The Red Boat

The Red Boat: Summer title in the Seasons of Faith picture book series by Harry C. Trover is a beautiful parable of redemption. I remember my mother reading this story to me as a child, so when I received this book with the accompanying CD, I couldn't wait to share it with my children.

Dylan is a little boy whose family did not have enough money to buy toys, so he made himself a little boat. With care, he carved it, pieced it together, and painted it until it looked the way he wanted it to.

One day as he was playing with it in the river, the little boat broke free from the tether Dylan had made and was lost. A few weeks later, he and his aunt were walking through the streets of her town some distance away from his home. When he looked in the window of one of the stores, he saw his little boat. However, because it now had a new owner, Dylan had to purchase back his boat. What a beautiful picture of our own redemption!

What I Like: Besides the story itself, I love the illustrations in the book. They are a perfect match for the story being told. I also love the fact that there is a CD that accompanies the book. It is perfect for non readers as there is little sound that lets them know it is time to turn the page. It is also great for parents who like to play stories on CD for their children as they go to sleep.

What I Dislike: I love everything about this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-12 years old

Publisher Info: CBH Ministries, 2010; ISBN: 978-0982512050 ; paperback, 32 pgs., $10.00

Buy it at Amazon.com for $4.65

The Sheep That No One Could Find

The Sheep That No One Could Find by Anthony DeStefano is a charming recreation of the biblical parable of the Good Shepherd and the lost sheep.

The story follows the little lamb as he makes one wrong choice to leave the Shepherd and the consequences that follow.

The book is written as a lyrical poem, but is quite easy for children to understand and take to heart. As I read the lines, "But one of the sheep decided one day the words of the Shepherd were hard to obey. Instead he decided to do things his way," my six year old looked at me and thoughtfully said, "This book sounds like it is for me."

I realize that the Bible does not actually tell us what happened to the little lamb as he wandered away from the Shepherd. The parable is designed to show us the love that Jesus has for each and everyone of us individually. This book, however, does a fantastic job of showing children that when we choose to disobey or runaway from our authority, we will find ourselves in situations that could lead to sorrow, injury, and danger.


What I Like: Illustrations are so important in books designed for little eyes. Smaller children cannot read, so to keep them engaged, these books need great illustrations. Illustrator Richard Cowdrey, a New York Times Bestselling Artist, does a fantastic job filling the pages with color and pictures to bring the story to life for little (and big) eyes. My two and a half year old stayed engaged with the story the entire time because he was so mesmerized by the illustrations and talked about them throughout my reading of the story.

What I Dislike: I loved this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 2-8-year-olds

Publisher Info: Harvest House Publishers, 2014; ISBN: 978-0-7369-5611-6 ; hardcover, 32 pgs., $14.99


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Annabelle's Day of Sorrow: Trusting in God's Plan

Annabelle's Day of Sorrow: Trusting in God's Plan by Kaye E. DeMarr is a touching story inspired by an event that happened on her farm many years ago.

Reading stories about loss, especially the loss of a child, is always very hard. Yet this story takes a very difficult subject (death) and makes it easier to approach with children because of characters used (cows).

In the story, Annabelle, a mother cow, experiences the loss of her calf due to a birth defect. Although she feels the pain and sorrow because of her loss, she also feels the Lord's presence with her. She struggles with the same feelings we struggle with during times of loss, but the encouragement given to her by a wise, old cow helps her to open her heart to what God has in store for her future. By the end of the story, Annabelle fully experiences God's grace.

I think this is an excellent book to use with children (or even parents) who have or will be experiencing a loss. I do not know if this book should be used with younger children who have not experienced a loss, because they may not be ready for it.

I began reading this book with my daughter. I had to stop and read the rest on my own. I lost my mother a few years ago, so I was able to relate to the grief, sadness, and God's ultimate grace at the end of the story. Thankfully, my daughter has never had to face those feelings yet, so she wasn't ready for this book.
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What I Like: I love how the author ends the story. "Annabelle's day of sorrow has passed, a new day has dawned, and who knows what tomorrow will bring...." Although the loss of a loved one brings sadness, God is always faithful and will always bring us the grace we need to move forward.

