Honoring the top movers and shakers in the children’s market

The team at Christian Retailing is honoring the movers and shakers in the children’s industry, just as we did with the gift marketplace in our inaugural “Nifty 50” list in the June issue. The people, products, companies and sometimes stores noted in these lists are those we deem as “making it happen” in the Christian children’s marketplace.

We polled our readers, scanned the industry and came up with our choices—and we are not saying someone should be ranked first and someone else at No. 50. Everyone just “made the list.”

While we know Nifty 50 is not perfect, in our estimation, everyone on the list is to be commended. Surely we have left some off the list who could’ve been included, but we think you'll agree that most of these are the ones who are leading in this segment of the Christian products industry. We are happy to honor them in this way.

Feel free to offer your feedback on Nifty 50 by sending a letter to the editor to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Action Bible

Renowned DC Comics and Marvel artist Sergio Cariello started something big when he redesigned The Picture Bible for David C Cook. With original action heroes, The Action Bible is filled with 750 full-color pages and now has spawned a companion product, The Action Bible Devotional.

Alphabet Alley

Offering “smart fun for little souls,” Alphabet Alley features award-winning products such as Noah’s ABC Stacking Blocks and Christmas Go Fish cards.

Barbour Publishing

Providing value-priced books, Ohio-based Barbour publishes kids’ books such as the “Double Trouble” Amish series by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jesus Wants All of Me by Phil A. Smouse.

Mike Berenstain, author

Berenstain Bears books go back to 1962 when Mike Berenstain’s parents, Stan and Jan Berenstain, published the first story. Now, having sold more than 260 million copies, products include picture books, beginning readers and chapter books. Jan and Mike are writing and illustrating new adventures now for Zonderkidz.

BJU Press

BJU Press votes for kids by supporting homeschoolers with K-12 educational materials and support services. Under its JourneyForth imprint, BJU also publishers read-aloud books, historical fiction and more for kids.

Annette Bourland, Zonderkidz

As senior vice president and publisher of trade and Kidz at Zondervan, Bourland leads the overall vision and strategic plan for trade, children’s and teen program, managing publishing and overseeing marketing. Previously, she worked at Focus on the Family overseeing children’s and parenting resources.

Cactus Game Design

With board games in demand of late, Cactus Game Design has been filling the need with Bible editions of general-market games, including Apples to Apples and Outburst.

Christian Tools of Affirmation

Empowering Christians as they minister to others, Fenton, Mo.-based CTA conveys messages of faith through Scripture-bearing products, including its Resurrection Gospel Easter Eggs and Gospel Story by Colors products.

Concordia Publishing House

A nonprofit company and the publisher of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Concordia offers more than 8,000 products, including many children’s titles such as the

best-selling The Story Bible and the “Little Visits” series by Mary Manz Simon.

David C Cook

 Publishing children’s books like The Big Red Tractor by Francis Chan, veteran publisher David C Cook also seeks to empower the church with ministry resources, including Noah’s Park Children’s Church curriculum, to reach the younger set.

DaySpring

DaySpring’s new U-Neeks card line with plush characters was developed in response to consumer requests for cards to encourage children. Based on Psalm 139:14, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” the line joins the products in the company’s Really Woolly brand for kids.

Deep Blue Kids Bible, CEV

Kids are encouraged to explore the ocean of God’s love with the Deep Blue Kids Bible (Common English Bible). With callouts, in-text notes and colorful characters to follow, the Bible in the Common English Version is designed for kids ages 7-12.

Dicksons

Having begun in the basement of a small Christian bookstore, Seymour, Ind.-based distributor Dicksons has Christian retailers at heart, fulfilling and shipping a wide variety of children’s products, from novelties to games.

Stephen Elkins, author

From the Hide & Seek Devotional to the LullaBible, author and GRAMMY-nominated record producer Stephen Elkins helps children learn about the Bible and a relationship with Jesus with his many best-selling books for kids.

Faith Baby

“Dressing little blessings,” Faith Baby produces unique baby clothing, including ballerina bow leg warmers, crochet beanies and ruffled baby bloomers.

Greg Fritz, Big Idea

As senior vice president, sales and marketing, Fritz leads the marketing team at Big Idea, helping build Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber into recognizable characters. He also has written two VeggieTales board books.

