Abbey Wedgeworth author and illustrated by Emma Randall
Training Young Hearts book series is a new lift-a-flap board book for little ones and their parents to enjoy together. As an educator, I find value in the formula of each book in this series, a few pages that ask questions (and you get the answers under the sturdy flap with simple, clear child-friendly illustrations).
First, the book talks about what to do with your feet then what not to do, then teaches the child that Jesus was human and had feet and used them to obey God with the Holy Spirit's help, just like the child can do! Each body part book repeats this same formula, with every page requiring a lifting of the flap, and examples that are natural child tendencies. I am especially fond of the examples of how the child is NOT to use that body part, as the examples are natural impulsive responses and what you see when you work with a child from a hard place or trauma.
Are these books immensely creative and entertaining for the reader, not likely? But are they developmentally appropriate for the intended audience? Why yes they are. Will the format, style, and questions/answers appeal to the child who listens? Yes, they will. The images are warm, friendly, and simple, and will appeal to young children, and the book will lend easily to re-reading, and a child reading alone. This is the best kind of book for this stage.
Will people understand or misunderstand the concept of sin, as implied by other reviewers? I do not think it is a problem. I see this as a tool to train young hearts in how to use their bodies and in the basic concepts of faith from the youngest age.
I've already purchased the four-book set as a baby shower gift, finding the series worth the investment. I believe if you are reading to your child from a young age, this series is worth owning. Encourage your child to read, re-read, read alone, and ask every loving adult in their life to read again. I have other books from this stage of my children's lives still memorized and my kids are 14, 18, and 22. This would have been a much-preferred option than a book about pajamas, a cat, or goodnight, and far more worthy of learning.
I requested this book to review as I had already purchased some for our church nursery, on my own and I wanted to review this fifth book to share my honest opinion.
