Lessons for little ones

Why Do We Say Thank You?

Champ Thornton
(New Growth Press 2022)

With rhyming prose, Thornton tells the story of an ungrateful boy who is never content. He is disappointed with his breakfast, unimpressed at the zoo, and bored by the park. While other people embrace the day’s fun, he mopes and complains it’s “been as ­boring as boring can be.” In his dreams that night, he replays the day, but rather than viewing things from a place of discontent, he sees everything through the lens of God. He realizes that creation is a reflection of God’s goodness and glory, for which he should give thanks and praise to the Lord. The endnotes offer parents suggestions for helping their children learn to be thankful. Ages 4-8

Meg Is Not Alone

Megan Hill
(Crossway 2022)

When a miscommunication between her ­parents results in Meg getting left behind after church, at first she feels alone and afraid. But soon other church members learn of her predicament and come to her aid. By the time Meg reunites with her dad, she is no longer upset because her church community has surrounded her with love. “God gave us church friends to take care of us,” Meg’s dad says. “They love us because they love God. And God shows his love for us by sending them to help.” The book offers a good springboard to discuss with children the many ways church families can care for each other. Ages 3-7

Shoshi’s Shabbat

Caryn Yacowitz
(Candlewick 2022)

When Yohanan buys an ox from his Jewish neighbor, he is at first pleased with how well Shoshi pulls his plow and helps him till his fields. But then on the seventh day Yohanan is perplexed when Shoshi won’t work. She plants her feet, bends her head low, and refuses to budge. Yohanan assumes his ox is sick and gives up trying to coax her to toil. The next six days, though, Shoshi is ready and ­willing to work. But then on the subsequent seventh day, she again refuses to budge from her shed, and Yohanan finally understands why. This retelling of a Jewish midrash is a delightful story about the importance of Sabbath rest—for both man and beast. Ages 4-8

God Made Babies

Justin & Lindsey Holcomb
(New Growth Press 2022)

In their latest book, the Holcombs help parents answer for their young children the age-old question of “Where do babies come from?” They caution that their book is not intended to replace parents’ discussions with their children but rather to help start the conversations with a Biblical framework. The book begins by reminding children of the creation story and God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply.” The text then briefly explores the different ways reproduction ­happens in creation before discussing in age-appropriate terms how babies are made and born. At the end, the Holcombs offer additional suggestions for how parents can approach the topic with their children. Ages 4-8