The Gospel for Little Ones by Katie Ornelas and Anna Sargeant Option B

 

This book is published by The Austin Stone in 2013.  

Synopsis:

Looking for a book that presents the Gospel of Jesus in a way young children can understand? The Gospel for Little Ones provides an overview of God's plan of salvation in simple words and phrases. Young listeners will learn about creation, the fall, our need for a Savior, the incarnation of Jesus, His death and resurrection, the promise of His return, and the hope for all who love Him. Adults and children alike will be encouraged by the Person and work of Jesus Christ, the One whose love can bring us back to God. Scriptures are provided in the back of the book to show that this story is a true story, not made up by humans, but given to us by God Himself. It's a story for both big ones and little ones, a story to treasure with all our hearts, the greatest story ever told.

What I like about this book:

• This is a story of the events from creation to the cross.  It explains sadness, sin, people wanting their own way.  But people needed a way back to God.  
• It teaches God's plan- explains Jesus is God and man.  Perfect is the word to describe God and Jesus.  
• The explanation is simple.  The terms are child-friendly.  The simple illustrations are appealing and have some fun details. 
• The back inside cover shares the references that go with the concepts taught on each page. 
• The approach Jesus is greater than sin and Jesus loves us.  

What I wonder about the book:

• I would have liked a clearer statement about faith, accepting Jesus' love, to make the gospel even clearer.  But the back cover does say it's a book to open conversations and it's abbreviated. 
• The print is tiny, the illustrations are tiny.  This will be a tough read-aloud to a group of children, probably not the purpose of the board book, but it's what I'm trying to find. 
• Will a larger publisher find this book, and publish more? is there a demand for this type of book?  

 Comparing it to the "Gospel" book from yesterday. This is apples and oranges.  Both achieve the goal and my desire to clearly share the gospel with littles.  And in my opinion, they both do an exceptional job.  

I purchased this book used as it appears to be in high demand but only one printing and many copies are over $20 and it's a small board book.  

The Gospel Board Books Option A

Crossway Publishers released a book entitled:  The Gospel in 2020. It is written and illustrated by Devon and Jessica Robyn Provencher. It is part of a series called, "Big Theology for Little Hearts."  

Reading the back of the book helps you grasp what the series is about.  

What I like about the series:

• Illustrations, clear, warm, simple, and friendly kid-appeal. Also related to the words defined on each page.  
• Plan- each book teaches a big theological word in child-friendly language.  
• Accuracy to the Bible, to adult teaching of these terms, and yet still using phrases that are common for littles- like King, turn your back to sin, Jesus- Rescuer, ...

The other two books published are God and Jesus.  Just as effective and well-chosen as the Gospel.  These books could teach a 3-year-old, a college kid, or a parent about the most essential doctrine of the gospel.  

These books are books that I hope kids request over and over again so that the children memorize the concepts as does the reader.  So valuable on so many levels.  

Sample pages:

What I wonder:  

• Will children want these books without a rhyme factor repeated over and over?  
• Will they make posters to go with the series for older kids in classrooms?  These would be great word wall images in a learning environment- and if you changed the font, even at a Bible college. 
• What other books will come in this series.  

I purchased these books when they were released and haven't had a chance to read them with littles yet due to the pandemic.  But that time is coming soon I hope.  

Teaching Acts to preschoolers, my new endeavor

We are studying Acts as a church.  We are hosting a children's church after our main service.  So I'm planning lessons for two age groups.  Ages 2-6 and Grades 2-5.  As we think about the major concepts in Acts, there are a few major themes.  

• Being a Witness (like the Apostles) leading to Missionaries. 
• Sharing the Good News/Gospel
• The birth of the Church, that serves one another well!
• The Holy Spirit comes- and so we can share the Trinity with kids.  
• Believers are Persecuted.  

Plus the lives of those who carried on after Jesus ascended to make His New Kingdom. So many events, people, and places to discover.  So much action, adventure, and unforgettable miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Plus King Jesus makes it all possible- and we make a crown on our heads with our hands as we talk about Him!  

The stories, events, and related concepts are easy to deliver in engaging ways.   So far we have watched Jesus ascend behind the clouds, thanks to faith sprouts free printable.  We also sang and moved to whose the child that Jesus loves (to the tune of London Bridges), being caught when Jesus loves this little girl/boy/child.  (not sure where I learned this version about 20 years ago!) Acts 1

Then we waited for the gift, by looking at a package, that we could not open, but had to wait and pray like the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit.  (and the surprise was individual bubbles to take home to remember all week!) Acts 2

Then we have made 'whoosh' noises, envisioned fire over our heads, blew bubbles to 'see' evidence of the wind and air, and discuss that Jesus loves me and you!!  Visuals from this lesson were used, truewaykids is another resource I love. 

With the pandemic, we are hosting this right after our main service, in the same room, we are renting, for a 15-minute lesson after we sing as a whole group of children songs that they love.  So we aren't making crafts, coloring, etc.  But I am trying to send something home each week with the littles to practice and retell the story all week.  

Acts 3 and 4 we leaped and jumped praising Jesus, as our main active strategy!  We talked about Peter and John had something better than money to offer the lame man, they used the power of the Holy Spirit through the 'name of Jesus' to heal his legs.  We also talked about preaching boldly, what they had witnessed, even when it meant going to jail overnight, and then being released because they kept preaching boldly "what they have seen and heard!"   Again faith sprouts gave me a great take-home resource- finger puppets!  and ordering the right hole punch makes life so much easier! I also found stand-up figures from Acts 4 in my files that they took home.  

So far these stories are in our traditional preschool story bible by Jared Kennedy.  The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible.  

So now I'm searching for the next element that even preschoolers can grasp, and retell, Jesus loves me and you! and the good news must be understood clearly.  I want a simple short story that will help present the Good News to this young crew in a memorable way!  

Stay tuned for reviews of the board books I have found!  

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.