The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Barbara Robinson's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a classic for good reason. It's full of laughs (including some real belly laughs), is a quick read, and offers up a deeper truth that's as relevant today as it was when the book was first published in 1971.

The story begins by introducing the Herdmans - a large family of children well known as local hoodlums. Whenever a fire starts or a kid has a black eye, the town can be pretty sure one or more of the Herdman children are to blame.

When it's time for the local church to put on their Christmas pageant - an event that hasn't changed one iota for who knows how long, the woman who usually directs the show is unable to because of an illness. So Mother (the mother of the child "writing" the story) takes over the job. The trouble is, somebody told the Herdman kids Sunday school involves refreshments; they'd never been to church before, but suddenly they come every week, drinking up all the communion juice and taking money from the offering plate. And when all the children gather together to learn what parts they will play, only the Herdmans volunteer for the main parts. (All the other kids are too afraid of getting punched by a Herdman to dare compete for a role.)

And so it is that every character from Mary and Joseph to the Wise Men and the Angel end up being played by the rough and tumble Herdmans. The Herdmans, however, have never heard the Christmas story - and when they learn it, things both hysterical and tender begin happening. Yes, the Herdman playing Mary smokes cigars in the ladies' room, and yes, the fire department is called, but the Christmas pageant ends up being the best ever produced at the church, with the Wise Men bringing the Christ child an unusual (if precious) gift, Mary crying quietly at the wonder of Jesus, and the Angel fiercely telling everyone, "Hey! Unto you a child is born!"

What I Like: Nearly everything! This story had me and my children laughing hysterically and the kids kept saying, "Just one more chapter, Mommy! Please?" I didn't mind because the story is tight, well written, and easy to read out loud. And did I mention funny? But The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is more than just laughs. The author's insights about the church community (not always as open as they should be to the "wrong" kind of people) and the profound meaning of Christmas are beautiful. And, chances are, you and your kids will spend the next month randomly crying out: "Hey! Unto you a child is born!"

What I Dislike: These aren't necessarily dislikes, but things I think parents should be aware of. One of the Herman children says "My God!" three times - each time in reference to something shocking that happened in the biblical Christmas story. The first time, the author mentions that "swearing in church" is not something to be approved. (The last time "My God!" is used, you can't help but laugh. The Herdmans have just heard the angel say Jesus' will be called "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace," and one Herdman says, "He'd never get out of the first grade if he had to write all that!")

Parents should also be aware this book is very honest. For example, when the Pastor asked Mother if the pageant is going to work out okay, she defensively tells him she thinks the pageant will be the best ever. Her daughter (who is supposedly writing the book) calls it the biggest lie Mother has ever told.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 6 and up.

Publishing Info: HarperCollins; ISBN: 978-0064402750; paperback, 128 pgs., $5.99.

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Special Info: This book is also available as a picture book, a play script, and is available as a movie version on DVD.

The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie

If you are like me, you may have overlooked George MacDonald's classics, The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie. These classic fairy tales have an enduring appeal, a Christian worldview and a timeless message.  

We begin the story with Princess Irene as a little girl, living with her king-papa, in a gorgeous castle.  She is a typical princess--sweet, kind, caring and content. She loves the flowers, birds, servants and especially her nurse, Lootie.

One day, Princess Irene is exploring the castle and ends up following a mysterious set of stairs to the rooftop, where she meets her beautiful great great grandma. Her great great grandmama is mysterious as well, and appears at various times as an old woman at a spinning wheel, or as a younger maiden.  Grandma Irene dotes on the little princess, and gives her a magic ring which will lead her by a thread if she is ever in trouble. The little princess is enthralled, but very disappointed when she returns home and Lootie doesn't believe her adventure. Instead, Lootie scolds Princess Irene for hiding and making up stories.

One night the princess becomes frightened, and her ring leads her to Curdie, a brave miner boy who has been spying on the goblins in the mountain, hoping to prevent their evil schemes. PLOT SPOILER AHEAD:  The princess and Curdie have many adventures, and ultimately thwart the goblin's despicable plans. Through it all, Princess Irene must keep her faith in her great great grandmama, even when others doubt her very existence.

In The Princess and Curdie,  Princess Irene has grown into a young lady, and Curdie is called on by the queen (Grandma Irene) to assist the princess and her ailing king-papa. Curdie wisely uses the gifts he is given by the queen, and proves his faithfulness and bravery with the help of an assortment of unexpected creatures.

