At Your Baptism

At Your Baptism, written by Carrie Steenwyk and John D. Witvliet, is an annotated text about the meaning of being baptized. It is written for children so they can understand what baptism is all about.

The author explains what baptism is by using text like this: “For you he triumphed over death and rose in newness of life.”

Then, she explains what that means by saying: “But death was not the end. Jesus came back to life. Now we can live each day with God’s power. When we die, we can live with God forever.”

The illustrations by Linda Saport are colorful and go along with the text, but the people look odd

What I Like: I like the text because it is annotated. I haven’t seen many annotated texts for children, but I like the idea.

What I Dislike: However, I don’t like the illustrations. The people are cartoon-like (which is okay), but they look odd, even for cartoon characters with their heads positioned at odd angles.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-7

Publisher Info: Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 2011; ISBN: 9780802853813; Board Book, $8.00

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Walking the Plank to the Baptism Tank

If you know a child who'd like to be baptized, but is a little nervous about the process, Walking the Plank to the Baptism Tank by Mike Thaler makes an excellent gift.

In his silly, puny style, Thaler shows a young boy who is afraid to get baptized because he's heard the tank is deep, dark, and cold. In the accompanying illustration by Jared Lee, we see an enormous tank with pieces of monster-like creatures peeping out here and there. But, our hero decides, "life without Jesus is even deeper, darker, and colder," so he'll get baptized anyway.

He wonders if he'll need snorkeling gear for his dunking, and whether the pastor will dress like a pirate and walk him off a plank. He hopes a lifeguard will be present, but then remembers his mom says "God is our lifeguard, and He's always on duty twenty-four hours a day."

He remembers that God parted the waters for the Isrealites and that Jesus walked on water...then wonders if any of that would work for him. He wishes the pastor would just sprinkle water on him, instead of dunking him.

The Sunday of his baptism, there's a line of kids before him. He's glad everyone "seems to be coming out all right." Finally, it's his turn...and the tank isn't so deep, dark, and cold. "Is that all? Hey, can I do a double dip? Can I stay in for a while and splash around?" he wonders. When he exits the tank, he feels "clean and new. It's like a Laudromat for the spirit." Maybe he'll take up swimming and win an Olympic gold medal, because "anything is possible with God."
What I Like: Thaler and Lee have a real gift for making topics that could be boring lots of fun, and their work in Walking the Plank is no exception. Although this book isn't as funny as some as this team's other titles, it's plenty lighthearted, and the illustrations are filled with silly details and fun dialogue in bubbles. This is a terrific book for kids who will soon be baptized.
What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.
Age Appeal: 4 - 8
Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0310715948; paperback, $4.99
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Special Info: Read our other reviews of Mike Thaler and Jered Lee's books.

BiC's Baptism

BiC's Baptism by Robin K Khoury is an odd little book - but a useful one, too, for certain occasions.
BiC is a young boy whose name stands for "Baby in Christ." He's recently accepted Jesus into his heart, under the guidance of grown-up Disciple Dan. The two go to church together and watch Mr.Creaky get baptized. BiC knows he should be baptized, too, but he's scared. He wonders: What's underneath that water and what if Pastor Windy drops him? The whole thing makes his tummy do flip-flops.
Disciple Dan explains how John baptized Jesus, and how and why baptism doesn't actually save us. BiC is relieved; he thinks this means he doesn't have to be baptized. But Dan explains Jesus wants us to be baptized, and what baptism symbolizes. Besides, Dan says, the Bible says God hasn't given us a spirit of fear.
Still fretting, BiC finds wise Mr. Owl and explains his fears. Mr. Owl says when we are scared, we should just hold on tighter to God. They pray together that BiC will overcome his fear. The book ends as we watch BiC get baptized.
What I Like: The illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier are bright and colorful, and if you have a child who's afraid of baptism, this is the book for you.
What I Dislike: If you just want a book introducing the concept of baptism, or explains why we should be baptized, this book might not be a good choice, since it could introduce the idea that baptisms are something some kids are afraid of. I also find it a little odd that we never learn BiC's real name, and it's odder still that everyone in the book is a human except for Mr. Owl.
Overall Rating: Good.
Age Appeal: The publishers don't offer a suggested age group for this book, but I'd say preschool to about age 8.
Publishing Info: Little Light Press, 2008; ISBN: 0966714784; paperback, $12.95
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Water Come Down: The Day You Were Baptized

Water Come Down: The Day You Were Baptized, written by Walter Wangerin, Jr. and illustrated by, Gerardo Suzin, celebrates the glory of being baptized. When we are baptized, and become “children of God,” all creation – sun, clouds, rain, and wind – join in the celebration of a “new life.” The lyrical text makes the connection between rain from the Heavens (the water “coming down”) and the baptismal font, citing both as God’s creations.

And I am the water that flows in a river,
The River of Life, forever and ever –
Yes! I am the water came down to your town,
To find you, child, and you I found –
The day you were baptized.

I am the water they washed you in,
Your head, your heart, your soul, your skin,
Clean of the devil! Clean from sin,
The day you were baptized.

The author cites his use of a Biblical text, from Romans 8, to explain his approach to baptism: “The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.” Other verses in this book echo this sentiment, showing the sun, the clouds, the rain and the wind, all rejoicing in the baptism of a new “child of God”.

The illustrations are a bit cartoonish but they are expressive and colorful and child-like, making them appropriate for a book of this nature.

What I Like: At the end of the book is a section called “The Story of Baptism”. The author explains why we need to be baptized and cites Biblical passages for text used in the story.

What I Dislike: The story is written in rhyme. Most of the passages flow smoothly, but in some cases the rhyme is a bit forced, making the text a bit jarring. For instance, the author tries to rhyme “down” with “underground.”

It’s a truly lovely book, but I think it was written more for the adult than the child, even though it is certainly a picture book. I’m afraid most children wouldn’t understand the symbolism in the poetry without a lot of explanation - - but, then again, children need a lot of explanation to understand the concept of baptism.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Augsburg Fortress Publisher, 1999; ISBN: 0806637110; Hardcover, $16.99.

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What's A Bathtub Doing In My Church?

What's A Bathtub Doing In My Church? contains fifteen questions kids ask about baptism. This book is cleverly written and comically illustrated by Kevin Spear. This 32-page, informative book is filled with inquisitive, animated characters - both kids and adults. On the first three pages, the author gives the scenario of a young boy and his friend witnessing a baptism. His friend has not seen anything like this before and begins to ask questions. The young boy begins feeling a little uncomfortable and embarrassed with all the questions his friend has. The author then takes several pages to explain what baptism is and all the steps one needs to take before, during, and after baptism. The author uses Bible facts to help explain this "celebration." He addresses baptism as a submersion in water and also notes the different ways denominations may handle baptism.
There is plenty of encouragement in this informative book. It explains what goes on in the baptistry, who is there with you, what talks with the pastor are like, and offers assurance that there is no need for snorkels.

What I Like:  I appreciate that this book teaches us to act on our beliefs. It will also help you and your children understand why Baptism is so important. There is a list of applicable verses for further study and a twelve worded glossary.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Publishing Info: Warner Press; 2006; ISBN:9781593171551

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