resources for effective ministry 

      I believe it is so important for families to fill their homes with resources that will help them pass on a legacy of faith to their children.  One of these resources should be books.  We all know how vital it is to read to and with our children and to help them develop a love of their own for reading as well.  Christian writers have written a wealth of excellent books for all ages and yet far too many of us never even stop by a Christian book store to look at and buy the wonderful books.  I believe the church can truly serve families by hosting book fairs to encourage families to make these excellent books a part of their family life.  Stop by your local Christian book store and talk with the manager about what you need to do to host a book fair in your church this fall. 

    The following reviews are mostly brief - designed to give you a taste of the many excellent books available for all ages. 

Gentle Donkey  Retold by - Wendy Mass  Illustrations - Bari Weissman  Publisher - Standard Publishing  Ages birth - 2

    Even the youngest children in the family or church nursery will enjoy this "squeeze and squeak book".  Christmas is an exciting and fun time and this book is one that even the youngest in the family/church will enjoy. 

Favorite Features: 

• tells the most wondrous story ever 
• colorful, bright illustrations 
• provides Bible reference for story 
• short, simple story 
• sturdy board book 
• cut out makes book interesting 
• squeeze donkey makes book fun! 
• involves kids in the story by squeezing the donkey 

Oh Be Careful! - Sing Along Bible Songs  Illustrator - Shelley Sawyer  Publisher - Zondervan  Ages  birth - 4

    This is a book young children are sure to love!  As they enjoy the beautiful illustrations, children will learn the words to the song, "Oh Be Careful" and can listen to the music by pushing the button. 

Favorite Features: 

• simple, familiar lyrics 
• motions for song illustrated on each page 
• sturdy board book format 
• colorful, fun illustrations 
• important message in lyrics 
• verse, Col. 3:16, 17 in back of book 
• music button adds to the fun 

Stories About Jesus For Little Ones  Compiled by - Kobus Sandenbergh  Translated by - San-Mari Mills  Publisher - Concordia Publishing House  Ages  2-6

     There are many Bible storybooks for young children - this one is similar in many ways to other Bible story books: 

• 16 Bible stories about Jesus 
• Sturdy Board book 
• colorful, bright pictures 
• each story includes Scripture reference 

• interactive stories provide three opportunities to involve children actively in each story 
• prayer at end of each story leads children to thank Jesus 

Sheep Lost  Sheep Care  Author - Anne Catharine Blake  Publisher - Concordia Publishing House  Ages  birth - 3

    These two books are delightful ways to help very young children begin to develop an interest and love for books.  "Sheep Lost is a fun book with lost of opportunities to involve young children with sounds and motions.  "Sheep Care" is a counting book with an important message. 

Favorite Features: 

• sturdy board books - they last and last! 
• small size - right for little hands 
• fun, colorful illustrations 
• short stories - ideal for young children 

The Best Christmas Story - A Hide-Away Book  Designed by - Willabel Tong  Illustrated - Benrei Huang  Publisher - Standard Publishing  Ages  2 - 5

    This is yet another wonderful Christmas storybook - with it's own special touched!  It asks questions about the christmas story and then answers them in the special hiding slide out pages . . . this is bound to be a favorite Christmas storybook for years to come! 

Favorite Features: 

• tells the most wondrous story ever 
• children are involved in the book by finding the answers 
• great new readers book - simple text 
• wonderful, warm, colorful illustrations 
• sturdy board book 

A Tale of Two Houses  Author - Melody Carlson  Illustrated by - Steve Bjorkman  Publisher - Gold 'n' Honey/ Multnomah  Ages 3 & up

     Most children know the song, "the wise man and the foolish man" - this book tells this well known story with "rhythm and rhyme" and completely enjoyable illustrations - it will become a favorite for children and parents as well! 

Favorite Features: 

• re-tells Jesus' parable of the wise man and the foolish man 
• excellent, colorful, fun illustrations 
• includes a paraphrase of the Bible verses at the end of the book 
• teaches the importance of building our lives on Jesus 

I Saw A Slimeball Wiggle  Author - Ray Butrum  Illustrated - Jim Chapman  Publisher - Gold 'n' Honey/Multnomah  Ages  4 - 7

    This creative book will help children learn about the "Amazing World God made"!  In "I Saw A Slimeball Wiggle" children will learn about metamorphosis as they see a tadpole change into a frog. 

Favorite Features: 

• teaches simple science facts in a fun way 
• teaches awe for God's Amazing World 
• colorful, fun illustrations 
• rhyming text ideal for children - fun and not a lot of words on a page 
• glossary in back defines new words 

Good Sports Books   Sammy Soccer Ball   Freddy Football  Author - Matt Jacobson  Illustrators - Dennis Ochsner & Brian Ballinger  Publisher - Gold 'n' Honey  Ages 4 - 7

    It is important for children to learn to develop character - this series of books will appeal to boys and girls and help them learn traits like working hard and playing by the rules. 

Favorite Features: 

• each book clearly teaches character development 
• unique ball shape book with arms and legs make the books interesting and fun 
• colorful illustrations 
• sturdy board book sized for young hands 

Hip, Hip, Hip Hippopotamus  Author - Mary Rice Hopkins  Illustrator - Wendy Farncisco  Publisher - Crossway  Ages  3 - 7

    I truly enjoy books for children that reflect the joy God gives us - this book is one that does this and does it very well!  It's message is summed up by this sentence, "God's fingerprints are everywhere, just to show how much He cares."  Isn't this what you want your children to know, believe and rejoice in?! 

Favorite Features: 

• teaches message of creation and God's love for us in a fun and creative way 
• "hippo hunting" (looking for hidden hippos in the illustrations) add to the fun of this book 
• colorful, fun illustrations - excellent! 

Peek-a-Bible The Lost and Found Lamb The Christmas Story  Author - Tracy Harrast  Illustrator - Carl Moore  Publisher - Zondervan  Ages  6 and under

    I love books for young children that involve the children in an active way.  These books take the parable of the lost lamb and the story of Christmas and involves them by having the child open flaps to learn more as the stories unfold. 

Favorite Features: 

• includes Bible passage for location of real story 
• fun, colorful illustrations 
• story is written in an interactive way - asks questions and flaps to open 
• not a lot of words on a page 
• application is clear and easy to understand 

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