What I Dislike: In a few places, quotations marks were misplaced. I though a different character was speaking when it was actually the same character continuing the conversation. This was not something that would be a deal breaker for me, but I could see it causing momentary confusion.
 
Overall Rating: Very good
 
Age Appeal: 8-12 years old

Publisher Info: AuthorHouse, 2013; ISBN:978-1-4817-5515-3 ; paperback,  28 pgs., $19.99


Buy it at Amazon.com for $17.99. 

The Adventurous Lamb

Jonathan is a happy little lamb who lives in a meadow where his shepherd cares for him and the other sheep in his flock. But in The Adventurous Lamb by Cathie Denney, Jonathan learns it can be very dangerous to leave the meadow and disobey the Shepherd.

Being a boisterous little lamb, Jonathan is full of energy. When he runs into the shepherd and nearly knocks him down, Jonathan is afraid he will be mad, but the shepherd smiles and urges the little lamb to be careful. A little while later, Jonathan spies a cautious bunny near the long grass. Jonathan wants to play, but the bunny says he has to go hide so he can stay safe, and runs away. Our little lamb tries to find his new friend but the grass entangles him. The shepherd has been watching and extracts Jonathan with a mild reprimand to stay in the meadow where he can see the lamb.

Another misadventure lands Jonathan in the middle of a pond, unable to swim back to shore. Again, the shepherd rescues him, scolding the lamb gently. Jonathan decides leaving the meadow could be dangerous, so he lays down in the sun to dry off and rest. When he wakes up, a bright blue butterfly named Felicity is nearby and wants to be friends with Jonathan. Felicity urges the lamb to follow her as they explore flowers, stones, leaves, and more. Before he knows it, Felicity has led Jonathan away from the safety of the meadow and to a rocky area with little grass. Then, as he's trying to find his way back to the meadow, Jonathan slips and tumbles down the hill, hurting his leg. Frightened, he wonders if he'll ever get back to the meadow and the shepherd.

Darkness closes in and Jonathan has almost given up hope of returning to the meadow when he hears the comforting voice of the shepherd calling his name. He bleats out and the shepherd rescues him one last time. Jonathan vows to never stray from the Shepherd and meadow again.

What I Like: Where to start? There's so much I love! While it's a slim book, it's very word heavy and a great book for a kiddo who needs a bit meatier story, but isn't ready to give up pictures. There are so many opportunities to stop and talk about what's going on in the story, too, where you can discuss whether Jonathan makes good decisions.

The pictures are wonderful pastels that are appropriate for the Easter season (who can resist a story about a lamb at Easter-time?) While not an Easter story, this would be a great book to read around this time of year.

What I Dislike: Not so much a dislike as a caution. There is no "Christian" content per se in the book, however the story is written as a parable. The shepherd is referred to throughout with a little "s" until the last page, when it is pretty obvious the author is referring to Jesus as our Shepherd. I strongly urge any parent reading this with his or her child to discuss the similarities in obeying their parents as well as God.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: No age listed, but I'd say 4 - 7.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing, 2012; ISBN: 978-1-61862-326-3; Paperback, 24 pgs., $8.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99, or for Kindle for $6.39.

Special Info: While the shepherd in the book is not referred to as Jesus, the characteristics in the images shown of his face are quite similar to popular images of Christ.

Santa Ate My Gingerbread House

Author Mark I. Sutherland uniquely presents the Gospel in his book, Santa Ate My Gingerbread House. Illustrated by Julie Hammond, the story centers on a young boy named Tommy. Tommy builds amazing gingerbread houses, houses so fantastic that he must create a new word just to describe how awesome they are. In addition to building incredible gingerbread houses, Tommy also works very hard to be good. He knows that if he is good, Santa will bring him presents, and if he's not, Santa will give him coal.

One year at Christmas, Tommy excited runs downstairs to see all of his presents, but stops short when he discovers his precious gingerbread house is gone. Crumbs litter the plate. Instead of eating the cookies and milk set out for him, Santa ate Tommy's gingerbread house! Tommy gets terribly upset. First he's sad; then he's mad. He decides he doesn't care about Christmas or presents or Santa and especially not about being good. He decides to be naughty.

