Please and Thank You God: Prayers For Family & Events

Please and Thank You, God! prayers can be used and enjoyed alone or together as a family during many different occasions and events throughout the year. Included in this book, you’ll also find prayers for your family, friends, religious holidays and more.

What I Like: Prayers for Family and Events is a must-have for any parent looking for a way to teach their children to pray easily. Each colorful and whimsically illustrated two-page layout focuses on an important person in the reader's life (like parents and friends) or an occasion, like holidays (Christmas, Easter) or a birthday.

Each two-page layout includes a "Thank You" to God where children are giving thanks to for the blessing he has provided and a "Please" portion where children submit petitions unto the Lord. The please portion includes scripture.

For example, the Easter Page prayer thanks "Jesus for suffering on the cross for my sins and rising again," and asks God to "Please help me share the good news of Easter with others," followed by a short scripture about rejoicing in Jesus's resurrection.

Each prayer is short (only a few sentences) and includes a short verse that correlates with the prayer, so children are praying and learning scripture. I love the illustrations, also by Agnes de Bezenac, that help bring the pages to life.

What I Dislike: I always prefer to see the bible version when I see scripture. It's not included in this book, but it doesn't take away from the book.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8 and under.

Publisher Info: iCharacter.org, 2014; ISBN:978-1623871970 ; Paperback, 32 pgs., $8.49

Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.49

Other Prayer Books in the series
Prayers Before Bed and Prayers Throughout the Day

Additional Info: Author Page www.iCharacter.org

Love From a Star

Author Katherine Cutchin Gazzetta provides the perfect bedtime story for toddlers and preschoolers with her book Love From a Star.  The story shows a bear with two sidekicks—a floppy bunny and an elusive frog—as they look to the stars at night.  The overall message is simple: Wherever you are, whatever you face, God is there. Just look for His star.

Each two-page spread hosts two lines of text and an accompanying picture.  The text does rhyme, but the rhyme is split between pages. (For example, one page in the spread says, “You see, God put me here/ to watch over you.” The rest of that stanza is found when you turn the page: “ to love you and guide you,/ in all that you do.”)

Gazzetta also does the illustrations, which are, in my opinion, the best part of the book. The watercolor images are charming, whimsical, and fluid. The coloring is bold in hue and yet soft in execution.

Extra note: According to Amazon, the 2013 version of the book comes with a pack of glow-in-the-dark stars. However, I did not receive any stars with the book, so I am uncertain if this is true or not for the 2015 version.

What I Like: The illustrations are a big selling point for me.  Gazzetta does a nice job of wooing the reader with her images. The text is also short enough that the book can hold the attention of preschoolers and toddlers.

What I Dislike: I was a little confused over the idea that God puts stars in place to watch over us, and by the thought that a star could love someone (“Know that your star loves you tonight'").  While it is a heartwarming thought, I don’t see any Scriptural basis for this concept, which, in my mind, gives me pause. However, I am certain with an explanation that the stars are a reminder of God’s love (which I assume is the intention of the writer), then it would be just fine.

Overall Rating: Excellent (if the reader takes into mind what I mentioned about stars)

Age Appeal: None is provided, but the simplicity of the text suggests a younger audience, toddlers through preschool and perhaps up to Kindergarten age

Publisher Info: Sleeping Bear Press, 2015; ISBN: 978-0989206716; Hardcover and Kindle, 32 pgs., $14.99

This book is not currently available at Christianbook.com.

Buy the HARDCOVER VERSION at Amazon.com for $14.99 or the KINDLE VERSION for $14.24.

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? That’s a question many young children might ask. The concept of Jesus being someone you cannot see but who is both God and man, forgives your sins, and lives in your heart is an abstract idea for kids. How can parents help children understand what Jesus is like and how he views people? How can children comprehend God’s love for them and recognize ways they can show God’s love to others? A good starting point for discussion is MaryAnn Diorio’s book Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? is not a typical storybook; instead it is set up in simple yet predictably structured sections. (In a way, it’s almost like a short devotional book for preschoolers by the way it is divided up.) First, the reader sees the same image as the cover asking, “Who is Jesus?” The next two-page spread shows pictures of a child with a problem (getting their toy taken, being laughed at, etc.) followed by a child receiving grace (having a toy shared with them, being comforted). The question-and-answer style text points out that Jesus won’t treat you in an unhappy way but in a caring way. After that, the author shares a Scripture that ties into the example. 

Take this four-page snippet for illustration: “Who is Jesus?”/ “Is he someone who yells at you when you cry?”/ “No, Jesus doesn’t yell at you when you cry. Jesus helps you blow your nose.”/ “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1. 


 Each page contains only a few lines of text and is accompanied by whimsical pen and watercolor creations done by award winning illustrator Kim Sponaugle. The pictures are brightly colored, packed with delightful detail, and visually alluring. Sponaugle portrays children from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

What I Like: I love the illustrations in this book. Even if the text was terrible (which it is not) I would probably still buy the book just for the pictures. The message is sweet and somewhat subtle too. It tells us how Jesus cares for us, but shows us through images what that looks like in everyday life. (Jesus doesn’t actually share a teddy bear with a friend as the text states, but his love is shown when a teddy bear is shared with a friend.) As a teacher, I also appreciate the pattern of the book, which young children seem to enjoy.

What I Dislike: It is a little pricey.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: None is listed, but I think it's best suited for the toddler/preschool group.

Publisher Info: TopNotch Press, 2014; ISBN:978-0930037154 ; Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, 48 pgs., HC $19.95, PB $ 14.95, Kindle $14.95

Buy the hardback at Amazon.com for $17.98!
OR Buy the paperback at Amazon.com for $13.47
OR Buy the Kindle version at Amazon.com for $9.95