(A) Ages 0-4

Jonah and the Very Big Fish by Tim Thornborough

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 6, 2020

Jonah and the Very Big Fish has fun with language and offers the full story of Jonah--there's more than the whale! Jonah and the Very ...

Three Picture Books illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 11, 2020

Three new picture books from small publishers, perfect for young readers (and listeners). All are illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans, but the authors differ. Penguin ...

Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 5, 2020

Hey, Water! pictures the gift of water in all its forms, providing an accessible explanation of the water cycle for preschoolers. Hey, Water! by Antoinette ...

Lois Lenski Books: A Sampling

By Megan Saben | May 8, 2020

Lois Lenski books continue to be enjoyable and insightful reading for all ages. Lois Lenski Books Yesterday I shared a long-overdue introduction to an author ...

The Guaranteed, Irresistible, Effortless Introduction to Poetry for People Who Doubt That They Like It

By Megan Saben | Apr 9, 2020

If you or your children aren't sure how to develop a taste for poetry, especially if you haven't decided whether you ought to feel obligated ...

*Jesus Rose for Me by Jared Kennedy

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 1, 2020

Jesus Rose for Me expands on The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible to help young children rejoice in the Resurrection *Jesus Rose for Me (a Beginner’s ...

2020 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens is Here!

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 16, 2019

Ready for a great year of reading? Are your KIDS ready for a great year of reading? What about your TEENS? At Redeemed Reader, we ...

*John Ronald's Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister

By Hayley Morell | Dec 11, 2019

Lovely illustrations and beautiful narrative prose tell the story of Tolkien, from boyhood to The Hobbit. *John Ronald's Dragons: The Story of J. R. R. ...

New (or New to Us) Books for Holiday Reading and Gift-Giving

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 25, 2019

It's a fact: readers love to give books as gifts, and we're here to help! When in doubt we tend to turn to the classics, ...

*Unwrapping the Names of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2019

Mediate on the names of Jesus during Advent with this helpful, inspiring family devotional. *Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu. ...

The Light Princess by George MacDonald {Rabbit Room edition}

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 13, 2019

A beautiful new edition of The Light Princess complete with foreword by Jennifer Trafton, afterword by Andrew Peterson, and illustrated by Ned Bustard. The Light ...

5 Questions for a Book Giver’s Interview

By Megan Saben | Nov 12, 2019

If you like giving books for birthdays, Christmas, hygge, or any other reason, you may often be wondering: what would this child enjoy? We love ...

Cookbooks for Kids and Teens: A Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 9, 2019

Have you ever wanted to go beyond cookie baking and decorating with your kids? Did you know there are some great cookbooks for kids and ...

The Delights of Childcraft, part 2

By Megan Saben | Aug 22, 2019

Yesterday I introduced a set of books that impressed me as a child, and I appreciate them more now as a parent and home educator. ...

The Delights of Childcraft, part 1

By Megan Saben | Aug 21, 2019

I remember the first book that taught me to love poetry as a child. "Antonio, Antonio," by Laura E. Richards, was in the second volume ...

Our Favorite Mice: A Booklist

By Hayley Morell | Jul 11, 2019

Have you ever stopped to consider how many mice are in children's literature? There is something about these small, unlikely protagonists that captures the imagination. ...

Nine Months by Miranda Paul

By Janie Cheaney | May 20, 2019

Nine Months shows the development of human life, from embryo to newborn, in gentle rhymes and beautiful paintings. Nine Months: before a Baby Is Born ...

Mercy Watson, the Porcine Wonder (books by Kate DiCamillo)

By Betsy Farquhar | May 13, 2019

Meet Mercy Watson, the Porcine Wonder My kids and I first met Mercy Watson, the porcine wonder, in the pages of her first book: Mercy ...

*He is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter by Patti Rokus

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 16, 2019

A beautiful, artistic representation of the story of Easter using rocks set against a black backdrop. Starred review for He is Risen. *He is Risen: ...

