A Horse For Kate

A horse of her own would be awesome. But Kate figures that might be a long way away, especially since she had to give up riding lessons and move to her late grandfather's farm. Besides, it would be a lot more fun to have a best friend to ride with. When Kate discovers a barn on their new farm that's perfect for a horse, and a dusty bridle too, she starts to think that her dream might come true. Then she meets Tori at school, who is totally the best. So when they discover a thoroughbred that appears to be all alone, could it be the answer to her prayers? Maybe. If she can convince her dad ... and figure out what's going on with that horse.

What I Like: In the span of a short chapter book, the story covered many issues that kids ages 8-12 would surely face at school and at a home like being the new kid in a new school, making friends, mean kids, doing chores and parental rules. I think middle grade readers can truly relate to the language and character traits of both Kate and Tori.

The author skillfully blended in the dynamics of a household with an autistic child into the plot while not making it overpower her main storyline. Both of the girls in the story already have a faith based background and occasionally turn to prayer without being prompted to do so. They are good realistic role models for young readers.

What I Dislike: Non-horse enthusiasts may find some of the jargon a little confusing.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: 8-12 years old

Publisher Info: David C. Cook; 2015; ISBN: 9780781411141; ePub & Paperback, $7.99

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Special Info: The book includes a scene where a character encounters racism.

Zippy and the Stripes of Courage

For those who look or feel different than everybody else, author Candida Sullivan offers an encouraging story about a zebra without stripes. The book, Zippy and the Stripes of Courage, starts in Zippy’s home. He wants to play with the other zebras but he is afraid to join them because he doesn’t look like they do. He feels uncomfortable and ashamed when other animals stare at him or tease him about his appearance.
One day, Zippy comes across a group of young zebras. They fear him, thinking he’s a ghost, but when Zippy explains his condition, they invite him to play. All is well until the group decides to head to a dangerous part of the Grassy Plains. The zebras think that the one with the widest stripes is the bravest, so they follow a striped leader across a murky stream. Zippy doesn’t follow. At once, his new friends make fun of him, causing Zippy to question why God made him different.
The zebras don’t laugh long… hyenas and hungry crocodiles attack them. They beg Zippy to help them escape. At first, Zippy refuses until a wise owl reminds him that “we are supposed to treat others how we want to be treated, not how they’ve treated us” and tells him that “true bravery is doing the right thing even when you’re scared.”
Thinking fast, Zippy pretends to be a ghost and frightens the hyenas away. Then, inspired by Zippy’s bravery, the hungry crocodiles allow the group to pass to safety. The story ends with Zippy being accepted for who he is… a zebra without stripes.
The illustrations, done by Jack Foster, are simple, bright, cartoony, and kid-friendly. For the most part, every two-page spread in the book is set up to show text on side and the illustration on the other.
At the end of the book, Dr. Rick Metrick (a Licensed Professional Counselor) offers discussion suggestions which help parents and therapists use the book “as a springboard to help physically deformed children face, accept, and overcome their individual struggles.” The topics contain Scripture references as well. In addition, Sullivan provides information about Amniotic Band Syndrome, a condition she lived through.
What I Like: For me, the discussion suggestions were the best part of the story because they help make the book a useful tool for working with children who ask, “Why me?” Plus the illustrations were cute. Though geared for children with deformities, I suspect the story would encourage any child who feels like a misfit.
What I Dislike: Nothing. It was a good story to read, but not a must-have story on my list.
Overall Rating: Very Good.
Age Appeal: None given, but I suggest preschool- grade 1.
Publisher Info: ShadeTree Publishing, 2011; ISBN:978-1937331085; Paperback, 42 pgs., $13.99.
This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
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Special Info: Check out Candida’s book Underneath the Scars or the Kindle version. It’s geared for adults or parents of affected children about how she overcame challenges related to Amniotic Band Syndrome at http://underneaththescars.blogspot.com/ . Also, here are some of my favorite mainstream books on the topic of being/feeling different that readers might find helpful: Tacky the Penguin, Al, the Spotted Zebra, and Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon.

The Bed and Bisket Gang: Everybody's Different

In The Bed and Bisket Gang: Everybody’s Different, written and illustrated by M. Rene DePaulis, Sarah is a young girl whose family has just moved to a farm, a farm they call The Bed & Bisket. Sarah starts out with only two dogs that she takes with her, but by the end of the book she has taken in a menagerie of creatures to care for.

