These four new Christian books for young children offer fun reads that will also bring awareness to a child's life on subjects like not being afraid, you are created special, finding joy around us, and becoming aware and sharing in acts of kindness.
Hoo’s There? by Kristi Valiant is a fun, short read perfect to help small children deal with being scared at night. But it is also…so much more!
This little board book gives a great model of friendship! The cute characters, an owl and a pig, demonstrate it’s okay to share how you feel with others; we don’t have to face our fears alone. They find a way to work together and solve the problem of the mystery monster.
The fun rhyming words, synonyms, and lots of sound words (onomatopoeia) are great to build a child’s vocabulary. This makes it a wonderful book for little ones to grow with. I really like how the author has many of these words stand out with varying colors, fonts and placement on the pages. As you read aloud, you can use your finger to follow the words moving across the pages; in this way, it will help little ones develop text awareness which is a pre-reading skill.
The illustrations are bright, colorful and whimsical. Kids will enjoy pointing out fun objects and colors or using their fingers to follow the delightful characters of Hampton and Figgy through to the end of the book! Don’t miss one other fun element Kristi includes in her recent books: keep your eyes open for a mouse, a penguin and a hippo!
I was surprised the book didn’t have any mention of God since it is from a well-known Christian publisher, but it certainly sets a fun stage for parents to begin a spiritual discussion and include an added Bible verse such as Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (CSB).
All in all, this is a delightful read that offers plenty of learning too. Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson Publishing for the advanced copy to review with my honest impressions.
Hoo's There?: A Silly Book for the Bedtime Scaries
By Kristi Valiant / Thomas Nelson Childrens Books (Affiliate Link @ Christianbook.com)
Three things I really like about this book: the important topic of where our identity is found, the additional ideas, activities and Bible verses included at the end to assist caregivers in teaching kids even more beyond the book, and the illustrations depict a variety of children including ones with needs such as wheelchairs or glasses.
Christina Fox addresses the issue of where our identity lies in a simple manner and yet with a far-reaching goal. It begins with the questions – “Who are you? What really makes you…you?” This book teaches kids their identity is not found in what they can or cannot do, the things they have or like, what others say, or even how they feel. Who we are is grounded in our relationship with God. He created us to be His child and reflect His love. The author briefly includes the Gospel message along with God creating us in His image.
The repetitive question, “Is that what makes you, you?” will stick with the reader beyond the read and help them see not only their own special identity, but that everyone they meet has been uniquely created by God too. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this for my grandkids!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crossway Publishing for the advanced copy to review with my honest impressions.
Who Are You? A Little Book about Your Big Identity
By Christina Fox / Crossway
*This is an affiliate link to our partners @ Christianbook.com
Jack & Scarlett Books - *Affiliate Link @ Christianbook.com
What sets this book apart from many others is its interactive text! Readers are asked to participate by finding and counting sticks, saying “Ready, Set, Go!”, tapping a blue floaty three times and other fun activities as they experience more than just a story.
Jack (a squirrel) and Scarlett (a rabbit) go camping. The text is conversational and the story is simple for little ones to easily understand. The characters discuss how they feel extra happy at times like their heart is dancing. Scarlett shares that when we follow God, He fills our heart with joy. It also includes Galatians 5:22-23 with the fruit of the Spirit and the characters model praying before they eat.
Overall, this is a delightful little book which toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy time and again. More than that though, it will share truth from God’s Word and His love for them. It makes for a great discussion starter on joy and being thankful to God while also teaching the song – “I’ve Got the Joy Down in My Heart.”
These adorable characters will easily become favorites and may also be found on the Listener Kids Youtube channel where they share Bible verses and Bible songs for kids!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson Publishing for the advanced copy to review with my honest impressions.
If you listen to Christian music, you have probably heard Zach Williams’ hit – “Less Like Me.” Now here’s a children’s book to help us pass along the same message through simple text and purposeful illustrations perfect for younger children.
“A Little More Like Jesus” adapts the lyrics of the song to fit a nice rhythm and rhyme text encouraging the reader to be aware of others’ needs around them and the many ways we can let the light of Jesus shine through us. As a group of kids jump on a bus with Williams himself, they tour places they see practical daily acts of kindness, love, patience, peace, faith and goodness.
The colorful illustrations depict many of these simple acts and open up wonderful conversation starters. Let kids share what they see and discuss how they could do these same things in their own lives.
This book sets a great early learning stage promoting awareness and noticing needs of others and then doing what Jesus would do. There is also a sweet prayer which would be a great way to start each day – “Jesus, help me be like you in all the things I say and do. Please let me see the way You see and find Your light inside of me.”
Thank you to Netgalley and Zonderkidz for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Affiliate Link @ Christianbook.com -
Little More Like Jesus
By Zach Williams / ZonderKidz
Hop aboard for a fun, faith-filled journey with Zach Williams' new picture book "A Little More Like Jesus"! Kids ages 4 to 8 will discover the fruits of the spirit through engaging rhymes and bright artwork. Let them learn how to show more love, patience, kindness, and more just like Jesus. A perfect read-aloud for spiritual development. 32 pages, from Zonderkidz.