Nonfiction
The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Anne Renaud
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle is a fun picture book biography to enjoy alongside everyone's favorite frozen treat (bonus: it includes science activities!). The ...
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*The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Crayon Man boldly and boisterously tells the story of how Crayola crayons were invented. *The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of ...
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Chronicles of Wonder: The Story-Formed Life of C. S. Lewis by Leah Boden
By Betsy Farquhar |
Chronicles of Wonder introduces kids to the life and work of C. S. Lewis in this volume of the Tales of Boldness and Faith Series. ...
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The Angel Orphan: Charlotte Mason Finds Her Way Home by Leah Boden
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Angel Orphan introduces kids to the life and work of Charlotte Mason in this volume of the Tales of Boldness and Faith Series. The ...
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Books And Movies: A Redeemed Reader Booklist
By Betsy Farquhar |
We readers have lots of opinions about movies based off books. But let's flip the script: What about books that are about movies? The books ...
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*Bright Stars of Black British History by J. T. Williams
By Hayley Morell |
A beautifully illustrated, well-written guide to the Bright Stars of Black British History for middle grades. *Bright Stars of Black British History by J. T. ...
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Riding the Rails: Big Boy 4014 and Ticket to Ride
By Janie Cheaney |
Big Boy 4014 and the Steam Train charts the restoration of a legendary locomotive. Big Boy 4014 and the Steam Train by Marsha Diane Arnold, ...
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John Bunyan: The Journey of a Pilgrim by Brian H. Cosby
By Megan Saben |
John Bunyan: The Journey of a Pilgrim is a middle grades biography of the author of the beloved Christian classic, Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan: The ...
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Are We There Yet? by Stacy McAnulty
By Janie Cheaney |
Are We There Yet? is an entertaining travelogue of the first cross-country road trip. Are We There Yet? The First Road Trip across the USA ...
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Death in the Jungle by Candace Fleming
By Janie Cheaney |
Death in the Jungle tells the harrowing story of the “Reverend” Jim Jones and the tragic fate of his followers. Death in the Jungle: Murder, ...
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*52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition by Trillia J. Newbell
By Betsy Farquhar |
52 Weeks in the Word thoughtfully guides students through reading the New Testament in a year. *52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition by Trillia ...
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*The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mario DeMatteo
By Janie Cheaney |
The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel faithfully adapts Corrie Ten Boom’s story for graphic-novel fans. *The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel by Corrie Ten Boom, ...
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*Surviving Vesuvius by Christopher Harrisson
By Janie Cheaney |
Surviving Vesuvius is an intimate look at an ancient disaster. *Surviving Vesuvius: A Lucky Escape from the Tragic Fate of Ancient Pompeii by Christopher Harrisson, ...
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*Eric’s Greatest Race by Tim Challies
By Betsy Farquhar |
Eric's Greatest Race is a lively graphic novel-style biography of a man who followed Christ to the Olympics and to China. *Eric's Greatest Race by ...
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First Steps in Verse: *You’re a Poet and Dino Poet
By Janie Cheaney |
You’re a Poet is a friendly and practical guide not just to writing poetry, but thinking poetically. *You’re A Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems ...
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Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour
By Janie Cheaney |
Pilgrim Codex is a story about Mexican immigration told in Aztec-inspired artwork and text. Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, translated by ...
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God with Us: Bible Stories on the Road to Emmaus by Matt Mikalatos
By Janie Cheaney |
The graphic novel God with Us takes a unique approach to Bible stories, using Luke 24:27 as a framework. God with Us: Bible Stories on ...
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*The Storyteller’s Bible by Kathryn Butler
By Janie Cheaney |
The Storyteller’s Bible weaves the gospel into 35 theologically-rich stories from scripture. *The Storyteller’s Bible: Celebrating the Greatest Storyteller of All by Kathryn Butler. B&H ...
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What a Character! Notable Lives from History by Marilyn Boyer
By Megan Saben |
History lovers will enjoy the short biographies of notable historical figures in the What a Character! series from Master Books. What a Character! Notable Lives ...
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Birdlore by Jess Keating
By Betsy Farquhar |
Birdlore is a vibrant picture book biography of Florence Merriam Bailey, bird-watcher extraordinaire. Birdlore: The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey by Jess Keating, illustrated ...
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How to Survive on the Moon by Joalda Morancy
By Janie Cheaney |
Getting to the moon was only the beginning. But How to Survive on the Moon? How to Survive on the Moon: Lunar Lessons from a ...
