I believe one of the most important times of the day is when a parent takes a few minutes to read to their child.  The following books are excellent additions to a family or church library - read them often and talk about the important messages in each with your child!

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Marshmallow Clouds Author - Leslie Parrott Illustrator - Terry Taylor Publisher - ZonderKidz Age - 4 to 8

• amazing, colorful, creative, fun, dimensional illustrations!
• rhyming, fun story about being thankful and how God's ways are best always
• encourages conversation between parents/caretakers/teachers and children

    This is an excellent book for parents to read with their children as both parents and children will enjoy the story and children will be able to understand the messages.  Extremely well done Leslie, Terry and ZonderKidz!

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Best of All Author - Max Lucado Illustrator - Sergio Martinez Publisher - Crossway Books Ages 4 and up

• Favorite Features:
• another powerful story from Max Lucado
• communicates important message that we are all special the way we are because God made us as we are
• communicates how God has a plan for us exactly as we are
• colorful, familiar illustrations
• encourages communication between parent and child or teacher and child

    I highly recommend this book for families and church classes of all ages.  We all need to be encouraged with the message of our true value in the sight of God and what a tremendous opportunity to help young children understand this as a child so as they grow they will always know this to be true!  Tremendously well done Max, Sergio and Crossway!

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I Can Talk with God God Knows My Name Author/Illustrator - Debby Anderson  Publisher - Crossway Books Ages - 3 to 7

• Favorite Features:
• colorful, truly enjoyable, adorable illustrations certain to delight and engage children!  Tremendous!
• illustrations reflect children of different races as well as children with physical challenges - Tremendous!
• both books effectively communicate important messages about prayer and God's love for us
• Scripture throughout

    I highly recommend these books for families and church classes of preschool age children.  These books will generate lots of conversation and are sure to be thoroughly enjoyed by children!  The messages are clearly presented and completely understandable by young children!  Tremendously well done Debby and Crossway!  I hope to see more books along this line from Debby!

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You Are Special Video Author - Max Lucado Animated/Produced by Impact  Entertainment and Crossway Books Ages 3 and up

• Favorite Features:
• based on the tremendous book by the same title
• excellent, dimensional animation
• brings to "life" the characters from the book
• important message of God's love/acceptance
• generates conversation between children and parents/teachers

    I highly recommend this video for use at home and church.  Extremely well done Max, Impact Entertainment and Crossway Books!

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Author - Max Lucado
Publisher - Tommy Nelson
Ages - 2 and up

Hermie:  A Common Caterpillar
Book	Board Book	Video/DVD

• Favorite Features:
• incredible, colorful, engaging 3-D animation/illustrations
• Video/DVD has the voices of Don Knotts and Tim Conway
• communicates powerful message of how you are special just as you are and God has a plan just for you

    These resources encourage conversation between parents/teachers and children and I encourage you to take advantage of this and talk with your kids about the messages in these books/videos.  Extremely well done Max and Tommy Nelson!

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Draw with Jonah & Friends Author - Cindy Kenney Illustrators - Greg Hardin, Robert Vann and your child Publisher - ZonderKidz Ages - 6 and under

• Favorite Features:
• sturdy board book
• bright, colorful illustrations with the Jonah "friends"
• book encourages children to draw pictures with crayons to complete the pictures - they then wipe off with paper towel for more drawing fun later
• encourages imagination and creativity as well as recalling the story of Jonah

    This is a tremendous book for young children!  They will truly enjoy being able to draw and draw and draw!  Tremendously well done Cindy, Greg, Robert and ZonderKidz!

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Publisher - ZonderKidz
Ages 4 to 8

Even Fish-Slappers Need a Second Chance Author - Eric Metaxas Illustrators - Greg Hardin & Robert Vann	Jonah - The Pirates Who Usually Don't Do Anything Authors - Cindy Kenney and Eric Metaxas Illustrators- Ron Eddy & Robert Vann	A Worm's Eye View Author - Cindy Kenney Illustrated by Big Idea Design

• Favorite Features:
• bright, colorful, engaging, fun illustrations
• encourages children to recall the story of Jonah
• brings their Jonah Movie friends back in a book format
• large, well made books are sure to be favorites for years

    If your child loved the Jonah Movie, these books are a tremendous way to encourage conversation between parents and children about the messages in the movie/books.  Tremendously well done Cindy, Eric, Greg, Robert, Ron, Big Idea and ZonderKidz!

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Best Friends Illustrator - Thomas Kinkade Publisher - Tommy Nelson Ages - 9 and up

• Favorite Features:
• incredible, enjoyable artwork from Thomas Kinkade
• short stories from classic books for children -
• Little Women
• Heidi
• Anne of Green Gables
• The Ragmakers
• Hellen Keller
• Harriet Tubman
• Sacagawea & Jumping Fish
• Secret Garden
• stories effectively communicate about the value of friendship

    This book makes a nice gift for a young girl.  Very nicely done Thomas and Tommy Nelson!

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Come to my Tea Party Author - Sandy Lynam Clough Publisher - Harvest House Ages 7 to 11

• Favorite Features:
• stories of friends and parties they had
• recipes
• crafts
• stories of forgiveness and friendship, love, faith, hope and joy

    This book will be enjoyed by girls who love to have parties and get together with their friends.  I like how it encourages girls to understand what friendship is and to then develop true friendships.  Very nicely done Sandy and Harvest House!

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Pray & Play Bible 2 Publisher - Group Publishing Ages 2 and up

• Favorite Features:
• 14 familiar Bible stories
• 140 activities to involve children in the point of the Bible stories
• crafts
• games
• fingerplays
• snacks
• worship
• service projects
• music
• prayers
• colorful, visually engaging, variety of illustrations

    I love this book for families to use at home with their preschool age childre as well as an extra resource for the preschool ministry at church.  Tremendously well done Group Publishing!  As with Pray & Play Bible 1, I would truly love to see this in a smaller, easy to carry to church size for preschool children!

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