Special Info: We've reviewed other books by Crystal Bowman here.

The Tale of Baboushka

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Combining elements of the Bible's harried Martha and the traditional story of St. Nicholas, Elena Pasquali's The Tale of Baboushka is a thought provoking Christmas folk tale.

Baboushka ("grandma" in Russian) works hard to maintain her home; there's not a speck of dust around and absolutely everything is in it's place. She also loves to sew, and has a cupboard full of dolls, teddy bears, and other tidily made toys. One winter night, Baboushka hears a knock. She's a bit grumbly because she's in the middle of cooking - but she answers the door to find three travelers in rich clothes. They are looking for a place to spend the night.

Baboushka welcomes them into her home, tucks their hats and cloaks away and serves them food and "home-brewed ale." She asks about their heavy bags. The travelers say they are "gifts for a king....A king for whom a new star shines...the king of love, the prince of peace." Excited, Baboushka wants to give the travelers gifts from her cupboard to take to the king. They tell her she should come along with them instead: "Leave cares aside and follow the king."

"'Oh...no!' said Baboushka. 'I...I'm not quite ready...I'll find your footsteps, and I'll watch for the star. But first I must sweep and clean and tidy and wash and iron and brush and scrub and so much more...'"

By the time Baboushka is done with her chores, she can no longer find the traveler's footsteps in the snow, and the bright star is gone from the sky. So she tries to find the king without guidance. On the way, she meets many children, and she can't resist leaving them with a sweet gift from her cupboard.

"Still she is seeking. Still she is giving, and all for the sake of the king of love."

What I Like: This folk tale was originally designed to explain the presence of gifts on Christmas - rather like the original stories of St. Nicolas. But what I most enjoy about the story is the important message that we must follow Jesus today - not wait until tomorrow. Like the Martha of the Bible, we must focus on God above all other things - even good things, like keeping a neat house. The illustrations by Lucia Mongioj are also appealing, in a folkish style slightly reminiscent of Russian design.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 5 and up, but my 3 year old likes the book, too.

Publishing Info: Lion; 2011; ISBN: 978-0745962757; hardback, 32 pgs., $14.99.

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Special Info: Read our other reviews of other books by Elena Pasquali.

The Twelve Prayers of Christmas

2011-11-13T05:00:00.001-08:00

The Twelve Prayers of Christmas, by Candy Chand, is a collection of a dozen poems told by various characters (for example, Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, and more) who experienced Christ’s birth. The book features rich, beautiful, two-page spread illustrations done by James Bernardin, with the text framed in simple boxes. The book starts with Mary pondering God’s plan (and her trust in that plan) and ends with the baby Jesus describing the stable.

What I Like: I like the idea of sharing each character’s reflections on what is happening. I loved, loved, loved the amazing illustrations. They were attractive, authentic, and inviting, with a classic “Christmas story” feel to them.

What I Dislike: The poems were nice but short. However, the stellar illustrations made up for the simple text.

Overall Rating: With a bargain price of $6.80 from Amazon, Excellent!

Age Appeal: Ages 3 and up

Publisher Info: HarperCollins, 2009; ISBN:0060776366; Hardcover, 32pgs., $16.99

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The Christmas Story: Drawn Directly From the Bible

2011-11-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Story: Drawn Directly From the Bible, edited by Edward a. Engelbrecht and Gail E. Pawlitz, is, as the title implies, a story about Jesus’ birth, with the Scriptures being used as part of the actual text.

However, this isn’t your normal Christmas story. This one is divided into chapters and starts with a chapter titled, “The Birth of John Foretold.” The next chapter is “The Birth of Jesus Foretold.” Subsequent chapters tell the story Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, the birth of John the Baptist, the angel’s visit to Joseph, Jesus’ birth, and the visit of the three Wise Men.

Bible references are given for each chapter of the story. Each chapter also includes a list of vocabulary words that are used in the text, along with questions for the reader to answer, something for the reader to do, and a prayer to pray that corresponds to the text. For example, in the chapter titled “The Birth of John,” Luke Chapter One is given as the Bible reference. The vocabulary words are mercy, prophesied, redeemed, prophets and salvation.

The reader is asked: “When the baby was born, who came to rejoice with Zechariah and Elizabeth? What did Zechariah and Elizabeth name the baby? What did Zechariah say about the baby? All of these questions provide a background for discussion about the story’s contents.

The reader is told: “God’s people still sing Zechariah’s happy words. Make up a happy song about how God has blessed your family.”

The reader is given this prayer: “Heavenly Father, You sent John to tell people that Jesus was coming to forgive their sins. Thank you for grown-up people who tell me that Jesus loves me and can forgive the wrong things I think or say or do. Amen.”

The song "Oh, Come, Little Children” is printed on the inside of the back cover.

The illustrations, done by Corbert Gauthier, Cheri Bladholm, and Phil Howe, are beautifully painted, creating life-life characters that look like they could walk out of the pages of the book.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Concordia Publishing House, 2011; ISBN: 9780758619082; Hardcover, $13.99.

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Problems in Plymouth (Imagination Station #6)

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

There's trouble in Plymouth, and young cousins Beth and Patrick are right in the middle of it. In Problems in Plymouth, the 6th book in the Imagination Station series by Marianne Hering and Marshal Younger, the children follow the trouble-making Hugh to Plymouth Plantation where none other than William Bradford is governor. But not-so-friendly natives are everywhere and they capture Beth and Patrick. Held hostage in a tepee, the cousins meet a young Pilgrim who got lost in the woods and was also captured. But before long, William Bradford and a group of pilgrim men come to trade items for the children.

But trouble doesn't stop there. Some natives are accidentally shot by the Pilgrims, their friend Squanto is missing, and Beth and Patrick are afraid Hugh might try to incite war between the Pilgrims and natives. Or, they speculate, maybe he wants to bring an advanced weapon - a musket - back to his own time of castles and knights.

In the meantime, Squanto is found and the Pilgrims and natives hold a big feast - later known as the first Thanksgiving. But Patrick is suspicious. Hugh still hasn't shown up. At last, they discover him in the store house, where he threatens the cousins with a musket. He steals Patrick's pouch and discovers a ring there - a ring he thinks will bring the Imagination Station to him. It does, but it also sends him back to his own time. Patrick and Beth follow him, using another ring to call the Imagination Station.

Back in his own time, book 6 now picks up where book 4 left off when Hugh disappeared in the Imagination Station: Hugh is arrested, and Beth and Patrick go back home.

What I Like: I always appreciate novels that make history more inviting, and I love the idea of covering the Pilgrims in more depth.

What I Dislike: Unfortunately, the authors barely scratch the surface of who the Pilgrims were - and often offer a conflicting account. For example, the book talks about the true event of the Pilgrims stealing corn from the natives; it also shows some Pilgrims having a definite war-like attitude. We don't even get to see how God is part of their daily lives, although Bradford does pray before the feast. Yet, at the end of the book, Mr. Whittaker says, "The Pilgrims were honest and trustworthy." But only Bradford is actually depicted as honest, trustworthy, and someone to try to be more like. In addition, this book has a weak plot. Lots of little things happen to the Pilgrims, but there isn't much of a story arch. This is especially disappointing after the really excellent book 5, Showdown with the Shepherd. Problems in Plymouth isn't a bad book, but it's not a great book, either.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 7 and up, but some younger kids will enjoy having this book read to them.

Publishing Info: Tyndale; 2011; ISBN: 978-1589976320; paperback, 128 pgs., $4.99.

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Special Info: Read our other reviews of other books in this series.

Backyard Horses: Horse Dreams

2011-11-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

Prolific author Dandi Daley Mackall has written a charming new series for girls ages eight to twelve, called Backyard Horses. Horse Dreams, the first book in the series, introduces us to fourth-grader Ellie James, who longs for a beautiful show horse to call her own. Joining Ellie are her little brother, Ethan, who can't hear, and her best friend, Colt, who manages to still be a friend, despite entering the awkward stage of boy-girl friendships.

When Ellie's teacher assigns a science experiment for class, Ellie decides to try three methods of acquiring a horse. She will beg her parents for a show horse, cry and try to convince her parents to buy her a show horse, and pray for a show horse. After the experiment, she will document her results. Although Ellie's teacher laughs, she likes Ellie and is willing to allow her to try the experiment. However, Ellie routinely gets in trouble for day-dreaming in class. When Ellie blurts out "There's a horse out the window," everyone assumes Ellie is day-dreaming again.

