Thank You, God, For Loving Me

Thank You, God, For Loving Me by Max Lucado is the charming tale of little Hermie the Caterpillar. Hermie prays and thanks God for loving him, and shows just how God loves him. Illustrations by Frank Endersby help show Hermie's choices and activities throughout the day where God is included.

What I Like: This cute story is a great way to help kids understand God's loving nature towards us, but also His omnipotence. Even though the story doesn't come out and say God is omnipotent, it's pretty obvious throughout the text. For instance, Hermie refers to God being with him when he's afraid, and guiding him when there's a choice between right and wrong.

The rhyming nature of this tale really flows well, tripping off the tongue in an easy manner. I never stumbled when reading it aloud to my kids. For example:

"You watch me when I am awake
And when I sleep and play.
You always take good care of me
Through each and every day."

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 3 - 7, though I honestly think younger children would enjoy the sound of the story as well as the great illustrations, but older kids may be bored, so I'd say Infant - 5.

Publisher Info: Tommy Nelson, 2011; ISBN: 978-1-4003-1804-9; Board Book, PGS., $6.99

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Special Info: We've reviewed other books by Max Lucado here.

Thank You, God, for Blessing Me

If you want to teach your toddler how to have an attitude of gratefulness, you may enjoy Max Lucado’s book Thank You, God, for Blessing Me. In the story, Hermie the caterpillar thanks God for all his blessings: the beauty of nature, his family and friends, and for providing food and shelter. Hermie also asks God to help him be kind and obey… because that’s another way Hermie thanks God.
The book is written in rhyming text. Each page turn is a two-page spread, making the actual “story” only 5 pages long. The illustrations, done by Frank Endersby, hold enough detail to keep the attention of young readers. Endersby fills each background with either bright warm colors or soothing cool colors.
What I Like: The illustrations are sweet and appealing. The message is simple and easy to remember. The brevity of the story and sturdiness of the board book format makes it a great bedtime read for the infant to age 3 audiences. Kids who are already familiar with the Hermie character will likely enjoy reading it the most. It would serve as a great springboard to talk to your kids about prayer.
What I Dislike: Hermie thanks God for his eight little buggy feet. It’s good to thank God for this, but a true caterpillar would not have 8 feet. It would have 6 true legs at the front end of its body and five sets of prolegs at the back end of its body. If I were reading it to my little one, I’d probably pause to point that out. (It’s the teacher in me!) In addition, the meter of the poetry wasn’t quite consistent, which, at times, made it awkward to read aloud.
Overall Rating: Very good for kids infant through age 3. Good for children older than 3.
Age Appeal: Baby-preschool
Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2011; ISBN:978-1400318032; Boardbook, 10 PGS., $6.99
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Special Info: Read CCBR reviews of other books by Max Lucado.

Little David's Big Heart

Little David’s Big Heart, written by Crystal Bowman and illustrated by Frank Endersby, is actually the story of the Biblical David’s early life when he is told he will someday be king.

In this version the Biblical characters have been replaced by mice. David isn’t a shepherd, just a little mouse. But he is a kind mouse and a brave mouse. He is always doing kind things for his friends and looking out for them. Since he isn’t a shepherd, there are no sheep in the story. But, when two of his mice friends are threatened by a fox, David scares the fox away, proving his bravery.

When the current king of the land learns little David will one day be king, he is jealous. He decides to throw a big party. He invites everyone but David. Instead of being angry and upset he has been left out of the festivities, David sends a gift to be given to the king, proving yet again that he has a big heart. The king then asks to see David. He tells David that one day David will be king and he will be a good one.

This Bible verse is given as a reference for the story: “Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. But I look at what is in the heart.” [1 Samuel 16:7]

The expressive, colorful watercolor illustrations are truly delightful.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2010; ISBN: 9780310717089; Paperback, $3.99

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Special Info: This book is part of the Zonderkidz I Can Read! series. It is a level 1, which according to the publisher means it has “simple sentences for eager new readers.” Read our reviews of other books in the I Can Read! series.

