Growing in grace and truth

A Big Change Happened

Darby Strickland
New Growth Press, 32 pages

Darby Strickland weaves the comforting truths of Psalm 139 into her story of a young whale experiencing uncertainty and change. Little Wallace is content and happy swimming in the warm waters near the green island of the only home he’s known. When Mama whale announces that they will be traveling to a new home in the north, Wallace is overwhelmed with concerns. As Mama addresses his questions, she also reassures Wallace that this change didn’t surprise God and he can always be confident of God’s unchanging love: “God’s love follows you, wherever you go and whatever you do.” Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell’s vibrant illustrations will captivate young readers, and a note to parents at the end offers helpful ideas for shepherding children through big changes. Ages 4–8

Charlie Can’t Sleep!

Rachel Joy Welcher
IVP Kids, 32 pages

A little boy named Charlie struggles with going to bed because nighttime fears plague his imagination. Under the guise of helping his mom, Charlie looks for ways to delay his bedtime. Eventually, though, he runs out of excuses and dissolves into tears. His parents tenderly listen to his fears and then point him to God’s promises in Psalm 121, reminding Charlie that “he will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.” Encouraged by Scripture’s promise of God’s constant care, Charlie offers a prayer to God and finds peace to sleep. Breezy Brookshire’s soothing watercolor illustrations echo the book’s message, which offers parents a tool for helping young children turn to God in prayer when they wrestle with fear. Ages 4–8

Jesus, Our True Friend

Sally Lloyd-Jones
Zonderkidz, 96 pages

Author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrator Jago’s latest collaboration offers seven stories about Jesus that reveal how Jesus brought Good News to all creation and showed us what true love is like. While the selected Bible stories may be familiar to families (e.g., the prodigal son and the good Samaritan), Lloyd-Jones helps children understand the full scope of the stories by offering insights that point to the deeper spiritual meanings. For example, in the story about Jesus’ first miracle at the Cana wedding, Jesus tells the servants to fill six stone purification jars with water. This, Lloyd-Jones writes, was a signpost for how one day Jesus’ blood would purify by washing away the sins of the world. Note: Illustrations include Jesus’ face, and the opening pages give a poetic paraphrase of John 1:1-5, 14. Ages 4–8

The Sword

Marty Machowski
New Growth Press, 176 pages

In this unique volume, Marty Machowski blends together a fictional story with a Bible study on Romans. When siblings Katana and Brant discover an old journal in an heirloom chest, their father shares the story of Magnus, a Roman soldier assigned to guard the Apostle Paul during his house arrest. As the story of Magnus and his relationship with Paul unfolds, Machowski systematically works through the book of Romans, offering age-appropriate analysis for each Scripture reading. These entries can be stand-alone devotions or could be read section by section, but due to the scope of commentary, the book is not intended to be read in one sitting. Flavia Sorrentino’s illustrations complement each spread, and the book’s final pages give the Romans Road gospel presentation. Ages 8–12