Children also will find a bonus in its pages as they search for Squeakers the mouse who appears on every page.
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| [ BUYER’S GUIDE ] OUR PICK OF SOME new CHILDREN’S, YOUNG ADULT AND NICHE BOOKS Well-illustrated Bible stories make the grade |
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| Written by Christine D. Johnson |
| Tuesday, 07 October 2014 11:39 AM America/New_York |
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Children and parents will be attracted to Noah: A Wordless Picture Book, a masterfully illustrated reimagining of one of the greatest stories of all time that closely follows the Old Testament narrative. Illustrator Mark Ludy’s art digs deeper than the Sunday-school tale of Noah, exploring the biblical figure’s relationship with his family, the natural world, God—and a formidable engineering challenge.
The Plough Publishing House releases the 64-page hardcover book (9780874866391, $19.95) Nov. 5. Coordinating with DaySpring and one of the gift company’s most popular brands, Thomas Nelson has repackaged the Really Woolly Bible, releasing Dec. 30. Adding to the top-selling brand’s products, which include greeting cards, plush and animated DVDs, the new hardcover Bible is available in a larger trim size and retails for $19.99. The readability of the New International Version combined with the whimsical DaySpring characters are meant to find an audience among children ages 2-7. Learn more at thomasnelson.com.
BIBLE STUDY ANONYMOUS: WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY PARTICIPANT BOOK
Cindi Wood The Bible is filled with “anonymous” women who made a significant impact in God’s story. Anonymous: Discovering the Somebody You Are to God helps women discover their uniqueness and significance to Christ by exploring some of the “anonymous” women of the Bible. Though these women in the Bible are not named, they all were known and loved by God. Each week of Wood’s six-session study begins with an overview of the anonymous woman’s story, including background material with relevance to the cultural lifestyles and environment of the day. The study’s daily lessons explore her story and the ways that all women can relate to her. Contemporary “anonymous” stories and quotes from everyday women are sprinkled throughout, reinforcing the personal relevance of this study. A Leader Kit is also available, which includes the Participant Book, Leader Guide, DVD and Preview Book. Orders: abingdonpress.com. CATHOLIC THE GRACE OF YES
Lisa M. Hendey Catholicmom.com blogger and best-selling author Hendey is fueled by a lifelong passion for her faith. In The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living, she guides readers through pivotal moments of her journey and the eight virtues that have helped her learn how to say yes to God. She explores the eight spiritual virtues that she believes are foundational to the Christian life, helping readers learn about belief, creativity, integrity, humility, vulnerability, saying no and starting over. She shows how these virtues lead to generous living and the ability to joyously say yes to God. Hendey reflects candidly on her own real-life struggles: the identity adjustment of leaving a blossoming career to become a stay-at-home mom; the temptation of divahood as her online celebrity grew; the freedom and opportunities of empty-nest status versus the middle-aged body’s pull to slow down; her encounters with a spiritual community during treatment for cancer; and the contrast between the lingering grief she confronted at a Rwandan genocide memorial and the willingness of survivors there to forgive. Hendey also provides questions for personal reflection and a prayer to close the exploration of each virtue. Orders: avemariapress.com. THEN COMES BABY
Gregory and Lisa Popcak In this foundational book for Catholic couples who are becoming first-time moms and dads, the Popcaks lend readers the benefit of their 25 years of experience in counseling to help couples navigate the earliest years of parenthood. The authors recommend rituals, routines and tips on how to manage feeding, fatigue and finances and how also to prioritize marital bonding and faith. The authors coach parents as they adjust to their new identities and help them face the inevitable challenges of parenthood—all while seeing these everyday experiences through the lens of Catholic teaching on the purpose of family life. Orders: avemariapress.com.
CHILDREN GOD KNOWS ME
Juliet David; illustrated by Mike Byrne David and Byrne help very young children explore their world and discover God’s love. These colorful, padded board books teach children the importance of knowing God, knowing God loves them and knowing God will be there to help them. Illustrated with bright pictures of everyday scenes and one simple sentence per page, the book also can be used to introduce children to the idea of prayer. Other titles in the series include Please, Thank You and Sorry. Orders: kregel.com.
GOOD ALWAYS WINS: KIDS’ EDITION
Ed Strauss If God really cares about people, why does He allow terrorism, disease, war and financial hardships? Good Always Wins—Kids’ Edition tackles these tough questions with Bible-based answers for readers ages 8 to 12. This book shows that God is working in and through the tragedies of our world to redeem them and bring good from evil. Orders: barbourbooks.com.
