A Million Little Ways

As the holiday season approaches, we'd like to share a book for adults.  A recent read, A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live, by Emily P. Freeman, was an insightful way for us to look at how each moment of our lives can be expressed artistically.  A Million Little Ways is an encouraging book to any Christian searching for purpose and affirmation.  Although many people recognize traditional artists (painters, sculptors, writers, musicians, etc.), Emily Freeman shows us how we are all artists made in God’s image. 

A Million Little Ways is divided into three parts to help the reader understand more about art.  The sections, Who is the Artist?, Uncover the Art You Were Born to Make, and Release the Art You Were Made to Live, are further divided into chapters that use Scripture and life examples to help the reader discover that living an artful life can take many forms.

This book, along with Grace for the Good Girl, also written by Freeman, are beautiful books that are meant to be shared with others.  A Million Little Ways would be an inspiring gift for a young person starting her journey as well as any person looking for ways to live a life pleasing to God.  We hope that you discover how you are an artist, too!

Each Kindness

Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E. B. Lewis, is a thought provoking book about how we treat others.  Geared for children, it also is a good read for all family members.  I think it’s a great book to read in the summer, or before school starts.  It would also be good re-read when a new student enters a child’s classroom.

Maya, a new girl to the class, is shunned by Chloe and her friends.  Told in first person by Chloe, Maya seems to be less fortunate than the other classmates.  Chloe repeatedly ignores Maya and her requests to join in.  On a day when Maya is not at school the teacher explains how kindness ripples out like a stone in water.  Sadly, Maya never returns to the school, so Chloe is left with her memories of not being kind to Maya.

This book is unforgettable.  It’s sure to be a great discussion starter in your family.  We hope you find this book to read and discuss with your child.

Question Collection:

*Have you ever felt like Maya?

*Have you ever treated anyone like Chloe treated Maya?

*What do you think Chloe learned?

*What do you think Chloe will do the next time a new student comes to her classroom?

The Parable of the Lily

The Parable of the Lily, written by Liz Curtis Higgs and illustrated by Nancy Munger, is a good family story to dialogue about forgiveness and grace.  A young girl, Maggie, receives a gift (a wooden crate of dirt (that she doesn’t appreciate it.  The gift, as you can probably tell from the title, is revealed to be a lily bulb.  The story follows her actions and those of her father (who gave her the gift).  We especially like that appropriate Bible verses are printed throughout the book to help the reader make the correlation between this story and the true story of Easter.  We hope that you and your family enjoy learning from this parable about love and forgiveness!

Question Collection:

*What did you learn from this story?

*Who does Maggie represent?

*Who does the farmer represent?

*Who does the bulb represent?

*How does this story tell us more about God’s love?

On the Night You Were Born

On the Night You Were Born, by Nancy Tillman, is a beautiful book that every child deserves to hear.  Psalm 139 is quoted at the beginning of the book—For you are fearfully and wonderfully made….and the story unfolds to confirm the special place each child holds.  The rhyming words and the beautiful illustrations paint loving pictures of the night the child was born.  Taking a picture walk before and after reading the story enhances this story and leads to conversation.  We like to read this at birthday times and any other time when a gentle reminder of our special place in the world is needed.  This book is a great gift idea for a family with a newborn!

Question Collection:

*What is your favorite picture in this book?

*Why do you think you are special?

*Why do you think God made each person different?

The 7 Habits of Happy Kids

The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, by Sean Covey, is a children’s book based on the principles found in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  The characters in the book (Goob Bear, Jumper Rabbit, Lily Skunk, Sammy Squirrel, Sophie Squirrel, Pokey Porcupine, Tagalong Allie, and Ernie the worm) are featured in seven stories that teach lessons to illustrate each principle.  The stories are engaging and accompanied by fun illustrations (Stacy Curtis).  We like that the stories’ lessons are very evident and life like. 

This is a book that can be read a story at a time as children think about each principle.  A full page Parents’ Corner page is found at the conclusion of each story.  It’s an informative page with a brief description, discussion questions, and Baby Steps (things to do that reinforce each principle).  This is a great book to focus on character development while providing enjoyable, kid-friendly stories.  We’d love to hear any feedback from you if you’ve read this book with your children!