When Ellie gets home from school, she learns her mom lost the same scrawny, filthy horse Ellie saw out the window! Thus begins a race to capture the horse before animal control stuns it. Plot Spoiler Ahead: Ellie calms the horse down and returns it to the rescue barn. Slowly, her dreams begin to change. Could this ordinary "backyard horse" be the answer to her prayers?

What I Like: I love the verse Mackall chose to begin the series. She gives us a brief definition of a backyard horse, saying, ". . . Backyard horses are often plain and ordinary on the outside. . . but frequently beautiful on the inside." Then, she quotes I Samuel 16:7, " The Lord said to Samuel, 'Don't judge by his outward appearance, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." This is a message tween girls can't hear too often.

I also like the inclusion of sign language in the book. Each chapter title is written in words and sign language. Ellie's friend, Colt, learned sign language just so he could talk to Ethan, too.

Mackall includes a glossary of horse terms, as well as a sign language alphabet at the back of the book.

The book is printed with large font and relatively easy vocabulary, making it perfect for younger readers ready for chapter books, or struggling readers, as well as any girls who love horses.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Tyndale House Publishers, 2011; ISBN: 978-1-4143-3916-0; Paperback, 150 pages, $5.99

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Song of the Stars

2011-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Written in free-flowing, poetic style, popular children's book author Sally Lloyd Jones turns the original Christmas story into something true, but different, in Song of the Stars.

"The world was about to change forever. And it almost went by unnoticed..." Jones begins. In the subsequent pages she imagines how nature might have reacted to the birth of the Savior. Leaves "rustle with a rumor," the wind "whispered it softly in the sycamore trees," a "big brown bear sniffed the air," "the skies shouted it to the seas that thundered it to the waves that roared it to the great white whales that sang it to the starfish in the deep"...and so on. Once in a while, an animal or plant cries, "It's time! It's time!," "Be glad!" "The Mighty King!", or "The Bright and Morning Star!"

The vivid illustrations by Alison Jay depict nature - presumably around the world - reacting to Jesus' birth, until finally we see Bethlehem with shepherds, sheep, and angels surrounding it, then a little barn, then a baby surrounded by animals, then the baby held by his mother and surrounded by animals, then Jesus' family. "Our Rescuer!" Mary cries, and all "gazed in wonder at God's great gift...Heaven's Son sleeping under the stars that he made."

What I Like: This picture book is unlike any Christmas book you've probably ever seen before. Jones' fresh take on the subject matter is based solidly on biblical fact, but shows plenty of imagination and creativity, too. I am reminded of Psalm 96, where the Bible says Jesus' return will be met with a roaring sea and rejoicing trees. Then would it be any wonder if nature rejoiced at his birth?

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 and up, but my 3 year old enjoyed it, too.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310722915; hardback, 32 pgs., $15.99.

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Special Info: Read our other reviews of books by Sally Lloyd Jones.

Little Shepherd

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight the Savior has been born… and a group of lowly shepherds are among the first to know it! In Cheryl G. Malandrinos’ story Little Shepherd, five-year-old Obed is in the middle of the action on that holy night. During Obed’s watch, he and his fellow shepherds are startled by an angel announcing, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people…”

In short order, the shepherds decide, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.” Obed balks; he worries about what will happen to the sheep if they are left unattended. Nevertheless, when his father displays a calm trust, Obed sets aside his fears and travels with the other shepherds to Bethlehem.

They find the child just as the angel told them and then return to their fields rejoicing and singing praises to God.

The story ends with Obed discovering that in his absence, the sheep remained safe. He falls asleep remembering all the miraculous things he experienced that night.

Little Shepherd is illustrated by Eugene Ruble.

What I Like: I like the author showing Obed at work. He hears the wolves howl, scans the hills for danger, shivers in the cold, and warms himself by a fire. That sets the mood for the reader. The shepherds show great faith by leaving everything behind and immediately heading to Bethlehem. I also liked the description of the manger scene and Mary and Joseph.

What I Dislike: No Scripture reference is provided, which would have been nice. (It’s based on Luke 2.) Also, in the story text, Scripture is directly quoted from the NIV version. However, nowhere is the NIV Bible sited, and that bothers me. Finally, although most of the story stuck very close to the Scriptural account, there were some liberties taken. For example, God protected the sheep left behind from wandering off and from the wolves, but there is no Scripture to back that up. If I were reading this to my child, I would want to follow up by reading the event from the Bible and pointing out the differences between what is actually recorded and what the author added to the story. It would be a nice springboard for a discussion. Also, the pictures weren't my favorite.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: None is given, but I think the length of the text requires some measure of focus. So I suggest the grade K-2 group.

Publisher Info: Guardian Angel Publishing, 2010; ISBN:978-161633085: Paperback, 16 PGS., $9.95.

This book is NOT available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.95.

The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas

2011-11-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

Arranging the nativity scene is a highlight of the Berenstain Bears' Christmas in Jan and Mike Berenstain's new book The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas.

This is a simple little book showing the Bear family decorating for the holiday. In a box, they find baby Jesus in the manager - but they have to search throughout the house to find other elements of the nativity scene, each found under a lift-the-flap. For example, the "three wise bears" are behind the mantle clock, an angel is behind a vase of flowers, and the sheep are inside a cupboard door.

The book ends:

"Now the Bear family sets up their manager scene.
'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!' says the whole Bear family."

What I Like: I really like the simplicity of this book; it does a good job of introducing or re-familiarizing young children with the basic elements of the Christmas story. And naturally, my 3 year old loved the lift-the-flaps. I'm also sure he'll be much more excited about our own nativity scene this year, due to this book.

What I Dislike: All lift-the-flap books are fragile, but this one has thinner flaps and pages than some others. Still, they seem strong - and so far my son hasn't ripped any of the flaps.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 2 to kindergarten.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310720829; paperback, 12 pgs., $6.99.

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Special Info: Read our other reviews of Berenstain Bear books.

One Night in Bethlehem

2011-11-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

There are few kids who don't enjoy a touch-and-feel books, making Jill Roman Lord's One Night in Bethlehem a welcome addition to the Christmas bookshelf.

This board book begins with a mother and toddler boy playing with a nativity set. The little boy wonders what he might have done if he'd been present the night Jesus was born.

If he'd been a lamb, he thinks, he would have cuddled up to Jesus to keep him warm. If he'd been a cow, he would have mooed so loud everyone would know Jesus Christ was born. If he'd been an angel, he would have sung praises the loudest. If he'd been a shepherd, he'd have been the first to see Jesus. If he'd been a wise man, he would have brought the baby the gift of a teddy bear.

On all but the first and last two-page spread, there is a texture to touch: the lamb's coat, the cow's suede hide, an angel's silky robe, a shepherd's rough tunic, a glittery star, and a teddy's soft fur.

The book ends:

"Although I wasn't there that night
or near the manger stall,
I still can spread the news about
God's greatest gift of all.
I still can hoot and holler and
sing praises to His name
and shout, 'I love you, Jesus!
I'm so very glad you came.'"

What I Like: Lord is a proven writer with excellent skills; One Night in Bethlehem's rhyming text is easy to read and ignites children's imaginations about one of the greatest events in history. The illustrations by Paige Keiser are soft, showing the toddler boy as his imagined shepherd, angel, and wise man. Both my children also enjoyed the touch and feel aspect of the book.

What I Dislike: I think the touch and feels should have offered better variety.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: Baby and up.

Publishing Info: Candy Cane Press; 2011; ISBN: 978-0824918637; board book, 16 pgs., $8.99.

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Special Info: Read our other reviews of books by Jill Roman Lord.

Mommy Whispers

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

A young mother looks at her newborn daughter, and it’s love at first sight… a love that grows and endures. Jenny Lee Sulpizio’s book Mommy Whispers captures the profoundly rooted connection between mother and daughter with a series of tender memories passed down from one generation to the next.

The story follows a girl from birth to adulthood. During each stage of the child’s life, her mother is there to pray for her, encourage her, and whisper this same refrain: “You are God’s gift to me, forever you will be.”

