KID STUFF - Fall 1999
resources for effective children's ministry
There are so many excellent children's books available to use at home and in church to help children learn about Bible people, character traits and more about God in fun and memorable ways and while any of the books reviewed in "About the Children’s Department" are excellent choices I have put together a list of my "all time top dozen best must have children’s books"! These books are all excellent and I do not recommend one over any other so I am listing them alphabetically. I encourage every family and children's ministry to add each of these books to their collection and read them often!
A Child’s Christmas at St. Nicholas Circle
Author - Douglas Kaine McKelvey
Illustrator - Thomas Kinkade
Publisher - Tommy Nelson
Ages - all
This wonderful book combines a powerful, moving story children will both identify with and learn from with amazing, colorful art work for illustrations to make a book sure to be treasured by the entire family for generations!Favorite Features:
- clearly teaches the true meaning of Christmas
- powerful story sure to be remembered by all
- art work is beautiful, colorful and entirely enjoyable! - excellent!
I cannot recommend this book highly enough as it communicates clearly and powerfully the truth of how Christmas is about giving. This book is one families and churches may enjoy as part of a holiday tradition each year - read it throughout the year as well as the true message of Christianity is loving and caring for and helping others all year around - not just at Christmas. Extremely well done Douglas, Thomas and Tommy Nelson!
Adam Raccoon storybooks
Author/Illustrator - Glen Keane
Publisher - Chariot Victor
Ages - 4 - 7
Parables are one of the tools Jesus used to teach and the Adam Raccoon books utilize parables to teach children about topics like, salvation, following Jesus, repentance and forgiveness, love and courage to name a few.Favorite Features:
- retells Jesus' parables to help children learn spiritual truths
- fun, colorful illustrations
- kids will love and identify with Adam Raccoon
- not a lot of words on a page - easier to keep kid’s attention
- Faith Parenting Guide - excellent helpful information to help parents follow up and teach their children spiritual truth
I highly recommend all of the Adam Raccoon story books as children will truly enjoy and learn from these books. Extremely well done Glen and Chariot Victor!
Because I Love You
Author - Max Lucado
Illustrator - Mitchell Heinze
Publisher - Crossway Books
Ages - all
Max Lucado is truly a gifted author as not only is he able to communicate clearly with adults to help us understand the truth of God's Word and His love for us, but he is also able to do so in such a way that children are able to understand these important truths as well. In this book Max helps us see how God loves us and always has our best in mind.Favorite Features:
- communicates beautifully the powerful message of how God sometimes says "no" and places boundaries for us because He loves us
- colorful, beautiful art work
- children will be able to understand and identify with the characters
- generates opportunities for parents and teachers to follow up and talk with children about the application
This excellent book is one certain to be loved by all and read often. I highly recommend it for families and churches - consider reading it in adult and youth classes as well as it will generate excellent conversation about boundaries. Extremely well done Max, Mitchell and Crossway Books!
the Children of the King
Author - Max Lucado
Illustrator - Toni Goffe
Publisher - Crossway Books
Ages - all
There are so many pressures on children today to do well and often their sense of worth is tied in to what they do rather than who they are and the truth of God's love for them giving them genuine value. This book is an excellent tool for parents and teachers to utilize to help children see they do not have to earn God's love - it is unconditional!Favorite Features:
- important and powerful message all children - and adults as well - need to hear, often
- soft, colorful illustrations
- story will generate opportunities for parents and teachers to talk with children about salvation as well as where their value comes from
This is another excellent book with an important and powerful message. Children will truly enjoy and learn from this book - it is sure to be a favorite! Extremely well done Max, Toni and Crossway Books!
I Wonder Who Stretched the Giraffe's Neck
Author - Mona Gansberg Hodgson
Illustrator - Chris Sharp
Publisher - Concordia Publishing House
Reading Level - Grade 1
Interest level - Ages 4 - 7
Children wonder about many things and in this creative and interesting book, Mona both encourages children to wonder while giving simple answers for these "wonders".Favorite Features:
- teaches children in a fun way how God made every living thing and He takes care of them
- encourages children to thank God for His creation
- includes Scripture
- activities in back add to the fun
- colorful, fun illustrations
- encourages parents and teachers to talk further with children
This is a book children will truly enjoy, identify with and participate with as they also wonder about some of the same things. Extremely well done Mona, Chris and Concordia Publishing House!
the Legend of the Candy Cane
Author - Lori Walburg
Illustrator - James Bernardin
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing House
Ages - all
This is yet another excellent book to help children learn and think about the true meaning of Christmas in a fun and memorable way!Favorite Features:
- focus of the story is on communicating how there is more to Christmas than a baby in a manger - excellent
- builds story around the familiar candy cane
- deep, rich, colorful illustrations
- history of the candy cane in the back is interesting
If you are looking for resources to utilize at Christmas to help build family traditions and focus on the true meaning of Christmas - this book is an excellent choice as children - and adults as well - will truly enjoy the story, illustrations and the connection to candy canes. Extremely well done Lori, James and Zondervan Publishing House!