Read our reviews of other books by author Crystal Bowman. Read our reviews of other books illustrated by Frank Endersby.

Sharing With You

The second book in the "I Believe Bunny" series, Sharing With You, is even better than the first. The book begins by quoting Hebrews 13:16 ("Do not forget to do good to others. And share with them what you have. These are sacrifices that please God.") and does a nice job illustrating the positive effects of sharing.

As the book opens, I Believe Bunny is playing with his friends. They make daisy chains, swing on vines, make pine cone castles...Then Mouse spots some shiny rocks.

"Bunny looked at the rocks.
He didn't know what to do.
He knew his friends liked them,
but he liked them too.

These rocks were his favorites.
They gleamed in the sun.
He thought, 'I don't want to
share these rocks with anyone.'"

But before he can express himself to his friends, Magpie flies off with one of the rocks in her beak. Squirrel negotiates with Magpie by offering her a shiny ring she found months back. Bunny is moved that Squirrel would give up the ring, but Squirrel says, "You're my friend...And...you mean more to me than a bright, shiny ring."

With the treasure restored, a thankful Bunny shares all his rocks with his friends. After all, sharing is something God wants us to do. "So give it a try and/you'll find when you do,/like the I Believe Bunny/you can share too."

What I Like: Author Tish Rabe has written over 80 children's books, many for the mainstream market, and her writing skills shine. She writes rhyming verse the way it should be: Without forced rhyme and with terrific meter. The story seems to flow effortlessly from her pen. I especially appreciate it when Bunny admits he doesn't want to share his rocks with anyone; who hasn't felt this way, especially as a child? Yet, in the end, Bunny shares anyway.

Frank Endersby's illustrations depict tender, sweet creatures young children will delight in. His soft renderings help us relate to the characters and want to give them a good squeeze.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but I'd say more 2 - 5.

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2009; ISBN: 978-1400314775; hardback, $9.99

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Special Info: Be sure to check out our other reviews of books in this series.

The I Believe Bunny

The I Believe Bunny, the first in a series of titles attempting to teach kids to put their faith into action, is one of the best written and illustrated Christian picture books I've seen.

The book begins by quoting Philippians 4:13 ("I can do everything through him who gives me strength"). Then we meet a bunny who thanks God for his beautiful glen-home, but - with a bit of a pout - wishes it would stop raining. Suddenly he hears a little mouse yelling for help; it has fallen into the river and doesn't know how to swim. The bunny wonders what he, "just a small bunny" can do, but breaks a branch from a nearby tree and extends it out into the river.

"He reached out to the mouse,
but he started to slip.
The water was rushing.
He was losing his grip!

Then he prayed to God, 'Please,
can you help me right now?
I want to save this mouse,
but I don't know how.'"

Just as the bunny asks for God's strength, his animal friends come running to help. In no time, they've rescued the mouse.

The author concludes that when you have faith in God's love "nothing you try will be impossible for you...You CAN make a difference, even a bunny....your size."

What I Like: Penned by Tish Rabe, author of many Cat in the Hat books, and lyricist for a number of Sesame Street, Disney, and Nickelodeon songs, The I Believe Bunny is an excellent example of how to write a rhyming children's book. You'll find no forced text or imperfect rhymes here, and the rhythm of the rhyme is easy to read aloud.

Frank Endersby's illustrations are an excellent companion to the text, showing us a cute bunny and his friends in gentle hues. Each of his illustrations shows action, pulling young readers right into the story.

And, naturally, I appreciate how the story makes it clear our faith impacts our lives - if we allow it to.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but many toddlers will also like this book.

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2009; ISBN: 1400314763; hardback, $9.99

Buy it Now at ChristianBook.com for $7.99

Or at Amazon.com for $9.99

Special Info: See author Tish Rabe's website for information about school visits and check out illustrator Frank Endersby's website for a look at his artwork.