Reader Spotlight

As we wrap up our half-birthday celebration, I thought it might be nice to give some attention to our readers.  You’ve already met a few public figures like Simonetta Carr and Douglas Bond.  (I actually got to know Douglas through a comment on our site!)

A few other writers have kept a lower profile but have encouraged us all the same.  For instance, some of you may know William Boekestein, author of the kids’ book Faithfulness Under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres.  I thought I’d post the book trailer here so you can enjoy its Reformational awesomeness.

Mr. Boekestein wrote us last week:

Dear Redeemed Reader,

Thanks for providing a valuable resource, especially for parents and their children.  Redeemed reading is so necessary because of the important role books play in children’s lives.  In my children’s lives, books are not simply something to be read and then set aside; my kids live out the books they read.  My wife and I are constantly hearing our five-year-old son say to his sister things like, “Eva, you be Lady de Winter and I’ll be D’Artangnon” as they play out a scene from The Three Musketeers.  Or “I’ll be Henry and you be Bessie” as they reenact a scene from Elizabeth Prentiss’ Henry and Bessie. 

Parents face a mountain of children’s literature; sorting through it can be intimidating.  But given the impact books have on our children’s lives, the need to use discernment is non-negotiable.  Thanks for helping us along in this journey.

William Boekestein

Thanks, William!

Of course, most of our readers are not known to us.  Janie and I are so grateful for each and every one of you, however, and we have especially enjoyed getting to know those of you who’ve taken the time to write us.

Valerie of valeriehunter.blogspot.com gave us this feedback on Janie’s post Stalking the Elusive Boy Reader:  Thanks for these suggestions. Looking forward to the list! Our 8 year old son is an avid reader…started early and hasn’t stopped. We’re always looking for content appropriate books that will keep him interested.

Kathy of carpelanam.blogspot.com has often engaged our subject-matter in a thoughtful way in her comments.  Always a joy to read notes like this one our ‘Oh Say, I Can’t See’ Anything Else But Me: Thanks for the post. I’m fascinated by the idea of irony and how it’s shaping modern kids. Here’s a thought… is the difference between the postmodern cultivation of irony and traditional suspension of disbelief what accounts for the urban/rural, blue state/ red state divide in American culture? Would we be better off if we attempted to cultivate old-fashioned sentimentality, such as Lerer condemns, and avoid the ironic? Or is this giving way too much deep thought to a very trivial series of kids’ books?

Brandy of  www.brandy-painter.livejournal.com has her own book blog, and she often seems to know the books we’re writing about, jumping right in with her own thoughts about Janie’s review of Pride and Prejudice inspired fiction:  You are right about Enthusiasm being costume comedy drama but I loved every moment I spent reading it. It was so much fun! I like Shulman’s other novel, The Grimm Legacy, even more….I might give Prom and Prejudice a try after reading this. I had been avoiding it. 

Marlo has been a consistent reader, with thoughtful comments like this on my Behind the Bookcase review of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: I still struggle with “puffed sleeves” at times. The desire to have significance simply by wearing the right thing, driving the right vehicle, living in the right neighborhoods, etc. Aren’t they still temptations at times? I owned my first pair of Nikes in college because my parents were too busy being financially responsible to satisfy my desire for name brands. And to be fair, I didn’t ask for them because I didn’t want to put that sort of strain on the budget. At times it was painful to feel I didn’t have the “right” shoes or backpacks or whatever, but I’m thankful that it led me to the knowledge that my significance lies in a Savior.  Thanks for drawing my attention to this book. I’ve passed it up for too long and will be putting it on my to-read list.

We’ve even had readers offer contrary opinions in humble and Christ-honoring ways.  Joey of www.differentway4kids.blogspot.com added this to the discussion on Nice Jewish Girls:  As a Christ-follower who is also Jewish (https://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2011/02/9-chosen-reasons-why-i-love-jewish.html), I appreciate your review of this book. Definitely looks interesting, and I think my older 2 kids (Hannah, age 9; and Elijah, 7) would probably both enjoy it.  But I disagree with your comment that Christianity and Judaism have diverged since Jesus. I would make the case (from what I’ve studied) that the divergence occurred much earlier.  The earliest beginnings of the divergence was probably the Helenistic influence….(see the post for the rest of the comment.)

And I could go on and on!  We really do appreciate each of you who has taken the time to get to know us, and we hope you’ll continue to give us feedback on what you like and don’t like.  Believe it or not, we really do want to get to know you so we can serve you better.  And we certainly hope the next six-months will be an even more successful partnership between us!

THANK YOU!

Tomorrow we’ll get back to posting about books.  Until then, though, are you a reader with advice for us?  Or do you have a blog or business website you’d like to plug?  Now’s your chance to leave us a link!  Help us get to know you and support you!  (Careful not to sound spammy, though.  Maybe mention how you found out about us or a kids’ book you recommend or would like us to review?)

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