resources for effective ministry 

Bible Hero Adventures - Old Testament   Publisher - Group Publishing   Ages 4 - 7

     I really like this book!  It is perfect for home and for use at church as well - anytime you want to teach an Old Testament (or New Testament) Bible story in a fun and active way!  The Bible is exciting!  It is a Book about real people and when we teach these stories it should be done in a fun, interesting and exciting way!  

Favorite Features:  

• 15 Old Testament stories about both familiar and not-so-familiar Bible people  
• each story includes Bible references  
• each story involves the listener in active and interactive ways  
• colorful, interesting illustrations  
• each story ends with an application  

The First Christmas Tree   Author - Helen Haidle   Illustrators - David and Elizabeth Haidle   Publisher - Baker Book House   Ages  4 - 7

     This book is based on "an old legend, discovered in a monastery in Sicily" and is similar the the story of the  "Little Drummer Boy" where the littlest fir tree had nothing to bring to the birth of the King's Son . . . except his thanks and praise shown by helping others.  

Favorite Features:  

• fun story with important lessons about helping and giving at a time of year when the focus far too often is on receiving  
• would work well with a little creativity as a children's Christmas program  
• colorful, beautiful illustrations  
• meaning of Christmas decorations in the back of the book - interesting information  
• ideas for parents in the back provide excellent ideas for families to help keep their focus on serving others  
• I especially love the idea for "preparing a manger-bed for Jesus"  

Ten Christmas Sheep   Author - Nancy White Carlstrom   Illustrator - Cynthia Fisher   Publisher - Eerdmans   Age  4 - 8

     This is another fun pop-up book for Christmas.  The story takes kids through a children's christmas pageant with an application that they are safe in God's care and He always loves them.  

Favorite Features:  

• colorful, fun illustrations  
• pop-up's and activities involve children  
• application for story  

Picture That! Bible Storybook   Author - Tracy Harrast   Illustrator - Garry Colby   Publisher - Zondervan Publishing House   Ages 6 and under

     I remember using picture readers when I was young - I always loved them as they enabled me to "read".  This book takes 65 Bible Stories and adds colorful pictures to the words so as you read the stories your beginning readers will be able to read as well!  

Favorite Features:  

• 65 Old and New Testament stories  
• NIrV - excellent version for beginning and new readers  
• colorful pictures  
• interactive format really involves young children  
• "What did you learn?" at the end of each lesson aids in application - excellent feature!  
• note to mom and dad - excellent information  
• Scripture reference provided for each story  

The Snow Angel   Author - Debby Boone   Illustrator - Grabriel Ferrer   Publisher - Harvest House   Ages  2 - 8

     This is a charming story of how a little girl and her grandfather, with the help of an angel, show a village of people how to dream and laugh again.  This would be a fun book to read with children the first day it snows!  

Favorite Features:  

• delightful and unexpected story  
• colorful, interesting illustrations  
• important lesson that we need to keep our joy and always dream  

God's Quiet Things   Author - Nancy Sweetland   Illustrated - Rick Stevens   Publisher - Eerdmans   Ages  4 - 7

     I truly enjoyed this book!  What happens if we listen for God's quiet things?  This delightful book challenges children - and perhaps parents and teachers as well - to listen for God's quiet things.  Things like butterflies or rain or clouds or the morning dew and then encourages us all to see God in His quiet creations!  

Favorite Features:  

• written in a soft poetic form  
• beautiful, colorful illustrations - excellent  
• not a lot of words on a page  
• would make an excellent bedtime storybook  
• challenges us all to appreciate God's creation  

Bethlehem's Busy - What's Going On?   Illustrator - Lynn Adams   Biblical Advisors - Jonathan Underwood and Mark Ziese   Publisher - Standard Publishing   Age  6 and up

     There are so many wonderful books that tell the christmas story - they are all wonderful because they tell the most wondrous story of all time - the birth of Jesus!  I like this story book because it is creative and interactive!  

Favorite Features:  

• tells the most wondrous story ever  
• interactive in that there are 41 flaps throughout the book to open and learn interesting facts about Bible time life and the birth of Jesus  
• excellent, colorful illustrations  
• board book makes it durable for kids to use over and over  
• cut out gives dimension to illustrations  

The Hide-and-Seek Prince (Joash)   Author - Mary Manz Simon   Illustrator - Dennis Jones   Publisher - Concordia Publishing House   Age  6 - 8

     This is an excellent book for children who are just learning to read.  Joash has always been one of my favorite Bible stories - the kid who got to be king!  this book tells the story of Joash for beginning readers to read themselves or for parents, older siblings or teachers to read to younger children.  

Favorite Features:  

• provides Bible reference for story  
• excellent illustrations with lots of color
• not a lot of words on a page - makes it easier to read and keep younger children's attention
• repeats same words often throughout book  

Barns of Barley   Author Claudia Courtney   Illustrator - Kathy Mitter   Publisher - Concordia Publishing House   Ages  2 - 6

     This story is one less familiar - the parable of the rich fool.  It also is a great tool to help beginning readers as they learn to read with phonics.  

Favorite Features:  

• teaches Luke 12:17-21
• colorful, bright illustrations
• helps beginning readers
• strong message about priorities for young children
• note to grown-ups encourage developing a love for reading in children and how to help a child with phonics
• word list in back of book  

The Pine Tree Parable   Author - Liz Curtis Higgs   Illustrator - Nancy Munger   Publisher - Tommy Nelson   Ages  3 - 7

     What is the true meaning of Christmas?  How does that effect the way we live?  In this adorable and touching story the farmer's wife learn's what Christmas really is all about.  

Favorite Features: 

• wonderful story with meaning for all
• Bible verse for every page
• colorful, delightful illustrations
• short, meaningful story  

Adam Raccoon and the Flying Machine   Author - Glen Keane   Illustrator - Glen Keane   Publisher - Chariot Victor Publishing   Ages  4 - 7

     If you utilized the Right from Wrong resources this Fall, this book is a terrific resource to follow-up and reinforce the truth that there is a right and wrong way to do things and when we follow God's instruction book, things work right!  If you did not have a Right from Wrong Campaign see last issue of ATCD.  This book is an excellent tool to help teach your children/class absolutes.  

Favorite Features: 

• fun story (parable) teaches Biblical truth
• provides opportunities to talk with your children/class about God
• creative, entertaining and colorful illustrations
• verse for each story
• questions at end of story help parents/teachers help children apply application  

Camp Windy Woods   the Parable of Bartholomew Beaver & the Stupendous Splash   Author - Michael Waite   Illustrator - Sheila Lucas   Publisher - Chariot Family Publications   Ages  4 - 7

     Children can be such great encourages and this book is an excellent tool to help children learn what encouragement is and how to be an encourage!  

Favorite Features: 

• teaches important Biblical values
• colorful, fun illustrations
• verse for each story
• note to parents encourage them to talk with their children to really learn and apply  

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