Partner Review: New Growth Press: Jesus Saves by Sarah Reju illustrated by Phil Schorr

 Thankful to continue to partner with New Growth Press and review pdf copies of their new series for toddlers. This book will be released on March 1, 2021.  

What I like about this book:

• the book characters are friendly, represent diverse human beings, and are expressive, almost animated when you look at them and hear the words from the page. 
• Scripture references on each page.  Verses are all shared on the last page as well.
• "little one" is repeated throughout- making a connection to the listener and repetition. 
• The book has cadence and rhythm that means littles will crave it repeated, over and over, especially because they are the main audience of the book.  
• Parents of littles, this book will likely become a repeat favorite, and as the parent who read books so much that I memorized several, this book will not be nearly as annoying as the board books my 19 year old craved.  
• the opportunity for conversation and sharing the personal decision of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and being saved from sin.  Will be an easy conversation.  
• This book doesn't mince words- it talks about needing to be saved from sin, it talks about Jesus obeying for me, it talks about needing a King, but wanting to be my own king-- it's bold, direct, and honest.  All with a lovely pattern that appeals.  
• The book uses simple toddler words to convey the good news.  
• It includes a letter to parents at the end with the verses referenced throughout.  So well done!

What I wonder about the book:

• Jesus, as an illustration, is disproportionate? I think.  I think it's his head size doesn't seem to match his body.  Kids pick up on this stuff, but it's not as apparent in all the pictures that depict Him.  
• How this tool will be used for sharing the Good News?  It has so many possibilities.  
• How kids will respond to it.  I can't wait to read it with the littles I love.  

New Growth Press Partner Review: God Made Me in His Image by Justin & Lindsay Holcomb Illustrated by Trish Mahoney

 

This book is part of a series- God made me by New Growth Press with different authors and even geared toward different age groups.  

God Made Me in His Image-helping children appreciate their bodies is geared for ages 8-11 

God Made Me Unique-helping children see value in every person ages 3-5

God Made All of Me- a book to help protect their bodies -preschool age, ages 3-5 

God Made Boys and Girls-helping children understand gender ages 3-5

God Made Me for Worship-helping children understand the church ages 5-8

God Made Me and You-ethnic diversity ages 3-5 

What I like about this book:

• Illustrations are realistic, child friendly, showing children of different ethnicities, print is clear, some lines are in different colors for emphasis. 
• The book helps children remember that God calls all that He created, "Good." and that they are a part of God's creation, even made in His image.  
• Teaching about who God is, His intention in creation.
• Quotes scripture: Psalm 139
• Natural conversations at the zoo and learning about the animals' design- so cool! Very well-chosen facts to enhance the concepts.  
• Animals with disabilities are kept safe in the zoo.  Connection for kids with disabilities.
• Learning Concept: "Life is beautiful even when it has hard things in it!"
• Africa's Little five animals are hidden in the pages of the book.  Plus the six animals in the book have more information as an extra learning aspect of the book at the end. 
• Dear Parents note and suggestions to discuss at the end of the book.  Well done as a tool to help use the book effectively. 
• Growth Mindset with guiding principles and statements. So healthy

Teaching Connections:

• Vocabulary: Majesty, Dignity (worthy of honor and respect), Sanctuary (for animals), predators, leucism (her skin doesn't make colors), parasites 
• Big Five African animals
• God's Design for His creation 
• Animal research projects
• Research on disabilities- that when someone is blind their other senses are better.  

What I wonder:

• the book is written for ages 8-11, that would be grades 3-5 or 6.  I think it might be more like ages 7-9-year-olds or grades 2-4.  As a colorful picture book. 
• The book has lots of text included it would be a long read aloud.  I don't know the size of the physical book either.  
• What will kids who read the parent notes at the end think about the concerns raised, I don't know another way to do this, but it could make for some interesting conversations.  

Thankful to partner with New Growth Press and read a pdf of the book in advance. 

