Jenny: Coming to Terms with the Death of a Sibling

In the story Jenny: Coming to Terms with the Death of a Sibling, written by Stephanie Jeffs, Jenny’s sister, Rosie, wasn’t well. She didn’t have a sore throat, a runny nose or any spots, but she was sick. Rosie had to stay home from school. She spent most of her time in bed. When she wasn’t asleep, Jenny would take her toys into Rosie’s room and play with them on her bed. Sometimes Rosie had to go to the hospital.

All the members of Rosie’s family, and all her friends, wanted Rosie to get well. They all said they hoped Rosie would be well soon. Grandpa prayed that Jesus would take care of Rosie.

Jenny knew when she got sick, she usually felt better after a good night’s sleep. One day, after Rosie has been sick for quite some time, Jenny asked her mom, “Why doesn’t Rosie feel better after a good night’s sleep? Why does everyone say that they hope she gets better soon, but she never does? Why is she always ill?”

Jenny’s mom got very quiet. Then she explained that Rosie was very sick and might never get better. Jenny asked, “Will Jesus take care of Rosie?”

Her mom said, “Of course he will. He promises to take care of all of us, even when we die. He makes a special place for us to live with him in heaven. It’s a place where we will never hurt again and we will always be better.”

That night, Jenny prayed, “Lord Jesus, please take care of Rosie.” The last sentence of the book reads: “And deep inside she knew that he had heard her prayer.”

The watercolor illustrations by Jacqui Thomas are colorful and very realistic.

What I Like: It’s difficult to talk to anyone about dying; it’s especially difficult to talk to a child when their sibling is sick. So, it’s nice to have a book like this that helps explain what’s going on.

What I Dislike: Having said that, I want to add that I think the ending could have been a bit stronger. The title says the “death” of a sibling, but Jenny’s sibling doesn’t actually die in the story. Her death is implied, but it never actually happens. I don’t want to sound morbid, because it would have made the story sadder, but I think it would have also made the story stronger if Rosie had passed away and Jenny had actually had to deal with her sister’s death. Otherwise, the title should have been something like “Jenny: Understanding When a Sibling Gets Very Ill.”

Overall Rating: I will still give the book an overall rating of good as it is very well written.
Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Abingdon Press, 2006; ISBN: 0687497094; Hardcover: $14.00.

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Special Info: Read our review of another book by this writing/illustrating team.

Bible Heroes & Bad Guys

Part of the 2:52 collection (based on Luke 2:52), Bible Heroes & Bad Guys offers portraits of 31 characters from the Bible. Old and New Testament "guys" (though the book does feature both men and women of Scripture) receive the full treatment: the good, the bad, the ugly. Each section starts with a bulleted list of character highlights then progresses to a more detailed retelling of that person's story. The "Getting Deeper" section of each chapter offers practical applications for readers, including action steps kids can take to live the lessons learned from that person's life. Finally, a "Bible Supercharge" section provides a verse perfect of memorization.

The chapters are short, just four pages each. Readers will find illustrations, large and small, peppered throughout the text, usually every two to three pages.

The illustrations feature unique perspectives, lots of action and heavy outlines, a style typical of comic books. Except for the cover, all are black and white.

What I Like: The series has tremendous appeal for boys! I gave this book to my nephew for his 8th birthday. Within a week he begged his mom to buy him the rest of the books in the series. He loves them! I like that this book is based on solid biblical teaching. References are frequently provided. The format and text makes the Bible interesting to young kids and reminds them of the adventures hidden within Scripture's pages.

What I Dislike: The book has a very trendy voice, as if one young kid is talking to another. This makes it more appealing to kids, but can be awkward for parents to read aloud.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12, but some younger kids may enjoy it, too.

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2002; ISBN: 0310703220; Paperback (128 pages); $7.99

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The Crazy Ladies are at it Again!

Surprise! Yep, we have yet another new blog design! We were just having too many problems with the old one, so Yvonne Parks helped us by completely redesigning our site. Check out her website; she's so quick, professional, and talented!

We hope you'll find this design even easier to use.

Sammy and His Shepherd

Sammy and His Shepherd, is a wonderful devotional for children. Written by Susan Hunt, and illustrated by Cory Godbey, it will help a child not only memorize, but internalize, the beloved Psalm 23.