Last-Minute Must-Read Christmas Picture Books

By Megan Saben | Dec 22, 2018

I know, I know, there's so little time left before the Day of Much Rejoicing and Celebration, but I've got two strong recommendations for Christmas ...

*God Counts by Irene Sun

By Janie Cheaney | Dec 14, 2018

More than a simple counting book, God Counts sets out to teach numerically inclined kids what God is like—through numbers. *God Counts: Numbers in His ...

One-Size-Fits-All: Read Aloud Gift Books for the Whole Family!

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 6, 2018

Need a book idea you can give as a “whole family” gift? Perhaps you want to take along a little “happy” to the friend and ...

Books for the Whole Year

By Megan Saben | Nov 29, 2018

The new year is a great time to begin something fresh, whether it is a new Bible-reading plan or a commitment to read a book ...

*Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year

By Megan Saben | Nov 28, 2018

*Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year selected by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Nosy Crow, 2018, ...

Art and the Picture Book: a Redeemed Reader Booklist!

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 23, 2018

Redeemed Reader rounds up some picture books that not only teach about art and artists, but encourage children to observe and appreciate. Artists and picture ...

Good News for Little Hearts: A New Christian Picture Book Series

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2018

Three new picture books in the Good News for Little Hearts series help us coach children through difficulties and point them to Christ. Zoe's Hiding ...

Christmas Books for All Ages: A Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 19, 2018

Readers, we are thankful for YOU! And, in honor of our appreciation for you, your faithful support of Redeemed Reader and encouragement to us, we're ...

Nonfiction Picture Book Round-Up (Fall, 2018 edition)

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 6, 2018

It's National Picture Book Month, so we're celebrating picture books--both fiction and nonfiction! Nonfiction picture books are a truly exceptional--and often overlooked--way to introduce a ...

New Picture Books Round-Up (Fall, 2018 edition)

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 6, 2018

November is National Picture Book Month! Here's a collection of new picture books for the whole family. We don't think you need an "excuse" to ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 1, 2018

Gladys Hunt shares some tips for encouraging early literacy in young children in this latest post. For more in our Gladys Hunt series, see The Hive. ...

The ABCs of Building Your Picture Book Collection

By Megan Saben | Sep 27, 2018

What, you thought you could just walk into a bookstore and buy a book? How do you determine whether or not a picture book is ...

Picture Book Round-Up: Back to School Picture Books!

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 8, 2018

Back-to-School time means new pencils, new lunchboxes, new classrooms (or a new look for the dining room table!), and... new emotions. Scared and excited students, ...

Dinosaur Book List for All Ages

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 20, 2018

Is your child keenly aware that a new Jurassic Park movie is hitting the big screen this week? As if kids needed more motivation to be interested ...

Mega List of Bible Reviews!

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 11, 2018

Here in one handy post are all the children's Bibles reviewed over the last six years by RedeemedReader, with links. I (Janie) started reviewing children’s ...

Bible Review: CSB Read-to-Me Bible

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 6, 2018

Designed for parents of preschoolers, the CBS Read-to-me Bible offers a straight path from familiar Bible stories to the text itself. CSB Read-to-Me Bible. B&H ...

Picture Book Biographies Booklist!

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 27, 2018

Picture Book Biographies = Fantastic, Diverse Resources Picture book biographies are one of the best ways to introduce a person from history. Why? They bring ...

Little Activists Raising Little Fists

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 23, 2018

Yesterday’s post on Leadership asked the question: “What, exactly, is leadership?” It’s not as easy a definition as it looks, but you might not know ...

Pie-Themed Picture Books for Pi/Pie Day!

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 12, 2018

"Pi/Pie Day" is coming up on March 14th! Check out one of the pie-themed picture books below from your local library to enjoy with your ...

2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens (with printable!)

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 19, 2017

The 2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens Our 2018 Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens is back and better than ever! We’ve changed it ...

The Wonder of the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 28, 2017

The Wonder of the Greatest Gift offers a complete Jesse Tree experience with devotional and ornaments for the whole family to enjoy. The Wonder of ...

