Three new picture books in the Good News for Little Hearts series help us coach children through difficulties and point them to Christ.
Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry (Good News for Little Hearts) edited by David Powlison and illustrated by Joe Hox. New Growth Press, 2018. 32 pages.
Buster’s Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail (Good News for Little Hearts) edited by Edward T. Welch. New Growth Press, 2018. 32 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended For: Families and classrooms with kids up to age 10
Zoe would rather stay under her safe, purple blanket and read fairy tales than go back to the museum where she got lost last year. Jax’s tail twitches when he gets angry, just like his father’s does when he gets angry. And Buster’s beautiful rabbit ears turn out to be more of a hindrance than a help during the long-awaited camp race.
Books-with-a-message always sound like, well, books-with-a-message. The point of these picture books isn’t to pretend that there isn’t a message; rather, these are picture books expressly designed to help young children “see” the message more clearly lived out in the story. Illustrations are clever and include details children will enjoy pointing out (look for the recorder in Buster’s Ears, the wallpaper and “Bless This Nest” sign in Jax’s Tail, and the perspective details like a ruler in Zoe’s Hiding Place).
These books would work equally well as part of a family devotional setting or in a Sunday school or traditional school classroom. Hopefully, they’ll prompt discussion and offer real hope.
Cautions: none
Overall Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)
- Artistic Rating: 4
- Worldview Rating: 5
What are some of YOUR favorite resources to use for helping disciple young children?
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I’m really glad to know about these, thanks for pointing them out!
It’s always a pleasure, Elizabeth–we love sharing books!