The bright colors, smiling faces, and whimsical energy of Peg Lozier’s illustrations capture the sentiments perfectly.

What I Like: Mommy Whispers holds the same kind of rich remembrance and parental devotion depicted in Robert Munsch’s bestselling story Love You Forever. It also enfolds in a similar fashion, lovingly providing snapshot images of certain stages of life, from infant to toddler to grade school to dating to marriage and then finally to birth again. I especially appreciated the prayer aspect. Any parent could learn a lesson from the well-crafted prayers Sulpizio weaves into the story.

What I Dislike: It is a little pricey for a paperback. But that shouldn't be a huge deterrent. And... this isn’t really a dislike… but a note. I think the story ---the poignant, fathomless love of a mother for her child… and then that child experiencing the same depth of emotion when she becomes a mother herself—would be better understood and appreciated by the adults reading it. I would likely give this book as a baby shower gift… to the pregnant mother rather than to the expected baby!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: None listed. It's described as a keepsake book. The snuggle factor might make it appropriate for the preschool through kindergarten crowd.

Publisher Info: Isaac Publishing, 2010; ISBN:978-1609200138; Paperback (or kindle), 34 PGS., $12.95

This book is NOT available at Christianbook.com.
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Eli the Stable Boy

2011-11-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Author Keith Ogorek used to tell this bedtime story to his daughters when they were children. Now published, Eli the Stable Boy can be shared with your children.

Eli is a young boy living in Bethlehem. His father is a shepherd. Eli desperately wants to follow his father into the fields with the sheep, but he also wants to make good choices. When their father asks Eli and his sister, Leah, to stay back and clean the stables, Leah chooses to abandon their work and play with her friends instead, but Eli decides to honor his word.

Eli prepares to head home after a long day of difficult, smelly work, but as he exits the stable, he meets a stranger accompanied by a donkey and a very pregnant wife. The man asks if they may spend the night in the stable. Eli considers what would be the right choice. He considers what he has heard from the rabbi and what he would want someone to do for his mother or his sister, then welcomes the strangers into the now cleaned stalls. He then leaves to fetch some water for them. When he returns, he hears a baby's cries and then sees his father running from the hills to find the Messiah. At the end of the story, readers learn that the baby's name is Jesus.

Eric Walton served as illustrator. His drawings are simple and primarily feature earth tones.

What I Like: This is a well-written, sweet story. It teaches good work ethics and the importance of honoring one's word.

What I Dislike: There is nothing overtly wrong with this story, but there is also nothing extraordinary that makes it stand out among a sea of other Christmas books telling similar stories and targeting the same audience. There seems to be an imbalance between the amount of text per illustration, which I've reflected in "Age Appeal" below. Also, as with most self-published books, the price is high.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: The publisher doesn't specify, but I would say, based on the length of the story, 6-10.

Publisher Info: AuthorHouse, 2009; ISBN: 1449041167; Paperback; 28 pages; $13.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.85!

Troo's Big Climb

2011-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

At one time or another, most young children feel their parents are holding them back from doing things they really could do. Like the little tree kangaroo in Troo's Big Climb, they believe their parents think they are incapable babies. If this sounds like your child, this level 2 "I Can Read" book by Cheryl Crouch is a great addition to your family bookshelf.

Troo brags to Rilla, the water rat, that he can climb the highest tree in the rainforest. Rilla doesn't believe him; she dares him to do it, even though Troo's parents have told him not to. Because Troo wants to prove his parents wrong, he takes Rilla up on her challenge.

The climb seems easy - although Troo stops a moment when he see his home from high up in the tree: Would his parents be happy if they knew? But when he reaches the top, he can't help but shout with glee.

Then a hawk tries to grab him. Troo jumps to a lower branch, but the branch breaks and sends Troo tumbling downward until he crashes to the ground.

"Rilla screamed, 'Are you dead?'
Troo moaned. 'Maybe.'"

Troo's parents come running. First, they ensure he's okay. Then Troo admits he disobeyed them. His parents say:

"God says you should obey us. You did not obey, and you got hurt. This tree...is not safe, even for a big, strong climber like you."

Oh! Trro's parents did not think he was a small, weak baby. They loved him. They wanted him to be safe."

And so, his loving parents carry him home.

What I Like: Both my children (ages 3 and 6) love this story. Both can well relate to the feelings Troo expresses - and both responded well to the reminder that parents are trying to protect their children when they say "no." The whimsical illustrations by Kevin Zimmer are also excellent.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8, but kids as young as 2 will enjoy having this book read to them, too.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310718086; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $3.99 (or spend $2.99 for the Kindle edition)

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Showdown with the Shepherd (Imagination Station #5)

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Attacks by ferocious wild bears, a near miss with a legendary giant, secret messages, and outsmarting a bad guy who wants to change history. Kids will discover all this and more in Showdown with the Shepherd, book #5 in The Imagination Station series written by Marianne Hering and Brock Eastman.

In this installment, Mr. Whittaker sends young cousins Patrick and Beth back to Bible times to ensure bad guy Hugh (from book #4) doesn't succeed in altering history. Upon "landing," the kids are immediately attacked by a bear. Just when it seems they'll be the bear's lunch, however, a young shepherd with a sling shot scares the bear away. Beth and Patrick soon realize this is David - who will someday be King of Israel.

David is on his way to the army camp to give food to his brothers, so Patrick and Beth go along with him. But David isn't well received by his brothers - even before he says he will defeat the giant Philistine called Goliath if no one else is brave enough to do so.

Yet before David can do battle, Hugh appears, wanting to speak to King Saul. He is working with the Philistines. After threatening the Israelites, Hugh throws fire powder into the torches, creating smoke that makes it easy for him to grab Beth and take her to the Philistine camp. There, Beth sees Hugh has helped create a weapon unknown in biblical times: A catapult. Using her harmonica to play the "ABC" song, she sends this message to Patrick, still in the Israelite camp.

Late that night, Patrick steals into the Philistine camp to rescue Beth. When David shows up, too, they try to disarm the catapult - but they're not sure Patrick's plan to do so will work.

The following day, David faces Goliath, knocking him out with a stone from his sling, then killing him with his own sword. But the Philistines - led by Hugh, who imagines lording over the Philistines once the war is over - throw a fireball into the Israelite army. Patrick feels defeated; his plan didn't work. But when the Philistines try to throw a second fireball, the catapult won't shoot and soons burns beyond use.

Their mission completed, Beth and Patrick head back to where the Imagination Station can take them back to their own time. But Hugh is there, too. To top it off, the bear attacks again, and Patrick, Beth, and Hugh barely escape inside the machine. When Beth and Patrick look up - Hugh, who entered the machine with them - has disappeared.

What I Like: Here is an action packed page turner any kid is sure to love. I read it to my 6 year old daughter in one sitting because she kept saying, "You've got to read what happens next! Read more! Read more!" I also really appreciate how the authors depicted David. As they write: "Patrick admired David's faith in God. He wished he could be more like the shepherd."

What I Dislike: Nothing, really, although I am not a big fan of the black and white illustrations in this book. (There are about 11). Illustrator David Hohn's work here is a bit too stylized for me; I don't like how the people look like walking skeletons. However, this is a minor issue in an otherwise outstanding book.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 7 and up, but kids as young as kindergarten will also enjoy having this book read to them.
Publishing Info: Tyndale House; 2011; ISBN: 978-1589976313; paperback, 120 pgs., $4.99.

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other books in The Imagination Station series.

C.S. Lewis: The Man Behind Narnia

2011-10-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

At 60 years old, the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis is as popular today as it was in the 1950s. Beatrice Gormley's C.S. Lewis: The Man Behind Narnia gives a great glimpse into the life of the creator, and everything that fed into the development of such a legendary series.

This biography takes you into the life of Clive Staples Lewis, beginning when, at the age of four, he pronounced himself "Jacksie." From then on, he was Jacksie--later, Jack--to his friends and family.

From the tragedy of his mother's death when he was nine, to his difficult childhood in boarding school, from his atheism to eventual accepting of Christ, C.S. Lewis: The Man Behind Narnia shows how everything Lewis did and experienced eventually led to the creation of Narnia.