Giant Christmas and Advent Book List for All Ages

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 24, 2017

We love Christmas and Advent at Redeemed Reader, and we've reviewed lots of related resources over the years. Advent begins on December 1, and the ...

*The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible by Jared Kennedy

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 23, 2017

The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible strikes the right balance between scriptural faithfulness and a preschooler’s comprehension. *The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible by Jared Kennedy, illustrated ...

2017 Winter Book Fair List: Books for Everyone!

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2017

2017 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone on Your Christmas List! It's that time of the year again: Christmas is coming, and all the special ...

The Biggest Story ABC by Kevin DeYoung

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 14, 2017

The full-Bible sweep covered by Kevin DeYoung’s The Biggest Story is back, in board book format! The Biggest Story ABC by Kevin DeYoung, illustrated by ...

10 New Picture Books for All Ages, All Interests, Fact and Fiction!

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 2, 2017

New picture books! Brand, spanking, new! Beautiful, silly, thoughtful, informative, and downright fun. Take a look! (Several of these made it onto our Back-to-School ...

Back-to-School Booklist, 2017 edition (+ Giveaway!)

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 21, 2017

Have your kids already started school? Or perhaps that's still to come in the next couple of weeks. No matter what stage of back-to-school season you're ...

Get Ready for the Eclipse! Space and Sci-Fi Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 16, 2017

Ready for the Eclipse? Have you tested out your eclipse glasses? Do you know where you're going to be on August 21 when the eclipse ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 6 Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 24, 2017

Our last Wisdom & Wonder Booklist to help you wrap up your summer! You'll see a couple of repeats from earlier in the summer as ...

Week 6 : God So Loved, He Gave

By Hayley Morell | Jul 24, 2017

Introduction This summer reading challenge has flown by! Can you believe it’s Week 6 already? (Granted, we did take a week off for the Fourth ...

Let’s Talk It over: Honesty and Diligence in Literature

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 22, 2017

Janie: This week we’re taking up two major themes in Proverbs: honest work and honest words. At first glance they may not seem to be that closely ...

Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Dusky Rinker

By Megan Saben | Jul 21, 2017

The hardworking construction team needs help! Working cheerfully, they get a big job done. Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Dusky Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Chronicle ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 5 Booklist

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 18, 2017

Our Proverbs emphasis for week 5 is "Work and Words," (or honesty and diligence, which means basically the same thing without the alliteration). Our booklist ...

Wisdom & Wonder, Week 5: Work and Words

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 17, 2017

Introduction: Our two Wise Up chapters for this week are “Looking to the Ants” (Week 8, p. 87) and “Honesty is the Best Policy” (Week ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 4 Booklist

By Hayley Morell | Jul 11, 2017

Week 4 Theme: Which Path and With Whom Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 3 Booklist

By Megan Saben | Jun 24, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder Week 3 Booklist Weekly Theme: Responding to Correction (Wise-Up #6, 7) Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 14:12 There is a ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 3: Responding to Correction

By Megan Saben | Jun 24, 2017

Welcome to week 3 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! In Week 1, we learned about turning to God and away from sin. ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 2 Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 19, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder Week 2 Booklist Weekly Theme: God’s Word is a Treasure Additional Proverbs to Read and Think About 4:23 Keep your heart with ...

Wisdom & Wonder Week 2: God’s Word is a Treasure

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 19, 2017

Welcome to week 2 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! Last week, we learned about turning to God and away from sin. Jesus ...

* My Daddy Rules the World by Hope Anita Smith

By Janie Cheaney | Jun 15, 2017

Just in time for Father's Day, this picture-book collection of poems celebrates the daily presence of a loving dad in the household. *My Daddy Rules ...

Wisdom and Wonder: Week 1 – Turning Towards God and Away from Sin

By Alysha | Jun 12, 2017

Welcome to week 1 of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! Wisdom and Wonder Week 1: Turning to God and Away from Sin! This ...