GUESS WHO? NOAH’S ARK
Christina Goodings; illustrated by Angela Muss This Flip-The-Flap book is useful for toddlers who love a game of peek-a-boo. While children learn about the story of Noah, they will guess who is hiding beneath the book’s 12 flaps. With bright collage artwork and a different character under each flap, this board book aims to captivate the very young. Orders: kregel.com.
HUMBLE PIE
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER Twins Mattie and Mark Miller get a taste of humble pie in their Holmes County, Ohio, community. Whether they’re bragging about their ability to play sports, ace a test, bake a cake or win a pie-eating contest, the almost 10-year-olds just can’t seem to tame their pride. This fifth book in the series from best-selling author Brunstetter is designed for readers ages 8-12. Orders: barbourbooks.com.
MY FIRST MATCH-N-LEARN PUZZLE: ALPHABET
Barbour Publishing The My First Match-n-Learn Puzzle: Alphabet game teaches children basic first sounds skills as they piece together 26 self-correcting puzzle pairs. Each of the puzzle pieces flips over to reveal either a letter of the alphabet (upper and lower case) or an illustration of an object that begins with that particular letter. The puzzle pieces are designed with rounded corners for little hands. A bonus guide is included for teachers and parents, offering suggestions on how to tie in biblical characters and principles while playing the puzzle game. Orders: barbourbooks.com. MY FIRST MEMORY MATCH GAME: NOAH’S ARK
Barbour Publishing My First Memory Match Game: Noah’s Ark helps to build children’s basic memory skills as they attempt to match 24 card pairs—including doves, elephants, rainbows and arks. Children can use each of the puzzle pieces for a fun game of memory match, or they can flip the game board over to place the matching cards as they help Noah get all of the animals on the ark. Each of the game pieces is designed with rounded corners for safe play for young children. This game helps to reinforce the principles of trust and obedience to God. Orders: barbourbooks.com.
MY LITTLE LIFE OF JESUS
Karen Williamson; illustrated by Amanda Enright My Little Life of Jesus introduces the story of Jesus’ life to 3- to 5-year-olds. With illustrations from a popular Candle Books artist, the book also includes a map to show the land where Jesus lived. This padded hardcover book comes with a presentation page for gift- or award-giving. Orders: kregel.com.
MY VERY FIRST BIBLE AND PRAYERS
Juliet David; illustrated by Helen Prole From the award-winning “Candle Bible for Toddlers” series comes this combination of the My Very First Bible and My Very First Prayers titles. With Bible stories and prayers interwoven throughout, the compilation brings the best of these two books together. This title is a useful tool for those wanting to take the first steps in introducing their children to the Christian faith. Orders: kregel.com.
THE BIBLE AMIGOS: FIVE LOAVES, TWO FISH AND ONE BIG HAT
Frank Fraser “The Bible Amigos” series for kids ages 3-7 is from a creative artist who has worked on Disney and PBS Sprout projects. In the series, the three amigos—Walla the koala, Donk the donkey and Edge the hedgehog—carry God’s love and guidance wherever a flying Bible takes them. Featuring action-filled pictures, each story shares key biblical truths. In Five Loaves, Two Fish, and One Big Hat, kids will learn they’re never too little to serve God in a big way. Orders: barbourbooks.com.
THE LION NURSERY BIBLE
Elena Pasquali; illustrated by Priscilla Lamont Fifteen Bible stories for the nursery shelves are compiled in this keepsake volume. The soft, traditional illustrations provide a focal point for little children, while the accompanying stories are told in uncomplicated yet lively language—easy for a parent to read aloud. The Lion Nursery Bible gift edition features a white padded cover with the title and the words “a special gift” in silver foil, and with silver edging on the pages and rounded corners to make it more child-friendly. A dedication page and ribbon marker are included. Orders: kregel.com.
COMMENTARY THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: A NEWLY DISCOVERED COMMENTARY
J.B. Lightfoot; edited by In the spring of 2013, Witherington discovered hundreds of pages of biblical commentary by J.B. Lightfoot in England’s Durham Cathedral Library. Among those pages were two sets of lecture notes on the book of Acts. Together they amount to a richly detailed, albeit unfinished, commentary. In fact, the project of writing a commentary on Acts had long been on Lightfoot’s mind, and now Witherington and Still have brought his work to InterVarsity’s frontlist with The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary, the first installment of “The Lightfoot Legacy,” a three-volume set of previously unpublished material. Orders: ivpress.com.