What I Like: I often find biographies dry and boring. This one, however, was not. It was engaging, and I couldn't put it down. Many of the sources for the book are letters Lewis wrote to friends, relatives, and fans; this made the book very fresh--almost as though Lewis himself was telling us about his life and experiences in a third person form.

There are oodles of pictures in the book, which really helped define Lewis' world--and break up the monotony often found in biographies. They're not all of Lewis. Some illustrate his view from his rooms at Oxford, or picture the house he grew up in near Belfast, Ireland.

What I Dislike: There wasn't anything to dislike in this book; however, there was one minor instance where I wish the author, Beatrice Gormley, had been more clear. In Chapter 8, World War II is mentioned at length, and at one point, the book specifies that WWII ended May 9, 1945. And, it did--but only in the European Theater. The war continued until later that year in the Pacific Theater. This minor error is nothing that severely detracts from the overall quality of the book, but I should mention it.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 9 - 12, although some of the topics, such as Lewis' father's depression/alcoholism, the abuse Lewis suffered at Malvern College, and the advice to divorce that Lewis gave to the woman he would eventually marry may be more suitable for a slightly older reader, perhaps 11 and up. The "Further Reading" section also makes note of other books by or about Lewis, and a couple of these have warnings about the nature of the content found in them.

Publisher Info: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2005; ISBN: 978-0-8028-5301-1; Paperback, 192 pgs., $14.00

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Thank You, God, for Blessing Me

2011-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to teach your toddler how to have an attitude of gratefulness, you may enjoy Max Lucado’s book Thank You, God, for Blessing Me. In the story, Hermie the caterpillar thanks God for all his blessings: the beauty of nature, his family and friends, and for providing food and shelter. Hermie also asks God to help him be kind and obey… because that’s another way Hermie thanks God.

The book is written in rhyming text. Each page turn is a two-page spread, making the actual “story” only 5 pages long. The illustrations, done by Frank Endersby, hold enough detail to keep the attention of young readers. Endersby fills each background with either bright warm colors or soothing cool colors.

What I Like: The illustrations are sweet and appealing. The message is simple and easy to remember. The brevity of the story and sturdiness of the board book format makes it a great bedtime read for the infant to age 3 audiences. Kids who are already familiar with the Hermie character will likely enjoy reading it the most. It would serve as a great springboard to talk to your kids about prayer.

What I Dislike: Hermie thanks God for his eight little buggy feet. It’s good to thank God for this, but a true caterpillar would not have 8 feet. It would have 6 true legs at the front end of its body and five sets of prolegs at the back end of its body. If I were reading it to my little one, I’d probably pause to point that out. (It’s the teacher in me!) In addition, the meter of the poetry wasn’t quite consistent, which, at times, made it awkward to read aloud.

Overall Rating: Very good for kids infant through age 3. Good for children older than 3.

Age Appeal: Baby-preschool

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2011; ISBN:978-1400318032; Boardbook, 10 PGS., $6.99

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Special Info: Read CCBR reviews of other books by Max Lucado.

Three Cups

2011-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Teaching children about money by dividing up whatever they earn or are given is a popular technique. To help introduce this concept to children, Tony Townsley and Mark St. Germain's Three Cups may prove helpful.

The book begins: "On my fifth birthday, my parents gave me a wonderful present. They promised it would take me on many adventures." Still, the young boy pictured looks pretty disappointed when he opens his gift: Three coffee cups. More happily, there's a little money, too. His parents explain it's time their son earned an allowance. Each time he's paid, he'll divide up the money into the three cups: "One cup is for savings, one cup is for spending, and one cup is for giving," they explain.

When the boy's cups seem full, his mother takes him to the bank to help him open a savings account. Here, he learns that keeping some money in the bank will earn him interest. Next, his mother helps him count the money in his Spending Cup. He really wants a new baseball glove. He doesn't have quite enough money for that yet, but his mother assures him he soon will.

Finally, they look at the boy's Giving Cup. There is enough there to pick up some groceries and give them to the boy's teacher, who is collecting food for the needy. Later, the boy helps deliver the groceries.

The boy grows up, but he still uses the principles of three cups.

"By the time I was in high school, I had bought many things with money from my Spending Cup. With the money from my Giving Cup, I gave to my church and other organizations, and I helped many people. And when I graduated from high school, I used money from my savings account at the bank to help pay for the college I went to."

Then he reveals he has his own five year old boy. "Are you ready for an adventure?" he asks his child, as the boy opens a box containing three cups.

The last two pages of the book offer hints to parents about using the three cup method.

What I Like: The illustrations by April Willy are lovely - full of expression and interesting light plays. I also appreciate the basic concept of this book; if we want our children to be good stewards of the money that comes into their lives, we must teach them to earn their money and to handle it wisely.

What I Dislike: The price of the book seems high for the slim content it offers. True, the book's pages are thick and glossy, and the cover is hardback, but why not produce a more affordable book about spending money wisely? And while the idea behind this book seems mostly to get kids interested in the three cup method, I found the story not that interesting - as did my children, aged 6 and 3. The illustrations alone kept them sitting during the reading. In addition, while I suppose the publishers are hoping to reach a mainstream audience, I was disappointed there were no Bible references about money - and only one vague mention about tithing.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8.
Publishing Info: Thomas Nelson; 2011; ISBN: 978-1400317493; hardback, 32 pgs., $9.99.

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Special Info: Read our other reviews for books about money.

Bible Story Search: Seek and You Shall Find

2011-10-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a book that will keep your child engaged for a long period of time, Bible Story Search: Seek and You Shall Find,written by Tracy Harrast will do just that. The stories featured in this book are: God Saves Noah and the Animals, God Brings Good from Evil (Joseph), God Helps the Little Guy (David and Goliath), God with Us (Jesus' Birth), Jesus Chooses Twelve Helpers, Jesus Feeds More Than 5,000, Jesus Rides Like a King, and Jesus' Last Supper.

Each story is told simply, with detailed illustrations by Steve Cox. On the sidebar, there is a list of hidden pictures to find, with a number of how many of each picture there are in the scene. A plastic magnifying glass is included with this book to help little sleuths see the pictures even better.

What I Like: I love so many things about this book, but my favorite thing is that the book is truly kid-friendly. Some look and find books have the lists of hidden items written, and my beginning reader needs to keep asking me what she is supposed to find. In this book, words, numbers, and illustrations are used. My daughter is able to truly peruse this book all by herself!

What I Dislike: Nothing!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Concordia Pub House, 2011; ISBN:0758627289 ; Hardcover, 24 pgs., $14.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.69

Special Info: There are pictures of Jesus in this book. We have reviewed more books by this author.

Orbit the Angel Cat

2011-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Sam the cat is very sick. He is too sick to sit with his siblings (Betty, John and Scott) by the window to see the snow. The siblings see another cat approach from a distance. Next thing they know, the new cat is in the house, cuddled up with Sam. The other cats want to know who the intruder is and why he is there. He says, “My name is Orbit and I’m here because Sam needs me…to help him remember love.” Spoiler alert: Sam passes away. But, he goes peacefully while remembering all the good things in his life.

Orbit the Angel Cat, written by Michael Joyce and Linda Max Collins is a metaphorical story about dealing with the loss of a loved one. In this instance, a cat family must deal with the loss of their sick sibling. Orbit, an angel cat, comes to Sam (the sick cat) to comfort him and “help him remember love.”

The illustrations by Linda Max Collins are simple and child-like and they work well with the text.

This verse, from Hebrews 13:2 is given as a reference at the end of the book: “Be not afraid to have strangers in your house. For some thereby have entertained angels unawares.”

What I Like: I like this different approach to talking about a difficult subject. Children should be able to identify with the characters

What I Dislike: I like the illustrations and the text, but I thought the layout was a bit boring. All of the illustrations are on the right-hand side of each two-page spread with the text on the left. There is no variation of this layout. It’s not a big issue, I just thought I’d point that out.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: No age group is given but I would say 4-8 would be the right age group.

Publisher Info: ISBN: 9781461055891; Paperback, $12.00

Buy now at Amazon.com $8.64!

The Color of Grace

2011-10-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

When a little boy asks his mother what grace looks like, his mom takes the opportunity of a teachable moment in The Color of Grace by Jennifer Neill. As illustrated by Amy Fox and Charles Bishop, the boy continues to ask questions about grace as the mother prepares her son for bed.

