Books for children

 

 

the Review Source

   My parents always gave us books as part of our allotted gifts at Christmas and for birthdays - I loved the books I received, and still have some of them! I always give books to my children - even now they are grown! Along with whatever other gift you have in mind for the children on your gift list, please include at least one book to help encourage and develop the love of reading! Take a moment to look through our book reviews for teens and adults as well and then model a love for reading to your children! Statistics are sad as to how many adults in our country do not read books . . . let's do what we can to change those statistics and read! Give the gift of reading with a well chosen book to the children on your list this year!

 

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HarperCollins

Not a Box Author/Illustrator - Antoinette Portis Ages - newborn to 6

• Favorite Features -

  • simple, enjoyable drawings throughout

  • story encourages imagination

   

      I love this book! The simple drawings and imaginative story are perfect for parents to read with their young children - involve the children by asking them to tell what the box is and identify shapes and colors! Tremendously well done, Antoinette and Harper Collins!

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Duck at the Door Author/Illustrator - Jackie Urbanovic Ages 4-7

• Favorite Features -

  • fun, unexpected story sure to get children and parents talking about how to get along with others

  • colorful illustrations

   

      Excellent book for families to read and talk about - important lessons about how we treat others and how we show love and grace to even difficult people. Extremely well done, Jackie and Harper Collins!

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Terrible Storm Author - Carol Otis Hurst Illustrator - S. D. Schindler Ages - 5-8

• Favorite Features -

  • colorful illustrations

  • story shows how things we may see as "awful, horrible and the worst" may not be so for others

   

      Fun, unexpected story encourages children and parents to talk about important lessons like how to put yourself in other's "shoes" and see things from another perspective since what we see as "horrible" may be "wonderful" to someone else. Extremely well done, Carol, S.D. and Harper Collins!

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	Spider-Man 3 - Meet the Heroes and Villains Author - Harry Lime Illustrator - Steven Gordon
	Spider-Man 3 - Movie Storybook Author - Kate Egan Ages - 3-7
	Spider-Man 3 - Junior Novel Author - Jasmine Jones Ages - 8-12 Ages 4-7

• Favorite Features -

  • favorite superhero may encourage children, especially boys, to read

  • provides opportunity for parents and children to talk about characters in the story, your values and how to respond to situations in their own life

   

      Young fans of Spiderman will enjoy these books! Very nicely done, Harry, Steven, Kate, Jasmine and Harper Collins!

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Heidi Book and Charm Johanna Spyri Ages -  8-12

• Favorite Features -

  • classic story of Heidi for a new generation to read and love

  • includes necklace with charm

   

      Every girl should read the story of Heidi - this is the perfect book for mother and daughter to read and talk about together! Important lessons on family, doing your best, not giving up, caring about others, persevering during difficult times and more! Tremendously well done, Johanna and Harper Collins!

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What's in Grandma's Closet Authors - Alexis Barad, Nora Pelizzari & Leslie McGuire Illustrator - Tammie Lyon Ages 3-8

• Favorite Features -

  • includes charms from the story as well as a bracelet to put them on

  • colorful illustrations add to the charm of the book

   

      This is a fun book for a grandma to give to her granddaughter - plan to spend time reading and enjoying this book together! Encourages the sharing of grandma's own "story' and history! Extremely well done, Alexis, Nora, Leslie, Tammie and HarperCollins!

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	Transformers: Meet the Autobots
	Transformers: Meet the Decepticons
	Author - Jennifer Frantz Illustrator - Guido Guidi Ages - 4-8

• Favorite Features -

  • favorite characters from the movie may encourage children, especially boys, to read

  • provides opportunities for parents to talk with their children about the movie and the lessons to learn from it

   

      I applaud books which will capture the attention of children, especially boys, and encourage them to become readers! Boys especially love transformers, so books about Transformers are great tools to get them to read. Extremely well done, Jennifer, Guido and HarperCollins!

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	Surf's Up: The Unauthorized Biography Author - Annie Auerbach Ages - 7-10
			Surf's Up: The Life and Times of Cody Max Author - Susan Korman Ages - 8-12
	Surf's Up: Meet the Characters Author - Lisa Rao Ages - 4-8
			Surf's Up: The Legend of Big Z Author - Sadie Chesterfield Ages - 3-7
	Surf's Up: The Winning Wave Author - N.T. Raymond Ages 3-7
			Surf's Up: The Movie Storybook Author - Judy Katschke Ages - 3-7
	Surf's Up: The Reusable Sticker Book Author - Lana Jacobs Ages 4-7
			Surf's Up: Coloring and Activity Book Author - Lana Jacobs Ages 4-7

• Favorite Features -

  • books and activity books encourage children to read about their "friends" from the movie

  • encourages an interest ad enjoyment in reading

   

      I like it when books about children's movies release with the release of a movie - great way to encourage children to read when the excitement of the movie release is fresh, but keep in mind, these books make excellent gifts when the dvd is about to release as well! Parents, talk with your children about the messages in these books - do your best, be yourself, you do not have to be first and more! Very nicely done, Annie, Susan, Lisa, Sadie, N.T., Lana, Judy and Harper Collins!

