Parables: Stories Jesus Told

Name of Book:  Parables: Stories Jesus Told Author:  Mary Hoffman Illustrator:  Jackie Morris Publisher:  Phyllis Fogelman Books ISBN:  0803725604 Audience:  Age 4 and up Summary:  This is an illustrated collection of eight of Jesus’ parables: The House on the Rocks, The Good Samaritan, The Lost Sheep, The Workers in the Vineyard, The Prodigal Son, The [...]

Wombat Walkabout

Name of Book: Wombat Walkabout Author:  Carol Diggory Shields Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books – Penguin Publishing Group Audience: Ages 4 and up Summary: This is a story of six wombats taking a walkabout (journey) and their encounter with a dingo. When two realize that their friends have been captured by the dingo, [...]

If Jesus Came to My House

Name of Book: If Jesus Came to My House Author: Joan G. Thomas Illustrator: Lori McElrath-Eslick Publisher : Harper Blessings; Harper Collins Audience: Ages 3 and up Summary: A boy shares all of the activities he would do if Jesus were a visitor at his house, including sharing toys, making tea, playing with pets, visiting [...]

The Quiltmaker’s Gift

Name of Book: The Quiltmaker’s Gift Author: Jeff Brumbeau Illustrator:  Gail de Marcken Publisher: Orchard Books Audience: Ages 7 – 10 Summary: An old quiltmaker lives in the mountains sewed beautiful quilts day after day. Many people try in vain to buy her quilts but the quiltmaker will not sell them.  At night she goes [...]

Is There Room on the Feather Bed?

Name of Book:  Is There Room on the Feather Bed? Author:  Libba Moore Gray Illustrator:  Nadine Bernard Westcott Publisher:  Orchard Books Audience:  Ages 4-6 Summary: The story is that of a “wee fat man” and a “wee fat woman” who live in a very small house at the bottom of a hill.  Their family consists [...]

Lesson Plans: Practicing Christianity with Children

For the next several days, we will be posting a series of lessons written for parents of preschool and elementary children at the South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC.  These seven sessions reflect  on the Reformed understanding of infant baptism and its implications for Christian parenting, explore the cognitive, social and emotional development of [...]

Come Sunday

Name of Book:  Come Sunday Author:  Nikki Grimes Illustrator:  Michael Bryant Publisher:  Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Audience:  All Ages Summary:  Come Sunday is the story of a young girl’s joyful celebration through the Sabbath day. This book would make an excellent baptism gift for children of any age. Literary Elements at Work:  Come Sunday [...]

Jason & Kyra

Name of Book: Jason & Kyra Author: Dana Davidson Illustrator: Elizabeth Clark Publisher: Hyperion Paperbacks Audience: Ages 10-17.  I feel that both girls and guys can relate to this book equally because it shows the internal and external emotions of both genders. Teenagers are the best keepers of their internal emotions.  This book may open [...]

How Full is Your Bucket?

Name of Book:  How Full is Your Bucket? Authors: Tom Rath & Mary Reckmeyer Illustrator:  Maurie J Manning Publisher: Gallup Press Audience:  Children from 1st through 6th grade Summary:  This is the story of a little boy who antagonizes his little sister and one day is caught by his grandfather.  The grandfather tells him that [...]

Because of You

Occasionally, students will review the same book so you may come across multiple posts about the same title.  Use these different reviews to see how people can approach the same book with slightly different questions and ideas.  This book was previously reviewed on Oct. 24, 2009. Name of Book:  Because of You Author:  B.G Hennessy [...]