The devotional is written as a story that is narrated by Sammy the lamb. Each chapter focuses on one verse in the psalm. There is a "Talk About It," section for each chapter at the end of the book.

For example, chapter one focuses on, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." In the story, Sammy realizes what a wonderful and caring shepherd he has when he meets another lamb whose shepherd does not care for her needs. Sammy is thankful that his shepherd knows him by name and provides for every need he has. He becomes friends with the little sheep. The "Talk About It" section features three additional verses to meditate on, six questions to answer, and something to thank Jesus for when the child prays.

As the chapters progress, Sammy's shepherd buys the neglected little lamb and names her Precious. While Sammy helps Precious to learn all about her shepherd, children will learn of their Savior.

What I Like: I like the fact that this devotional takes a child through the psalm one verse at a time in true expository style. Theological truths are gently woven into the stories, and your child will learn how to trust in their Shepherd. I can't wait until my daughters are a little older so that we can go through this book with them. The illustrations are lovely as well.

What I Dislike: I can't say that I dislike anything about this book!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: The publisher doesn't specify, but I'd say 4-8.

Publisher Info: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2008; ISBN:1567691099 ; Hardcover $17.00.

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Names of our Father

Names of our Father by Yvonne Riley explores 12 Hebrew names of God by paralleling them with The Lord's Prayer. Following a set template, four pages are devoted to each name. The first page lists the name, it's phonetic pronunciation and a number of descriptive words or synonyms. A verse featuring this name of God is given at the bottom of the page, and a picture (part photograph, part illustration) faces from the opposite page. The next two pages use prose to explain why this name is significant to us. At the top of these two pages, the author quotes a line from The Lord's Prayer on one side and paraphrases that same line on the other side.

At the beginning of the book, readers will find a note to parents and a table of contents. The table of contents lists all the featured names paralleled with The Lord's Prayer and "Our Prayer," the author's paraphrase. The following Hebrew names of God are included:

• Abba
• Elohim
• Kaddesh
• Nissi
• Adonai
• Shalom
• El Shaddai
• Rophe
• Rohi
• Jireh
• Shammah
• Jehovah

The author's husband, David Riley, served as illustrator. He combined photographs of various children with heavily outlined illustrations to depict lifestyles from all around the world. A friendly jaguar appears on several pages.

What I Like:I love the concept! I like that this book teaches children (and parents!) the significance of the many names of God. I like that it uses the real language along with explanations. I like that it parallels all this with a prayer, thereby teaching us to use God's many names when we pray. While the illustrations aren't my favorite, my kids really like them.

What I Dislike: The format can be a bit confusing for reading aloud. The Lord's Prayer and the paraphrase appear to be headings, but text often continues from the previous page. This leads to a jilted reading.

Overall Rating: The book itself is not extraordinary, but because of the uniqueness of content and the rarity of books like this, I'm giving it a rating of Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Moody Publishers, 2005; ISBN: 0802429467; Hardback; $9.99

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Special Info: This book is part of the Trinity Trilogy. The other two books are Jesus: A to Z and Gift of the Spirit (not in print).

26 Fairmount Avenue

26 Fairmount Avenue is the first in an autobiographical series by children's author Tomie dePaola. The story begins with the hurricane of 1938, continues through dePaola's kindergarten debut and concludes with his move to a new house. DePaola details slices of life, writing in the first person point of view. He describes everyday events children can relate to (like going to kindergarten for the first time) and makes cultural references children will be interested in. DePaola's reaction to seeing the first Walt Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, made me laugh. Many of the other episodes are funny too, such as the time he and his grandma were tied into chairs and ate too many "chocolates."

DePaola makes a point to speak directly to the reader by using parentheses or additional explanation. For example, when he uses the phrase "out in the sticks" he follows by saying, "That meant way out where not many people lived. There wasn't even a real street." DePaola's voice, as well as his realistic illustrations that support the text on every page, make this book a perfect fit for beginning readers who are transitioning to chapter books.

DePaola grew up in a Catholic, Irish-Italian family, and makes lots of references to God, religion, and prayer throughout the series. In 26 Fairmount Avenue, he does mention some specifically Catholic traditions, such as sprinkling with holy water. When Tomie and his mother are worried about their new house, dePaola writes, "Aunt Nell told me that if you wanted something really important, you could ask your guardian angel, and as long as it wasn't a bad thing, you'd probably get it. I figured now was the perfect time to talk to my guardian angel. And guess what! My guardian angel did come to the rescue." He also includes a charming illustration of the manger scene his mother placed on the mantle at Christmas.

