The Very Best Story Ever Told: The Gospel with American Sign Language

Robin Currie

The Very Best Story Ever Told teaches children how to share the gospel story using basic American Sign Language. With each turn of the page, Currie introduces children to a new sign that is then repeated along with a rhythmic summary as the story of Jesus’ birth, life, and death builds to a climax. Each of the 13 signs has an illustration with directions showing how to sign the word correctly, and each is simple enough for even young children to master. One disappointment: The story does not clearly explain why Jesus came to earth and later died on the cross. (Ages 4-8)

God Made Me And You

Shai Linne

In this book, Linne celebrates God’s design for ethnic diversity by focusing on how the gospel transforms our view of race. To help children understand the root of racism and bigotry, Linne goes back to the Garden of Eden, where sin distorted what was meant to glorify God. But Linne then points to our hope in Jesus: “At the cross, we see what God’s love is about, / There’s no type of person that Jesus left out.” Although the book’s rhyming text at times feels awkward, in other places it shines. The endnotes offer parents ideas to help their children appreciate God’s design for ethnic diversity. (Ages 4-8)

Goodbye to Goodbyes

Lauren Chandler

In Goodbye to Goodbyes, Chandler uses the story of Lazarus’ death and resurrection to help children understand death in light of the gospel. In tender terms Chandler explains that Jesus knows how sad it is when someone we love gets sick or dies, but thankfully we have hope and a promise: Jesus came to give His followers new life after death, and that means one day we can say goodbye to goodbyes forever. This seventh book in the Tales That Tell the Truth series again features Catalina Echeverri’s illustrations, which overflow with vibrancy and detail to enhance the story’s message. (Ages 4-8)

Freedom at the Falls

Marianne Hering & Sheila Seifert

Cousins Beth and Patrick team up again in this Imagination Station adventure No. 22. This time Mr. Whittaker’s time travel machine sends them back to 1861 so they can board Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural train as it rumbles east to northern New York. While they help Mrs. Lincoln watch over Willie and Tad, they must also hide a runaway slave girl from a slave catcher. When things take a dangerous turn, Beth and Patrick’s personal convictions lead them to make a courageous choice. The story concludes with a cliffhanger that Hering and Seifert will continue in book No. 23, Terror in the Tunnel. (Ages 7-12)

AFTERWORD

In Lies Girls Believe (Moody, 2019) Dannah Gresh outlines strategies tween girls can use to counter the lies of the world with Biblical truth. The book’s appealing format features colorful graphics and interactive chapters aimed at preparing girls to navigate the temptations they will encounter. The companion A Mom’s Guide to Lies Girls Believe helps moms learn about the challenges girls face today while offering useful suggestions for deeper conversations with their daughters.

In Choose Greatness (Northfield, 2019) Gary Chapman and Clarence Shuler counsel tween and teen boys to make 11 wise decisions that lay a strong foundation for a great life. Using personal stories, statistics, and Biblical wisdom, the book addresses timely topics for young men today, including respect for women, diversity in friendships, sexual responsibility, and drug and alcohol avoidance. Each chapter concludes with questions to ponder and encouragement to seek out a trusted adult for further discussion. —K.C.