Rhyme Time Book of Christian Virtues
Author/Illustrator - Michael Waite
Publisher - Chariot Victor
Ages - 4 - 7
This book is another of my all time favorite children's books as it combines 12 amazing stories with almost Suess-like characters children will love, to teach important lessons on character traits like kindness, sharing and obeying to mention a few.Favorite Features:
- terrific stories will truly teach important lessons in memorable and fun ways
- each story ends with a Scripture verse
- fun, colorful artwork - excellent!
- 12 stories in one book sure to be favorites
- Faith Parenting Guide - excellent!
Each of these stories are sure to provide opportunities for parents and children to talk and learn together as the stories are enjoyed over and over. Extremely well done Michael and Chariot Victor!
the Song of the King
Author - Max Lucado
Illustrator - Toni Goffe
Publisher - Crossway Books
Age - all
We live in an often confusing time and society. There are so many things "calling" out to our kids and we need to help them learn how to listen to God’s "call". This book is an excellent resource with a powerful message of how when we listen to God we will find our way - which is in reality God's way!Favorite Features:
- powerful, needed message
- story is one children will be enthralled with and look forward to discovering how it ends
- story provides opportunity for parents and teachers to build on the message and teach their children about how to make wise decisions
- colorful, interesting illustrations
This is yet another excellent book by Max Lucado appropriate for everyone in the family! I highly recommend this book for all families and churches. Extremely well done Max, Toni and Crossway Books!
the Ten Commands From God’s Own Hands
Author/Illustrator - Phil Smouse
Publisher - Chariot Victor
Ages - 4 - 8
There are a wealth of excellent books for children - we have looked at many - this is one such book! This book takes the Ten Commandments, matches each commandment with a Bible story to illustrate that particular command and teach it's meaning so kids will remember and learn!Favorite Features:
- unique and excellent way to teach the ten commandments - kids will understand their meanings
- uses rhyming and humor to communicate ten familiar Bible stories in a unique and effective way
- great way to teach the ten commandments to kids
- fun, colorful illustrations
- begins with an introduction explaining what the ten commandments are and why Jesus died for us
I cannot recommend this book highly enough - it is superb! I like how it has ten Bible stories in one book - this will be a book kids and parents will love and learn from as each story is bound to generate lots of good conversation as families learn together about the Ten Commandments! Extremely well done Phil and Chariot Victor!
There's a Duck in My Closet!
Author - John Trent
Illustrator - Judy Love
Publisher - Tommy Nelson
Ages - 3 - 7
This truly enjoyable book is another of my all-time favorite children's story books! It is extremely well written, illustrated and helps children learn an important lesson about being afraid of the dark.Favorite Features:
- fun, delightful story children will love and learn from
- fun, colorful illustrations - excellent
- book provides opportunities for families to talk, encourage and learn together
- Message to Parents - helps parents help their children deal with their fears
I highly recommend this book for all families - Extremely well done John, Judy and Tommy Nelson!
the Topsy-Turvy Kingdom
Authors - Dottie & Josh McDowell & David Nathan Weiss
Illustrator - Lydia Taranovic
Publisher - Tyndale for Kids
Ages - 4 and up
One of the biggest challenges parents and teachers face today is to help our children learn how to discern right from wrong. In our society where there are no absolutes if we do not teach our children this important truth - God's Word is the source for our absolutes - in all likelihood, our children will not learn this vital ability. There are few resources more effective and better written than this fabulous book - not only will kids totally love the story, but they will also understand and learn about how to choose right from wrong!Favorite Features:
- effectively and with enjoyment communicates the important message of right from wrong
- colorful, bright and fun illustrations - excellent!
- conversation generating questions in the back of the book to aid parents and teachers in helping children truly understand and apply the truths in this story
- Extremely well written - kids will completely love this book!
I cannot recommend this book strongly enough! It is excellent in every way. I especially like how it is written to genuinely help even young children understand that there are absolutes in life and these absolutes are for our good. Extremely well done Dottie, Josh, David, Lydia and Tyndale for Kids!
You Are Special
Author - Max Lucado
Illustrator - Sergio Martinez
Publisher - Crossway Books
Ages - all
There are those who God has truly blessed with the ability to effectively communicate truth by telling awesome stories - Max Lucado is definitely one of these gifted storytellers. Whether his story is for adults or for children and adults, Max communicates truth in powerful ways that impact the souls of those who read and/or hear these wonderful stories! This book is just such a powerful story and effectively communicated the truth of God's deep love for us!Favorite Features:
- amazing, powerful, excellent story for children and adults
- colorful, beautiful illustrations
- story will provide many opportunities for parents and teachers to talk with children about the application and to learn together
I cannot recommend this book highly enough! "You are Special" belongs in every home and church and is sure to be a favorite of all as it so effectively communicates how very much God loves us just as we are! Extremely well done Max, Mitchell and Crossway Books!