Picture Books

*Adrian Simcox does NOT Have a Horse

By Megan Saben | Nov 21, 2018

Adrian insists that he has a horse, but Chloe argues the obvious facts until she learns to see through his eyes. *Campbell, Marcy. Adrian Simcox ...

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 ...

By Megan Saben | Nov 9, 2018

What if God took the very instrument that caused your suffering and turned it into a tool of blessing for many? Six Dots: A Story ...

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 ...

We the People … A U.S. Government Booklist

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 3, 2018

Election Day is just around the corner, and our national media outlets love nothing more than a juicy political story. Gossip and slander aside, though, ...

Big Idea Picture Books

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 2, 2018

Three well-received picture books take on expansive subjects like Love, Imagination, and the Beginning of Everything Imagine! by Raul Colon. Simon & Shuster, 2018, 40 ...

"Hurray for Re-Issues!" by Gladys Hunt

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 1, 2018

A tribute to classic picture books, recently re-issued. In the last few years publishers have been reissuing picture books that are delightful offerings from some ...

“Look for Illustrators” by Gladys Hunt

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 25, 2018

We're up to the sixteenth in our series of posts by Gladys Hunt, author of Honey for a Child's Heart. In this one, she shares ...

*Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 10, 2018

A cryptic aside in a medieval letter is the springboard for this charming story of a monk, a manuscript, and a bear. *Brother Hugo and ...

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 ...

Can You Identify the Five Nonfiction Categories?

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 21, 2018

The Juvenile nonfiction designation has exploded, especially since the push for Common Core standards was supposed to increase factual reading. Common Core seems to be ...

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, ...

Up & Down by Don Brown

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 7, 2018

Graphic novelist Don Brown offers a fascinating picture book about early hydrogen ballooning. Ages 5-10 Up & Down: The Adventures of John Jeffries, First American ...

Pass Go and Collect $200 by Tanya Lee Stone

By Janie Cheaney | Aug 7, 2018

Pass Go and Collect $200 is fun, relatable social history for Monopoly fans and anyone who ever had a great idea. Ages 6-up Pass Go ...

Science Picture-Book Roundup

By Janie Cheaney | Jul 18, 2018

Four new science picture books entertain while informing young readers about microbes, sparrows, hawks, and deep-sea exploration. Ages 6-10 The Bacteria Book: the BIG World ...

New Picture Book Biographies Round-up (2018)

By Betsy Farquhar | Jul 17, 2018

We love picture book biographies here at Redeemed Reader, and, thankfully, publishers seem to love them, too! Below are several new picture book biographies, some ...

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 ...

Look at the Weather by Britta Techentrup

By Janie Cheaney | May 29, 2018

This picture book for all ages encourages readers to "look at the weather" while learning the basic causes of it. Look at the Weather by ...

The Monarchs Are Missing: A Butterfly Mystery by Rebecca Hirsch

By Janie Cheaney | May 11, 2018

Why is the population of Monarch butterflies declining? This book invites readers to ponder the mystery, and participate in the solution. The Monarchs Are Missing: ...

How Does My Home Work? by Chris Butterworth

By Janie Cheaney | May 11, 2018

This engaging picture book explains in simple terms the complex system that makes a house “work” How Does My Home Work? by Chris Butterworth, illustrated ...

*New Shoes by Sara Varon

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 27, 2018

A delightful journey into the jungle awaits Francis the Donkey on his quest to make new shoes for his favorite Calypso singer. *New Shoes by ...

With My Hands by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

By Janie Cheaney | Apr 24, 2018

With My Hands, a poetry collection for ages 5-10, celebrates the endless creativity of humans from the earliest ages. With My Hands: Poems about Making ...

Hidden City by Sarah Grace Tuttle and Amy Schimler-Safford

By Betsy Farquhar | Apr 16, 2018

Hidden City is an exuberant, colorful picture book that looks at the hidden and overlooked moments of beauty around us. Hidden City: Poems of Urban Wildlife by ...

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 ...

Learning to Lead: Another RedeemedReader Booklist!

By Janie Cheaney | Mar 22, 2018

In his Confessions, Augustine wrote this on the subject of "time": “I understand well enough what time is, so long as no one asks me.” ...

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 ...

Nonfiction Picture Books Round-up: Biographies, Science, and Words

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 8, 2018

A round-up of 2018 nonfiction picture books on all sorts of subjects and for all sorts of ages! The Great Dictionary Caper by Judy Sierra and ...

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 26, 2018

A father-daughter hike from Phantom Ranch to the south rim of Grand Canyon reveals its geological wonders. Grand Canyon by Jason Chin. Roaring Brook, 2017, ...