Wisdom and Wonder Booklist – Week 1

By Alysha | Jun 12, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder Week [1] Booklist: Weekly Theme: Turning towards God and Away from Sin Wise-Up #1 (Real Wise Man) and #2 (Heart of the ...

Wisdom & Wonder Activities and Giveaway!

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 5, 2017

Wisdom & Wonder is Just Around the Corner! Are you excited about joining us for our Wisdom & Wonder summer reading challenge? Don't forget to get ...

Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading “Anchor” Books

By Betsy Farquhar | May 24, 2017

Join us for Wisdom & Wonder: our 2017 Summer Reading Challenge focused on Proverbs! Wisdom & Wonder We are going to be diving into the ...

2017 Summer Reading Challenge is Coming…

By Betsy Farquhar | May 17, 2017

Join us for our 2017 Summer Reading Challenge: Wisdom & Wonder Get ready to dive into the book of Proverbs, read great literature, examine it from ...

Kentucky Derby Book List: A Bakers Dozen

By Betsy Farquhar | May 4, 2017

Calling all horse lovers! The Kentucky Derby runs this Saturday like it does every first Saturday of May. Will there be another Triple Crown winner ...

Easter List Round-Up, 2017 Edition

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 10, 2017

Need a last minute gift idea for Easter morning? Want to have some books around that remind your children of the real reason for Easter? ...

Musical Mondays and Theology Thursdays: How to Use Christian Resources with Kids

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 10, 2017

We love to track down solid biblical resources for you to use with your families, Sunday School classrooms, and Christian school classrooms. Not only do ...

Don’t Take Yourself (or Your Reading) Too Seriously!

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 1, 2017

Today, in my leisure reading, I came across some good "fifty cent" words: pandemonium, benefactors, stratosphere, maligned, facilitate, photons,... I also noticed some terrific literary ...

To See or Not To See: The RR Team Reflects on the New Beauty and the Beast

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 22, 2017

This discussion is part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure this month. The text below reflects several ongoing discussions the Redeemed Reader team has had via ...

Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #3

By Hayley Morell | Mar 17, 2017

Once upon a time there was beautiful girl who became a queen. . . . And her name was Esther. There's a definite fairytale quality ...

Beauty and the Beast – Devotional #2: the Beast

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 10, 2017

See our first Beauty and the Beast Devotional if you missed it! This is part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure which is focusing ...

Beauty and the Beast retold by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Meg Park

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 6, 2017

This is one of the picture book retellings of Beauty and the Beast we are featuring as part of our Beauty and the Beast Adventure. ...

Rapid Fire: 10 Recent Award-Winning Picture Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 13, 2017

Rapid Fire: a quick, "rapid fire" list of mini-book reviews. Janie and I love to prognosticate the Newbery Award, discuss possible contenders, and dialogue during the announcement ...

Teaching Discernment: Bad Words in Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 30, 2017

True Story: We're getting in the car after a park date with our homeschool friends, and one of my 9-year-old sons says: Mom! We learned some ...

4 Excellent New Picture Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 17, 2017

[Reviews and recommendations from Pamela!] Four excellent new picture books to enjoy with the children in your life--worth seeking out as all are starred reviews! ...

The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell and Catalina Echeverri

By Megan Saben | Dec 8, 2016

A childlike and joyful retelling of the Christmas promise we have in Christ, perfect for the young at heart. This title is part of our ...

The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda

By Megan Saben | Dec 8, 2016

The Christmas story "pops" in this beautifully crafted pop-up book. This title is one of our Winter Book Fair 2016 Picks! The Christmas Story by Robert ...

2016 Winter Book Fair: Books For Everyone!

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 18, 2016

2016 Winter Book Fair Books for Everyone On Your Christmas List! We have chosen the best of the best, our personal favorites, and plenty of great ...

Pastor, Blogger, Author, Editor: More Church History Recommendations for the Whole Family!

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 31, 2016

We've spent all month reading and learning about church history. It's been such a rich study with interviews and book reviews, but we are not ...

