Are Angels Real?

Are Angels Real? by Kathleen Long Bostrom is from the author's popular Little Blessings series. In this volume, she covers a topic of interest to Christians and non-Christians alike. She begins with lots of questions a child might ask about angels, including: Are angels real? Do I have an angel looking out for me? Can I talk to angels? What do angels wear? Do angels get old and die? When I go to Heaven, can I be an angel, too?

Then Bostrum answers each question (in a pleasant rhyme). She ends by advising children to be kind and share God's love: "You just might be helping an angel out too!"

Taking up the last 13 pages of this 69 page book, the author details all the biblical references she used as reference.

What I Like: Angels have developed something of a cult following, so I like that this book closely follows what the Bible has to say about angels...yet does so in a child-friendly manner. The sweet illustrations by Elena Kucharik also add a lot of interest.

What I Dislike: The part of this book designed to be read to a child is 55 pages long; even though many pages have a small amount of text, this book might prove long for the youngest children it's targeted to.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 0 -5

Publishing Info: Tyndale, 2001; ISBN: 0842339590; hard back, $9.99.

Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $8.99.

Special Info: You may wish to visit Kathleen Long Bostrum's website. Also, see our reviews of other books by this author.

What is the Bible?

It is surprisingly difficult to find children's books explaining what the Bible is, but Kathleen Long Bostrum's recent title What is the Bible? tackles the topic aptly.

Unlike it's only competition (Big Thoughts For Little Thinkers: The Scripture), Bostrum's book is truly suitable even for toddlers, and with illustrations by Care Bear artist Elena Kucharik, What is the Bible? is likely to please the younger crowd.

Like all the books in the popular "Little Blessings" series, this one begins with a series of questions a child might ask, including "Who wrote the Bible?/One person? A few?/What does it say?/Can you give me a clue?" The second half of the book then answers these questions. We learn the Bible is "one of a kind," God's word, was written by many people with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, should be read - and reread over and over, tells us of many interesting people -especially the story of Jesus the Savior, and more.

The last several pages of the book back up the text with Biblical references, which can also be used to discuss the topic with your child.

What I Like: I appreciate having a simple book to help explain even to very young children what the Bible is all about. This book isn't as detailed or all-encompassing as the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers book, but that's what makes it a perfect introduction for younger children, or children who are less familiar with Christian teachings.

Kucharik's illustrations also add great interest, as she shows small children of various ethnicities reading the Bible, playing, and going about their daily lives.

What I Dislike: One section names a few famous people of the Bible, but since only names (and no hints of stories) are mentioned, if your child isn't familiar with these people, he or she may be bored for a couple of pages.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 3 - 6.

Publishing Info: Tyndale, 2009; ISBN: 978-1414320120; hardback, $9.99

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $7.99

OR buy at Amazon.com for $9.99

Special Info: Read our other reviews of "Little Blessings" books. Read our reviews of other books by Kathleen Long Bostrom and Elena Kucharik.

Paul's Call

There are many pleasant surprises in Paul's Call by Kathleen Long Bostrom. For example, the author's clever text, more than a little reminiscent of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Here's a sample:

"Saul hated Christians! You could not appease him.
And if you ask why, I could guess at the reason.
It could be that Jesus was making the news.
It could be that Saul had a very short fuse.
Yet maybe the reason that has the best fit
Is that Saul simply didn't know Jesus one bit.

But,
Whatever the reason,
The news or the fuse,
Saul stood for the godly, defending the Jews.
He knew that the Christians were spreading the Word,
And he had to stop them before they were heard."

Now you might guess at another of the nice surprises in this book: It takes what could seem a very dry story and makes it fun, entertaining, and important to young children.

The author continues Saul's tale, as he develops his plans to get rid of Christians, then is stopped powerfully by God. Soon Saul accepts Christ and becomes known as Paul. Then we get a glimpse of the changes in Paul as he preaches the Gospel. The book ends with Paul as a guest at a feast in Heaven, then reminds children that God wants them, too, to share the Good News.

The author also does a nice job of offering some ideas about what Christians should do: Spread the Word, pray, share...all things that drive Saul nuts.

What I Like: I think this is a terrific way to tell young children about a man who hated Christianity, but was transformed by God. The rhyming text is a lot of fun; many children will delight in the similarities to the famous Dr. Seuss story. And the bright illustrations by Dennis McKinsey are just right. They are comic-book like, showing lots of expression in each character.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 3 -6, but I think it will most appeal to preschoolers and gradeschoolers.

Publishing Info: Westminster, 2005; ISBN: 0664226361; hard back, $14.95.

Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $11.99.

Special Info: You may wish to visit Kathleen Long Bostrum's website Also, see our reviews of other books by this author.

Waiting for Christmas

There are few occasions where traditions take such hold on us as they do during Christmastime. Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar does a great job of explaining one such tradition and all it means.

Written by prolific children’s book author Kathleen Long Bostrom, the story begins with Gerhard, a young German boy from the 19th century, asking how many days there are until Christmas. Gerhard’s father, a minister, replies, “Even baby Jesus had to wait for his first Christmas gifts...Two or three years after Jesus was born, the wise men brought their gifts to him.”

Gerhard’s mother soon begins making Lebkuchen, a special Christmas cookie. Gerhard is disappointed to learn the dough must sit overnight before the cookies may be baked. “I have to wait for cookies too?” he asks. The next day, after he’s helped decorate his father’s church for Christmas, Gerhard asks if he can have one of the cookies, freshly baked. His mother tells him the cookies must sit in a tin for several weeks before they can be eaten. “For now,” his mother says, “you can draw the chalk lines on our door...That will help you count the days of Advent.” Gerhard does as many German children did, and makes 24 chalk marks on the front door. When each day passes, his mother allows him to erase one mark.

Gerhard’s mother also offers him Wibele cookies for each day of Advent, hoping to make the days pass more quickly. Gerhard’s father remarks that waiting can be hard, but the world waited thousands of years for Jesus to come. Gerhard prays: “Thank you, dear God, for Mama and Papa and Oma and Opa and for candles and treats and Christmas. But thank you most of all for Jesus. And God, help me to be patient.”

The book ends: “Christmas would come, he knew. For now, he would just have to wait. But that was all right. Some things are worth waiting for.”

The author also includes a note about the origins of Advent, in addition to ideas on how to incorporate Advent traditions into modern life. A fold up advent calendar and stickers are also included with the book.

What I Like: I’m a big fan of traditions and understanding where they came from and what they mean, as anyone who’s read my book on wedding traditions knows. Bostrum presents a lovely tale of a typically eager little boy who thinks he can’t stand to wait one more day for Christmas...yet shows how waiting is a big part of the Christmas – and Christian - tradition. The illustrations by Alexi Natchev add a great deal to this book; his old-fashioned, impressionistic drawings are warm and Dickens-esque.

What I Dislike: It would have been greatly helpful to have a glossary at the back of the book to help non-German-speaking parents pronounce the several German words that appear in this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 2 - 7.

Publishing Info: Zondervan, 2006; ISBN: 0310710154; hard back, $15.99.

Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $11.99.