Picture Book Round-Up: 6 Multicultural Youth Media Award Winners

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 21, 2018

The 2018 ALA Youth Media Awards were announced last week, and children's lit fans around the country live-streamed the event (unless they were privileged to ...

Black History Month Nonfiction Book List

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 15, 2018

Black History Month Nonfiction Book List It's a month full of book lists here at Redeemed Reader! We hope you enjoyed our Love and Laughter ...

Getting to Know Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943)

By Hayley Morell | Feb 7, 2018

"My dear Eric, Once upon a time there was a frog called Mr. Jeremy Fisher . . ." A day earlier, Beatrix Potter had written ...

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson

By Betsy Farquhar | Feb 5, 2018

This sweetly illustrated biography introduces young readers to the ordinary, extraordinary Jane Austen. Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Qin Leng. ...

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 25, 2018

Her Right foot introduces pre-readers and early readers to the Statue of Liberty and what she stands for. Ages 4-8 Her Right Foot by Dave ...

The River Doubt and the Amazing Amazon: 4 True Stories for All Ages

By Betsy Farquhar | Jan 8, 2018

Teddy Roosevelt travels the River Doubt, Percy Fawcett hunts for the City "Z," and a tiny fish is making headlines in conservation efforts for the ...

A Christmas for Bear by Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton

By Megan Saben | Dec 13, 2017

Bear and Mouse add to their memorable experiences by celebrating Christmas together. Christmas for Bear by Bonny Becker and illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton. Candlewick, ...

*Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Eric Velasquez

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 28, 2017

Voices of Christmas is a beautiful and poetic exploration of the different characters in the Christmas story--perfect for middle grades kids! *Voices of Christmas by ...

5 New Nonfiction Picture Books

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 27, 2017

Nonfiction picture books are one of the best ways to introduce a subject/person, enrich your study of a topic, or just learn something new! Hot ...

*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 ...

Poetry for Young People Series

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 20, 2017

Poetry is for Children Children love poetry. They really do. And it doesn't need to be "children's poetry," either. Sure, they love the silly rhymes ...

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 ...

Reformation ABCs

By Megan Saben | Oct 31, 2017

Reformation ABCs introduces readers quickly to the people, places, and things of the Reformation in engaging picture book format. Reformation ABCs: The People, Places, and ...

Selznick’s Invention

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 19, 2017

(Note: This post is reprinted from 2011, in connection with the movie version of Wonderstruck, due to open tomorrow. It's a larger musing on Brian ...

Word Shapers: 4 Men Who Influenced the English Language

By Betsy Farquhar | Oct 16, 2017

Word Shaper: Someone who shapes, and changes, words. We associate envy with the color green. Why? William Shakespeare. In America, we write "color" instead of ...

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 ...

Exploring Space by Jenkins and Biesty

By Betsy Farquhar | Aug 14, 2017

Explore space--and humans' attempts to explore space--in this information-packed and expertly illustrated coffee table sized book. Exploring Space: From Galileo to the Mars Rover and ...

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 ...

* 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 ...

Peter Spier, Reissued

By Janie Cheaney | May 9, 2017

Yesterday we received the sad news that Peter Spier, illustrator of classic children's books, had passed away on April 27. Given his age (89) and ...

Cupid and Pscyhe by M. Charlotte Craft

By Megan Saben | Mar 27, 2017

Fans of mythology, fairy tales and lovely picture books will enjoy the Crafts’ Cupid and Psyche. Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft and illustrated by ...

Beauty and the Beast by Nancy Willard and illustrated by Barry Moser

By Betsy Farquhar | Mar 13, 2017

Beautiful, lengthy prose accompanied by striking woodcut illustrations make this retelling a good fit for intermediate and middle grade readers. Beauty and the Beast by Nancy Willard ...

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. ...

By Pamela Palmer | Feb 21, 2017

A picture book biography told in first person about a remarkable slave who was a renowned cave explorer. Lift Your Light a Little Higher: the ...

Step Right Up by Donna Janell Bowman

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 21, 2017

Children will be fascinated by the heartwarming story of “Doc” Key and his amazing horse Jim, who used their talents for good. Step Right Up: ...

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 ...

Freedom over Me by Ashley Bryan

By Janie Cheaney | Feb 8, 2017

An actual slave ledger from 1828 inspires this group portrait of eleven African Americans who remain free to dream. Freedom over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their ...

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! ...

Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photo by Roxanne Orgill

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 21, 2016

An iconic photograph comes to life in this well-crafted sophisticated, artistic picture book. This is a review by Pamela Palmer, a new addition to our Redeemed ...