New Growth Press: God Cares for Me when I am sick by Scott James and Illustrated by Trish Mahoney

 

In the "God Made Me" series from New Growth Press Publishers

The author of this book is a pediatrician and a father to four children, so he writes from his own experience.  I liked how scripture is included.  It's definitely a new book as it includes wearing a mask so that others stay well.  It has a lot of words on the pages and is a long story for young children, the publisher doesn't list what ages this book is for.  I'd say probably 5-8-year-olds.  It's interesting to me that in this book the father takes his son to his pediatrician and the mother goes to work. Not a problem, just an observation.  The son calls his father "Papa" which often is a Hispanic name for father, I know a few families that the children call their dad's Papa.  I think that many parents will appreciate this book to help encourage a child about a doctor's visit, about trusting in the Lord and even wearing masks.  It's a lot to tackle in one book, but it represents the world we are living in.  There is a note to parents at the start of the book and some tips to use with your children at the end of the book, so it adds in content about illness and how to talk with your children, including that illness is a result of sin and the fall of man.  Not all will appreciate this perspective, but as a book from a Christian publisher, I'm thankful it tackles this topic for parents, who then can choose how and when to teach it to their children.  

Thankful to partner with New Growth Press and review a pdf of the book.  

Bethany House Partner Review: Engaging Your Teen's World by David Eaton and Jeremiah Callihan with Alan Briggs

 

What I like about this book:

• The focus of the book- equipping caring adults to connect to our teen's heart and disciple them, as we seek to develop life-long faith. 
• Biblical concepts infused in the suggestions and strategies- this book is grounded in the Deuteronomy 6 concept- "bind them on your heart"  share through your life- heart, soul, and mind.
• Organization:
• quotes that open each chapter
• book is organized into four sections and then chapters with a table of contents
• headings throughout the chapters
• Practical perspective-where does life happen in your family? 
• conversations happen where life happens! Car, dinner table, eating out, vacation, games, events...
• focusing on the job of the parents to disciple our kids, we are their primary investors
• asking good questions but also make sure and have fun. 
• Beware of conversation killers
• speed
• close-mindedness
• We are too busy, we are too polarized, and we must take the time to engage with our kids, encouraging Dads especially to make the time.  
• determine if your parenting emergencies/crises for your kids- are really actual emergencies or perceived emergencies?  
• Be aware of their perspective. Hear them. Be curious as you interact. Continue- repeat regularly.  
• Become a cultural translator- like Jesus, like Paul model for us. 
• pray, learn with research and asking questions, and then analyze.  
• Find how to share the gospel through the lens of this culture. To show the love and the goodness of God- a redemptive parenting approach- the long haul
• Topics that we need to engage with our teen about- a whole section of the book. 
• this section will soon be out of date but yet the concepts and themes are the same as well as how a parent can learn and interact.  
• themes like sex talk, smartphones, video gaming, anxiety/depression/suicide are teen issues. They will change with the culture and times, but the issues always go back to heart issues.  
• Hope and a reminder that Parenting is hard. But it's worth it, and we are not alone.  
• Heart focus- being sensitive, seeking the Word to balance your thinking, focusing on the gospel, and hearing your child, and responding in dialogue, not a one-sided conversation.
• resource list by topic at the back of the book

What I wonder:

• some parents will have issues with the examples and stories from families of what a teen has gotten into being too far gone or too specific, but I believe the exposure is needed. 
• will parents really catch and focus on the underlying theme for parents- connect, engage, ask questions, participate, don't be shocked, keep the teen's perspective heard and discuss it with your teen, not melt or argue defensively.  

Thankful to partner with Bethany House and review this book valid in my parenting life today.  

Goodbook Partner Review: The Garden and the Cross Board book by Carl Laferton and illustrated by Catalina Echehverri

 The True story of why Jesus died and rose again.  

What I like about the book:

• Small, perfect to hold, a sturdy page with glossy images traditional board book.
• Illustrations are all in the original book, just not all are in this version- but siblings could have their age-appropriate version and see that they are reading the same story. 
• The same story of the hardback book, just simplified, but the concepts and keywords like sin, are kept!  
• Understandable, short, fast read, that will appeal, and littles will want to be read over and over!  

