resources for effective children's ministry
Each Spring I like to encourage churches to sponsor a book fair to encourage parents to buy books for their children to use over the summer - there are so many excellent books and resources available for children - of all ages and since many Christians never visit their local Christian Book Store, hosting a book fair in your church is a great way to expose parents, children and everyone in your church to the variety of excellent resources available to them. Talk with the manager of your local store and schedule a book fair for your church. The following reviews show just a sampling of some of the great resources available.
New Baby's Bible
Retold by - Beverly Larson
Illustrator - Jerry Smath
Publisher - Standard Publishing
Ages - birth - 2
I like providing Bibles for even
our youngest - it helps teach a love for God's Word and that the Bible
is special. This soft baby's Bible makes an excellent very first
Bible for our youngest children.
Favorite Features:
- eight Bible stories
- soft, padded Bible
- soft, padded carry handle
- fun, colorful illustrations
- Bible reference for each story
- moveable lamb has a pocket to fit in on each page
- padded clasp with velcro to hold closed
This Bible makes an excellent tool
for parents to use with their youngest children. Nicely done Beverly,
Jerry and Standard!
Jesus Makes Friends
Authors & Illustrators - Linda & Alan Parry
Publisher - Broadman & Holman
Ages - 2 - 5
This is a short, fun book for young children to help them learn the basic truth that "Jesus is the friend of all children"!
Favorite Features:
- cut out shape is fun and interesting
- short, simple story
- stories of Zacchaeus, the Woman at the well and the soldier's sick servant can all be taught from this book
- teaches that God loves us
- colorful illustrations
- surprise "fold-out" is fun
This book would be a nice addition
to a library at home and/or church. Children will enjoy the illustrations
and remember that Jesus will be their friend - makes excellent opportunities
for parents and teachers to talk with children about how to have Jesus
for their friend and what it means to be a good friend. Very nicely
done Linda, Alan and Broadman & Holman!
All God's Colors
Author - Patricia Tower
Illustrator - Judith Pfeiffer
Publisher - Boradman & Holman
Ages - 2 - 6
This completely delightful book is bound to be a favorite with children and adults alike as they learn about the things God made and the colors He made them!
Favorite Features:
- short, simple text
- written with questions to involve the listener in the story in a more active way
- beautiful, colorful illustrations - excellent!
- message throughout
This wonderful book provides many
terrific ways for parents and teachers to help young children learn colors,
animals and they joy of God's creation! It will be a favorite of
all! Extremely well done Patricia, Judith and Broadman & Holman!
The Ark That Noah Built
Author - Melody Carlson
Illustrator - Steve Bjorkman
Publisher - Gold 'n' Honey
Ages - 3 and up
This book is about animals from the ark and the ruckus that ensues when they become involved with each other.
Favorite Features:
- repeating text involves the children in the telling of the story
- colorful, interesting art work
- 12 animals in the book for children to identify
- opportunities to involve children in an interactive way by having children make sounds of the animals
- message of how God keeps His promises and will "love us all our days"
This is a book children will find
enjoyable and can be used in the classroom and at home. Very nicely
done, Melody, Steve and Gold 'n' Honey!
Does God Know How To Tie Shoes?
Author - Nancy White Carlstrom
Illustrator - Lori McElrath-Eslick
Publisher - Eerdman's Publishing
Ages - 4 - 8
This creative book takes the questions a child might ask about Who God Is an what He can do and answers them based on Psalms.
Favorite Features:
- strong message that God can do anything and He knows us and will not leave us
- author "paints" a picture of Who God Is using the book of Psalms
- Scripture references from the Psalms in the back of the book
- colorful, beautiful artwork - very nicely done
This is another book that would
make an excellent bedtime book and provides opportunities for parents to
talk with and teach their children about God. Very nicely done Nancy,
Lori and Eerdman's!