Each animal that Sarah takes in has special needs or is “different” in some way: There’s Chloe, an abused, abandoned dog that Sarah finds under a bush; Black Lamb, a sheep that is hard-of-hearing; Mother Utter, a cow whose milk has dried up; and Ahw-ee, a donkey who walks backwards, among others. All of the animals can talk. Except for the last chapter, each one is in essence a short story of how each animal (or group of animals) came into Sarah’s life and what she did to help them.

Small, pencil-sketch illustrations are included at the beginnings of most of the chapters that provide a visual representation of the subject matter of those chapters.

A Bible verse from Matthew 25:40 is given as a reference for the story: “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, what ever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

An epilogue is included at the end of the book the talks about different types of disabilities. Also, a code is provided in the book that can be used to download an audio copy of the text.

What I Like: This is a story about being different and how we all need God’s love. The book’s message is: “Jesus is on the inside working on the outside. Everybody’s different. God loves all of us and uses all of us.”

What I Dislike: Although the idea for the story is a good one, the writing is weak. The author uses vocabulary and sentence structures that are not kid-friendly.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 9-12.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing, 2009; ISBN: 9781606966686; Paperback, $8.99.

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Natalie and the Bestest Friend Race

It's difficult to find read-to-me or beginning reader chapter books for Christian kids, so Dandi Daley Mackall's Natalie series is most welcome in our household.

In Natalie and the Bestest Friend Race, our impish protagonist Nat tells the story of how she accidentally told her best friend Laurie's secret. In their kindergarten class, Laurie goes into what nasty Peter-the-Not-So-Great calls the "dumb" reading group. Nat tries to defend her friend, blurting out that she has dyslexia - a secret Laurie wanted kept. When Laurie learns everyone in their class knows of her reading difficulty, she's deeply hurt to find out Nat is the source of it all.

So when it comes time to pick teams for the Kindergarten Olympics, Laurie doesn't chose Nat. Instead, they end up on opposing teams. Worse, Laurie starts hanging out with Not-So-Nice Sasha.

As Nat tries to work out her feelings of guilt, sadness, and anger over her best friend no longer being her best friend, she learns she's pretty good at jumping hurdles - her sport in the Kindergarten Olympics. In fact, she's almost sure to win the hurdling competition - until Laurie falls and Nat rushes to help her. Nat blurts out a heartfelt apology, and Laurie forgives her. Nat looses the race, but she and Laurie hold hands and cross the finish line together.

Throughout, black and white illustrations by Lys Blakeslee add interest.

What I Like: Mackall is good at getting into the head of Nat; the first person prose certainly rings true. The story also gives parents and young children an excellent opportunity to talk about good sportsmanship, loyalty, and the ups and downs of friendship. And while Nat admits she doesn't understand why God would allow Laurie to have dyslexia ("This does not seem like a fair thing. And right then, right there, I whisper this to God. I hope it doesn't hurt God's feelings, but I tell him I don't like that he let Laurie have 'slexia...And I wish he hadn't made that mistake with my friend. That's what."), she also learns God never makes mistakes.

What I Dislike: I really dislike children's books that use incorrect English. Throughout, Mackall's Nat calls Laurie her "bestest friend" and at one point, Nat states that something "works pretty good."

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but most kids don't want to read about "little kids" who are younger than they are.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0310715702; paperback, $4.99

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other Natalie books. Also check out our reviews of other books by Dandi Daley Mackall.

God Made Our Bodies

In God Made Our Bodies, Heno Head, Jr. offers another terrific beginning science book, suitable as a read-to-me or early independent reader book.

In this book, "Dr. Heno" introduces us to the basics of how our bodies work. The book begins by explaining that Psalm 139:14 says God made our bodies in an amazing and wonderful way. For example, he knew our bodies would need strength, so he gave us bones.

"When Noah made the ark, he first built a frame to give the ark shape. Our bodes are the frame for our bodies. They give us shape!"

The accompanying illustration by Rusty Fletcher shows a skeleton-like Noah building the ark's frame. Our bones come in many shapes and sizes, we also learn, and the place where our bones come together are called joints.

God also gave us many parts to help us digest food, which ends up in our cells. Cells, we learn, are so small we can't even see them. We also learn a bit about nerve cells in the brain, the five senses, muscles, blood, lungs, and several other body parts. The author acknowledges that

"Some people may have parts that work a little differently from other people. Maybe their eyes don't see. Or their legs don't move...But God loves them just the same. He made them in a special way...God loves us so much that he gave each person a different, special body, so no one is quite like anyone else in the world. Psalm 139:14 is right. We are wonderfully made. We are made by a wonderful God!"