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*Painting Wonder by Katie Wray Schon
By Betsy Farquhar |
Painting Wonder, an outstanding example of a picture book biography, is a sure winner for all Narnia and Tolkien fans. *Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes ...
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Birds of a Feather: Bird Books for Kids
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you have a young bird lover in your house? A bird nerd who, at age 10, can tell you all the migratory species that ...
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A Wonderful Surprise by Sally Michael
By Betsy Farquhar |
A Wonderful Surprise looks at Easter through the lens of one short scripture passage which children are encouraged to memorize. A Wonderful Surprise by Sally ...
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Trouble Dog by Carol A. Foote
By Betsy Farquhar |
Tucker is nothing but trouble, but a kind new owner helps this trouble dog learn to be a hero in this lively nonfiction picture book. ...
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Jella Lepman’s Library of Dreams by Katherine Paterson
By Janie Cheaney |
Katherine Paterson’s latest is a biography of Jella Lepman, an unexpected postwar hero. Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams: The Woman Who Rescued a ...
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The Big Book of Balloon Art by Gerry Giovinco
By Megan Saben |
The Big Book of Balloon Art is a great introduction to an inexpensive hobby that is sure to bring delight. The Big Book of Balloon ...
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My Presentation Today Is about the Anaconda by Bibi Dumon Tak
By Janie Cheaney |
Animals give school-style presentations about other animals. Guess whose Presentation Today Is about the Anaconda? My Presentation Today Is about the Anaconda by Bibi Dumon ...
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Black Culture Roundup: *When I Hear Spirituals, How Sweet the Sound, *Everywhere Beauty is Harlem
By Janie Cheaney |
Three picture books about African American culture can open windows of understanding a wider world. *When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by ...
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Counting Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom
By Betsy Farquhar |
Counting Winter is a clever picture book that manages to mix counting, nature study, and poetry into one irresistible wintry package. Counting Winter by Nancy ...
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Trans Ideology: Resources for Parents
By Janie Cheaney |
The tide against trans identification among children may be turning, and that's a welcome development. But any ideology that gets its hooks into the young ...
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How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams
By Janie Cheaney |
How to Teach Kids Theology reminds parents and youth leaders of the whys and wherefores of biblical instruction. How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam ...
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2025 Sibert Honor Books: Call Me Roberto, The Girl Who Sang, The Enigma Girls, and Wings of an Eagle
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Sibert honor books for excellence in nonfiction include two minority sports heroes, a very young Holocaust survivor, and a World War II espionage ...
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2025 Sibert Medal Winner: Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin
By Janie Cheaney |
Life after Whale, the 2025 Sibert Medal for excellence in nonfiction, pictures the phenomenon of “Whale Fall”: how the earth’s largest living creature supports thriving ...
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2025 Caldecott Honor Books: *Home in a Lunchbox, My Daddy Is a Cowboy, *Noodles on a Bicycle, and Up Up Ever Up
By Janie Cheaney |
This year's Caldecott honor books feature warm family ties, amazing skills and ambitions fulfilled. Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo. Penguin Workshop, 2024, 32 ...
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*Soul School by Amber O’Neal Johnston
By Betsy Farquhar |
Soul School is a well-researched, thoughtful, and joyful exploration of Black literature for children and teens. Highly recommended. *Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy-Filled ...
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*Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Watercraft by Tom Crestodina
By Hayley Morell |
With engaging text, cutaway art, and beautifully detailed illustrations, Tom Crestodina introduces young readers to the world of working boats in Working Boats: An Inside ...
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*Go Forth and Tell by Breanna J. McDaniel
By Betsy Farquhar |
Lively and inspirational, Go Forth and Tell shows a woman who took her calling as a storyteller seriously. Go Forth and Tell: The Life of ...
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Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by Coretta Scott King
By Betsy Farquhar |
Coretta herself tells the story of her life with Martin Luther King, Jr., in this beautifully illustrated picture book biography. Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. ...
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Seven Small Inventions That Changed the World by Roma Agrawal
By Janie Cheaney |
These “Seven Small Inventions” are often overlooked, but where would we be without them? Seven Small Inventions that Changed the World by Roma Agrawal, illustrated ...
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Close Up & Far Out by Mary Auld
By Janie Cheaney |
Close Up & Far Out demonstrates how two 17th-century scientists opened windows on the very large and the very small. Close Up & Far Out: ...
