Its Not About You Mrs. Turkey

“It’s Not About You, Mrs. Turkey” is a unique tool for parents, grandparents and teachers to share both the historical and religious background of the holiday with young readers. The fun and colorful illustrations give children the opportunity to see clothing styles of the past as they learn the importance of courage, sharing, friendship and giving thanks.

What I Like: I am always in favor of literature that points children away from commercialized holidays and teaches the true meaning of why we celebrate a holiday.  Author Soraya Coffelt has done exactly that in It's Not About You, Mrs. Turkey. In a loving and factual way, she lays out the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christianity's significance.

Illustrator Tea Soroya did a great job showing the emotions of human characters and foul.

What I Dislike: The vocabulary may be too advanced for 5 and 6-year-olds to comprehend. The story is about the true meaning of Thanksgiving so I think a cover depicting solely a confused turkey detracts from the actual message of the book.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 5-10 Years.

Publisher Info: Morgan James Publishing, 2015; ISBN: 978-1630476366; Paperback, 32 pgs., $8.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99

The Baptism of Jesus: A Story from the Jordan River

“In the land of Israel, the holiest land of all,/ There is a quiet, peaceful place, not too big or small./ “Yardenit” on the River Jordan is the place/ Where over half a million come every year, by God’s grace."

So begins the book The Baptism of Jesus, by Reverend Jim Reimann. The story, based on historical location and John the Baptist, is written in rhyme. Each two-page spread includes a watercolor picture, done by Naywan Zoubi, and a four-line verse.

It starts showing modern-day pilgrims lined up to be baptized in the river, then tells why people travel all this way: because this is where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The artist shows Christ depicted in traditional garb, while a variety of ethnic people dot a number of background images.

The portion recounting John’s work is inspired by Mark 1:1-11. Although this isn’t stated in the text, the author sites this Scripture reference on the back cover, and he encourages readers to locate and read the passage.

The tale ends with an intricate drawing of “The Wall of New Life”, which currently surrounds “Yardenit”, and contains the passage of Scripture in more than 80 languages. As a follow up, the author included a photograph of a white clad crowd awaiting their turn in the river with the wall in the background plus a full page of historical facts about the location.

What I Like: It was interesting to see the image of the Wall of New Life and all the people lined up to be baptized.

What I Dislike: The rhyming text doesn’t always work. The meter is sometimes awkward on the tongue when read aloud, and the rhyme that drives the word choice and structure of the narrative often feels forced. Also, despite the title, the story focuses more on the location and on John the Baptist. The encounter between John and Jesus only takes three verses.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Ages 3-9

Publisher Info: Intelecty, 2014; ISBN: 978-9657607152 ; Paperback/ Kindle, 24 pgs., $6.99.

This book is NOT available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $4.95
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Special Info: There are ten books in this bestselling series, all designed and produced in Israel. Many have been translated into other languages. Other titles include: Stories of Yeshua, The Jesus Boat, John 3:16: Jesus And Nicodemus In Jerusalem, Jesus Loves The Little Children Of The World, Jesus Is Alive: The Empty Tomb In Jerusalem, Jesus Is Born! The Bethlehem Story, Jesus Raises A Little Girl to Life - A Miracle in Capernaum, Saul is Born Again, and more.

The Jesus Boat

How would you feel if you discovered an ancient boat from Biblical times? The Jesus Boat, by Reverend Jim Reinmann, is based on a true account of two boys who discover an antiquated boat buried on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It became known as “The Jesus Boat”.

The story begins with two Jewish fishermen. In 1986, they come across a truck stuck in the mud. During the process of digging it out, they uncover the great 2000 year-old find. Scientists verified its authenticity and it was placed in a museum.

After that, the tale segues into the time of Christ. The illustrations show Jesus on the boat. He calms a storm while his disciples look on. This portion of the story is based on Mark 4:35-41. Although this isn’t stated in the text, the author sites this Scripture reference on the back cover, and he encourages readers to locate and read the passage.

An intricate drawing of the boat as displayed in the museum and a sketch of what the restored boat may have looked like are located on the last two pages.

The book is written in rhyme. Each two-page spread includes a pencil drawing, done by Naywan Zoubi, and a four-line verse.

What I Like: I didn’t know about this archaeological discovery; I found that fact very interesting.

What I Dislike: The rhyming text doesn’t always work. The meter is sometimes awkward on the tongue when read aloud, and the rhyme that drives the word choice and structure of the narrative often feels forced. I also wasn’t a big fan of the illustrations. They seemed inconsistent to me in that some images seemed to strive for a realistic depiction while others came across as cartoonish.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Ages 3-9

Publisher Info: Intelecty LTD, 2013, ISBN: 978-9657607084; Paperback/ Kindle, 24 pgs., $6.99

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Special Info: There are ten books in this bestselling series, all designed and produced in Israel. Many have been translated into other languages. Other titles include: Stories of Yeshua, The Baptism of Jesus, John 3:16: Jesus And Nicodemus In Jerusalem, Jesus Loves The Little Children Of The World, Jesus Is Alive: The Empty Tomb In Jerusalem, Jesus Is Born! The Bethlehem Story, Jesus Raises A Little Girl to Life - A Miracle in Capernaum, Saul is Born Again, and more.