What I Like: I love that God is not an afterthought in this book. While reading this slim volume, we easily gasp not only how wonderfully made our bodies are, but also who, exactly, made them so wonderfully. The illustrations by Rusty Fletcher are also colorful, fun, and useful in helping us to understand the science. This is an excellent introduction to the body.

What I Dislike: One page says nerves "are like telephone wires that let the brain talk to all the other parts of the body." As more and more families ditch land lines and use cell phones, some kids may not understand this analogy.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 3 - 7.

Publishing Info: Standard, 2005; ISBN: 978-0784717011; paperback, $2.29

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by Heno Head, Jr.

Jake's New Friend

Jake’s New Friend, written by prolific author Crystal Bowman, is part of the Zonderkidz I Can Read! series of books. The story deals with the issue of disabilities.

Jake goes to the park with his family (his mom, dad, and sister). While there, they meet another family with two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is in a wheelchair. Jake’s sister runs off to play with the other girl. When Jake’s father suggests he play with Tom, the boy in the wheelchair, Jake doesn’t want to. Jake knows Tom can’t run or walk so Jake’s sure it wouldn’t be any fun to play with Tom.

His father says, “God gave you strong legs. You can walk and run fast. You can even climb trees. But Tom can do other things. Ask him what he likes to do.” Jake agrees to do so.

When Jake approaches Tom, Tom is making a plane with building blocks. Jake asks, “Can I help?” Tom lets him and the two build planes. Then they have a race with Jake on foot and Tom in his wheelchair. Jake finds out that Tom can do a lot of things, even if he is in a wheelchair.

The cartoon-like illustrations, by Karen Maizel, are vivid, colorful and full of detail. They are sure to delight your child.

What I Like: I like this easy-to-read version of a story about kids learning that kids with disabilities can do lots of things, lots of positive things.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2008; ISBN: 0310716780; Paperback, $3.99.

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Special Info: According to the publisher, this book is a Level 2 reader, which are “high-interest stories for developing readers.”

Visit the author’s website. Read a blurb about the illustrator at the Zondervan website. Read our reviews of other books in the Zonderkidz I Can Read! series.

In Jesse's Shoes

If you've ever wondered how to teach your child about kids with special needs (or if you're suddenly thinking, "Oh yeah, that's something I should talk to my child about!"), In Jesse's Shoes is an excellent way to bring up the topic. This picture book is written by Beverly Lewis, better known as the best selling author of novels about the Amish, but Lewis is uniquely qualified to write a book about disabled children. Not only was she once a teacher, but she's the adoptive mother of several disabled kids. As should be expected by her background, she treats this subject with sensitivity and depth.

In Jesse's Shoes is narrated by Allie, a girl with an older brother named Jesse...who happens to be disabled. As the book opens, she's walking Jesse to the school bus - and is annoyed because this activity is always such a chore. Jesse lingers to look at caterpillars, staring for what seems like forever. Although she knows Jesse is "just wired differently," she can't help but feel sorry for herself. Why can't she have a "regular" brother? Then some other kids begin making fun of Jesse - and, Allie is sure - her, too. As Jesse rides off in the short yellow bus, she feels nothing but relief.

Allie feels guilty. She knows it's not Jesse's fault. She knows she should do a much better job of sticking up for her brother. But she's embarrassed - and she wonders why God made her brother so...weird. Jesse gets his words jumbled up; his speech is difficult to understand; he acts like a much, much younger child; he presses his ear to the sidewalk for hours; he rocks himself to sleep..."I just don't understand him!" Allie cries. Her father replies: "Of course you don't, honey. You haven't walked in Jesse's shoes."

Regretful, Allie prays, "I'm sorry, God. You love Jesse just the way he is, and I should, too."

The next day, Jesse removes his tennis shoes and puts then on Allies' feet. "Sisser...you be me now," he says. Hoping to appease him, Allie agrees...but she's sure glad no one else is around to see them. Jesse takes his sister on a walk, pointing out the beauty he sees in the world. Allie stops and looks - really looks - at the clouds and sees all sorts of fun images in them. She lays down in the grass and smells earthy scents. She watches some ants working. "Does Sisser feel it?" Jesse asks. Indeed, Allie is beginning to see and hear and smell and feel the world Jesse lives in. In the end, she decides, "My brother was way smarter than anybody knew." And when she spots the kids who always make fun of Jesse, she sends Jesse inside the house before confronting them. "Help me say the right thing, God," she prays.