What I Like:  MacDonald writes fascinating fairy tale adventures, sure to appeal to boys and girls alike. While girls will be taken with the little princess, boys will enjoy watching Curdie defeat the goblins with bravery and a sense of humor. There is enough action to keep readers turning pages long after bedtime.

I also like the numerous allegorical parallels in the books. Princess Irene's faith in her great great grandma, despite others skepticism, can help us talk about what it means to believe in Jesus, even when others doubt his existence. Also, the great great grandma appears in many forms, including a Queen, an old lady, a servant, and the Lady of the Silver Moon. These various aspects of the great great grandma mirror different aspects of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. There are many more parallels to be found, if readers look for them.  

I enjoyed reading the books because George MacDonald was one of C. S. Lewis' primary influences.  Lovers of Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia will quickly recognize the writing style and themes present in MacDonald's books.

What I Dislike:  Very little, but I should mention some of the scenes and creatures are a bit scary for younger readers late at night. PLOT SPOILER AHEAD: Readers may be disappointed that the last couple paragraphs in The Princess and Curdie take us from a happy ending to a sad ending again.

 Overall Rating:  Excellent

Age Appeal:  8 and up, though younger readers may enjoy the books as read-alouds.

Publisher Info: Puffin Classics, 2011; ISBN:97801413332482; Paperback, 272 pages, $4.99

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Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress

Once upon a time, in a dreary prison, a man named John Bunyan started seeing images. He wrote them down. His images became Pilgrim's Progress, one of the most famous English-language books ever written. Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress, is an abridged version, edited by Oliver Hunkin, complete with graphic illustrations by Alan Perry.

Christian lives in the City of Destruction, and he learned that the city is doomed to be destroyed with fire from heaven. His family and neighbors are concerned, feeling he's contracted an illness. Still troubled, Christian sets out on a quest, not knowing where he's headed. Immediately, he meets Evangelist, who instructs him to keep the "shining light in your eye" and he'll eventually reach a gate. Without a glance back, Christian heads off, despite the cries of his wife and children.

As Christian continues on his journey, he carries a burden, and meets many people, some who try to sway him off his path. He meets Evangelist again, who sets him back on the right road, and Christian remembers the words from the Book: "For narrow is the gate and few are they who find it."

Obstacles, detours, and new friends abound as Christian progresses to the Celestial City - but just as his eyes land on the city, he faces one last problem: the River of Death in the Valley of the Shadow. But God hadn't forsaken Christian, and he feels renewed strength when the sun becomes visible through the mist. He reaches the shore and climbs the hill to the City where he's greeted by the King's Own Trumpeters.

What I Like: First, an admission: I inwardly groaned when I received this book for review. I read a version of The Pilgrim's Progress when I was homeschooled, and hated it. So I had a hard time setting aside my preconceived notions about this book before even cracking it open. Happily, this version surprised me, and I was quickly drawn into the story.

As for what I like, I do have to say the artwork is brilliant. This version of the book was originally released in the 1980s, and it harkens back to some of the cartoons (like the animated "Lord of the Rings" or "The Hobbit') of the era. According to the copyright, this was done for Yorkshire Television Ltd., and a quick check of Amazon shows a DVD for $14.99 to accompany. I've not seen this, but it may be a good thing to have on hand for your kids, too.

The book itself is beautiful, a true classic that should be kept on your shelf for repeated enjoyment.

What I Dislike: The language is a bit old-fashioned, and more than once there are instances of British spellings. Not a huge deal, but I'd honestly like to see an updated version of the story that makes it easier for kids to understand. The dress and mindset of the 1600s can be difficult to relate to.

Also, some of the images are a little creepy, so for younger or more sensitive children, it may not be the best book to read right before bedtime.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 7 - 12, though, as noted above, there are some frightening images which accompany the story. Use discretion.

Publisher Info: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1985; ISBN: 0-8028-3619-4; Hardback, 126 PGS., $25.00

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Heidi

One of my favorite things about having a fourth-grader is rediscovering classics I loved as a young girl. When my daughter read Johanna Spyri's classic, Heidi, I decided to reread it too. I was pleasantly surprised by both the characterization, and the Christian message.