Teaching Tie Ins:

• The clear gospel message, centered on a relationship with God
• Clear easter explanation. 
• Clear Temple curtain explanation- and it's accessible as a "keep out" curtain.  I'll remember this! 

What I wonder about the book:

• why the speech bubbles use a hard to read cursive print. They do mirror the original book and are way more readable in the larger format.  
• why he/him is not capitalized when referring to God.  I know that APA and Chicago style doesn't care, but why can't believers sharing God's message, help kids see that He is God in this distinction.  

Thankful to partner with The Goodbook company and review this new board book.  

Goodbook Partner Review: Two new Steph Williams Books: The Easter Fix and The Boy Who Shared His Sandwich

 Little Me Big God Book Series by Steph Williams

You can see the whole series above!  

These books are 6.7" by 6.7"inch books.  Made of thick paper, and the perfect size for little hands.  

Front of the Book                                                         Back of the Book

inside the book:

What I like about the book:

• Physical size, structure, illustrations, limited words per page, illustrations. 
• 1st page: A true story from the Bible. 
• well-done illustrations- friendly, warm, unique. 
• a wheelchair is included representing disabilities.  
• How the event is re-told, through the lens of the broken world, a broken relationship with God- and a fixer.  Littles understand broken.  
• how when Jesus is alive- the pages are blank saying "not here" 
• Clear gospel presentation
• Note for grownups in the back- so helpful and clear. 
• Scripture Text included in full: Luke 24:1-8 in NIV (not my preferred translation)

What I wonder about the book:

• When Jesus is on the cross- it mentions that the cross is for 'bad' people.  I think our culture is rejecting this word to describe people.  I think it would have been just as easy to say a place for 'sinful' people.  
• The book uses the word broken which I like, but it never uses the word "sin."  

What I like about the book:  All the same as above.  Not a direct gospel message, but the concept is present.  

What I wonder:  How all will feel about the 'sandwich' concept, which the book does explain is 2 fish and 5 pieces of bread.  

Thankful to partner with the Goodbook company and review the books.  

Goodbook for children Partner Review: The GOD Contest

The GOD contest
The True Story of Elijah, Jesus, and the Greatest Victory 
By Carl Laferton, Ilustrator: Catalina Echeverri 
From the series: Tales that Tell the Truth 

This is quickly becoming my favorite series of children's books.  True Story.  I love this. 

What I like about this book:

• It has humor.  Kid humor. Relatable, laugh out loud funny.  So needed!
• It shares about who God is. 
• It is a relatable book, that is kid-appropriate.  It really talks about contests- a GOD contest.  This will connect with children.  
• The illustrations and even the print are just plain fun.  
• Concept to discuss who believes and supports each god: Team Baal or Team YAHWEH.  Another connection that kids get- which team do you support.  
• For big experiences in the story- the pages turn to be a double page image and you turn the book for full effect: FIRE!  and a few more. 
• It also connects Jesus as God- and tells His true story with the God contest theme.  Allowing for the Good News to be shared. 
• And the references for the true story in the Bible are shared at the end page of the book. 

Teaching tie-ins:

• Jesus is in the water when He enters the story- Baptism. 
• Jesus is Human and God.  
• Jesus died, rose again, and lives forever! Good News!
• The Team Jesus page- has a whole host of people pictured and their names are under their pictures, a whole history of famous believers-so much possiblity!

What I wonder:

• the fun font will not be the best choice for all readers- with some letters bold, others not, and some different sized letters.  Not sure who would be affected by this. 
• Will kids recognize the Emu's in the contest on the opening pages, my oldest says that it what it is, and it really caught his attention.  Will it be fun for all? a distraction. 

Thankful to be provided a beautiful hardback copy of the book with durable pages, great size for a read aloud book by the goodbook company to review.  

More information about the book from the goodbook company

View inside a few pages.  Lesson Plans for ages 2-4 children and 5-11 year olds.