Brother Giovanni's Little Reward: How the Pretzel Was Born

Brother Giovanni is a happy man, content to do what he knows best: baking. But all is not well at his monastery, where the monks are trying to teach the children their prayers in time for a very important visit from the Bishop. Having tried everything, they turn to Giovanni -- but he doesn’t know anything about teaching! Eventually, though, Brother Giovanni discovers how to use his gifts to offer the children the perfect motivation.

This vibrant book, which includes a historical note and free recipe, tells the fascinating story behind one of the world’s most popular snacks.

What I Like: I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Author Anna Egan Smucker has written a clever story about a monk who invented the pretzel, based on historical sources that attribute the pretzel to an unknown monk in Italy or France in 615 AD. I loved how the shape of the pretzel has significance in its creation and in the book. I think kids will love the story behind the the pretzel and how it relates to Christianity. It is a cute story with the potential to open children's hearts to praying.

This book is a great for story time to be read by a teacher to the class. The teacher can also learn from this book and can incorporate a pretzel snack to get the children even more interested. There is a recipe in the back for soft pretzels.

The illustrations matched the story very well and are very colorful and  nicely drawn. Illustrator Amanda Hall filled the pages with illustrations that are reminiscent of old paintings but easily likable for children.

The book is large and makes it a great for sharing the book with the children.

What I Dislike: There are a few instances where the author would like the reader to assume the reasons for feelings and actions.  Example: The donor of the church is coming for a visit and the monks believe he will be upset if the children don't know their prayers. That is understandable but then the book goes on to say that they will no longer be able to sell their bread if the donor is upset. As an adult I can surmise that they believe the donor will discontinue donations and therefor they can not purchase the supplies needed to make and sell their livelihood but I'm not sure a 4 year old can make that leap. I'm not even sure he would understand if an adult tried to explain that concept.

This price is a bit too steep.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2015; ISBN: 9780802854209 ; Hardcover, 34 pgs., $17.00

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Prayers that Changed History

George Muller had no food for the hungry orphans in his care, but he sat them at the table, anyway, and they prayed, thanking God for the food He would provide. When the prayer was over, there was a knock on the door. It was the baker - with enough bread for everyone. Soon after, the milk man delivered fresh milk because his cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. This is just one of my children's favorite stories from Prayers that Changed History by Tricia Goyer, a book showcasing how real prayers were not only answered, but changed the world.

24 people (plus one group of people: the British) are featured in this book; some, you and your children may be familiar with, like Constantine, St. Patrick, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, William Bradford, Sojourner Truth, David Livingstone, Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Mother Teresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Corrie ten Boom. Others may be less familiar, like Polycarp, Oswald (King of Northumbira), John Eliot, Susana Wesley, John Newton, Robert Raikes, Mary Jones, Catherine Booth, George Muller, Billy Sunday, Amy Carmichael, and John Hyde.

Each chapter in Prayers that Changed History focuses on one of these people and their prayer (sometimes prayers), which God answered in a big way. Each chapter also offers a related Bible story, and prompts readers to think about what we can learn from the individual and how we can apply that to our own lives.

What I Like: This is a superb book to add to your family's library, since both parents and kids will enjoy and benefit from it. My children and I learned some bits of history we hadn't known before, and were moved by many stories in the book; some will stick with us for the rest of our lives. I also appreciate the discussion questions; these lead to some deeper thinking on my kids' part. And as an added bonus, my 9 year old now wants to read some primary sources, like Corrie ten Booms' books.

What I Dislike: Overall, this is a wonderful book, but sometimes I wished the author had set aside her commentary because it was a little obvious or repetitive. In addition, the author states that "If you seek him [God] and listen, God will speak to you - not in a voice you can hear with your ears, but in a stirring deep in your heart." Yet in the Bible, people heard God's voice with their ears - including in a story the author cites: Samuel as a boy.

Finally, parents should be aware that "the red light district" and suicide (Hitler's) are mentioned.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 8 and up.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2015; ISBN 978-0310748014; paperback, 240 pgs., $12.99

Buy at Amazon for just $9.67 (or buy the Kindle version for $7.99)

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Who Was Jesus?

