Families
To read additional reviews on these items or for pricing information,
just click on any book cover or the handy links provided. There's no obligation to
buy. Please enjoy my personal comments below.
Discipline Them, Love Them,
by Betty Chase (1992, David C. Cook Publishing Co.), 112p.
I wish EVERY parent could have this book. In my experience, it's
THE BEST parenting book I've ever seen or owned. I first learned of this book
at a weekly women's Bible study almost nine years ago. My first son
was only 9 months old, but the lessons I learned from this book were so
logical, practical, and powerful I still use them. Now that our two sons
are older (fourth and sixth grades), I bought another copy so my husband and I can
go through it together. This is a hands-on workbook, with chapters like:
What Do You Believe About Child Discipline? What Does the Bible Say?
Ways to Discipline Your Child--Consistency Through Enforcing the Rules,
Study Your Child and Know His Uniqueness. These are just a few of the
rich discoveries you will experience in going through this book! Perfect in
many settings, for personal or group Bible study. HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED.
Amazon.com
The Awesome Book of Bible Facts,
written and illustrated by Sandy Silverthorne (1994, Harvest House Publishers).
This wonderful, fact-filled volume provides answers to perplexing
questions in a colorful, entertaining way. Topics include how a slingshot works,
what a Roman soldier wore, and what a house in Bible times looked like. As a writer,
I've found myself using this book as a quick Biblical reference and idea-starter.
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The First Step Bible,
by Mack Thomas, illustrated by Joe Stites
(1994, Gold'n'Honey Books), ages 1-3.
Our children's favorite when they were younger. Stories are
short, with easy-to-understand words and a fun, repetitive style that
your toddler will eagerly anticipate with each reading. For instance,
chapters open with "Hi! I'm Moses," naming one of the Bible characters,
who proceeds to tell his or her story in first person. A question
appears in every story ("How did we cross the water?"), involving your
child and encouraging interaction. Friendly, colorful illustrations
add to the story and elicit giggles. As a first Bible for pre-schoolers,
this one's a WINNER.
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I May Be Little: The Story of David's Growth,
by Marilyn Lashbrook, illustrated by my favorite artist Stephanie M. Britt
(1990, Roper Press/Treasure Publishing), ages 4-8.
Marilyn Lashbrook is a talented children's author who can retell
a familiar Bible story with such a fresh voice that parents and
caregivers enjoy reading it over and over again to children. This one
touches on a common concern children share--being too small. "But with God's
help, I can do big things!" The watercolor illustrations are absolutely
superb page after page, including a double-page spread where the
reader is encouraged to count David's sheep. The text is fun
and easy to read, weaving a clear message of God's love for us and our
dependence on Him. (See additional review below.)
Amazon.com
One Hundred and One Devotions for Homeschool Moms,
by Jackie Wellwood (year, publisher), paperback, ____p.
Amazon.com
The Wall That Did Not Fall,
by Marilyn Lashbrook, illustrated by my favorite artist Stephanie M. Britt
(1990, Roper Press/Treasure Publishing), ages 4-8.
Another of the "Me Too!" series, this book covers one of the
lesser known Bible stories, about Rahab in the city of Jericho.
Rahab hides two Hebrew men to protect them from soldiers, and
when they leave she tells them she believes in the one true God.
They instruct her to place a red cord in the window, and when the
walls of Jericho fall, Rahab and her family are protected.
Lashbrook and Britt combine their skills in
humorous and insightful ways, conveying the importance of trust in
God--through Rahab's actions, but also shown by the Israelites
as they obeyed God by marching around Jericho for seven days. Good
writing, clear message, excellent design.
Amazon.com
The Way They Learn,
by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias (1996, Focus on the Family), paperback.
Every time I've heard Tobias on the radio, I've been struck with how
clearly she makes her points and enlightens tough questions. In this
book she explains the five basic learning styles and provides questions
to help you determine which is your dominant one (or your child's, or
even your spouse's). Understanding our differences in the way we learn
helps illuminate unrealistic expectations or demands on our children
or students. As a parent-teacher, I found this book extremely valuable. If
you'd like to read what others say about this book, click on the book cover.
Another book helpful to families is The Five Love
Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman (click to see my comments
on it).
Amazon.com
When the World Was New,
by Linda J. Sattgast, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman
(1996, Gold'n'Honey Books), ages 4-8, hardcover, 67p.
Okay, so I don't like splurging on picture books, but this one is
a keeper. How could I resist? "Once it was black, as black
as could be. There was nothing to hear. There was no one to see. Then
out of the darkness a Voice could be heard. As sweet as a song, as swift
as a bird. It sang with delight...'Let there be... (turn page) LIGHT!'"
Telling the story of creation from Genesis in lyrical rhyme, L.J. Sattgast
makes reading this book over and over FUN. Text is ideal for reading aloud,
but is also geared for learning readers. Bjorkman's illustrations, done
in watercolor and ink, are lively and bright. The book comes with a
matching dust jacket, and is a perfect addition to any home or church
library. SUPERB.
Amazon.com
Day by Day: A One Year Devotional
for Young Children by Betty Free, illustrated by
Eira Reeves (1998, Tyndale for Kids), ages 3-6.
Here's a daily devotional book you can share with your children.
Day by Day includes short, one-page devotions for each day of
the year based on a single scripture verse in
categories such as "God's Loving Care" and "Our Best for Jesus." We read it in the
morning before school during breakfast. Our sons (ages 9 and 11) really enjoy it. We've
seen a change in our youngest--a softening in his attitude as we face the day.
Great gift for parents, Christian- and Home-school teachers, grandkids,
and other young children in your life. Short spiritual lessons that
stick. WONDERFUL.
Amazon.com
The Right Choices Bible
by Dottie and Josh McDowell, illustrated by Joe Boddy (1998, Tyndale for
Kids), ages 4-8.
Do you want a kids' devotional book that covers stories and
characters from the Bible while teaching kids how to make right choices?
Try this new release by Tyndale. It's our TOP CHOICE for families.
We use this book for bed-time devotions. No matter how busy our day, the boys
beg for another chapter from The Right Choices Bible. Chapters
include "The First Garden: Do Adam and Eve follow God's rule to obey Him?"; "A Long Wait: Does Joseph trust
God to work things out...?"; and even a little-known but important
lesson from the book of Acts, "Learning All about Jesus: Does Appollos listen to his teachers?" I've wanted a book like this for
my children for a long time, and here it is! EXCELLENT.
Amazon.com
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh,
by A. A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard (1996, Penguin USA),
hardcover, 368 pages.
We bought the 70th Anniversary Collector's edition last year (which
includes the complete tales and poems of Winnie-the-Pooh), and absolutely
love it. If you or your loved ones are fans of Winnie-the-Pooh and his
friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, you need this book.
Amazon.com
The Complete Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh,
by A. A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard (1998, Penguin USA),
hardcover, 240 pages.
This book of poems completes the Pooh collection. A. A. Milne's
old-fashioned but humorous look at life is fun to read aloud. "No one
can tell me, / Nobody knows, / Where the wind comes from, / Where the
wind goes...." There's also the wonderful age poem: "When I was One, I had just
begun. / When I was Two, I was nearly new. / ...But now I am Six, I'm as
clever as clever. So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever."
Amazon.com
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