Title: Make Room: a child’s guide to Lent and Easter Author: Laura Alary Illustrator: Ann Boyajian Published by: Paraclete Press Price: £8.99 (Amazon) Good for: Families with children aged 3–10 years old who want to introduce them to the Easter story focusing on the transforming nature of the story Best bit: The book is written … Read more
Title: How to include autistic children and young people in church – Creating a place of belonging and spiritual development for all Author: Mark Arnold Published by: Grove Youth series Price: £3.95 Good for: anyone involved in church, especially church and group leaders Best bit: Simple, quick to read with immediate take aways Worst bit: … Read more
Title: Who made God? Author: Joanne Gilchrist Illustrator: David Kuiavskii Published by: Sarah Grace Publishing Price: £5.99 Useful for: children age 4-7 with big questions about God Best bit: I like the bright, bold illustrations, the rhyming text, the way we’re introduced to the different characters and the use of child-appropriate similes to describe God, but … Read more
Title: Found – Psalm 23 Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones Illustrator: Jago Published by: Zonder Kids Price: £5.95 at WHSmith £6.99 on Amazon Useful for: people age 2+ Best bit: Simple, beautiful words and stunning images communicating God’s love for you Worst bit: As a board books it’s brilliant for young children, but might make older children feel … Read more
Title: The Nativity By: Bethan Lycett and Hannah Stout Price: £3.50 Published by: 10 of those Useful for: children aged 2-7 Best bit: The lovely artwork and simple, easy-to-read Christmas story including Simeon and Anna Worst bit: The rhyme isn’t always as smooth as it could be, but still enjoyable. More: This is a simple, … Read more
Title: Love came down By: Bethan Lycett and Hannah Stout Price: £3.99 for 1, in a pack as low as £1 each Published by: 10 of those Useful for: children age 2-7 Best bit: It tells the whole story of Jesus, including why he was born. My favourite page is the picture of the boy … Read more
Title: Camp survival Written by: Olly Goldenberg Published by: Children Can Price: £6.99 Useful for: children age 7-11 years old Best bit: Really funny story weaving age-appropriate Christian life choices for children into a choose your own adventure book! Worst bit: The cover image is fab and I was hoping for more similar pictures in the … Read more
Title: The Christmas Mystery Written by: Jostein Gaarder (author of Sophie’s World) Published by: Orion Children’s Books Useful for: parents of children aged 7–11 years old Best bit: The story is clever and beautiful, mysterious and fascinating, a treat for adults and children alike, with 24 chapters exploring the birth of Jesus, making it perfect … Read more
Wrap up 24 Christmas-y books then unwrap and read one a day during Advent. All you need to do is collect* and wrap up 24 Christmas books and number them 1—24. Open one a day and share together. I found seven Christmas books for £5.80 in three of my local charity/ secondhand book shops, so … Read more
Title: You are – a book of God’s promises By: Emily Assell and Lauren Copple RRP: £6.99 but £5.94 here Published by: Hodder Faith Young Explorers Available from: Eden and a host of other places Best bit: a board book with gentle, beautiful Biblical truths in it Worst bit: I might have put less Bible verses … Read more
Title: Tonight – a book of God’s bedtime promises By: Emily Assell and Lauren Copple RRP: £6.99 but £5.94 here Published by: Hodder Faith Young Explorers Available from: The Book Depository Blackwells and a host of other places Best bit: a simple way to read God’s promises over your child at bedtime Worst bit: I … Read more
Title: The Promise and the Light By: Katy Morgan Published by and available from The Good Book Company Best bit: 25 short chapters telling the story of Jesus’ birth in an imaginative, but true-to-the-Bible way, perfect for children aged 5-11 years old Worst bit: no pictures, and I would love an audio version! More thoughts: … Read more