 Sheila Walsh’s Gigi, God’s Little Princess brand from Thomas Nelson aims to show girls their value in God’s kingdom with books, DVDs and toys catered to young princesses.

Go Fish

Children’s entertainment group Go Fish teach children key Bible concepts through fun songs, with concerts that cater to the family. In recent years, the group has launched its own Scripture-based VBS curricula, including Kickin’ It Old School and Praise.

Good Books

Known widely for its “Fix-It and Forget-It” cookbooks, Pennsylvania-based Good Books also publishes children’s literature, including some Amish titles.

Gospel Light

With the motto “Jesus for the Next Generation, Gospel Light is committed to reaching children for Christ. From Sunday school to VBS curricula, Gospel Light also publishes family ministry resources so parents can more easily pass along their faith to their children.

Groovy, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra

Winning the 2012 Dove Award for Children’s Music Album, Groovy from Denver and the Mile High Orchestra (Go Fish Kids Records) features high-energy, horn-driven songs that teach biblical truth and life lessons.

Group Publishers

Group Publishing engages churches to help them equip children of all ages to grow in relationship with Jesus. Along with its Sunday school and VBS programs, Group hosts the “unconventional” KidMin Conference for children’s ministry workers.

Alongside its trade offerings, Harvest House also publishes books and curricula for kids, including Kay Arthur and Janna Arndt’s Cracking the Covenant Code for Kids and Kelly Chapman’s Princess With a Purpose Curriculum Kit.

His GEM

Two sisters founded Missouri-based His GEM, a name that celebrates God’s view of each person as His treasure. Every His GEM product, whether baby apparel or baby gifts, incorporates scripture.

iShine Ministries

Tween ministry iShine is engaged in “a truth war for the hearts and minds of this generation.” In 2012, iShine artists are going on their fourth national live tour, and iShine products help to meet needs for preteen music, books and more.

Kerusso

Kerusso’s Kidz Light House merchandiser has moved a considerable number of kids’ tees into shopper’s hands. Tees for kids from the “T-shirt evangelism” company—celebrating 25 years in 2012—include the “Be Happy! Being Angry is for the Birds” design and the new “Cherished Girl” line.

Kingstone Media Group

Aiming to become the leading publisher of Christian comics and graphic novels, Kingstone has expanded its reach, being distributed by Anchor Distributors in the Christian market and Diamond Comic Distributors for the comic store market. Its digital comics are available through Novo Ink.

Kregel Publications

Along with publishing homeschool resources, Kregel publishes its own children’s books and distributes select titles from Lion Hudson, including such best-sellers as the Candle Bible for Toddlers and The Lion Illustrated Bible for Children.

Little Angels, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Brought to life by Roma Downey of Touched by an Angel fame and “Adventures in Odyssey” writer Phil Lollar, “Little Angels” is an animated DVD series that teaches preschoolers practical learning skills and biblical principles. The line has expanded now to include CDs, books and apps.

Little Disciples

Founded by Vick Asmerian and now operated by pastor Roberto and Marcia Marques, Little Disciples features designs—from bibs to beanies—that incorporate scripture “to convey God’s message of love for all His children.”

Sally Lloyd-Jones, author

A British children’s book writer who was raised in Africa and now lives in the United States, Lloyd-Jones is a New York Times best-selling author. She wrote the Jesus Storybook Bible and Song of the Stars (both Zonderkidz), among many other titles.

Dan Lynch, B&H Kids

Formerly vice president and publisher for Tommy Nelson, Lynch now heads the B&H Kids team at B&H Publishing Group. Experienced with top brands such as Bibleman and Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends, he is leading a new initiative with authors including Angie Smith, Amy Parker, Tom Blackaby and Rick Osborne.

After having her own children, Mackall expanded her writing to board books, then picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction, and young adult novels. Along with her books for adults, her works total more than 400 from publishers including Standard Publishing and Tyndale House Publishers.

Paul McCusker, Focus on the Family

As a producer, writer and director for “Adventures in Odyssey,” McCusker has contributed significantly to the success of the series. His work for “Odyssey” includes 18 novels and two screenplays for the animated videos. He also adapted and directed A Christmas Carol and “The Chronicles of Narnia” for Focus on the Family Radio Theatre.

