Resources
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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Strangers & Sojourners: A Redeemed Reader Booklist about the Refugee and Immigrant Experience
By Hayley Morell |
We've reviewed many books about refugees and the immigrant experience over the years at Redeemed Reader. In 2018 and 2019, our summer reading challenges supported ...
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Jolabokaflod for Megan’s family in 2024
By Megan Saben |
Choosing Jolabokaflod titles for my family every year is a pleasant challenge. What would interest each member that we don't already have in our collection? ...
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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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Gifts for Grownups, Round 2
By Betsy Farquhar |
Even though your Redeemed Reader team is reading a plethora of books for children and teens, we do also read grownup books, too! A few ...
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*Promises Made Promises Kept: A Family Devotional for Christmas by Marty Machowski
By Betsy Farquhar |
Promises Made Promises Kept is a short, engaging, 2-week Christmas devotional that invites families to look at God's promises in the Old Testament which are ...
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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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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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Where Did the Ratings Go?
By Hayley Morell |
This post was first shared in our weekly newsletter. If you'd like to subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates: book reviews, book trivia, and ...
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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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Back Porch Book Chat: Elizabeth Farquhar (Teen Writer)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Josiah DeGraaf (Director of Young Writers Workshop)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Gift Books for Grown-Ups
By Betsy Farquhar |
Redeemed Reader exists to "shed a gospel light on books for children and teens." But you know what? We read books for grown-ups, too! We ...
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Niche Nonfiction for Teens (AKA “Living Books”): A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Living Books Are Full of Ideas Those of us in Charlotte Mason educational philosophy circles like to talk about "living books." A living book is ...
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Janie’s Favorite Books, Old and New
By Janie Cheaney |
We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for ...
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Hayley’s Favorite Books, Old and New
By Hayley Morell |
We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for ...
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Megan’s Favorite Books, Old and New
By Megan Saben |
We are excited to be partnering with Story Glory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for ...
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Betsy’s Favorite Books, Old and New
By Betsy Farquhar |
We are excited to be partnering with Storyglory Kids for our Winter Book Fair this year! In the past, we linked to amazon for all ...
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Children of Israel: Our Book List of Jewish Life, History, and Culture
By Janie Cheaney |
The terrifying attack on Israel on October 7 has brought new awareness to the ancient phenomenon of antisemitism. Though small in number (and reduced by ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Carolyn Givens (Author, Publisher, Reader)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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5 Ways to Encourage Art Appreciation with Picture Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
When are children old enough to begin appreciating quality art? As soon as they start looking at picture books. Note: even though this post references ...
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Authority vs. Anarchy: A Book List for Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Authority vs. Anarchy: Opposites? Two sides of the same coin? Romans 13 reminds us to obey our governing (civic) authorities. Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6 ...
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Teaching the Faith: *The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism
By Janie Cheaney |
A new edition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism uses cartoon illustrations as an aid to understanding and discussion. *The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern ...
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How to Throw a Book-themed Party for Kids
By emily |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on July 10, 2013, in connection with that year's Summer Reading Challenge) This week on our Summer Reading Challenge, we're ...
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Gladys Hunt on Re-issues: Good, Bad, and Ugly
By Janie Cheaney |
A story betrayed Originally published on the Tumblon website January 29, 2010 It’s sometimes like wandering into unknown territory if you’ve had favorite books in ...
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Summer Fun Ahead: a Picture Book Tour
By Janie Cheaney |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on May 21, 2013) The Not-for-Parents Travel Book, Lonely Planet Publications, 2011, 207 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 ...
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Batter Up! Books About Baseball (a Librarian’s List)
By Betsy Farquhar |
(Originally published at Redeemed Reader on May 27, 2013; updated July, 2023) Aside from the beach, nothing says "summertime" and "American" more than a game ...
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Gladys Hunt on Personal Libraries
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: As we head into the last month of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read-along, we share the late Gladys Hunt's further thoughts ...