Momma, what does grace sound like?
It sounds like the water flowing down from a stream.

What I Like: The illustrations by Ms. Fox and Mr. Bishop are very nicely done. Thematically, they seemed to be a bit on the Christmas-y side of things, although I don't think this is meant to be a Christmas book.

What I Dislike: I really grappled with the theme of this book, and never could understand it very well despite multiple read-throughs--more than average for most of the books I review here. Its concept seemed so out there, I didn't think it was very believable or even understandable. Perhaps if there had been a foreword of some kind by the author to explain the book it would have helped in my comprehension of what was trying to be conveyed, however the only bit at the beginning was a list of several names Jesus is known by, which are referenced to one degree or another throughout the story, as well as a scripture from Titus.

Overall Rating: This is a book I just didn't "get" so for that reason, I have to give it a Ho-hum rating.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publisher Info: In the Wind Books, 2010; ISBN: 978-0-9817749-2-3; Paperback, 28 PGS., $12.99

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Boby and Larry's Creation Vacation

2011-10-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

If your kids like Veggie Tales, they are sure to enjoy learning about each day of creation in Bob and Larry's Creation Vacation. In this "I Can Read" level 1 book written by Karen Poth, Larry is planning a special vacation. "We're going to see all of God's creation!" he says. "We don't have enough time," says Bob. But Larry says all they need is 7 days.

"On the first day, God made the light," Larry says. So on this, their first vacation day, Bob and Larry bask in the sun at the beach, enjoying the light. "It was a good day!" Later, Larry says "God made the night" and he turns out the lights. Because Larry snores, "It was a better night for Larry than for Bob." "On the second day," Larry says, "God made the sky!" So the two friends fly on gliders.

And so on goes the vacation, each day citing a day of creation, as presented in the first two chapters of Genesis. At the end of the book, Bob and Larry are worn out from their vacation. It is the seventh day "so just like God, they decided to rest." The last page reads:

"And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."

What I Like: I like this fun approach to teaching kids about the days of creation. Few books on this topic hold my kids' attention, but this one does. It's a great way to introduce the topic - and follow it up with a reading about creation direct from the Bible.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8, but kids as young as 2 will enjoy having this book read to them, too.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310727316; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $3.99

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Special Info: Read our other reviews of Veggie Tale books.

God Comes to Us Like a Caterpillar

2011-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Jesus' parables are great stories--but how do they apply to me? To my life? This can be a question kids ask--maybe not out loud, but when they hear the pastor drone on about the parable of the mustard seed for the third time in a year, it can seem dry and even unimportant. However, in Kent Chadwick's God Comes to Us Like a Caterpillar, Jesus' parables are retold in a way that will interest your grade-schooler and pre-teen.

For instance, the parable of the lost drachma from Luke 15:8-10 is retold in this manner:

Jesus said, "If a girl has ten dollars yet loses one in her room, won't she turn on all her lights and clean her whole room and hunt for it until she finds it? And when she finds it she'll call to her brothers and sisters and mother and father and say, 'Hey, isn't it great? I found the dollar I lost!'"

Seventy-eight unique parables from the Gospels are re-told in interesting ways throughout God Comes to Us Like a Caterpillar.

What I Like: The book is very well organized, and you can tell the author took great pains to try to be as true to the original parables while spinning them into modern language. Several of the stories are funny, all are thought-provoking.

All of the stories list the part or parts of scripture the original story came from so you and your kids can go back and see exactly what Jesus said. I really appreciated this since there were several stories I didn't remember.

Each story ends with a short question or two to get the reader thinking about how the parable applies in his or her life. This is why I believe this could be a good family book or even devotion, as long as your kids are old enough.

What I Dislike: There's nothing about this book I dislike.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 9 - 12

Publisher Info: Wisdom Press, 2010; ISBN: 978-1452889221; Paperback, 118 pgs. $10.00

Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.00.
Also available for the Kindle for $5.00.

Mainstream Author Highlight: Louis Sachar

2011-10-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

My daughter has been asking me to review Louis Sachar's Newbery award-winning novel Holes, for months. Holes is one of her favorite books. She has read it several times a year for the past three years. Sachar is a prolific, widely acclaimed author, and many of his books are popular choices for in-school read-alouds (at least at the school my children attend).

The most compelling reason to read Louis Sachar's books is the way he captures the lives and personalities of children who are disconnected, disillusioned, or disenfranchised. His main characters are usually those for whom the "system" is not working well. Whether they are in school, the juvenile justice system, or working, they often don't fit in with the majority. Sachar's books will appeal especially to reluctant readers and those who have trouble "fitting in." I was surprised my daughter likes Holes so well, since the hero is not particularly cute, funny, or endearing, and the mystery involves deadly, yellow-spotted lizards, poisoned nail polish and a lynching gone wrong.

In Holes, Sachar tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, who is sent to a "camp" for delinquent boys. There, he is made to dig giant holes, every day. Little does Stanley know, the ominous Warden is using the boys to help her solve a mystery. Stanley's story is interspersed with tales of "Kissin' Kate Barlow," a schoolteacher-turned-outlaw. Holes uses Stanley's new-found courage, a one-hundred-year-old mystery and unexpected adventure to raise interesting issues about race, injustice, friendship, and resiliency. The end of the Newbery-award winning novel ties all the story threads together, in a triumphant and satisfying conclusion.

Small Steps takes place after Holes, and revolves around Zero and Armpit (two of the secondary characters in Holes). Appropriate for older readers (14 and up), Small Steps has a particularly profound theme. Since Armpit has been released from Camp Green Lake, he is trying to make the best of his life. He knows, in order to be successful, he must focus on "small steps," instead of getting overwhelmed by the big picture. When Zero finds Armpit and ropes him into a crazy, not-quite-legal scheme, Armpit finds himself having to make choices and face consequences. Slightly more far-fetched than Holes, teens will nevertheless appreciate Armpit's dilemmas, as he is thrust into a friendship with a beautiful, teenage rock star. Teens can learn a lot from Armpit's choices (good and bad). They will also learn a lot from Armpit's close friendship with Ginny, a younger, disabled girl.

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom should be required reading for all teachers and school counselors, as well as children who need help understanding the "naughty" child in their class. Fifth-grader, Bradley Chalkers is known for being mean and never turning in homework. Sachar expertly gets inside Bradley's head and explores his motivations, ideas, and feelings. Bradley routinely cuts up his homework, punches kids in his class, and tells his counselor he hates her. However, his counselor's persistent kindness works a slow, but definite change in Bradley, and ends as a touching, tear-jerker.

Sachar is also well-known for his Sideways Stories from Wayside School series. The first book is a collection of silly, funny, and bizarre stories about students in an elementary school classroom. The humor is a bit dark--the teacher turns naughty students into apples in order to eat them, and a rat tries to disguise itself as a student--but Sachar clearly empathizes with the students.

What I Like: I like Sachar's unique perspective. Often, books highlight the "good" students, who enjoy school, or they villianize teachers and parents. Sachar does neither, and instead, showcases the good aspects of even the "rough" kids' personalities.

I also like the way Sachar shows realistic choices and their consequences, both positive and negative. All of his books leave lots of room for discussion and learning.

What I Dislike: Some of Sachar's rough or unsavory characters swear in his books for older readers (Holes and Small Steps). Also, God's name is taken in vain occasionally. Alth0ugh the swearing adds a realistic dimension to the characters, it is unnecessary and detracts from the overall positive message of the books.

Also, Sachar's humor takes a little getting used to. It is darker than most children's books.

Overall Rating: Good, due to language, but very good in terms of content.

Age Appeal: Varies--6 to Young Adult

Publisher Info: (Holes) Yearling, 1998; ISBN: 978-0-440-41480-3; Paperback, 233 pages, $6.99

Buy Holes now at Christianbook.com for $5.99.

Buy Holes at Amazon.com for $5.04.

Buy Small Steps at Amazon.com for $9.99.

Buy There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Buy Sideways Stories at Wayside School at Amazon.com for $5.99.