McDowell has produced two award-winning animated series, “Paws & Tales” (Tyndale), adapted from Chuck Swindolls' works, and “Adventures in Booga Booga Land” (Thomas Nelson), recounting the parables of Jesus for children.

Dan Miley, Rainbow Publishers/Legacy Press

As CEO and publisher, Miley leads the innovative Rainbow Publishers and Legacy Press. Rainbow specializes in reproducible teaching books and recently introduced nursery Bible lessons, while Legacy publishes devotionals, guides for growing up and fiction.

Laura Minchew, Thomas Nelson

Minchew, senior vice president of specialty publishing at Thomas Nelson, divides her time between children’s products, gift books and new media. She has published many best-selling authors and brands, including No. 1 New York Times best-seller Heaven Is for Real for Kids and Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends brand.

Stephanie Perry Moore, author

Published under Lift Every Voice, an imprint of Moody Publishers targeting African-American readers, Moore’s “Alec London Series” is written for boys 8-12. Moore also is

author of Young Adult fiction, including the “Payton Skky” series, and is co-editor of REAL, a Biblezine from Thomas Nelson.

Mike Nawrocki, Big Idea

Along with being the voice of Larry the Cucumber and other characters, Nawrocki—co-creator with Phil Vischer of VeggieTales—is executive vice president at Big Idea Entertainment Studios. His work also includes directing The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything movie and developing the 3-2-1 Penguins! series.

New Leaf Publishing Group

With children’s Bibles from New Leaf Press and kids’ literature from Master Books, New Leaf Publishing Group also supports homeschoolers and other educators with evolution-free resources.

Mary Manz Simon, author

With her children’s books having sold more than 3 million copies, author, educator, radio personality and children’s market expert is a strong supporter of Christian retail stores. She is also an advisor to Mothers of Preschoolers and Christian Retailing.

The Sparkle Box

An oversized picture book from Ideals Children’s Books, The Sparkle Box: A Gift With the Power to Change Christmas aims to create a new family Christian tradition. The book includes a “sparkle box” to be used for children preparing their gifts for Jesus at Christmas.

Talicor/Aristoplay

Started with the Ungame, which has sold 5 million units, Talicor/Aristoplay is also one of the longest licensees for VeggieTales. With 85% of its products published in the U.S., the company distributes only in the specialty market, not to big-box stores.

Christine Harder Tangvald

Tangvald has been writing for children for more than 25 years, sometimes with her daughter, Rondi DeBoer. She has nearly 100 titles to her name and almost 3.5 million books in print. She is also the founder of Spokane Christian Writers.

Michael Turner, New Day Christian Distributors

 New Day’s Turner is helping Christian retail stores position and market well-chosen toys and games, offering lines such as Melissa & Doug, Playmobil and Hedstrom.

Tyndale Kids

Celebrating 50 years, Tyndale House Publishers started with founder Ken Taylor wanting his children to understand the Bible, so he created the Living Bible. Since then, the company has produced exceptional products that speak to children, including books such as I Couldn’t Love You More and My Beautiful Princess Bible (both Tyndale Kids).

Vischer gained fame as co-creator of VeggieTales and the voice of Bob the Tomato. Produced by Jellyfish Labs and Tyndale Kids, his “What’s in the Bible?” DVD series explains the entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—to kids in a format that is humorous and entertaining.

Bob Wallace, Standard Publishing

A creative marketer and product developer, Wallace helps make kids’ products sellable, with the underlying commitment to teaching God’s Word. He has helped establish the company’s leadership with the Children’s Pastors Conference and launch innovative partnerships in VBS such as with Yancy and Back2Back Ministries. He also has worked with best-selling authors including Mary Manz Simon, Beth Guckenberger and Ryan Frank.

Warner Press Kids

From Egermeier’s Bible Story Book to the purity-promoting The Princess & the Kiss, Warner Press Kids, a division of Warner Press, a Church of God publisher, provides creative products in part to equip the church and give hope to future generations.

Yancy

Unconventional singer-songwriter Yancy lends her voice to the theme song for Standard’s 2012 VBS, Adventures on Promise Island, and entertains kids with her new album, Stars, Guitars and Megaphone Dreams (Syntax Distribution).

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