Courage, Esther
Forgive, Joseph
Author - Carolyn Nystrom
Illustrator - Sharon Dahl
Publisher - Moody Press
Ages - 4 - 7
There are many books available that tell Bible stories for children - many are excellent books, but the books in the "Follow the Leader Stories" series are certainly among some of the best children's Bible story books!
Favorite Features:
- stories are told by, not about the Bible person
- accurate re-telling of actual Bible events to real people
- artwork is beautiful, bold, colorful, amazing! - extremely well done - if I ever have my children's bible story books published, I'd be honored to have Sharon Dahl as illustrator!
- each book in the series teaches important lessons about obedience, forgiveness, love, courage, trusting God
- currently four books in the series - I sincerely hope more will join these four
These books are extremely well
written, accurate and completely enjoyable! I highly recommend these
books for use at church, school, home - parents read these books to your
children and talk about the lessons and applications. Extremely well
done Carolyn, Sharon and Moody Press!
As young new readers look at summer vacation in the not
too distant future, short chapter books are excellent resources for them
to utilize to sharpen their reading skills and learn excellent lessons
while they develop a love for reading. We will look at several excellent
"First Chapter Books" - all of which make excellent choices for young,
new readers to enjoy over the summer - or anytime!
The Alex Series
Shoelaces and Brussel Sprouts
French Fry Forgiveness
Hot Chocolate Friendship
Peanutbutter and Jelly Secrets
Author - Nancy Simpson
Publisher - Chariot Victor
Ages - 7 - 10
These books are part of a series for young readers that girls will especially enjoy! Growing up can be filled with challenges - many of which eight year old Alex Brakenbury faces as she learns about honesty, forgiveness, love and obedience.
Favorite Features:
- each book stresses that God has an answer for our problems and we can have His help when we pray
- each book shows how God loves us
- kids will be able to relate to many of Alex's troubles with siblings and other kids
- short chapter books kids will enjoy
Kids will find these books fun
to read and will learn about character traits and God's love at the same
time. These books are well written and make excellent reading material
for young readers to help them develop a love for reading quality books.
Very well done Nancy and Chariot Victor!
The Mystery of the White Elephant - Three Cousins Detective
Club
Author - Elspeth Campbell Murphy
Illustrator - Joe Nordstrom
Publisher - Bethany House Publishers
Ages - 7 - 10
Favorite Features:
- book one of 22 - encourages young readers to read all the books in the series
- 15 short chapters - not too long to discourage the reader
- each book teaches character qualities
- readers will be able to relate to the three main characters - 10 year olds
- mystery books make reading fun and enjoyable
The "Three Cousin Detective Club"
books are excellent for beginning readers as not only will they improve
their reading and learn to enjoy books, but they will also learn about
important character traits such as love, forgiveness and that God made
us and loves us all. Nicely done Elspeth, Joe and Bethany House!
Too Many Treasures - A Backpack Mystery
Author - Mary Carpenter Reid
Illustrator - Paul Turnbaugh
Publisher - Bethany House
Ages - 7 - 10
Favorite Features:
- series of books - encourages kids to read them all
- 12 short chapters - just right for new readers
- each book begins with a Scripture verse and then teaches about that throughout the story
- another fun mystery book for young readers
In the "Backpack Mysteries" books
sisters Steff and Paulie solve mysteries and learn to trust God as they
learn important lessons on how to live the way God wants them to live.
The best time about these books is that young readers will learn the same
messages as they enjoy reading the books. Parents, consider reading
a chapter or two from these books to your kids each night at bedtime and
talk about the lessons together. Nicely done Mary, Paul and Bethany
House!
My Faith Journal
Author - Karen Hill
Illustrator - Bobby Gombert
Publisher - Tommy Nelson
Ages - 3rd grade - 7th grade
Growing up is sometimes hard and sometimes fun - this resource is an excellent tool for upper elementary and pre-teen kids to use to journal the changes they experience and the things they learn as they grow. It could be used with a parent or other adult in a mentoring situation or by the child on their own. Either way, the 30 life journeys in this journal will cover most any situation a pre-teen will experience as they grow and help them truly learn from that experience.