When orphaned Heidi is sent to live with her reclusive grandfather, the townspeople shake their heads in dismay. They never dream the five-year-old will thrive in the Swiss mountains, running with the goats and breathing the Alpine air. It comes as a shock to everyone when Heidi's aunt returns three years later and demands she live in town as a companion to an invalid. Although Heidi loves Klara, learns to read and gains civilized manners, she is terribly homesick. She loses weight and eventually begins sleepwalking. Klara's grandmamma teaches Heidi to pray and trust Jesus, and soon, He answers her prayers. Klara's father realizes Heidi's health is suffering and returns her to the Alps.

After she returns home, Heidi wastes no time in leading her bitter grandfather to Christ. She is also a delight to her friend, Peter, and his blind grandmother. Heidi receives visitors from town, including her doctor and Klara's family. In the ultimate happy ending, Heidi and her grandfather teach Klara to walk.

What I Like: Heidi's empathetic, gentle spirit, combined with her determination, are very inspiring. Heidi strives to do the right thing, and never gives up. She genuinely loves the people she meets and has a way of showing them the light of Christ.

I also like the way Klara's grandmamma teaches Heidi about Jesus. He is a friend to her, and she shows the girls how to be friends with Him as well.

Heidi's adventures, both in the Alps and in town, are, by turns, funny, unexpected, and heart-warming.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8-12, though younger children may enjoy an abridged version

Publisher Info: Dover Publications, 2000; ISBN: 978-0486412351 ; Paperback, 279 pages, $3.99

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Anne of Green Gables

No matter how many times I read it, Anne of Green Gables makes me laugh out loud, get tears in my eyes, and breathe audible sighs of relief. L.M. Montgomery's turn-of-the-century tale about a red-headed orphan with a fiery temper and a wild imagination is timeless in it's charm and appeal. Montgomery's spot-on characterization, coupled with her delightful descriptions of Canada's Prince Edward Island make Anne of Green Gables a pleasure to read over and over again.

When shy Matthew Cuthbert heads to the train station to pick up a boy to live with him and his sister and help with chores, he never imagines he will be driving home with an eccentric, talkative young girl. He immediately finds a place for her in his heart, but strict, taciturn Marilla isn't so sure she is up for raising a girl. Anne quickly wins her over too, and we realize, as the story progresses, how much Marilla cherishes Anne, for all her harsh ways.

Anne is always getting into scrapes, and needing help to get out of them, but Marilla's firm guidance, Matthew's adoration, and the love of her teacher and the minister's wife all combine to teach Anne to be a wonderful, responsible and diligent young lady. The book ends with Matthew's death, which always makes me cry. However, the last sentence of the book, Anne says, "God's in His Heaven and all's right with the world."

If you have young girls in your life who haven't started the Anne books, Christmas would be a perfect time to introduce them to the series. The books follow Anne's life from the time she was adopted by Matthew and Marilla at twelve, through her time at teacher's college, teaching in various schools, marriage, and the birth of her own children. Many of the books highlight Christmas and winter, as well as other seasons and holidays throughout the years.

What I Like: Everything!

Particularly, it is such a joy to read an old classic and realize how central faith in Christ was to authors and their characters. There is a funny scene where Marilla asks Anne to say her prayers, and is horrified when Anne proceeds to address God in a business-letter format. There is also a delightful section where Anne speaks of the minister's wife and says, "I never knew before that religion was such a cheerful thing. . . I'd like to be a Christian if I could be one like her. . . I can just feel she's glad she's a Christian and would be one even if she could get to Heaven without it."

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8 and up

Publisher Info: Random House, 1908 (reprint 1998); ISBN: 978-0553609-417; Paperback, 497 pages, $47.92 (Box set of all eight volumes)

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Silas Marner

If you are looking for a warm-hearted classic to challenge teen readers, Silas Marner would be an excellent choice. George Eliot (pen name used by Mary Anne Evans) uses skillful characterization and pastoral settings to produce the compelling tale of one man's transformation from reclusive miser to doting father.