This fascinating addition to the best-selling Who Was...? series does not settle questions of theology. Instead, it presents young readers with a biography that covers what is known historically about Jesus and places in his life in the context of his world when Jerusalem was part of the Roman Empire. In an even-handed and easy-to-read narrative, this title—illustrated with eighty black-and-white drawings—also explains the early origins of Christianity and how it became a major religion.


What I Like: Who Was Jesus by Ellen Morgan is part of a series of books, the Who Is/Was books. I was pleasantly surprised to find Jesus included among historical figures children usually learn about (Lincoln, Washington, Franklin, DaVinci, etc...). The book is written as a biography of His life and covers his birth, death and many stories from in between. The book also includes sketches of people and events throughout His life, as well as maps of Judea and the Roman Empire. This is a great read for children who do not know Jesus.


What I Dislike: This book is an account of Jesus's life from a factual standpoint, as you would read it in a history book in school ("unbiased"). For example, a passage from within the book reads that Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God, rather than Jesus IS the son of God. Most children who already know Jesus will not find anything new within the story. The book does nothing to help build faith but instead just recounts facts.

Special: While this book is not written from a Christian perspective, I am still pleased that this book is available.  While it is written as a biography, most of what is used as historical fact is taken from the bible.  So while the content isn't faith building and new to children who already know Jesus, it is a step in the right direction for those who do not. My 11 year old (who knows Jesus) and many of her friends (some do not know Jesus personally) love the Who Is/Was book series and refer to them as the BobbleHead Books. She plans to lend out her copy to her friends who already fans of the series in order to spark an interest into Jesus that still lives as opposed to someone who lived a long time ago.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 8-12 years old.

Publisher Info: Grosset & Dunlap, 2015; ISBN: 978-0448483207; Paperback, 112 pgs., $5.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $ 3.85. Also available as an eBook for $3.66.
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Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims

It is pretty hard to imagine what those before us went through. Imagine: crossing the ocean on a small boat, in filthy conditions, with people who hate you. In Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims by Rush Limbaugh, history comes to life as you experience what it was like in the New World alongside William Bradford and Myles Standish, including their trip across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower.

Rush Revere isn't your ordinary, boring substitute history teacher. With his talking horse, Liberty, he has the ability to actually show his pupils history. Liberty has some special powers, namely the ability to time travel anywhere in American history. And, when Rush Revere jumps on his back and Liberty calls out the special words, they can jump through time and walk and talk with anyone in American history.

For this lesson, Rush wants to teach the kids in Manchester Middle School's honors history class about the Puritans. Using Liberty's abilities and the help of his one-of-a-kind iPhone adapter, Rush jumps back to the time of the launching of the Mayflower from Holland, and broadcasts his experiences with William Bradford back to his class. But one pupil, Freedom, is suspicious, and sees Rush and Liberty make the jump. When they return, Freedom confronts her teacher, along with Tommy, who is the class troublemaker.

Rush Revere comes clean with Tommy and Freedom about Liberty's abilities, and asks the two middle schoolers if they'd like to experience history for themselves. They agree, and soon, they're taking part in the Puritans journey to the first Thanksgiving.

What I Like: I really love EVERYTHING about this book! I will admit: I have been a listener of Limbaugh's radio show for 20 years, and when he announced he was releasing this book, I was excited, but a little trepidatious. Could he write fiction? Other than a few minor fumbles in craft, I found the writing wonderful, and the story engaging. But, with a horse named Liberty, it has to be good!

The book is a treasure in and of itself. The cover is beautiful and the pages are works of art. Inside are multiple illustrations and photographs, some for the purposes of story-telling by Chris Hiers (website published December 2013), but others which come from sources like Getty Images or the Library of Congress to show the lives of the Puritans who landed at Plimouth (as they spelled it.)

Tommy and Freedom are both enjoyable characters to get to know through the story, and are believable kids of an indeterminate middle school age. When they go back to 1620-1621, it's very authentic, especially when they make faux pas, referencing present day things like salsa and county fairs (which the Puritans wouldn't have been able to experience.)

And, while Mr. Limbaugh is no theologian, it is evident throughout the pages he wanted to make sure God was included in the story of Thanksgiving. William Bradford frequently references God and their desires to escape religious persecution, as well as God's hand on their journey. Even facing great difficulties, his belief that God's blessing would be on their journey strengthened not only the Puritans but the others who traveled with him aboard the Mayflower to the New World.

Also, at the end, there's a quiz from Liberty the horse. Answers are found at the TwoIfByTea.com website. 

What I Dislike: All of the very minor issues I have are with craft, as well as one issue towards the end of the book with a layout problem. William Bradford "writes" a letter to Rush Revere to invite him, Tommy, and Freedom to what would be the first Thanksgiving, and the placement of said letter is a couple of pages later than it's referenced, so you have to jump a couple pages up, then back, after reading it or the story doesn't make much sense. However, and it does not detract from the overall quality of the book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Marketed for 10 - 15, but kids younger and older would also enjoy this.

