Rainy Day Games

Rainy Day Games by Andy McGuire proves that children's Christian books can move beyond educational to just be plain ol' fun.

McGuire, who is a fiction editor at a large Christian publishing house, is also a superb illustrator, and this (his first picture book) is a delight for the eyes. McGuire's (mostly) rhyming text is also funny and - in its way - thought-provoking. The first page of the book gives a four sentence summary of the story of Noah and his ark; then the author wonders aloud what it would be like to stay indoors for 40 long days. What, he asked, did all those animals do to pass the time?

Next we meet a young boy, bored on a rainy day. To make the day go faster, he imagines what Noah's animals might have done to amuse themselves on their long journey. He envisions playing hide-and-seek with a chameleon, mice using a zebra's stripes as a maze, a rhino lending his horns for a ring toss (and a not-so-thrilled snake acting as the ring), beavers playing Ping-Pong with their tails, a game of Twister among two giraffes, connect-the-dots with a cheetah's spots, and much more. Then we see the boy trying to imitate one of the games with his dog before settling back with a book until the rain subsides and "God's rainbow paints the sky."

What I Like: There are plenty of funny situations suggested in the book - things that both parents and kids will find amusing. The illustrations are detailed, realistic (or as realistic as an image showing yaks playing jacks can be!), and of high interest to children. As a bonus, the book encourages children to imagine what it might have been like to be stuck on Noah's ark for a long time.

What I Dislike: Although my three year old really likes this book, she's not familiar with many of the games mentioned (including Twister, jacks, Ping-Pong, tic-tac-toe, and tiddlywinks). Therefore, slightly older children will enjoy this book even more. The only trouble is the text is so simple it may be too "young" for some older children.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 1 -5, but as noted above, many young children won't easily catch the humor about the games mentioned.

Publisher Info: Harvest House Publishers, 2008; ISBN: 0736923713; hardback; $15.99

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Special Info: To see some of the great illustrations in this book, check out the book's trailer.

When Christmas Came

We've been reading When Christmas Came by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Wayne Parmenter, at our house at least twice a day.

It is Christmas Eve, and the snow is coming down hard and fast. Will anyone come to the Christmas Eve service?

The minister was there first to shovel and light the candles in preparation. He watched and waited to see if anyone would make it through the blizzard.

The minister wasn't disappointed, because the custodian, Tom Cat, small boy, field mouse, organist, moth, soloist, and ...

"...a stranger came, midnight on her shoulders, snow on her boots. A stranger came, alone, and shivering, to peek past the door. She saw the lights. She felt the warmth. She heard the carols. A stranger came in. A stranger came in. Then Christmas came."

What I Like: I really like everything about this book. It does point away from the materialism of Christmas. The illustrations are just lovely. Each picture is softly and tenderly depicted.

What I Dislike: Nothing!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8, but my one year old loves it!

Publishing Info: Ideals Publishing, 2006; ISBN: 0824955072; hardcover, $16.95.

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Special Info: Check out Eileen Spinelli's website here.

The Tiny Snowflake

The premise behind The Tiny Snowflake is simple: "God made all of us special." To illustrate this, author Arthur Ginolfi uses one of the most common examples of uniqueness...Snowflakes.

The story begins on a stormy winter night. Snowflakes are falling from the sky. Some (as illustrated by Louise Reinoehl Max) are elaborate, others are more simple. Each is a different shade and shape. But one little snowflake named Lacy doesn't want to be different. She wants to be like all the other snowflakes.

As she falls to earth, Lacy passes by several other snowflakes. One, named Crystal, explains that no snowflake is perfect, but "God made all of us special." Another snowflake tells of how she's especially fluffy, which is what makes her special. Another snowflake explains that he's slick, and that's how he's special. Another snowflake says she's special because she's delicate and soft.

Lacy isn't especially fluffy or slick or soft. She can't imagine how she's special.

Finally, Lacy lands on the ground, and as the sun begins to rise, she begins to sparkle. At last, she knows how God made her special.

What I Like: The theme of this book is a great one. Every child needs to know they are special, and that God created them that way. Children may also find it encouraging to know that it can take time for them to discover the special talents unique to them.

What I Dislike: To me, the story seems a little trite...a little too much like many stories before it. But most children haven't heard about the uniqueness of snowflakes a hundred times before...and in fact, my two year old enjoys this book. I also admit I don't care for the illustrations. They seem a bit amateurish to me...but my daughter loves them. There is, however, a same-ness to many of the illustrations, and she sometimes grows tired of looking at such similar pictures from one page to the next, and is ready to turn the page before I've read all of the text.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 2 - 5.

Publishing Info: Thomas Nelson, 2003; ISBN: 1400302056; hard back, $7.99.

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