KID STUFF - Spring 2000
resources for effective children's ministry
My Bible Friends
Miriam and the Baby Moses
Author - Alice Joyce Davidson
Illustrator - Tammie Lyon
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages - 4 and under"My Bible Friends Storybooks" provide a nice way for young children to learn the basics of familiar Bible stories in a way they will enjoy and remember.
Favorite Features:
* sturdy board book format helps the book last
* colorful, bright illustrations
* rhyming verse makes the text fun to listen to and easy to remember
* re-tells the basics of familiar Bible stories
* small size for a child's handsYoung children will enjoy these books . . . they make an excellent resource for use at home or church. Nicely done Alice, Tammie and Zondervan!
Peek-a-Bible Storybook
Little David and Big Goliath
Author - Tracy Harrast
Illustrator - Carl Moore
Publisher - Zondervan Publishing
Ages - 6 and underDavid and Goliath is one of the all-time favorite children's Bible stories. Children also love books with flaps to lift in order to see the hidden pictures. "Peek-a-Bible Storybooks" combine familiar Bible stories with colorful illustrations and flaps to make storybooks children will truly enjoy and learn from.
Favorite Features:
* colorful, fun illustrations
* flaps involve children in the Bible story
* retells the Bible story of David and Goliath
* ends story with a life application to help children understand the point of the story
* includes a Bible verse to help with the applicationThis book - along with the others in this series - make excellent resources for use at home and church. Children will love being a "part" of the story by helping to open the flaps on each page. "Little David and Big Goliath" is an excellent book for parents to read to their children and then talk about together to help children learn how they can trust God, too! Extremely well done Tracy, Carl and Zondervan!
The Exodus - Moses' story from the Bible
Compiled by - Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
Notes by - Charles Swindoll
Artwork - DreamWorks
Publisher - Tommy Nelson
Ages - 8 and upWith the animated motion picture, "The Prince of Egypt", there has been a considerable amount of attention on the life of Moses in the past year. This book, "The Exodus" takes the Bible account and puts it in 14 chapters, each with information to help the reader better understand the setting as well as a devotion so the reader will better understand the application as well.
Favorite Features:
* each chapter helps "unfold" the true story of Moses
* margin includes excellent helpful information about the time, setting and culture
* artwork is from the movie, excellent and colorful
* "Insights from Chuck Swindoll" - extremely well written to help children and adults
understand the meaning behind the story of Moses so they will be able to apply it.This is an excellent resource for children who can read on their own as well as for families to read together. If families read this book there will be many opportunities to talk and learn together. I highly recommend "The Exodus" for children to read on their own and for families to read together. Very well done Bruce, Stan, Charles, DreamWorks and Tommy Nelson!
Kids Praying for Kids - 12 month prayer journal
Author - Franklin Graham
Publisher - Tommy Nelson
Ages - 6 - 10Learning to pray is important if we are going to grow in our walk with God - this is true for children, too! This prayer journal is an excellent tool to help children learn to pray effectively.
Favorite Features:
* each month's journal area includes information about another country, how God is using
Samaritan's Purse to help people in that country and how kids are able to pray for the
ministry and kids from these countries
* each month's journal area includes space for kids to write prayer requests, answers to
prayer and things they thank God for
* monthly Bible verse
* information in the back of the journal on "Operation Christmas Child" and how kids may
participateThis is an excellent resource to help children learn how to pray effectively and regularly and will help them grow in their relationship with God, through prayer. I highly recommend this journal for children ages 6 - 10. Extremely well done Franklin and Tommy Nelson!
I Love You With All Of My Hearts
Author and Illustrator - Sally Huss
Publisher - Tommy Nelson
Ages - 3 - 7This is a special book mothers can give to their daughters - of any age . . . it communicates beautifully the "many ways a mother loves her daughter with hearts of care, laughter, sorrow, pride and peace."
Favorite Features:
* strong, important message from mom to daughter
* colorful, fun , terrific illustrations
* Scripture references for each "heart"I cannot recommend this book highly enough - it would make an excellent gift for a mom to personalize and give to her daughter. Extremely well done Sally and Tommy Nelson!
Best Bible Stories
The Man Who Was Not Tall Enough
The Boy Who Ran Away
Author - Jennifer Rees Larcombe
Illustrator - Steve Bjorkman
Publisher - Crossway Books
Ages - 4 - 7Children are familiar with the Bible stories of Zaccheaus and the prodigal son, but do they understand the meaning and application of these stories? While children are sure to enjoy these books, they will also learn important applications as well.
Favorite Features:
* retells familiar Bible Stories so children will enjoy and learn
* colorful, fun illustrations
* lists Scripture reference for each story
* "Let's talk about the story" in the back asks questions to help children think about the
meaning of the story and how to apply the point - excellent!I highly recommend these books for use at home and church. I like that they mention the emotions Zaccheaus and the son most likely experienced as most children feel these same feelings at one time or another. These books will provide opportunities for parents and teachers to have important and meaningful conversations with their children. Extremely well done Jennifer, Steve and Crossway Books!
The Lost Lamb
Author - Melody Carlson
Illustrator - Steve Bjorkman
Publisher - Crossway Books
Ages - 4 - 7This is another familiar Bible story children will love to have read to them over and over! It is also one with an important lesson presented in a way children will be able to learn from.
Favorite Features:
* familiar story retold so children will enjoy and learn
* colorful, fun art work
* Scripture passage after story
* rhyming text helps children enjoy and remember storyI highly recommend this book as another one parents can use to help teach their young children about God and His love for us! It is well written - children will love to have this book read to them and new readers will enjoy reading it as well! The illustrations are excellent adding to the joy of this book! Extremely well done Melody, Steve and Crossway Books!