Publisher Info: Simon & Schuster, 2013; ISBN: 978-1-4767-5586-1; Hardback, 212 pgs., $19.99

Special Info:  While not foul-mouthed, Liberty the talking/time-travelling horse is a bit of a smart-mouth and can be a trouble-maker. Depending on the age of your children, you may want to discuss the fact that speaking to adults in the way Liberty does is not appropriate.

Also, Freedom is a Native American/Indian girl who "has the ability to communicate with animals." This does not play a major role in the story, although there is a scene where she communicates with a deer.

Buy it as a hardback at Amazon.com for $11.99. Also available in a Kindle format for $5.99, Unabridged audiobook on CD for $11.69, or an Audible.com download for $11.95.

Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad

Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad  by Marlene Targ Brill takes young readers on the adventurous, danger-fraught journey of eleven-year-old Allen Jay as he helps a runaway slave escape to freedom just before the Civil War.

Allen's family farm is a stop on that portion of the Underground Railroad located in the state of Ohio. For a while, Allen's parents have been risking their lives by serving as secret conductors of slaves from the South to Canada.

One day, Allen's father asks him to help a runaway slave named Henry James. Allen is afraid and wonders if he can do it. When he meets Henry and escorts him through dangerous territory, Allen learns that there is a big price to pay for freedom.

In this exciting true story, young readers will hold their breath as Allen hides Henry in the family wagon and transports him to the next stop of the Underground Railroad.  Children will learn about courage, faith, and love for all people regardless of their skin color.

What I Like: This story provides a wonderful example of facing one's fears for a noble cause. Children will learn that courage is not the absence of fear but doing the right thing in spite of fear. Author Marlene Targ Brill writes a compelling story in a simple fashion while stretching young readers to build not only their vocabulary but, more importantly, their character. The pencil and crayon illustrations by Janice Lee Porter add depth and drama to a captivating story.

What I Dislike: The author's use of the Quaker dialect of the 1800s may pose some difficulty for young readers. In their speech, the Quakers used the word "thee" to mean "you".  "Thee" is used  throughout the book instead of "you" and, while historically accurate, it makes the reading a bit stilted, especially if the book is read aloud.  Also, while the story portrays unconditional love for one's neighbor, it is not explicitly Christian but rather implicitly so.
 
Overall Rating: Very good

Age Appeal: 7-10, although older children will enjoy the Civil War history and dramatic suspense portrayed in the book.

Publisher Info: Lerner Publishing, Group, Inc., 1993; ISBN: 10: 0-87614-605-1; Paperback, pgs. 48, $6.95.

Buy it NOW at Amazon.com for $6.16.

The Night Crossing

Accurate history is essential to truthful thinking. When embedded in a riveting story, the overall effect can be life-changing. So is the case in Karen Ackerman's intriguing book, The Night Crossing.

The story of a Jewish family escaping Hitler's assault on Jews in 1938 Austria, The Night Crossing focuses on a little girl named Clara who must leave her native land to travel to a new country.

Like her grandmother before her who, as a child, fled the Russian persecution of Jews, Clara must flee for her life. She takes with her the same two dolls, Gittel and Lotte, that Grandmother carried over the mountains from Russia to Austria, the dolls that Grandmother had given to her.

The family's trip is fraught with danger and close calls. But, in the end, they reach their destination in safety. During the journey, Clara learns the meaning of courage in the fight for freedom.

What I Like: The Night Crossing captures the reader's interest from the start and maintains it throughout the story. Children will be exposed to the evils of Nazism and will learn about the evils of the Holocaust.  No revisionist history here! While the book is not overtly Christian, it certainly reflects the Christian principles of the value of human life and the value of freedom. The black-and-white  illustrations by Elizabeth Sayles serve to capture the emotions of the characters on their journey to freedom. The drawings are strategically placed and are highly effective in enhancing the story.

What I Dislike: There is an instance of head-hopping--that is, jumping from the viewpoint of one character to another in the same scene--that, for me, disrupted the fictive dream.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 7-11 year-olds. Also, reluctant older readers.

Publisher Info: Random House Children's Books, 1994; ISBN: 0-679-87040-7; Paperback, 56 pgs., $5.99.

Buy Now at Amazon for $5.39 or Buy the Kindle Version for $5.12.

The Lion Bible in its Time

Written by Lois Rock and illustrated by Steve Noon, The Lion Bible in its Time seeks to teach and show readers the Bible in historical and cultural context.

Formatted similar to encyclopedias, it features main text, a plethora of sidebars and tons of illustrations and images. Readers will be drawn in by the abundance of diagrams, maps and photographs. Presented in chronological fashion, this book covers select topics from Creation through to Christianity in the Roman Empire.