Favorite Features:
- cover 30 topics like fear, friendship, prayer, patience, thankfulness and joy
- each faith journey includes a verse
- each journey tells what God says about that topic
- each journey explains the topic and how kids feel about it
- each journey provides space to write how you feel about that topic
- each journey provides space to write steps to take when you feel that way again
- colorful, fun illustrations
Writing or journaling our life's
experiences can be a powerful way to help us grow and to show us on paper
that God really is working in our life. I highly recommend this as
an excellent book for a parent to give to and even do together with their
child. Extremely well done Karen, Bobby and Tommy Nelson!
Devotions From the World of Sports
Authors - John & Kathy Hillman
Publisher - Chariot Victor
Ages - 8 and up
Most of us enjoy one type or another of sports - whether we participate or enjoy being a spectator and for many kids, sports are a big part of their lives. There are many professional athletes kids look up to - some of whom set positive examples and some who do not. Regardless of whether you participate in sports or are a spectator, there are many lessons kids and all of us can learn from sports. This book is designed to help kids learn these lessons while they also learn to spend time in God's Word on a daily basis.
Favorite Features:
- 365 daily devotions
- sports theme will help interest kids to aid them in learning to study their Bible on a daily basis
- each daily devotional includes scripture, challenge to apply the lesson, activities for kids to do to put the application to their real life, encouragement to pray the application
- glossary of sports terms
- addresses and information on Christian sporting organizations
I recommend this devotional for
kids to help them learn to study their Bibles and to challenge them to
develop their own character. It is extremely well written and is
bound to catch the interest of upper elementary age kids. I like
that it covers a wide variety of sports and the "real-life" accounts will
help kids see both positive and negative aspects in sports to help them
learn that professional athletes are just people and what really matters
is their relationship with Jesus. Very nicely done John, Kathy and
Chariot Victor Publishing!
the Misadventures of Willie Plummet - Submarine Sandwiched
Authors - Rod Randall & Paul Buchanan
Publisher - Concordia Publishing House
Ages - 8 - 12
Often summer vacation is a time for kids to kick back and relax, play various sports, swim, just to enjoy the break from school. It is also a perfect time for kids to read books just for enjoyment - and there are many excellent books to choose from. "The Misadventures of Willie Plummet" books are excellent choices for kids 8 - 12.
Favorite Features:
- series allows kids to read additional books to get to know the characters
- mystery, adventure books for kids - keeps their attention
- teaches spiritual application of God's presence and protection
I like books for kids that are
fun to read and also challenge them to grow in their walk with God.
This book is both and makes excellent reading material for kids over the
summer. Very nicely done Rob, Paul and Concordia Publishing House!
The Immigrants Chronicles
The Journey of Hannah
Author - Wanda Luttrell
The Journey of Emilie
Author - Marcia Hoehne
The Journey of Pieter & Anna
Author - Helen DenBoer
Publisher - Chariot Victor Publications
Ages - 8 - 12
These stories are based on true stories of immigrant families and their journeys to America and a new life.
Favorite Features:
- each book shares the account of the dangers, trials, difficulties and joys each family faced in their move to a new country and life
- main characters are kids - readers should be able to identify with them and the challenges of everyday life
- stories show what a major undertaking it was for people to immigrate
- teaches the value of being able to live and worship freely
These books are interesting and
the stories are well told. Each book would be used well by families
reading a chapter or two together each evening, by individual kids or as
a book for school or homeschool to write a report on. Very nicely
done Wanda, Marcia, Helen and Chariot Victor!
About The Children's Department - Volume 4, Edition 1 Copyright © Lynda Freeman Last Updated March 8, 2000 Web Page by Lynda Freeman Send an e-mail to Lynda at dfreemansr@earthlink.net