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 19, 2016

A delightful picture book biography about a boy who loved to tinker and grew up to work on rockets and invent America's favorite water gun! ...

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 ...

Grover Cleveland, Again! by Ken Burns

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 9, 2016

In this attractive, mostly balanaced picture book, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns turns his narrative skills to introducing kids to our 44 (so far) presidents. Grover ...

Vote for . . . Whoever (A Re-post from 2012)

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 8, 2016

In a campaign season, especially a big general election like this one, parents and teachers want to give the kids a clue what’s going on. ...

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 ...

*Miracle Man by John Hendrix

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 18, 2016

A new “life of Jesus” picture book presents the Son of God as compelling and dynamic in word and deed. *Miracle Man: the Story of ...

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 ...

*Lily: The Girl Who Could See by Sally Oxley and Tim Ladwig.

By Megan Saben | Oct 12, 2016

A beautifully illustrated picture book biography about a brave woman artist-turned-missionary to the Arab world. *Lily: The Girl Who Could See by Sally Oxley and ...

*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 Book of Languages by Mick Webb

By Janie Cheaney | Oct 6, 2016

In spite of some evolutionary speculation in the first pages, The Book of Languages is a fascinating and comprehensive introduction to a neglected subject. The ...

*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 ...

Will’s Words by Jane Sutcliffe and John Shelley

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 22, 2016

A casual weaving together of Will's words with our own shows just how much we owe to the bard in this cleverly illustrated picture book. ...

*Freedom on Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated R. Gregory Christie

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 22, 2016

Congo Square held a unique place in the slavery experience and holds a special reminder for Christians as we all look forward to Sunday! *Freedom ...

City Atlas: Travel the world with 30 City Maps by Georgia Cherry

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 21, 2016

Cities rather than nations are the focus of this unique, colorful, and lavishly-illustrated oversize volume for elementary grades. City Atlas: Travel the World with 30 ...

Our 9/11 Book List

By Janie Cheaney | Sep 9, 2016

If you've been with us for the last few months you doubtless saw Betsy's reviews of two recent, highly-regarded middle-grade novels about the worst foreign attack ...

Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 1, 2016

Inspired by true events, this is the story of a St. Louis reverend who moved his school off shore to neutral waters when the law made ...

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 ...

This Is My Home, This Is My School by Jonathan Bean

By Megan Saben | Aug 25, 2016

A boy shares an honest, somewhat chaotic day (or perhaps a week!) in the life of homeschooling. This Is My Home, This Is My School ...

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. ...

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 ...

The 2016 ALA Youth Media Awards–What happened??

By Janie Cheaney | Jan 13, 2016

As we were saying last Saturday . . . you just can’t predict what the Newbery committee is going to do. Trends have been toward ...

Caldecott Buzz and Possible Picks

By Megan Saben | Jan 9, 2016

Book award committees have such a delightfully difficult task. The ALA Caldecott awards will be announced, among others, on Monday, January 11, and there is ...

The Nutcracker: This is That Time of Year

By Betsy Farquhar | Dec 14, 2015

The Nutcracker ballet is part of many Americans' yearly cultural celebration of Christmas. The music plays everywhere, and even young children often recognize the strains ...

By Megan Saben | Dec 6, 2015

*Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. Random House, 1949. 56 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Bartholomew and the ...

Have an Awesome Thanksgiving

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 23, 2015

In honor of this week's holiday, a book review post from a few years back: *Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday, by ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 18, 2015

Do little kids love fantasy? NPR recently reported on a study done by three academic psychologists on the subject of children and fiction. They asked ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 16, 2015

Prolific author Jean Fritz turns 100 today! During her long life, she has written numerous books--mostly biographies--for children. Before picture book biographies were so prevalent, ...

By Janie Cheaney | Nov 11, 2015

As a book reviewer, I have stars in my eyes. That is, I watch for stars when scanning book review journals, because they are an ...

By Megan Saben | Nov 9, 2015

I'm delighted to introduce our readers to Jonathan Bean, author and illustrator of a recently published picture book about homeschooling based on his childhood experience: ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Nov 2, 2015

Do Picture Books Retire? Petunia, that silly goose, is turning the ripe old age of 65 this year, the same age as my father-in-law who ...

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner by Fred Gwynne

By Megan Saben | Sep 28, 2015

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner is a whimsical, unique classic that invites readers to play with words as it explores idioms. A Chocolate Moose for ...

By Betsy Farquhar | Sep 3, 2015

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of a book award committee's deliberations? How a group of people can, with confidence, ...

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