What I Like: This is a high quality book with full-color glossy pages and skilled illustrations. It presents a ton of uncommon cultural information. I like the bits on architecture and especially appreciate the cross-sections of structures, like the Tabernacle and the Temples. The book includes several two-page illustrations, busy and labeled for life at that time; my kids loved these with a "Where's Waldo?" like exploration.

What I Dislike: What concerns me most about this book is that it presents the Bible as a collection of stories (fictitious tales, myths and traditions) rather than the true, inerrant Word of God. It repeatedly, from the introduction through to the last chapter, promotes skepticism and doubt. Sometimes this is done with subtlety, but other times it boldly holds an air of condescension toward believers.

Also, I have a Bachelor of Science in Bible and have never seen some of the things presented in this book. This is not to say that they're wrong, only that elements of the content are neither mainstream nor commonly accepted. I recommend parental guidance and discretion with this book.

Overall Rating: Ho-Hum

Age Appeal: 7 and up

Publisher Info: Lion Children's, 2012; ISBN: 0745960154; Hardback; 64 pages; $16.99

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Special Info: This book employs British spellings.

Kids' Guide to American History

Whether you're looking for homeschool curriculum or just a fun book to supplement your child's education, Tracy M. Sumnar's Kids' Guide to American History is an excellent resource. The subtitle explains the book well: "Who, What, When, Where, Why - From a Christian Perspective" - all in a colorful and appealing format.

The book begins with Columbus (but points out Columbus wasn't the first European to land in North America). You won't find any Columbus-bashing here. Instead, you get facts about why Columbus was sailing and how he bumped into North America. There are colorful photographs and fun sidebars correcting myths about Columbus and offering quotes by the man himself. For example:

"It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) that fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures."

And so goes the book, covering all the major aspects of American history - from Jamestown and spiritual revivals, to the Revolutionary War and the second war in Iraq, to Watergate and American invention. Throughout you'll learn interesting facts other books often miss, such as:

* "The New Deal" was President Roosevelt's backup plan; his first "New Deal" was found unconstitutional.

* America's "First Great Awakening" targeted those who already attended Christian churches; the "Second Great Awakening" targeted those who didn't.

* John Hancock wrote: "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual...Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."

The book ends with the passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the 2010 midterm elections, noting political difficulties and challenges. "Where do we go from here?" the author writes. "Only God knows. But never forget that He's in control."

At the back of the book, there's an illustrated list of the Presidents of the United States, plus the text of the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

What I Like: This is a colorful, fun book that hits all the major points of American history. It's the sort of thing my 7 year old picks up on a rainy day and becomes engrossed in. I also love that the text points to God throughout - while carefully avoiding opinions about politics.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: about 8 and up.

Publishing Info: Barbour; 2012; ISBN: 978-1616266004; paperback, 160 pgs., $9.99

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John Stott: The Humble Leader

Do you want to encourage and inspire your teen with a compelling life story? Direct them to Julia Cameron’s biography for young adults, John Stott: The Humble Leader.

In a friendly and engaging storytelling manner, Cameron walks readers through the life of minister John Stott. It’s a remarkable tale. Stott already possesses many natural gifts in language, leadership, and organization. Then his well-to-do father provides him with a prestigious education at Cambridge University. While there, Stott becomes a Christian and thereafter devotes all his time and energy to cultivating his faith and the faith of others.

Here are some highlights from Stott’s life: He was the Curator then Rector at All Souls church; He shaped the direction of World Evangelical Fellowship; He was appointed a chaplain to the Queen of England; He founded the Evangelical Literature Trust, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and Langham Partnership International; He was included in TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people; He met and collaborated with Billy Graham; and he wrote over 50 books.

Facts aside, the real heart and soul of this biography centers around interesting stories of Stott’s everyday life, such as the time he lived with homeless people for a few days just so he could better understand their plight.

At the end of each chapter, Cameron provides short “fact files” or more in-depth snapshots into noteworthy events referenced in the chapter. At the end of the book, Cameron offers a timeline, thought-provoking questions, ideas for things to do, and suggestions for further reading.

Overall, the biography encourages young readers to aspire to the kind of faith and devotion exemplified by John Stott.

What I Like: I do not typically enjoy reading biographies. But… I really liked this book. It had a pleasant storytelling tone, was well organized, and challenging. It’s refreshing to see an ordinary man whose many accomplishments stemmed from a life of faithfulness, devotion, self-discipline, commitment, and humility.

What I Dislike: This didn’t bother me, but it may be something that causes the book to sound dated in a five years. In targeting a young audience, Cameron mentions today’s modern electronics, such as the iphone.

Overall Rating: Excellent as a resource/ school supplement book, Very Good as a simple pleasure read.