"Different isn't weird. Or bad...In lots of ways, Jesse's just like you...He likes chicken fingers with lots of ketchup. He's crazy about chocolate milk shakes and orange Popsicles. He's scared of thunderstorms and cheers at ball games with Dad. All that kind of stuff. Like anyone...He's born the way he is. The doctors said Jesse would never talk. But you heard him...he talks all the time...He wasn't ever supposed to walk, but he ran a race at the high school last summer..."

One of the kids remarks that maybe they could have been born like Jesse, and a few more kids mumble apologies. Allie concludes, "I figure God knew what He was doing when He picked me to be Jesse's sister. And the other way around."

What I Like: It's difficult for me to imagine a better way to approach this topic. Lewis has given us a flesh and blood narrator who feels exactly what many siblings of kids with special needs feel. She loves her brother, but struggles to come to terms with his uniqueness. This will not only speak to real-life children in her position, but it helps kids who don't know anything about disabled children sympathize. Jesse is also an attractive character; he is different, to be sure, but we come to see that he's a sweet guy from whom we can learn a lot. In addition, the vivid illustrations by Laura Nikiel display lots of emotion, making them a good companion to the heartwarming text.

What I Dislike: The children who taunt Jesse seem to change too quickly for my taste. Their transition from "mean kids" to children who now appreciate and accept Jesse happens in a single page. Nonetheless, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise terrific book.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8.

Publishing Info: Bethany, 2007; ISBN: 0764203134; hardback, $9.99.

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Special Info: You may wish to visit the author's website.

Wait Until Then

Randy Alcorn's Wait Until Then is both touching and wise. Any parent who wants to explain what happens to us when we die, how to deal with the death of a loved one, and how to cope with serious disappointment will want to read this book with their child.
The book introduces us to Nathan, a boy of about 9 or 10, and his grandfather. We learn that Nathan loves baseball, and that his grandfather once played in the major leagues. Nathan and Gramps share lots of good times playing catch, talking about baseball, and fishing, but Nathan has a great disappointment in his life. He's in a wheelchair. Too, Gramps is slowing down. He uses a walker, and he has cancer.

Yet when Nathan asks Gramps if he misses baseball, Gramps replies he'd rather play catch with Nathan than play next to some of the great major league players. "I'm grateful for my baseball years," Gramps says. "But they weren't as important as other things - like marrying your grandma and having children, including your mother."
Gramps tries to help Nathan cope with his negative feelings about being in a wheelchair. When Nathan bemoans the fact that he can't play ball, Gramps reminds him: "One day you will [run the bases]...God promises that one day we'll live on a New Earth. He'll fix everything. Nothing will be bad there. And we'll have better bodies than the greatest Olympic athletes." Gramps also tells Nathan that God had a special reason for putting Nathan in a wheelchair, whether or not they can see what it is just now. He also explains what Nathan needs to do to accept God's gift of salvation.
Then Gramps goes to the hospital. When Nathan visits, Gramps reminds him: "I want you to love Jesus and pray to him every day. It's fine to enjoy baseball. But remember, everything we love should cause us to love Jesus more, not less." Gramps dies, and Nathan recalls everything his grandfather taught him. He looks forward to the day he and Gramps can play baseball together.

The last two-page spread of the book shows Nathan running the bases on God's New Earth.

What I Like: This book could easily have been trite or preachy, but it's neither. The story brought tears to my eyes, and I believe it will touch you and your children, too. I also like that Alcorn has backed up his fictional story with plenty of Bible verses. And the illustrations, by Doron Ben-Ami, are amazing! They are rich and lifelike...so much so, many look like photographs, not drawings. I can't imagine better illustrations for this book.
What I Dislike: If you're not a baseball fan, there might be a a couple of moments where you find yourself wondering what the characters are talking about. However, the moments pass quickly, and do not detract from the overall beauty of the book.
Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: 9 - 12, although some younger listeners will enjoy it, too.
Publishing Info: Tyndale, 2007; ISBN: 1414310412 ; hard back, $14.99
Buy Now at Amazon for $11.69.
Special Info: Author Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. Check out their website for great ministry articles, sound clips, and more. To see some of Doron Ben-Ami's amazing illustrations from this book and others, visit his website.