When Silas is unjustly accused of theft and run out of his hometown, he begins a new life, without God or any human friendships. He is an expert weaver, and quickly gains wealth, but people still eye him suspiciously wherever he goes. Silas' days become a pattern of working, and admiring his gold coins. One day, he is robbed, and shortly thereafter he finds a golden-haired baby on his hearth. In his eccentric way, Silas thinks the baby is replacement for his gold, and remains determined to care for her. Through the baby, Eppie's, sweet disposition and his neighbor Dolly's motherly wisdom, Silas begins to trust people and find happiness again. His world is turned upside down for the better, and he even begins attending church again. Silas and Eppie's happiness is momentarily threatened when her biological father decides to reveal himself, but Eppie's sweet, loyal nature remains true to Silas to the end.

Despite Eliot's personal quarrels with the Anglican church, the novel is profoundly Christian, detailing Silas' disillusionment with faith and later, his deepened understanding of sin, forgiveness, grace and redemption. Church traditions and biblical passages are widely referenced, with some explanatory footnotes included.

What I Like: Eliot does an excellent job showing how small, seemingly insignificant events work to change Silas from a grumpy, old miser, into a loving, content father. The change happens little by little, and is not only believable, but wonderful to behold.

I also like the twists and turns the plot takes. We know who Eppie's natural father is, but Eppie and Silas do not, and we are never quite sure what will happen when the truth is revealed. Also, the mystery of Silas' stolen money is not solved until the end of the novel, so there is plenty to keep more adventurous readers turning the page.

What I Dislike: I wish Eliot spent a little more time with the characterization of Godfrey Cass. It was hard to believe someone could be so weak-minded and self-centered. Also, a couple aspects of the plot seemed a bit too convenient.

Overall Rating: Very good

Age Appeal: Young adult (14-21)

Publisher Info: Barnes and Noble Classics, 2005; ISBN: 978-1-59308-251-2; Paperback, $6.95

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Special Note: The Barnes and Noble version I read includes two of Eliot's short stories, but I haven't actually read them yet. :)

The Swiss Family Robinson

Even if you don't remember reading The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann Wyss, you probably remember seeing the movie. My daughter and I recently read the Great Illustrated Classic version, adapted by Eliza Gatewood Warren, for our neighborhood book club, and I was surprised by how much the book focuses on God's provision.

When the Robinson family is shipwrecked on their way from Switzerland to New Guinea, they realize they must rely on God to save and sustain them. At the very beginning, their ship is in a fierce storm and the crew deserts them. Their father, a preacher, tells them "God will save us for nothing is impossible to him," and leads them in a prayer. He and his wife, Elizabeth, keep a prayerful watch through the night and wait for the storm to abate.

Before long, the family is on shore and exploring a deserted island full of amazing animals, charming locations, and hidden dangers. They tame and ride ostriches, donkeys, and buffalo. They train an eagle to hunt, and a monkey to collect figs, and they raise chickens, angora rabbits, a whole menagerie of livestock. They also build a summer home in a tree house, and a winter dwelling in a cave. Various family members survive encounters with quicksand, boa constrictors, and rough seas. Through all their adventures, the family never forgets to thank God for their safety and food.

After ten years, they find a shipwrecked girl disguising herself as a sailor on the other side of the island. Soon after Emily joins the family, a British ship, sent by Emily's father, arrives to bring her home. Some of the sailors decide to stay with the Robinsons and live on the island, and two of the Robinson boys return to England on the ship.

The book includes heavy ink drawings with captions from the text on the right side of every spread.

What I Like: I really enjoyed reading this book. The family has adventure after adventure, but God is always with them. I had forgotten how much I liked this book as a child. I remember pretending to catch turtle eggs, and dreaming of living in a giant tree house. My daughter's imagination was captivated by the book as well.

I also like how strong the father is. He is a great storyteller, a resourceful leader, and he acknowledges God throughout the book. On the two-year anniversary of the shipwreck, he organizes a holiday to celebrate "how good God has been to us."

I was impressed with the Great Illustrated Classic version. The original language is rather old-fashioned and difficult, but this adaptation is written in more simple English, with drawings to support the text. This makes it perfect to read aloud to younger children. It also would be an engaging read for older, reluctant readers.

What I Dislike: My daughter noted, and I agree, lots of animals die. The boys tend to shoot first and examine later, so many exotic creatures we would typically see in zoos get shot. (A kangaroo, tortoise, walrus, and flamingo, to name a few.)

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Publisher lists 9-12, but I would say children as young as 5 would be interested, as well as high school students.