What I Like: I love the wholesome, conversational tone of the book, as well as the loving portrayal of Tomie's relationships with his grandparents and other relatives. I also love the illustrations. As a Caldecott Honor-winning artist, dePaola perfectly captures the essence of each page in simple, black-and-white sketches. I especially love the first two pages, where dePaola gives us portraits of his parents, relatives and neighbors.

I also like the historical references that become more present as the series progresses. (The series begins in 1938 and takes us through dePaola's grade-school years and World War II.) These books provide a child's insight into history in an interesting and authentic manner.

What I Dislike: Nothing. The books could be a bit slow-moving for some since they detail everyday life, as opposed to dramatic action sequences.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 7-10

Publisher Info: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999; ISBN: 0-399-23246-X ; Hardcover, $13.99

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Special Info: 26 Fairmount Avenue won the Newbery Honor Award in 2000. The book is also available in hardcover at Amazon.com.

Secrets of Civil War Spies

It's been a while since a book made me stay up late at night thinking, "Just one more chapter..." Codes hidden in invisible ink, women disguised as male soldiers, capture as a spy - and all for the cause of freeing every American. Who wouldn't love Secrets of Civil War Spies by Nancy LeSourd?

Part of the Liberty Letters series, Secrets of Civil War Spies is the fictional correspondence between two young ladies: Molly, who, although she's in Confederate territory, simply cannot reconcile slavery with the gospel, and Em, whose been living life as a boy in order to escape her abusive father and make a living on her own.

Molly and Em are friends, and Molly has always kept Ems disguise a secret. But when Em joins the Union army, Molly is afraid her friend cannot possibly escape discovery - or death. Em becomes a nurse (a role primarily played by men in the 1860s), and then a Union spy. When Molly finds she can no longer support slavery, she becomes a spy for the Union, also. Eventually, Molly is arrested by the Union for - they believe - being a Confederate spy. Molly cannot tell them the truth without risking the lives of everyone else in her spy ring - ordinary citizens such as a dry goods man and a letter carrier. Fortunately, Em is stationed nearby and helps Molly escape and return home to her mother and sister.

The best part of this page turner is that it's so heavily based on fact. Molly gives aid at a home-made Confederate hospital run by Sally Tompkins; it has an amazingly low death rate for the era. Sally Tompkins was a real person who did, indeed, run an excellent hospital with only 73 deaths in four years. Molly learns how to run coded messages in invisible ink with Elizabeth Van Lew, also a real woman who ran a spy ring for the Union during the war. And the entire character of Em is based upon Emma Edmonds, who did actually disguise herself as a man and serve in the Union army. The author does a nice job of sticking close to Emma's own account of her life, and in a not to readers, makes it clear what is fact in her adventure-filled novel. There's even a section in the back with photos of the real-life players in the book.

What I Like: Everything! This is really a superb book. If it weren't clearly marketed to kids, it could easilybe sold as a book for adults. The author does a terrific job of making Civil War times come to life, and weaves in Christian themes flawlessly.

Although she never defends the Confederate cause, her Confederates are drawn with some sympathy, as human beings who believe they must stick together. Many characters, Confederate and Union, are Christians, and are shown seeking refuge with the Lord as they endanger their lives - and sometimes finally give them up. Both Molly and Em do their best to see to the physical and spiritual needs of fallen soldiers on both sides. And this is not a case where Christian beliefs were forced upon historical characters. Em's own book (published in the 19th century) clearly states her strong faith in Christ, and Sally Tompkin also was an outspoken Christian woman.

The author states that one of her goals in writing this book was to illustrate how girls and young women can make bold choices to help others and shape the course of human history. In Secrets of Civil War Spies, she's met her goal well.

What I Dislike: Nothing, really, although I felt the book ended a bit abruptly - perhaps because I was enjoying it so much and didn't want it to end.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 9 - 12, but older kids and adults will enjoy this book, too.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2008; ISBN: 978-0310713906; paperback, $7.99

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Special Info: There's lots of great historical information, videos, photos, and more at the author's website.