Age Appeal: None listed, but I'd wager ages 12+

Publisher Info: CF4K, 2012; ISBN:978-1845507879; Paperback and ebook, 160 pgs., $8.99.

Buy the ebook at Christianbook.com for $5.75
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99. OR Buy the kindle version for $6.41.

Special Info: If you are interested in viewing some books written by John Stott, consider the following: Basic Christianity, The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling, The Message of Romans: God's Good News for the World, Through the Bible, Through the Year: Daily Reflections from Genesis to Revelation, and The Incomparable Christ. Of course, there are many, many other books available.

Samuel Eaton's Day

To give your child a good idea of what it was like to be a young Pilgrim, Kate Waters Samuel Eaton's Day is a must have. A companion book to Sarah Morton's Day (which we reviewed here), Samuel Eaton features full color photographs by Russ Kendall of Plymouth Plantation  re-enactors, as well as first-person text, illustrating a typical Pilgrim boy's day.

Samuel Eaten is eager to begin the day; for the first time, he'll be allowed to help harvest the rye. "It is my beginning to be a man," he says. As he dresses as quickly as possible, we can see just how complicated this clothing is and why his stepmother must help him dress. Next, Samuel fetches some water and chats for a moment with his friend Sarah Morton, then he hurries off to check his snares. "Now that I am almost grown, I can help catch game for the table," he says. His snare hold no game today. Samuel then gathers firewood for his stepmother and washes up before breakfast. At the meal, his father says a long prayer, noting God's "unspeakable mercy" toward the family and asking that "our soules [sic] may earnestly long after the food of eternall [sic] life, through Jesus Christ out Lord and Savior."

Finally, Samuel, his father, and a neighbor head for the fields and the boy learns to gather and bind the rye while the men reap it. He soon finds it difficult work. He has blisters, his back aches, the straw makes him itchy, and he has a sunburn. But "tis but folly to spend time in bootless complaints," so he keeps quiet. Soon his stepmother comes with food. "Of a sudden I feel small and tis a struggle not to weep. But I mustn't let Father see." After eating, his stepmother soothes his blistered hands and asks if he really has strength to continue, or would he like to come home? Samuel, wanting to please his father and show how big he is, stays on. By evening, he can hardly move, but he stops by the beach with the men to gather mussels for the evening meal.

Samuel would normally then do school work, but his father is on watch that evening, so Samuel takes the evening off. He wonders how his father can do the watch when Samuel himself can barely stand from fatigue. Yet when his father asks if he feels he can continue to harvest, Samuel quickly answers, "Oh, surely!" Just before drifting off to sleep, Samuel prays that he will be able to keep up with the men, that his snare will catch food, and that God will protect them all.

The last few pages of the book include the lyrics and vocal line of a period song the men sing in the field, in addition to a few words about Plymouth; who Samuel Eaten really was; harvesting rye; how boys changed from "long clothes" to breeches at a certain age; and about the Wampanoag tribe that's mentioned briefly in this book. There is also a glossary.

What I Like: I love everything about this book. The photographs of real people truly bring the history to life, and the text, all written as if Samuel were speaking, is true to history without being difficult to read. We really feel for Samuel and his struggles, and have a deeper appreciation of how easy modern life is. I also love all the educational material in the back of the book - and the fact that God is portrayed as a matter of everyday life for the pilgrims.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 to 12.

Publishing Info: Scholastic; 1996; ISBN: 978-0590480536; paperback, 40 pgs., $6.99.

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Candy Bombers

YA historical fiction adds an interesting new title to its ranks with Robert Elmer’s book Candy Bombers. The story is set in Berlin, Germany, 1948, just after the end of World War 2. (Those familiar with history know that this city was divided in two, with half of the territory controlled by the Soviets and the other by Americans.)

The reader views the harsh post-war conditions through the eyes of a young German teen named Eric. Eric holds no love for America; he believes his father was killed in a routine bombing attack by America. Not only that, but his city lies in ruins, citizens spy on each other, his grandmother is sick, and food is painfully scarce. It’s no wonder Eric is tempted to sneak onto an American airbase to steal some supplies.

Accompanied by his cousin Katarina, Eric sneaks onto a cargo plane searching for food. To his horror, the plane takes off with Eric and Katarina aboard. It isn’t long before airmen discover them.

Though he dislikes them, Eric is surprised when, instead of throwing him in jail, the Americans treat him with kindness. One American in particular takes interest in the duo’s unfortunate plight—a journalist named Fred DeWitt who wants to do a feature story on the children, photographs and all.

The rest of the story follows Eric as he deals with a number of issues: His conflicting emotions of gratitude and anger when it comes to America; his reaction to the interest Fred has in his mother (which is obviously reciprocated); the truth about his father’s death; Soviet spies trying to capture him; the beginning of the Iron Curtain; and the courage of an American flyer, who dropped gum and candy over war-torn Berlin.