Heroes of the Faith Series by Sinclair Ferguson

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 17, 2016

Three imaginative picture book biographies of early church heroes. Heroes of the Faith Series by Sinclair Ferguson. Banner of Truth Books. Ignatius of Antioch: The ...

*The One O’Clock Miracle: A True Story About Trusting the Words of Jesus by Alison Mitchell

By Megan Saben | Oct 12, 2016

Humorous illustrations enliven this picture book that retells the story of Jesus healing a father's son. *The One O’Clock Miracle: A True Story About Trusting the ...

Winnie-the-Pooh: Two True Stories

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 11, 2016

Two picture books about the real Winnie-the-Pooh that both make delightful reading! *Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick and ...

Brother Andrew: Taking Bibles to the World by Renee Taft Meloche

By Megan Saben | Oct 10, 2016

Brother Andrew's life comes alive for young readers through the rhyming text in this picture book. Brother Andrew: Taking Bibles to the World (Heroes for ...

*The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton and Catalina Echeverri

By Megan Saben | Oct 3, 2016

This picture book beautifully brings the creation-fall-redemption story to life! *The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross: the True Story of Why Jesus Died and ...

Emma and Julia Love Ballet by Barbara McClintock

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 29, 2016

Emma, a young ballet student, and Julia, a professional dancer, simultaneously dance their way through a typical day in this sweet picture book. Emma and ...

*The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 27, 2016

A vibrantly illustrated retelling of the story of the Bible: Jesus's redemption of God's people. *The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the ...

*When Green Becomes Tomatoes by Julie Fogliano

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 26, 2016

Short, free verse poems as journal entries over the course of a year capture the feel of changing seasons in this well-illustrated book for elementary ...

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 25, 2016

The back-to-school narrative is flipped on its head in this colorful picture book as School, himself, is the main character! School’s First Day of School ...

*Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 22, 2016

Can you spot the cat with the spot in this cleverly illustrated black-and-white wordless picture book? *Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole. Little Simon, 2016. ...

Back-to-School Backpack List (2016)

By The Redeemed Shall Read | Aug 17, 2016

Just in time for the start of a new school year with new pencils, new protractors, new textbooks: our Back-to-School Backpack Booklist! As is our ...

The Pirate Jamboree

By Betsy Farquhar | May 23, 2016

The Pirate Jamboree by Mark Teague. Orchard Books, 2013. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 0-8 Bottom Line: The neighborhood kids are ...

Captain Jack and the Pirates by Peter Bentley and Helen Oxenbury

By Betsy Farquhar | May 23, 2016

Captain Jack and the Pirates by Peter Bentley and Helen Oxenbury. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2016. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8Recommended ...

Charley Harper’s Book of Colors by Zoe Burke and Charley Harper

By Megan Saben | May 16, 2016

Charley Harper’s Book of Colors by Zoe Burke, illustrated by Charley Harper. Pomegranate Kids, 2015. 24 pages. Reading Level: Board books Recommended for: Ages 0-4 ...

3 Irresistible Picture Books for Boys

By Megan Saben | Mar 14, 2016

Pop quiz: What’s the funniest word in the English language? What competition is the fiercest? Do machines that are massive and gloriously noisy EVER have ...

Three Recent Board Books to Share With Little Ones

By Megan Saben | Feb 22, 2016

Little ones need access to plenty of sturdy board books so they can participate in family read-aloud gatherings. Here are three titles to pick up ...

Story Tea: Picture Books of the Year (+printable)

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 1, 2015

World magazine has just announced their Children's Books of the Year! Both the Children's Book of the Year and the Picture Book of the ...

*Water is Water by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 6, 2015

*Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook Press, 2015. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture ...

*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 29, 2015

*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2009. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All Ages Stunning illustrations, a vast ...

The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 29, 2015

The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2013. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All Ages Slow and ...

*If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

By Betsy Farquhar | Jun 11, 2015

*If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson. Blazer + Bray, 2015. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 0-4 Recommended For: Ages 0-8 If you plant a ...