Throughout the entire following year, Tommy is naughty. He pulls all sorts of nasty tricks in each month of the year! When Christmas comes, he's not excited. He knows he will get nothing but coal in his stocking. When he finally inches downstairs, Tommy is shocked to see loads of presents. A letter from Santa pokes out the top of his stocking.

In the letter Santa apologizes for eating Tommy's gingerbread house. He says he hopes Tommy enjoys the presents and explains that Tommy doesn't get presents for being good, but simply because he is loved. Santa's letter goes on to explain that this is the same reason God gave us Jesus.

"God didn't give us the best present ever because we were good. He gave us Jesus because he loves us very, very much. And because of Jesus, He gives us eternal life as a free gift..."

Santa's final words encourage Tommy to try to be good because "it makes me, your mommy and daddy, and God very happy ... And, if we really love Jesus, we will want to be good, and will be sorry when we are naughty."

Tommy is thrilled! He decides to be good. And to make another awesome gingerbread house.

What I Like: The concept is solid and presented in a really cute way. The author makes grace very clear. He does a great job of refuting a works-based salvation and glorifying the truth of God's free gift to those who believe. This is all done with a child-friendly approach. I liked the part in which Tommy's naughty acts are described. This section is rhythmic and creative, something that definitely appeals to young readers.

What I Dislike: Overall, this book presents a self-published feel. I would love to see more strength in the writing. Some parts seem long-winded and slow. I don't particularly care for the illustrations. They lacked detail. I definitely associate bolder hues and crisper lines with the holiday season. The use of pastels seemed an odd choice to me.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: Not specified, but I would say ages 4-8.

Publisher Info: Dunrobin Kids, 2012; ISBN: 0988461307; Paperback; 40 pages; $9.99

Buy it Now at Amazon.com for $9.99!
This title is also available in Kindle format for $2.99!

Special Info: See our review of another book by this author/illustrator team: Why Do We Celebrate Easter?

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Yum-Yummy Birthday Cake

The neighborhood's favorite person is having a birthday in Robin Jones Gunn's Level 2 "I Can Read!" book, Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Yum-Yummy Birthday Cake. Mrs. Rosey Posey is the birthday lady, and she bakes a tremendous cake to share with the neighborhood children. It has six stupendous layers and a caramel apple on top. Soon the children begin arriving, but before they eat cake, the put on a parade for Mrs. Rosey Posey.

Little Sarah wants to ride in the parade, but when she goes to get her bike, she can't resist tasting one of the sprinkles on the caramel apple at the tippy top of the cake. But as she reaches up...SPLAT! goes the cake on the ground. Sarah hides. But soon Mrs. Rosey Posey comes looking for her and Sarah admits what she did.

"Mrs. Rosey Posey looked very sad.
Sarah began to cry. 'I am so sorry.'"
'I know you are. I forgive you,' said Mrs. Rosey Posey.
...'Am I still special to you?'
'Oh yes,' said Mrs. Rosey Posey...Sarah, did you know that every time a person repents, God has a big party in heaven?'
'What does repent mean?' asked Sarah.
'Repent means saying you're sorry and meaning it. This makes God happy.'"

Then Mrs. Rosey Posey admits that eating cake with her hands makes her happy - so they all set to it. Sarah asks, "Will you always be my friend, even if you don't like what I do?" "Yes," answers Mrs. Rosey Posey, "even then."

What I Like: Christina Schofield's illustrations are charming. Mrs. Rosey Posey couldn't look friendlier, and the children all have a certain sweet whimsy about them. My kids loved reading about the cake's many wonderful layers, and definitely could relate to Sarah's temptation - and guilt. I love that Sarah admits her mistake and that Mrs. Rosey Posey instantly forgives her; this conversation sets a great model. I also like how the author then brings in the more important topic of God's grace.

What I Dislike: I am uncomfortable with the conclusion of this book. In real life, nobody remains friends with you when they don't like what you do. Real friends forgive our mistakes, and perhaps this is what the author meant, but what she wrote makes it sound like you can behave any old way and your friends will remain your friends.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: As a read-to book, 4 to 7 or so. As a book your child can read him- or herself, probably 7 to 8.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2008; ISBN: 978-0310715795; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99.

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

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

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

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

Do you love me more
than you did before?"

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

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

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

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

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

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

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

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

The Color of Grace

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

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

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

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

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

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

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

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