Though the story is fiction, Robert Elmer weaves in accurate historical information. At the end, he provides facts about the actual Berlin Airlift—part of which included gum and candy drops for the people of Berlin. Candy Bombers is the first installment in Elmer’s The Wall Trilogy, historical fiction stories set in the Cold War era. Other books include Beetle Bunker and Smuggler's Treasure.

Special Info: Read CCBR reviews of other books by Robert Elmer. Check out another historical fiction series written by Robert Elmer called The Young Underground Series. Kindle books include: A Way Through the Sea, Beyond the River, Into the Flames, Far from the Storm, and more!

What I Like: Elmer did a good job of bringing to light bleak post-war conditions and the Berlin Airlift. He included some tension in the story with Soviets spying on Eric. The story moved at a good pace and was well written. I believe it would be an excellent resource for homeschoolers studying the Cold War, or students who have an interest in this era.

What I Dislike: Neither the prologue nor the—well, yet another prologue comes at the end of the story, so “prologue”—seemed necessary. I actually found them somewhat confusing. Plus, even though I enjoyed the story, there were a few spots where large chunks of time passed with little explanation.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 9 and up

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2006; ISBN:978-0310709435; Paperback, 160 pgs., $6.99
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The Bible Book By Book

The Bible can be a difficult book to bring to life, especially for teens. In The Bible Book By Book by Cris Rogers, you may not get all of the answers, but you definitely have the tools at your fingertips to start the discussion.

The Bible Book By Book is a comprehensive field guide, appropriate for the curious teen, the youth group leader, or the parent leading a small group. Every book of the Bible has its own essay, usually 2 - 4 pages in length, with the following information:

• Author
• Date written (approximate)
• Type of book (is it history, poetry, gospel, prophecy, etc.?)
• Key characters (who are the significant players in the book)
• Major themes
• Title and Style (which gives insight to how the book got its name)
• Background (historical context)
• GPS (locations in the book, as well as some religious components to the region)
• The Detail (tidbits about specific parts of the particular book. For instance, in the section on 1 Chronicles, the writer points out differences in the accounts of Solomon's crowning as king here and in 2 Kings, then goes into a bit of supposition on why the variance may have happened.)
• Other books to read 

While this book isn't suitable for everyday reading, or for reading straight through, it is appropriate as a reference, giving historical context for every book of the Bible in an easy-to-understand way. It's not a substitute for a good concordance, but an aid to understanding the Bible's culture and backstory.

What I Like: I love the fact this book is so well organized. I knew what to expect, and it was easy to find information on whatever I was looking for, although it does lack an index. I frequently learned something new, and many things are surprising, especially about the culture of Rome and the gods/goddesses worshiped during New Testament times.

References between the New and Old Testament books provide substance to parables, as well as the nature of God, among other things. The explanations are always fascinating, and I frequently found myself reading tidbits to my husband, like how there are two versions of Jeremiah, depending on what Bible you use. The Hebrew version is in the Jewish Bibles, and is the basis for the version in the Protestant Bible. The Greek Septuagint version of Jeremiah is used in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles, which is about an eighth shorter and presented in a slightly different order.

The writer doesn't assume that the reader has read the previous entries. Frequently, information is repeated, maybe not exactly, but enough that I noticed it, especially in Paul's letters to different churches (Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, etc.)

Photographs of the Holy Land appear nearly on every page, from its people, to the scenery, even a few maps done by the author. I really feel that it gave some significance to the Bible, not that I'd be reading about some vague idea, but a real place, with real people.

What I Dislike: First, you need to know I believe the Bible is God's Word to us and every word is true. So, when, for instance, in the part on Esther, the type of book is labeled as "comic, fictional history," I cringe. Other examples that caused me to pause included:

• Ruth: the writer describes the book as "more like a 'soap opera' than a pure history book." 
• 1 Chronicles is described as an "inspiring propaganda account of David" mostly because of what is missing from the book (absence of the civil wars, Bathsheba, or David murdering Bathsheba's husband.) 
• For Jonah, it's suggested that some scholars believe Jonah didn't happen, although I got the impression the author doesn't agree with that idea. 
• The story of Samson is believed to be folklore, rather than precise history. 

However, I think an astute reader can glean the important information, and disregard what may or may not be complete truth. Much of this may be one man's opinion, but then again, it may be backed up by scholars much more learned than me.

A novel was referenced for further reading with Judges, although there may have been others which I failed to note as I read. While the novel may be perfectly good, and filled with accurate info, I would hesitate to recommend a fictional account for someone who is shaky in their knowledge or faith since it could give them wrong impressions.