Bible Story Color 'n' Learn

We’ve been looking for some ways to add more structured, developmentally appropriate Bible instruction during the week.  Bible Story Color’n’Learn by Michelle Medlock Adams (published by Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.) is one of our finds. The format is a full size coloring page accompanied by a full page narration.  Eighty-five stories (Old and New Testament) are included in this book.  We like that it provides a way to study the Bible in an age appropriate way beginning with the Creation and continuing through the New Testament. NIV Scripture reference is given at the beginning of each story.  Also on each page is a list of new words that may be outside the reading vocabulary. The reading level (K-1) is appropriate while maintaining a child’s interest.  We’re happy that we’ve found this book.  Please let us know of books that you’ve found that help with Bible instruction in your home.

A Child Was Born, A First Nativity Book

A Child Was Born, A First Nativity Book, written by Grace Maccarone and illustrated by Sam Williams, is a good example of simple verse used to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.  The muted colors of the detailed pictures invite discussion as the book is read to children.  Beginning readers will also find the book easy to read to younger children.  We enjoy reading this book, but we also make a point to clarify the Child is named Jesus, which for some reason is omitted in this book.  We still find the book has merit due to its way of unfolding the birth, but we want to make it more concrete Who the book is revealing.  We hope your family enjoys this book.

Question Collection:

*What are some of the names used for the Child in this book?

*What’s your favorite scene in the book?

*Can you draw a picture to go along with the book?

Cookies, Bite-Size Life Lessons

Cookies, Bite-Size Life Lessons, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jane Dyer, is a beautiful book exploring character traits.  Cookies are used as the item to depict how the character traits (examples:  respect, compassion, loyalty, etc.,) are defined in various situations.  The book can be read in its entirety, but a page or two can be read and discussed when needed.  I think this book is a great teaching tool for families and classrooms.  The pages are interesting while also exemplifying how our actions affect others.  And, as an added bonus, a recipe for chocolate chip cookies is included in the back of the book!

Question Collection:

*Which part of this book did you like the best?

*Have you shown any of these character traits?

*Which character traits are important in a friendship?

The Christmas Story

If you’re looking for a board book to help your children understand the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus, The Christmas Story, by Patricia A. Pingry and illustrated by Wendy Edelson, is a great choice.  Taking a picture walk through the book first can help children understand the story before it’s read.  It’s also fun to use the pictures as prompts so children can re-tell the story after it’s been read several times.  This book would make a great gift to families with toddlers and preschoolers. 

Question Collection:

*Which picture is your favorite?

*Can you point to the people as I name them?

*Can you tell me the story of Baby Jesus?

Christmas in the Manger

From the star to Baby Jesus, Christmas in the Manger, written by Nola Buck and illustrated by Felicia Bond, describes the characters in the Christmas story through first person rhymes.  This board book is good for children who enjoy simple pictures and a break-down of the figures usually seen together in Nativity depictions.  Although a board book, the text lends itself to being read by early readers, so it’s a book that can be used through several years.  For children who like riddles, the reader can use the clues in the rhyme to formulate questions about each character.  This simply written, simply illustrated book is able to convey the greatest story so that children can learn about Baby Jesus.

Question Collection:

*What’s your favorite picture?

*Why do you think these characters are important?

*Can you remember some of the characters from the book?

Room for a Little One

Room for a Little One, A Christmas Tale, written by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft, is a favorite Christmas read in our home.  The gentle story describes the story of animals that, one by one, enter the stable by the inn.  The beautiful illustrations add to the richness of the story with soft colors and accurately drawn animals.  The Kind Ox welcomes each animal by saying there’s always room for a little one.  Animals that are usually seen as rivals, such as the dog and cat, find room and are not harmed.  The story then finds Mary and Joseph looking for a room, and of course, the Kind Ox welcomes the donkey along with his riders.  The highlight of the story is that Jesus is born and welcomed by the animals in their stable.  We love reading this fictional account of the reason we celebrate Christmas, Baby Jesus.  We hope that you and your family enjoy the conversations that can result from the reading of this book.

Question Collection:

*Why was the Kind Ox so welcoming to the other animals?

*Did you think the animals would get along?