GIFT BOOKS WRITTEN ON MY HEART
Jean Fisher Dozens of readings sharing spiritual truths are featured in Written on My Heart, a devotional journal and Bible memory plan. Set in a one-color design, Written on My Heart is a reminder for women to live their best life according to God’s plan, and features topics such as friendship, love, serving and encouragement. Orders: barbourbooks.com.
YOU ARE HIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL
Darlene Sala Author of Created for a Purpose, Encouraging Words for Women and You Are Blessed, best-selling author Sala offers a mix of encouragement and challenge for today’s busy, stressed woman in this 365-day devotional journal. The readings in the You Are His Daily Devotional Journal address topics such as loneliness, money, aging, purpose, perseverance and beauty. Women also can record their own observations, reactions, prayer and praise notes in the journaling space provided. Orders: barbourbooks.com.
SPANISH CÓMO PROBAR UN ESPÍRITU (HOW TO TRY A SPIRIT)
Mary Garrison Now available in Spanish, Garrison’s guide helps believers identify and combat the principal evil spirits at work in the world today. She gives the biblical name of the spirits, their fruit, the tactics they use in the lives of believers, the scriptural methods of overcoming evil spirits, and how to live in victory.
SABIDURÍA DIARIA PARA MUJURES (DAILY WISDOM FOR WOMEN)
Barbour Publishing This devotional collection—now available in Spanish—is designed to draw women closer to their heavenly Father’s heart. With a devotional reading and prayer for each day of the year, Daily Wisdom for Women aims to provide encouragement and refreshment as readers come to know how deeply God loves them.
YOUNG ADULT 10 ULTIMATE TRUTHS GIRLS SHOULD KNOW
Kari Kampkis When Kampakis wrote a blog post in 2013 titled “10 Truths Young Girls Should Know,” it went viral. This nonfiction book for teen girls expands on the 10 truths in that post. In a world where teen girls deal daily with cliques, bullying, rejection and social-media nightmares, the author wants girls to know that they don’t have to compromise their integrity and future to find love, acceptance and security. With practical advice, loving support and insightful discussion questions, 10 Ultimate Truths offers an approachable list of guidelines that will help young girls become the young women God made them to be. Orders: thomasnelson.com.
PSYCHOLOGY: A STUDENT’S GUIDE
Stanton L. Jones This introductory resource examines the field of psychology from a distinctly Christian perspective. The first section looks to the history of psychological inquiry, focusing on thinkers such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, the influence of the Enlightenment and Darwinism, and the development of modernist psychology. In section two, readers interact with “great ideas” such as the origins of morality, nature vs. nurture, the relationship between the mind and the brain, and the concept of personal identity.
SEARCH FOR THE SHADOW KEY
Wayne Batson The second book in “Dreamtreaders” explores the concept of dreams and their effects. Fourteen-year-old Archer Keaton discovers he has the ability to enter and explore his dreams. He is a dreamtreader, one of three selected from each generation. Their mission is to protect the waking world from the evil lurking in the Dream. The Nightmare Lord has been thrown down, but his throne is no longer empty. Rigby Thames has taken up the evil mantle with Kara Windchil as his queen. Now the only living dreamtreader, Archer Keaton finds himself on the outside of two worlds looking in. Dream Walking Inc. is taking the world by storm, allowing Rigby to build an unstoppable empire. Worse still, Rigby has unleashed the Tendrils, shadow people who can cross over into the waking world. As Archer’s family and friends begin to disappear, unexpected help comes in the form of the Wind Maiden, a mysterious angelic being who seems to know how Archer can rescue his loved ones and defeat the new Nightmare King. But the cost may prove too dear for Archer to pay. This second book in the “Dreamtreaders” series teaches kids the importance of key Christian values—being a light in the darkness, resisting temptation and keeping your faith—even when they feel like they are standing alone. Orders: thomasnelson.com.
YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US
Nancy Rue Written by best-selling author Rue, each book in the “Mean Girl Makeover” trilogy focuses on a different character’s point of view: the bully, the victim and the bystander. The books reveal biblical solutions to the bullying problem set in a story for tween girls. You Can’t Sit With Us tells the story of Ginger Hollingberry, a new sixth-grader at Gold Country Middle School. Ginger has been the brunt of teasing and taunting from the queen bee of the school, Kylie Steppe, and her so-called Wolf Pack. Kylie and the Pack favor a new and especially hurtful medium of taunting: social networking. What follows is a candid look into the growing world of cyberbullying, showing kids that bullying doesn’t always end at school. Orders: thomasnelson.com |