Special Note: While Holes has been made into a movie, I have not seen it. Also, in Small Steps, teen pop star, Kaira DeLeon, mentions many of her songs are about sex, but she is still a virgin.
PLOT SPOILER AHEAD: In Holes, an African-American man is shot for kissing Kate Barlow (who was intending to marry him).

Sophie, Pay Attention (Rhoda, You Too)!

2011-10-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Has your child ever forgotten to do his homework? Or had trouble paying attention to little details? In Susan Barnett Baun’s Sophie, Pay Attention (You Too, Rhoda)!, young Sophie is struggling with the same problem. Not only that, but Sophie’s family doubts her when she says she’s spotted a deer in their yard. Their disbelief causes no end of frustration to Sophie. Sophie knows she needs to do something… but what?

Along comes Mrs. Westfall with a Sunday School lesson about another young girl who sounds a lot like Sophie: Rhoda. Rhoda was with a group of Christians who were praying for the apostle Paul when, lo and behold, Paul comes knocking on their door. Rhoda answers it, and is so excited she forgets to let Paul in. Then when she runs to tell the others, no one believes her. Inspired by the Bible story, Sophie determines to work hard, to do the right thing about her homework, and to keep telling the truth about the deer.

The story is told in first person with age appropriate language. Sophie is a likeable character with a good heart.

What I Like: I have been a long-time advocate for Christian children’s fiction written for this age group… so it’s refreshing to see another book geared toward this particular audience. Plus the story has a good takeaway value without being preachy. It reminds me of the Natalie books by Dandi Daley Mackall (targeted toward a slightly younger age group) and the Meghan Rose books by Lori Z. Scott (for grades K-2) and Cindy Kenney's Precious Girl's Club series (geared for ages 9-12). Sophie isn't quite as well written, but it’s still an easy and enjoyable read. If your children like those series, they'll probably like Sophie too. I also LOVE the price. You can hardly go wrong when the cost is so reasonable.

What I Dislike: This is minor, but I didn’t particularly care for the first half of the opening chapter, which read like a laundry list. I would have liked a stronger opening. Even so, once the author got into the action of the story, I found it engaging and fun.

Overall Rating: Very good

Age Appeal: The publisher lists ages 6-9.

Publisher Info: Amazon Digital Services, no year listed; ASIN: B005P3NKJ0; available in Kindle version only, 23 PGS., $2.99

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy the kindle version at Amazon.com for $2.99.

God Bless Me: A Child's Prayer Book

2011-10-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

God Bless Me: A Child’s Prayer Book, written by Sophie Piper, is a collection of almost 150 short prayers for children. Some are traditional prayers and some are by well-known people like St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa, but most of them are by the author. Also, most of them are written in rhyming verse.

Here’s a sample prayer:

Dear God,
Help me to forget my
mistakes but to remember
what they taught me.

The prayers are categorized according to theme with prayers for being sorry, making amends, and holidays, amongst others. A Table of Contents lists the prayers by category. There is an Index of First Lines at the end of the book, which, as the title implies, lists the first line of each prayer alphabetically.

The illustrations by Barbara Vagnozzi are bright and expressive and work well with the text.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Lion Children’s Books, 2011; ISBN: 9780745961514; 160 pages, Hardcover, $14.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $11.99!

Or buy at Amazon.com $11.69.

Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by Sophie Piper.

Scary Spring: Our Polio Fright of 1955

2011-10-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Carol A. Hartnell has written a fun, semi-autobiographical series detailing life in the 1950s, called The Adventures of Pete and Carol Ann. Carol Ann and her friend Pete live in an era of hot rods, red vinyl and silver chrome, malt shops and neighborhood friends. However, Pete and Carol Ann must also face polio scares, vaccination shots and the grumpy old man next door.

In Scary Spring: Our Polio Fright of 1955 Carol Ann's Aunt Ruthie is a doctor working on the latest vaccine for polio. Carol Ann doesn't like shots, and her spring is overshadowed by her fear of receiving the vaccination. However, she still has plenty of time to have fun, whether she is entertaining her siblings or the beagle puppy next door, planning for Easter, or watching the teens in their fast cars. Pete is always up for helping entertain the younger kids, as long as Carol Ann's mom has warm cookies waiting!

Carol Ann and Pete learn to trust God despite a car crash, a malt shop altercation and a serious illness. They also learn about true friendship when they realize people aren't always who they seem to be.

The book includes black and white, captioned photos of the real Carol Ann, her siblings, Aunt Ruthie and polio vaccine inventor, Dr. Jonas Salk. The "Epilogue" provides additional information about Dr. Salk, a list of references, and Carol Ann's mother's recipe for chocolate chip cookies.

What I Like: Hartnell's descriptive writing puts us right into the 1950s with the characters. We can almost taste the hamburgers and malts and feel Carol Ann's misery as she has a high fever and bad dreams. We can imagine Carol Ann's pretty dress as she walks to church on Easter morning, and we laugh when we think of Pete in his clown/pirate/Peter Pan costume.

I also like the story. It was interesting to learn about Dr. Jonas Salk, who invented the polio vaccine, as well as the vaccine trials conducted across the country. Pete and Carol Ann feel like my own next-door neighbors, and I was so happy when Carol Ann found her courage and Pete learned to pray.

The book is well-written and feels more like a novel than a memoir, even though it is based on Hartnell's own experiences.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8-12, although younger children may be interested as well.

Publisher Info: Hawk Prints: Hartnell House Publishing, 2010; ISBN: 978-1-936119-19-6; Paperback, $5.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $4.99.

The book is also available at GP Goods.

Special Note: Carol Ann is afraid of shots, but overcomes her fear at the end of the book. If your own children share her fear, you may want to preview the book.

Heaven is for Real for Kids

2011-10-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

Millions of adult readers purchased the New York Times bestseller Heaven is for Real - the story of a three year old boy named Colton and his trip to heaven. And now there is a picture book version, Heaven is for Real for Kids. Written by Colton Burpo with input from Colton's parents, Todd and Sonja Burpo, the book features illustrations by Wilson Ong - who apparently had to get Colton's approval for every image, to ensure accuracy.

The picture book begins by explaining that one day Colton got sick and went to the hospital. There, he closed his eyes - and when he opened them, he was with Jesus. Then the book switches to "Colton's voice" - although parents may wish to note the story was not specifically dictated by Colton.

First, there's a description of Jesus: He really loves children, his eyes sparkle, and he has a bright smile. The accompanying picture shows Jesus with a gold crown, a purple sash, and wounds on his hands.

Colton then says Heaven has beautiful music and lots of colors, including rainbows "everywhere you look." The streets are gold and the gates are made of pearl. "There is no sun, but it never gets dark in heaven because the light of God is so bright." Everyone is happy.

Colton says that while in Heaven he met John the Baptist, King David, Samson, Peter, John, and Mary (Jesus' mother). He also met his grandfather (who died before Colton was born), and a sister who his mother miscarried. There are tons of children in heaven, and lots of angels. Michael and Gabriel "are as tall as giants" and Michael's sword "is covered in flames and is really powerful." Angels sing praises to God, "deliver messages," and "protect people on earth." The people in heaven are depicted with wings and halos, and in the notes following the story, Colton is quoted as saying, "You get to choose if you want to walk or fly." There are lots of animals in heaven, too - animals we'd recognize from earth. Jesus also has a large white horse with a rainbow colored mane.

Colton also sees God's throne. God the Father is "HUGE." Jesus sits to his right and the Holy Spirit is nearby. "A little chair was brought in for me, and I sat by God the Holy Spirit. I was praying for my dad because I knew he was really worried about me." Jesus finally says, "'Colton, you have to go back now. I am answering your dad's prayer.' Then I woke up, and was in my hospital bed again." The book ends:

"I will never, ever forget my trip to heaven...Jesus really, really loves children. And Jesus really, really loves you!"

What I Like: I can find nothing in this book that contradicts the Bible and I like that biblical quotes are included throughout.

What I Dislike: I felt cautious about introducing this book to my children. They were excited about it, to be sure. My 6 year old's eyes were as wide as saucers when I told her the little boy in the book says everything in the book is true. But I also didn't feel comfortable saying that this book presented an accurate picture of heaven. It may very well - but then again, it may not. There is plenty of information in it that's extra-biblical (that is, it includes details not included in the Bible). It's one thing for adults to read this account and use critical thinking and prayer to decide if it is accurate, but is a child looking at a picture book old enough to do this? In the end, I decided the book was a good launch pad for discussing what the Bible says about heaven, and how we might determine whether Colton really experienced heaven or not.