I would have liked it if, in the GPS sections, the writer would have indicated where places are now. In the New Testament sections, Mr. Rogers was a bit better about it, but it would've been nice to have it consistently done for areas that are now known by other names. More maps would've been good to assist as well.

Overall Rating: Despite everything mentioned above, I found this book to be very good. The good aspects definitely outweighed the bad.

Age Appeal: 12 and up

Publisher Info: Monarch Books, 2011; ISBN: 978-0-85721-016-6; Paperback, 204 pgs., $19.99

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Special Info: The author, Cris Rogers, is a minister for the Church of England, and as such, there are frequent British spellings throughout the book.

Athanasius

Simonetta Carr has written a series of "Christian Biographies for Young Readers." This book, as the title suggests, introduces children (and their parents) to Athanasius, the Father of Orthodoxy, a key figure in church history.

The book begins with Athanasius as a child and details how he came to be mentored by the bishop Alexander. Alexander was a defender of the deity of Jesus Christ while others within the Roman Empire taught otherwise. Emperor Constantine, desiring peace within the church, called a special meeting of bishops. This led to the composition of the Nicene Creed. Unfortunately, however, it did not lead to peace.

Upon Alexander's death, Athanasius was named bishop in his place. He almost immediately came under persecution, both for his position (he was young to be a bishop and did not do all things the same as his predecessors) and his convictions (that Jesus was fully God and fully man). The conflict spread throughout the Roman Empire, both in political and religious circles, and often incited violence. Athanasius lived in and out of exile. He was forced into hiding on more than one occasion. Through it all, he remained true to his understanding of God's Word and the truth of the Trinity.

Athanasius was the author of several books, writings still considered crucial in Christian literature and accurate doctrine. He wrote about the incarnation, the deity of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit and affirmed all 27 books of the New Testament commonly recognized today.

At the back of the book, readers find a timeline of Athanasius's life, a "Did you know?" section of interesting facts and a complete copy of The Nicene Creed.


The book features images of various style and medium. Paintings by Matt Abraxas offer lots of color and high contrast. The book also includes representations of historical works of art (paintings, drawings and sculptures), maps and photographs of architecture, specific places and artifacts.

What I Like: I love history and believe that church history is neglected far too often! This is a wonderful series of books that highlights persons who played key parts in the formation of church and doctrine. This one, in particular, is critical in church history. I like that the book starts with Athanasius as a child. This draws kids into the story quicker, and lets them know that they, too, can do big things for God right now. They don't have to wait to grow up to serve Him. I love that Athanasius continued to send people back to the Bible and back to truth. This teaches kids that to test all teachings against God's Word.

What I Dislike: My kids (on the lowest end of the target audience) aren't particularly attracted to this book. They like the photographs and maps, but struggled to sit through a reading. The illustrations are highly skilled, but a bit too dark for my taste, and the text, while accurate and informative, proved difficult for my kids to follow.

Overall Rating: Very Good, but best for the older set within the 8-12 age group.

Publisher Info: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011; ISBN: 1601781512; Hardback; 88 pages; $18.00

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other biographies for Christian children.

I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery

Both beautiful and moving, I Lay My Stitches Down blends poetry and quilting to give us a snapshot of the lives of American slaves. The colorful, quilted pictures evoke strong emotions and the lyrical poems poignantly express daily life.

Author Cynthia Grady and artist Michele Wood have joined to create a unique, interesting volume, rich in history, emotion and scripture. In fact, Grady has purposefully included "a biblical or scriptural reference, a musical reference, and a sewing or fiber arts reference. . ." in each verse. The verses also represent a quilting square, as they consist of ten lines and ten syllables. Wood's artwork also uses squares and patterns to evoke the images of quilts. Grady also includes explanatory notes, giving specific information about daily life, traditions, spiritual songs, and African heritage.

The poems use the vernacular, and cover a wide range of topics. The harsh realities of relentless work, slave families torn apart for profit, and the dangers of the underground railroad are portrayed. However, there are also poems celebrating the bravery of slaves and those who helped them. In "Schoolhouse," a schoolteacher conducted lessons loud enough for slaves to hear, and in "North Star," a slave owner taught a young man to read and freed him.

What I Like: My oldest daughter was fascinated by the poems and images in the book. I like the way the poems give us a glimpse of daily routines, but also show the emotions behind them. In the poem, "Broken Dishes," we read, "She always needling me./'Add some more salt.'/Or, 'Girl, why cain't you move faster than that?"/Her voice so shrill, it make your skin goose up."

I love the paintings, as well. Wood's bold colors, gorgeous patterns, and characters with vivid facial expressions perfectly capture the spirit of the poems.

The link between faith, quilts and slavery is an interesting angle, and makes me curious to learn more about about quilting.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 10 and up

Publisher Info: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2012; ISBN: 978-0-8028-5386-8; Hardcover, 32 pages, $17.00

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