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	Shrek the Third: The Movie Storybook Author - Alice Cameron Illustrator - Larry Navarro Ages - 3-7
	Shrek the Third: Junior Novel Author - Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld Ages - 8-12

• Favorite Features -

  • interest in the movie, encourages children to read

  • colorful, fun illustrations

   

      Children who enjoy the Shrek movies, will enjoy the opportunity to read these books! Parents, talk with your children about the messages in these books - doing your best, not giving up, being there for your friends, accepting yourself and more! Extremely well done, Alice, Larry, Kathleen and HarperCollins!

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ZonderKidz

Soul Surfer - Clash Authors - Rick Bundschuh & Bethany Hamilton Ages 8-12

• Favorite Features -

  • novels for young girls feature real life teen surfer who lost an arm to a shark

  • in this story, Bethany and her friends learn to be people who love and care for others

   

      Soul Surfer novels are a great option for young elementary age readers as they will find an interesting story, with characters and issues they are able to relate to. Excellent opportunity for parents to talk with their daughters about being a friend who includes others and who trusts God. Extremely well done, Rick, Bethany and ZonderKidz!

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Soul Surfer Bible Ages 8+

• Favorite Features -

  • includes devotions to challenge girls

  • NIV for ease of understanding

  • information about teen surfer, Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a shark attack

  • glitter wave Italian duo-tone cover - fun, bright, sparkly colors

  • red letter and reader's helps - promises from the Bible, perspectives from the Bible, prayers of the Bible, ministry of Jesus, parables of Jesus, miracles of the old testament, miracles of Jesus

   

      This is an excellent Bible for elementary age and teen girls! The style is fun and the NIV makes it easy to understand! Tremendously well done, ZonderKidz!

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Backpack Bibles
	Ocean Motion Blue
	Pink Dragonfly
	Ages 6-10

• Favorite Features -

  • NIrV - easy for children to read and understand

  • complete Bible, old and new testaments, in a handy, portable size

  • Italian duo-tone covers with features to appeal to boys and girls

  Excellent first "real" Bibles for elementary age children! Extremely well done, ZonderKidz!

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	Jake Goes Fishing
	Jake Helps Out
	Author - Crystal Bowman Illustrator - Karen Maizel Ages 4-8 - level 2, I can read!

• Favorite Features -

  • colorful illustrations

  • simple text with easy to grasp messages of God's love and helping

   

      Fun book for parents to read with their younger children and to involve their beginning readers with actually reading themselves! Important messages for families to talk about as they read together. Very nicely done, Crystal, Karen and ZonderKidz!

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The Adventure Bible for Young Readers Ages 6-10

• Favorite Features -

  • NIrV for ease of understanding

  • special features throughout to help children understand life in Bible times, Bible people and more

  • includes a dictionary, facts and figures and live it activities

   

      Excellent first study Bible for children! NIrV makes it easy to understand and the added features help children begin to see they are able to read and understand God's Word on their own! Tremendously well done, ZonderKidz!

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AirQuest Adventures
	Crash at Cannibal Valley
	Terror in Branco Grande
	Disaster in the Yukon
	Author - Jerry Jenkins Ages - 8-12

• Favorite Features -

  • adventure stories about a family who helps missionaries and those in need around the world

  • solid messages about family, trusting God and caring about others

   

      Excellent series to introduce children to adventure stories as these stories will have kids wanting to read! Children, and parents, will not be able to put these books down - great books for a family to read together, but be warned, children will want you read another chapter and another chapter, etc! Tremendously well done, Jerry and ZonderKidz!

   

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Thomas Nelson

A Max Lucado Children's Treasury Author - Max Lucado Illustrators - Toni Goffe, Liz Bonham, Tristan Elwell and Robert Hunt Ages - 4+

• Favorite Features -

  • includes complete copies of, Just in Case You Ever Wonder, The Crippled Lamb, The Way Home and Jacob's Gift

  • colorful, incredible illustrations in each story

  • powerful, simple stories even a young child can understand

  • provides much for parents and children to talk about

    Excellent book to give a family so they may all read, enjoy and learn from these stories together! Max Lucado is a master storyteller and is able to weave a powerful story from simple settings. Aptly named a "treasury" because there are a treasure of stories in this one book! Tremendously well done, Max, Toni, Liz, Tristan, Robert and Thomas Nelson!
 

   Revell

When Mother was Eleven-foot-four Author - Jerry Camery-Hoggatt Illustrator - Mark Elliott Ages - 4+

• Favorite Features -

  • colorful, perfect illustrations - they fit the story very well

  • strong message of being an extragravant giver of gifts

  • provides much for parents and children to talk about

    Read this story together as a family and talk about what it looks like to be an extragravant giver of gifts - challenge your children to be a giver! Start a Christmas tradition in your family with this book. Extremely well done, Jerry, Mark and Revell!