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José Feeds the World by David Unger
By Betsy Farquhar |
José Feeds the World is a cheerfully-illustrated picture book biography about a servant-heart who feeds those in need. José Feeds the World: How a Famous ...
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Newbery Roundup #1: Hank Hooperman, Louder Than Hunger, and The Enigma Girls
By Janie Cheaney |
It's time to start buzzing about Newbery contenders! We'll do our share in the following weeks, but the various ALA award committees have been buzzing ...
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Amazing Asia by Rashmi Sirdeshpande
By Janie Cheaney |
Amazing Asia takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the geography, basic history, ethnicities and cultures of the world’s largest and most varied continent. Amazing ...
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Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building by Ed Stackley, et al
By Janie Cheaney |
Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building features practical instructions to building 25 impractical machines. Rube Goldberg’s Big Book of Building: Make 25 Machines that Really ...
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Glad and Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester
By Betsy Farquhar |
Glad and Golden Hours is a lovely companion to Christ-centered Christmas celebrations, both in anticipation of Christmas Day and during the 12 days following. Glad ...
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Fun with Math: Sir Cumference Speaks Volumes, The Pigpen Problem, and Our World: By the Numbers
By Janie Cheaney |
Sir Cumference returns, Goat and Sheep solve a math problem, and Steve Jenkins crunches the numbers. Sir Cumference Speaks Volumes follows our hero through another ...
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Spiders: A Book List for Young Arachnophiles
By Megan Saben |
A few weeks ago I was trying to address the cobwebs on the walls and corners above my desk (possibly some procrasti-cleaning due to a ...
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Beyond Infinity by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
By Janie Cheaney |
Beyond Infinity examines the technology that went into building the James Webb Space Telescope, as well as what it has discovered since its launch. Beyond ...
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The Best News of All by Sally Michael
By Janie Cheaney |
The Best News of All shares the Christmas story by examining one short scripture passage which children are encouraged to memorize. The Best News of ...
Read More A Kid’s Guide to the Night Sky by John A. Read
By Janie Cheaney |
A Kid’s Guide to the Night Sky provides young stargazers with a handy and accessible primer. A Kid’s Guide to the Night Sky: Simple Ways ...
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BIG Words for Little Astronauts by Lisa M. Gerry
By Janie Cheaney |
BIG Words for Little Astronauts provides an introductory vocabulary for younger readers, from Astrophysics to EXtraterrestrial. BIG Words for Little Astronauts: The Stellar Dictionary Every ...
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*One Long Line by Loree Griffin Burns
By Janie Cheaney |
One Long Line illustrates the scientific method through the simple observance of one species of caterpillars. *One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who ...
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You’re the Boss by Brian Weisfeld and Bonnie Bader
By Janie Cheaney |
You’re the Boss is a quick but comprehensive guide to for entrepreneurial kids interested in starting a business. You’re the Boss: A Kid’s Ultimate Guide ...
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Art All around Us by Xiao Situ
By Janie Cheaney |
Art All Around Us introduces young readers to the nearly infinite variety of art and its meaning in ordinary life. Art All around Us: A ...
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Neighborhood Sharks by Katherine Roy
By Betsy Farquhar |
Vividly illustrated, Neighborhood Sharks brings readers up close and personal with one of nature's most fearsome apex predators. Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites ...
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Who Built That? Bridges by Didier Cornille
By Betsy Farquhar |
Who Built That? Bridges is a clever picture book-in-translation that illustrates ten famous bridges and the construction process and engineers behind them. Who Built That? ...
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*Big Book of Math by Katherine Hannon
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Big Book of Math is a timeline book absolutely filled with mathematical figures, faces, and facts, all situated within the context of a biblical ...
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*A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions by Charles Spurgeon
By Betsy Farquhar |
Joyful and thoughtful, A Wondrous Mystery offers 30 devotional readings drawn from Charles Spurgeon's sermons. *A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions by Charles Spurgeon, edited ...
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History Picture Books: The Soldier’s Friend, The Painter and the President, and Star and the Maestro
By Janie Cheaney |
Three outstanding picture books introduce young readers to Walt Whitman, Gilbert Stuart, and Mozart. The Soldier’s Friend: Walt Whitman’s Extraordinary Service in the American Civil ...
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Spirit Sleuths by Gail Jarrow
By Janie Cheaney |
Spirit Sleuths wraps ghosts, mediums, seances, scams, and Houdini in a fascinating true tale. Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes by ...