Overall Rating: This is a tough one to rate, but if you can accept that the account is an accurate one, I'd give it a "Very Good" rating.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8. Younger kids may like it, too, but I don't think they will have the maturity to discuss the accuracy of the account.

Publishing Info: Thomas Nelson; 2011; ISBN: 978-1400318704; hardback, 32 pgs., $14.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $10.19

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Passport to the World

2011-10-19T04:41:00.000-07:00

Passport to the World by Craig Froman is "Your A to Z Guided Language Tour." Packed with intercultural facts, this book offers a geographic journey through 26 language groups, from Armenian to Zulu.

Readers begin with a history of language. This two-page spread tells where our story begins (Genesis) and where our story will end (Revelation). The author explains how people went from one language to over 6800. Readers briefly travel from a plain in Shinar (the Middle East) to the Tower of Babel to current day. Biblical text of Genesis 11:1--9 is quoted. The author also referenced Genesis 9 and 10. Two maps reveal the seven continents and possible migration patterns of the people from Shinar. The ending? "One day God will gather His people together from every nation and language group." Revelation 7:9 is quoted in the text.

A "how to" introduction diagrams the rest of the book's format. Each of the language groups are given two pages filled with full-color photographs and information, arranged like a dozen sidebars. Photographs show that nation's money, people in traditional dress, people in current or everyday clothing, an interesting building or geographical site, and other specific national items. Meanwhile the text teaches readers:

Name of the language and where it is spoken
Fast Country Facts: This image consistently includes a map of the nation, the nation's flag, capitol, size, population, life expectancy, literacy rate, number of internet users, internet code and monetary unit.
Greeting From a Friend: This is a welcome letter introducing readers further to the country and the language. It typically includes some of the Country Facts written in paragraph form, but also expands upon those with the hidden meaning behind names and common religions practiced.
Country Proverb: a common saying among this language group
Did You Know? offers a handful of interesting facts about food, education, government, history, culture or even the land.
Speak the Language: Here readers learn how to say hello, goodbye, thank you and peace in this language. Phonetic spelling is provided.

Back matter provides even more learning opportunities. Country Facts at a Glance shows combines and ranks all the featured nations in regard to population, life expectancy, literacy, size and internet users. Name that Flag and Name that Country challenge readers to match nations with an image of their flag or the outline of the geographic territory (shape). Also provided: a removable passport and stickers.

Finally, Breaking the Language Barrier reminds us that we can help people, even if we don't speak their language. After quoting James 1:27, the author lists 10 organizations (complete with websites) that work around the world. Included are Children's Christian Hunger Network, Children's Hope Chest, The Water Project, UNICEF, Compassion International and World Vision, among others.

What I Like: Everything! This books is fantastic, not only for teaching global awareness through anthropology and geography, but also for raising mission-minded kids. I especially like that, while the United States is featured, it's not for English -- the author highlights Cherokee. This allowed my kids to learn something new in spite of their familiarity with our nation.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 9-12, but I think kids as young as 5 may enjoy it.

Publisher Info: Master Books 2010; ISBN: 0890515956; Hardback; 64 pages; $15.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $11.99!

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Ponder Learns to be Thankful

2011-10-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ponder Porcupine has everything he needs. He has a family who loves him, a warm place to sleep at night, nice clothes to wear, and plenty of food to eat. He thinks everyone has the same nice things he does.

But Ponder Learns to Be Thankful when he discovers that the Muskrat family lost their home in a flood. Now the Muskrats have no place to sleep, they have very little food to eat, and they must wear the same clothes every day.

When Ponder realizes he has so much compared to the little the Muskrat family has, he is thankful for what he has and does something special for the Muskrat family.

The story is both written and illustrated by Marla F. Jones. All of the illustrations cover a full page and are simple but expressive. A Bible verse is given at the end of the book to reference the story: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” [1 Thessalonians 5:18]

What I Like: I like the storyline. Ponder learns to be appreciate what he has when he finds out that other people don’t have much of anything. He’s not being “preached” to, he simply observes what’s going on around him and makes the connection himself.

What I Dislike: I don’t really like the layout of the book. The pages either have text on them or they have illustrations on them. There are no pages with both text and illustrations. It would have been nice if there were some pages with both illustrations and text.

Also, there is a typo in the text. It’s not a big deal, but I just thought I’d point that out.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Author House, 2010; ISBN: 9781449085704; Paperback, $13.99.

Buy now at Amazon.com $13.99!

Will I See You Today? (Faith Basics for Kids)

2011-10-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

“Nature is a good starting place to show God’s handiwork as proof of his existence, but we should not stop there. Children need to know that God also reveals himself through his Word and most importantly through his Son, Jesus Christ.”

So states authors Crystal Bowman and Ava Pennington in a detailed note to parents and teachers at the end of the book Will I See You Today? The authors quote key verses from the Bible that supports this statement. Meanwhile, on a more basic level geared for kids, the idea of the reality of God permeates the rhyming verses of this Faith Basics for Kids picture book.

As the story unfolds, a young girl marvels in the beauty of the world around her, pondering whether or not she will see God that day. Though not stated, young readers will likely point out that God is revealed through nature.

Midway through the book, she opens her Bible and reads about Jesus. After briefly summing up his life on earth, she concludes, “I see the things that you have made/ the earth, the sky, and sea./ I know that you’re in Heaven,/ but you’re also here with me.”

The illustrations, done by Dan Dunham, are simple yet expressive, and filled with a mixture of bright primary and softer pastel colors. He depicts children exploring parks and meadows, the night sky, rivers and forests, and other play areas.

What I Like: The authors do a good job of keeping an even rhythm and natural-sounding rhyme, which I feel is important. That makes the words bounce off your tongue when you read the story aloud. The predictable pattern and beat will help younger readers successfully decode unfamiliar words. I also thought the note at the end added a great amount of insight and value to the story. Without it, I would still be entertained but slower to seize on the basic faith issue being addressed in the book.

What I Dislike: The shift from everyday encounters to life in Biblical times seemed somewhat abrupt to me. However, the pictures help with the transition.

Overall Rating: Excellent for those wishing to help their children understand the concept of God as an invisible spirit.

Age Appeal: 4 and up

Publisher Info: Standard Publishing, 2010; ISBN:978-0784729175; Hardback, 32 PGS., $8.99
Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $7.19
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99.

Special Info: Read other CCBR reviews of books by Crystal Bowman. Visit Crystal Bowman's website or Ava Pennington's website.

The Magic Bicycle: The Story of a Bicycle That Found a Boy

2011-10-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

In John Bibee's unique story, young John Kramer happens upon an old, red, Spirit Flyer bicycle with unusual powers. The Magic Bicycle is the first of eight books in the Spirit Flyer series. At first, John realizes the bike can jump farther and higher than most bikes. Soon, he is flying through the air, on various adventures. However, the bike seems to have a mind of its own, and will not fly if John is angry or intends to harm someone. It seems the bike may hold a clue to the mysterious death of John's parents, as well.

As John rides the bike more, he begins to encounter sinister cobras, with red eyes and dripping fangs. Sometimes, the cobras appear in skid marks, or funnel clouds. They always are a sign of evil, regardless of where John encounters them. The cobras seem to be connected to Barry Smedlow, the leader of a school gang intent on harassing John. The cobras are also connected to the Goliath Toy Corporation. Goliath's owner (Horace Grinsby) attempts to buy the Spirit Flyer from John. When John refuses, Grinsby enlists Barry in a sinister plot and ruins the annual bicycle contest.

Finally, with the help of his grandfather, John learns the true nature of the bicycle. It is actually an instrument of the three kings, designed to bring the rider closer to the King Prince and Kingson. John also learns more clues about his parents' disappearance. Before he can process this information, he must use the bicycle to rescue his aunt, uncle and cousins. He flies into the center of a cobra cloud, and rescues them from chains holding them powerless.