Publisher Info: ABDO Publishing Company, 2002; ISBN:1-57765-801-9 ; Hardcover, $21.35

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Our Favorite Mainstream Holiday Books

Here at Christian Children's Book Review, we've posted about many Christian Thanksgiving and Christmas books for kids, but today we wanted to share a few of our mainstream or secular holiday favorites.

Christine tells me her favorite mainstream Thanksgiving book is The Thanksgiving Bowl, by Virginia Kroll. She describes the book this way:

"Grandma Grace had a Thanksgiving tradition. When you arrived at her house, you used the pad of paper and pencil on the hallway table to write down what you were thankful for and placed your paper in the 'Thanksgiving Bowl.' After all the food had been eaten, while everyone still sat at the table, Grandma read each note in turn and all in attendance at the meal tried to guess who might have written each note."

Sounds like this book could be the start of a new Thanksgiving tradition in your house, too.

Robin says her favorite mainstream Christmas book is out of print, but still available through many online sources. She writes:

"Norman Rockwell’s Christmas Book has something for all ages, and there’s much more than the beautiful, nostalgic paintings. My children love the poetry and traditional hymns. I love the short fiction section and the Bible stories of the first Christmas. There is even a Christmas Dinner menu from Fannie Farmer’s 1896 cookbook, featuring Roast Goose with Potato Stuffing."

Happily, this book will be re-released this year.

Personally, I can't imagine Christmas without reading classics like A Christmas Carol, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Night Before Christmas.

My favorite edition of the latter has illustrations by Mary Engelbreit, whose work is vivid, colorful, detailed, and always lots of fun. Her edition of The Night Before Christmas is outstanding.

My daughter also really loves Engelbreit's Merry Little Christmas, which is an A to Z guide to Christmas through the eyes of a mouse family. Although it mentions Santa and elves, there is one mention of the true meaning of Christmas: "A is for angel/Atop a tall tree/Aglow with the light of/What Christmas should be."

In our families, we keep the focus of Thanksgiving and Christmas on God, but sometimes its fun and useful to delve into classics (or the future's classics) for a glimpse at what we can be thankful for, how Christmas was celebrated in the past, and how we should treat others. Consider adding a few mainstream classics to your family bookshelf this holiday season!

Tanya's Top 10 Kids' Books

10. Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room by Jan and Stan Berenstain. This title teaches the importance of caring properly for your things and your space: how to sort and organize toys and how to know when it's time to get rid of certain things. The result - an orderly, neat room - allows for more fun and shows respect to those around you.

9. The American Girl Collection by various authors. This collection, obviously targeting young girls, provides nonfiction books that cover everything from relationships and personal hygiene to crafts, and fiction titles that teach American history through the lives of peers. The most recent (written by Jacqueline Dembar Greene) takes place in 1914 and centers on Rebecca, a Russian Jewish immigrant who lives in New York City.

8. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Rife with adventure, fantastical creatures, danger and intrigue, this seven-book series offers a beautiful allegory of biblical truth. Readers may enjoy the surface story or dive deeper into its thematic and spiritual relevance.

7. Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery. An orphaned girl with nothing but her spunk and imagination discovers where she belongs in the early 1900s. Anne's fiery personality juxtaposed with her sensitive heart cause readers to fall almost instantly in love with her.

6. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. In a world where status, money and gender play all the cards, four girls who grow to become women with the gentle, wise guidance of their mother and a desperate love for literature and the arts.

5. The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow. A young prodigy who quickly tires of each instrument he masters, and in the end he decides composing is his favorite gig. This author loves words and plays beautifully with them, creating unique poetic rhythms with an extraordinary vocabulary.

4. Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. The author's watercolor illustrations are timeless, her text whimsical, her characters unforgettable.

3. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm. This book is not a traditional Bible, but rather looks at Scripture as one big picture. From Genesis to Revelation, what is the central theme and purpose of the Bible? This story book answers those questions with truth and cohesive logic. Click here to learn more in our full review.

2. The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne. I adore the sweet language and meter of the text, the tender illustrations, the innocence and humor. Because they are broken into chapters, the complete collection is a perfect choice for transitional readers.

1. The Writings of Shel Silverstein. This year is the 35th anniversary of Where the Sidewalk Ends. I grew up reading these poems and still treasure them. In The Giving Tree, Falling Up, A Light in the Attic and others readers find writings that are silly, fun, strange and profound.

Robin's Top 10 Kids' Books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Erin's Top 10 Kids' Books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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