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*The Mythmakers by John Hendrix
By Janie Cheaney |
In The Mythmakers, John Hendrix explores an extraordinarily fruitful friendship and its roots in myth and legend. *The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C. S. ...
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*Evangelical Heroes by Joel Beeke and Douglas Bond
By Janie Cheaney |
Evangelical Heroes presents famous and lesser-known Christian role models throughout the modern era. *Evangelical Heroes, Vol. 1 and 2 by Douglas Bond and Joel Beeke. ...
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Radar and the Raft by Jeff Lantos
By Janie Cheaney |
Radar and the Raft traces the invention of Radar through the harrowing story of a missionary family torpedoed and rescued during World War II. Radar ...
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3 Picture Books about “How”: The Dictionary Story, The Shape of Things, and How to Make a Picture Book
By Janie Cheaney |
Three new picture books give readers insight into words, maps, and stories. The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston. Candlewick, 2024, 56 pages. ...
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Choosing Biographies: Practical Considerations
By Betsy Farquhar |
Before we look at some practical considerations for choosing biographies, have you already answered the most important question before choosing biographies? That might seem like ...
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Growing Up under a Red Flag by Ying Chang Compestine
By Janie Cheaney |
Growing Up under a Red Flag introduces China’s Cultural Revolution in a way picture-book readers can understand. Growing Up under a Red Flag: A Memoir ...
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Choosing Biographies: Start with Your “Why”
By Betsy Farquhar |
Deshawn comes home from school with a dreaded school book report assignment: biographies. Leyla needs to diversify her fantasy reading, and Dad thinks biographies are ...
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*Joni Eareckson Tada by Kristyn Getty
By Janie Cheaney |
A new biography of Joni Eareckson Tada for kids demonstrates how anyone can honor God no matter the circumstances. *Joni Eareckson Tada: The Girl Who ...
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Finding My Vocation by William Boekestein
By Janie Cheaney |
Finding My Vocation offers a concise yet comprehensive guide for Christian teens considering their first steps into adulthood. Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young ...
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2 Books about Bikes: Birth of the Bicycle and The Running Machine
By Janie Cheaney |
Two recent picture books about the development of the bicycle entertaining introduces kids to history they can relate to. Birth of the Bicycle: A Bumpy ...
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World More Beautiful by Angela Burke Kunkel
By Betsy Farquhar |
World More Beautiful brings to life the world and art of Barbara Cooney, creator of beloved picture book classics like Roxaboxen and Miss Rumphius. World ...
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The Bard and the Book: How the first folio saved the plays of Shakespeare
By Megan Saben |
If it weren't for Shakespeare's First Folio, a collection of plays preserved and published by his friends after he died, we would be bereft of ...
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Born Naughty by Jin Wang
By Janie Cheaney |
Born Naughty introduces us to Jin Wang, a lively little girl growing up in Inner Mongolia. Born Naughty: My Childhood in China by Jin Wang ...
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*Indescribable Atlas Adventures by Louie Giglio
By Betsy Farquhar |
Indescribable Atlas Adventures is a large format picture book full of interesting details about the world God made, including people, places, and animals. *Indescribable Atlas ...
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Who Are You? by Christina Fox
By Janie Cheaney |
Who Are You? explores the roots of identity in a way accessible to preschoolers. *Who Are You? A Little Book about Your Big Identity by ...
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*Risen Hope: The Church Throughout History by Luke Davis
By Betsy Farquhar |
Risen Hope is an engagingly written church history resource from Christian Focus for middle grades and teens. *Risen Hope: The Church Throughout History by Luke ...
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How Do You Spell Unfair? by Carole Boston Weatherford
By Betsy Farquhar |
In this award-winning picture book, we learn about MacNolia and her fight for the National Spelling Bee championship as a Black girl in 1936. How ...
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What the World Eats: A Roundup of Global Food Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you know what people eat around the world? What do those missionaries from your church eat when they move to Ghana or Gambia or ...
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*Because Barbara: Barbara Cooney Paints Her World by Sarah Mackenzie
By Megan Saben |
Barbara Cooney's passion for beauty still inspires many, and the result is this lovely picture book honoring her legacy. *Because Barbara: Barbara Cooney Paints Her ...
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*Wang Mingdao by Simonetta Carr
By Janie Cheaney |
The latest volume of the Christian Biographies series introduces Wang Mingdao, a father of the Chinese evangelical church, to young readers. *Wang Mingdao by Simonetta ...