What I Like: I like the allegorical nature of the story. The bicycle is analogous to the Holy Spirit. It is sensitive to John's motivations and desires, and works best when he is doing what is right. Although John can make his own choices, the bicycle becomes sluggish and eventually refuses to move, if John is doing something he knows he shouldn't. The book would also work well to explain the biblical concept of "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly high places."

I also like the sense of adventure in the story. John's town deals with strange tornadoes, unusual rainstorms, and even lightning fires. The bicycle's actions are unpredictable, and keep readers on their toes.

What I Dislike: Bibee tells too much, instead of showing readers, and letting them figure things out on their own.

Also, I bought the book for my son, but it got scarier, the more we read. The cobras and funnel clouds were creepy, and there were "daimones" that appeared dead, but were wearing masks belonging to the characters. Every person has at least one daimone assigned to him or her, whose purpose is to corrupt them, and keep them in chains.

The book ends on a cliff-hanger, with John having disappeared. This was frustrating, since it seems the evil chains were already starting to influence the family again, and we still don't know what really happened to John's parents.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Publisher lists 8-12, but I would say a bit older, due to scary images and themes.

Publisher Info: InterVarsity Press, 1983; ISBN: 978-0-87784-348-1; Paperback, 197 pages, $12.00

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.49.

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Mika in Portau Prince, Haiti: An Orphan's Story of Faith, Hope and Love

2011-10-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Author Brittany Volpei takes us into the world of orphans in Haiti with her story, Mika in Port au Prince, Haiti: An Orphan’s Story of Faith, Hope and Love. Mika is an orphan in Haiti who lives with her grandmother. But when Gran is unable to care for her, Mika goes to live with her aunt.

Mika hopes for a better life once she’s at Aunt Edna’s, but that is not to be. Her Aunt Edna sends her out into the streets to beg for money to buy food, not to feed Mika but to feed herself.

The story has a happy ending as Mika, the little girl that no one wants, eventually finds someone who loves her and cares for her. But, it’s not a happy story. It’s one that tugs at the heart strings as the story is based on the real lives of orphans in this impoverished country.

The illustrations by Neal Parrow are colorful and expressive, but they are also a bit dark, which reflects the darkness of Mika’s world.

What I Like: This story was written for a good cause, to bring the world’s attention to the plight of orphans in Haiti. In addition to the story, you will find information about the Gold Coast Orphan Alliance, which is an orphan care and adoption support ministry. You will also read about Child Hope International and the Manassero Family.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 6-10.

Publisher Info: Little Ones of the Nations, 2011; ISBN: 9780615419527; Hardcover, $13.16.

Buy now at Amazon.com $10.00!

Special Info: This book is the first in a planned series of books by the publisher. They are working on another title for the series, Martin & Edmond: Two Brothers Journey through Haiti. Read more about the books at the publisher’s website.

The Family Illustrated Bible

2011-10-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for a Bible for family devotions? Want it to have lovely illustrations and lots of Bible stories not found in most children's Bibles? Then The Family Illustrated Bible may be worth looking at.

Previously published by a secular publisher as The Children's Bible, the first thing you're likely to notice about this large volume are the illustrations, created by a team of artists. Most are in full color, and highlight a realistic style. Many are full page and simply stunning. And from time to time, full color photographs of actual artifacts or biblical locations are included, too.

Next, you'll probably notice that this storybook Bible includes many stories rarely found in children's Bibles, like Sodom and Gomorrah, Rahab and the spies, the call of Gideon, Absalom's rebellion, Jesus' temptation, John the Baptist's death, Peter's denial, and the book of Revelation. To list every story this Bible covers would require several pages, but suffice it to say that compared to other storybook Bibles, it is quite complete.

What I Liked: The illustrations are lovely and a strong attraction for both my 6 year old and my nearly 3 year old. I also appreciate the inclusion of many Bible stories not found in most children's Bibles, and both my kids and I enjoyed many of the sections offering a bit of background on biblical history, artifacts, and locales.

What I Dislike: I'm not sure what age is really the target audience here. Many of the stories include graphic detail I personally don't want to read to my children. For example, in the story of Potiphar's wife, we read that she "tried to seduce him...[she] believed herself to be irresistible." I'd rather the author supply parents with an easier way to explain what all this means, as certain other children's Bibles do. Parents might also be surprised to find the story of how Jephthah killed his daughter for God. Yes, it's biblically accurate, but are you ready to explain this story to your child? And when I got to the story of Abaslom's rape of his sister, Tamar, I shad to stop reading aloud. The book reads: "When they were alone, he grabbed her. She struggled and tried to fend him off. Afterward, he sent her away in disgrace." Just how am I supposed to explain this to my children without explaining what rape is?

The stories seem more appropriate for teens - or maybe tweens. Yet I doubt many kids in this age group want a "childish" illustrated storybook Bible.

In addition to this, I notice some of the information about the history of the Bible is...well, inaccurate or misleading. For example, the Gospel of Thomas - not in the Bible - is included in the section on the Gospels, as if it is equal with them. In addition, the Bible stories themselves sometimes contain questionable phrasing. For example, at one point God "worries." In the story of the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites cross over muddy ground, even though the Bible clearly says the ground was dry. Little things like that.

Overall Rating: Sadly, I can only give this book a Ho-Hum rating.

Age Appeal: The publisher doesn't offer a guideline, but I don't feel it's appropriate for kids younger than the tween years.

Publishing Info: New Leaf; 2011; ISBN: 978-0892217045; hardback, 356 pgs., $24.99.

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The Barber Who Wanted to Pray

2011-10-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to encourage your kids to show interest in family devotions or you want to give them ideas on developing a prayer life, R.C. Sproul's The Barber Who Wanted to Pray could be just the thing for your family.

The story begins with Mr. McFarland, a father who sits down nightly with his children to read the Bible and pray. One of his younger children complains her prayers are too simple and "weak." How can she learn to pray as beautifully as her daddy? So her father tells his children a tale from history:

Once there was a skilled barber named Peter who spotted an outlaw in his shop. The barber knew the man was wanted dead or alive, but he said nothing while he finished shaving another customer. When the outlaw finally sat down for a shave, Peter thought about the fact that he could easily press too hard with his razor, killing the outlaw and earning a lavish reward. But he didn't...because the outlaw was his hero.

The outlaw is none other than Martin Luther, who had made the "whole church...better because the reformer had been brave enough to stand up for the truth of the gospel of Jesus, as no one had since the days of the apostles." He had "recovered the gospel from darkness." Which got him in trouble with the powers that be.

Instead of turning Luther in, Peter asks him how he can learn to better pray. In response, Luther writes a book for Peter, called A Simple Way to Pray. He suggests Peter and others begin by "praying through" the Lord's Prayer.

"Think about the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name.' When you think about these words, allow you mind and your heart to give careful attention to what these words say, and let them move you to deeper prayer....like this: 'O, God, it's hard for me to believe that You are really willing to be my heavenly Father. In our family, we have our father, whom we love, but You are the Father of all of us who put our faith in Jesus. It's because Jesus is Your Son and through Him You have adopted us into Your family, that we have the privilege to pray to You as our Father..."

Luther suggests the same process for "praying through" the Ten Commandments and the Apostle's Creed.

This story excites Mr. McFarland's children, and they can't wait to try it themselves.

The book ends with the full text of the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed.

What I Liked: First and foremost, T. Lively Fluharty's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Set in shadowy circumstances, the images evoke classic art. They, alone, may hold your child's attention. I also appreciate the ideas about prayer presented here.

What I Dislike: It's not easy to critique the well known minister and theologian R.C. Sproul, but a better writer could have made this book more interesting. As it is, the book is short on story and big on "how tos." I would have preferred either a full fledged nonfiction book or a picture book with more emphasis on the story. This book did not hold the attention of my 6 year old, who normally can enjoy almost any book.

Overall Rating: Despite this book's flaws, it does offer parents some good ideas about teaching their children about prayer. I give it a rating of Good for younger children and Very Good for older children.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but I think it will better hold the interest of children 8 and up.

Publishing Info: Crossway; 2011; ISBN: 978-1433527036; hardback, 40 pgs., $17.99.

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other R.C. Sproul books here. Read our reviews of illustrator T. Lively Fluharty's books here. Read Martin Luther's (adult) book A Simple Way to Pray.