*Why do you think the book is titled Room for a Little One?

Cookies, Bite-Size Life Lessons

Cookies, Bite-Size Life Lessons, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jane Dyer, is a beautiful book exploring character traits.  Cookies are used as the item to depict how the character traits (examples:  respect, compassion, loyalty, etc.,) are defined in various situations.  The book can be read in its entirety, but it a page or two can be read and discussed when needed.  I think this book is a great teaching tool for families and classrooms.  The pages are interesting while also exemplifying how our actions affect others.  And, as an added bonus, a recipe for chocolate chip cookies is included in the back of the book!

Question Collection:

*Which part of this book did you like the best?

*Have you shown any of these character traits?

*Which character traits are important in a friendship?

P is for Pumpkin

 Enjoy the fall season with P is for Pumpkin!  It's a great book to learn more about God while observing fall activities, practicing alphabet skills, and listening for rhymes.   Children learning to read can read the captions which accompany each page (A is for Apple) while the adult can read the rhyming verses at the top of the page.  We love reading this book together!  Enjoy!


Question Collection:


*What words rhyme on this page?
*What's your favorite fall activity?
*Which of these activities would you like to try?
*Which of God's fall blessings have you seen?
*Are there any fall activities you would add to the book?

Read more children's ABC books here!

David and the Giant

David and the Giant, by Emily Little, tells the inspiring story of David and Goliath.  This book is an easy to read book for beginning readers.  David and the Giant is a great way to initiate conversations about faith. We enjoy having books like this in our home library to teach about our faith in God through an exciting context. We hope you enjoy reading and discussing this book too!

Question Collection:

*Why wasn’t David afraid?

*How do you think the Giant felt?

*Have you ever felt like David did in this story? 

On Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, by Patricia Pingry, is a great complement to The Story of Easter.  Although this book is directed at toddlers and preschoolers, beginning readers can also delight in reading the simply written message.  Written in rhyming verse the story progresses through the secular activities of Easter to focus on the story of Jesus.  Reading this book can help initiate conversations with children about the importance of Easter.  Happy Easter to you and your family!

Question Collection:

*Do any of these pictures remind you of how we get ready for Easter?

*Can you find the word Jesus in the story?

*Why do we celebrate Easter?

God's Great Big Love For Me

God’s Great Big Love for Me, by Max Lucado, is an interactive book that helps children memorize and understand John 3:16. A cut-out at the top of the book contains a set of six colored beads which children can touch and/or slide to help them remember various aspects of God’s love.  A portion of the verse (John 3:16) is revealed on each page.  Then there is a more detailed explanation of each part of the verse below the memory verse.  These components of the book can be used and adjusted to children at various developmental stages.  It can be a little overwhelming to do the beads, read the verse, and then read the explanation the first few times you look at the book.  However, as you explore the book more, children and parents can add the components as the verse becomes more familiar.  This book can be a useful tool in beginning Scripture memorization with your child.

Question Collection:

*Can you close the book and tell what each bead color represents?

*Can you say John 3:16 together with me now?

*Why is this verse important?

The Story of Easter

We have read The Story of Easter, by Patricia Pingry, many times to show and understand the reason for Easter.  We love the way the illustrations and simple sentences tell the story of Jesus in a way that helps children begin to understand the significance of Easter.  This board book (like others by Patricia Pingry) can make an impact on a child’s spiritual development.  It has been a good conversation starter in our family.

Question Collection:

*Which picture is your favorite in the book?

*Do any of the pictures make you sad?

*Do any of the pictures make you happy?

*What does this book tell us about Easter?

The Story of Jesus

Are you looking for a simple book that tells the story of Jesus in terms your toddler or preschooler can understand? The Story of Jesus, by Patricia Pingry, is a great book that helps children understand the basic aspects of the life of Jesus.  This board book is very child friendly in its use of illustrations and coloring of key words on each page.  We also enjoy elaborating each page with what we know about Jesus.  For example, on the pages about miracles we talk about other miracles Jesus performed.  This book is a great addition to a home library to learn more about Jesus.

Question Collection:

*Can you name the characters in the Christmas picture?

*Do you know the names of any of the disciples of Jesus?

*What do you like to pray about?