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Global Prayer Resources: Operation World and Window on the World and More
By Betsy Farquhar |
How can we better pray for our brothers and sisters around the world? Operation World and Window on the World help us pray for God's ...
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*A World of Praise by Deborah Lock, illustrated by Helen Cann
By Megan Saben |
Every evidence of beauty and design points to the Creator who knows and loves us intimately. A World of Praise offers worship with warm illustrations. ...
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Making Sense of Dog Senses by Stephanie Gibeault
By Janie Cheaney |
Making Sense of Dog Senses is a fascinating introduction to the way dogs experience their world. Making Sense of Dog Senses: How Our Furry Friends ...
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This Day in History for Kids by Dan Bova
By Janie Cheaney |
This Day in History for Kids is a year-long tour through historical events political and cultural, trivial and profound. This Day in History for Kids: ...
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Animal Picture Books by Sy Montgomery: Brave Baby Hummingbird, Inky’s Amazing Escape, and The Seagull and the Sea Captain
By Janie Cheaney |
Sy Montgomery goes the distance to report on wonders of the animal world. Brave Baby Hummingbird by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Tiffany Bozik. Paula Wiseman ...
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Kentucky Derby Book List: Books for Young Horse Lovers
By Betsy Farquhar |
The Kentucky Derby runs every first Saturday of May. Will there be another Triple Crown winner this year? Will an underdog horse come from nowhere ...
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On All Other Nights, edited by Chris Baron, Joshua Levy, and Naomi Milliner
By Janie Cheaney |
On All Other Nights uses the perspective of 14 authors to detail every step of the Seder Meal observed by Jewish families during Passover (recipes ...
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The Wild River and the Great Dam by Simon Boughton
By Janie Cheaney |
Follow the construction of the Depression era’s greatest building project in The Wild River and the Great Dam. The Wild River and the Great Dam: ...
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A Few Beautiful Minutes by Kate Allen Fox
By Janie Cheaney |
A Few Beautiful Minutes is a beautiful way to prepare for the April 8 solar eclipse. A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse by ...
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Picture Books about Latin America: Martin de Porres, A Flicker of Hope, and Water Day
By Janie Cheaney |
Latin Americans are Americans too! Three picture books from past and present that shed light on our neighbors to the south. Martin de Porres: The ...
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The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson
By Janie Cheaney |
The Observologist is a fun and fascinating introduction to wonders of creation available for viewing in your own back yard. The Observologist: A Handbook for ...
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Growing Patterns, Mysterious Patterns, and the Power of Snow
By Megan Saben |
If fractals, Fibonacci numbers, and powers of multiplication aren't exciting to you, you need these three books and a long walk outside. Reading Level: Picture ...
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Saint Valentine the Kindhearted, Saint Patrick the Forgiver, Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver by Ned Bustard
By Megan Saben |
Three godly men from the church history are worthy of remembering for their character and service to Christ. Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8 Recommended ...
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The Sacred Sacrifice by Hannah Paris
By Betsy Farquhar |
In The Sacred Sacrifice, Paris is proposing we use Bach's St. Matthew Passion in Lent and Easter much like we enjoy Handel's Messiah during Advent ...
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Bible Board Books: Tiny Hands and For the Bible Tells Me So
By Janie Cheaney |
Tiny Hands Series: Hymns, Promises, and Prayers, edited by Hanah Estes, Illustrated by Jessica Hiatt. P&R Publishing, 2023, 14 pages each. Reading Level: ages 0-3 ...
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*African Heroes by Jerome Gay, Jr.
By Betsy Farquhar |
African Heroes introduces children to heroes of the faith who are from Africa in this vibrantly illustrated picture book from New Growth Press. Note: this ...
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2024 Newbery Buzz #3: The Puppets of Spelhorst
By Megan Saben |
Kate DiCamillo's very first book won a Newbery honor, and she has won two Newbery medals on top of that. Is The Puppets of Spelhorst ...
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Attacked! by Marc Favreau
By Janie Cheaney |
Attacked! is an engaging, accessible account of the “day that shall live in infamy,” seen through the eyes of individuals on both sides. Attacked! Pearl ...
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Who’s Got Mail? by Linda Barrett Osborne
By Janie Cheaney |
Who’s Got Mail? is a friendly introduction to the long history of an everyday convenience. Who’s Got Mail? The History of Mail in America by ...
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