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Beach Books! (Librarians’ List)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Originally published at Redeemed Reader on June 6, 2014. Of course a professional book reviewer and librarian takes books with her to the beach—for herself ...
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*Land of Hope by Wilfred McClay
By Janie Cheaney |
Land of Hope offers a balanced, positive, and often inspiring view of American history--now available in student workbook, teacher's guide, and young-reader editions! *Land of ...
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High School World Literature: A Thematic Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School World Literature: What to Cut? "World literature" can mean literally any book ever written. The hard part of planning a world literature class ...
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Gladys Hunt on Pop-up Books
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: Pop-up books could be one of those "Fresh Ways to Read" we're considering in our Honey for a Child's Heart Read-along this month. ...
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Gladys Hunt on an Exaggerated Demise
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated," wrote Mark Twain, in response to a mistaken obituary. Likewise the reports of the death ...
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Gladys Hunt on Diversity
By Janie Cheaney |
“Teacher, do you have any books with pictures of kids that look like me?” Originally published on the Tumblon website, October 10, 2009 Probably more ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Josiah Pettit (Director of Westminster Books)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Gladys Hunt on “Improving” the Classics
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: Our Honey for a Child's Heart Read-Along this month takes us to Chapters 8 ("Who Influences Your Children?") and Chapter 21 ("Young Adult ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Lucy Gundersen (Mom, Business Owner)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Practical Graduation Gifts: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
We have a robust list of book recommendations for graduation gifts. Why another? This book list is all about practical graduation gifts: books that offer ...
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Gladys Hunt on Library Blessings
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: The American Library Association may be a perpetrator of much mischief in children's publishing, but we can be grateful for libraries! In praise ...
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15 Books for 15-Year-Old Boys: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
15-year-old boys: learning to drive. Wrestling with heavy high school work (10th grade is usually more intense than 9th, in terms of work load). Taking ...
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Gladys Hunt on Pigs and Possibilities
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: Are there any animal lovers in the family? Gladys Hunt can recommend nine--count 'em, nine--recommendations for a classic story involving not one, but ...
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Honey for a Child’s Heart Read Along: Month 7
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to month 7 of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read Along! Not sure what we're talking about? Find out more here. Each month, ...
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Understanding Ukraine
By Hayley Morell |
A year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, here is an updated booklist from Hayley's 2014 series of posts about Ukraine. In 2014, as Russia invaded ...
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Why Your Church Nursery Needs a Library
By Megan Saben |
The Lord has been challenging my reading skills and assumptions lately, both humbling and teaching me in the process. I had offered to teach a ...
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Love and Laughter Book List
By Janie Cheaney |
A Valentine's Day list of books that celebrate family love and wholesome romance. It’s the season of hearts and flowers and chocolate. Valentine’s Day is ...
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Romantic Reads for Teens: A Book List for Girls and Guys
By Betsy Farquhar |
Enjoy this unapologetic list of romantic reads for teens: great love stories and high romance without LGBTQ elements. For the genre-junkies out there, it's worth ...
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Honey for a Child’s Heart Read Along: Month 6
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to month 6 of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read Along! Not sure what we're talking about? Find out more here. Each month, ...
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Wintry Stories: A Book List for Middle Grades and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Whether you live in a place with snow or not, January is the perfect month for a cozy snow story (or three). Look for some ...
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Wintry Picture Books: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Whether you live in a place with snow or not, January is the perfect month for a cozy snow story (or three). Look for some ...
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Honey for a Child’s Heart Read Along: Month 5
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to month 5 of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read Along! Not sure what we're talking about? Find out more here. Each month, ...
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Gladys Hunt on Book-Gifting
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor’s Note: We assume that most Redeemed Reader readers love books, and love to give them. But you may wonder, how can I choose for ...
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Gladys Hunt on Christmas Books
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: Is reading aloud beside the Christmas tree one of your family's holiday traditions? If so, you'll want to copy & paste this list ...
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Gladys Hunt on Enjoying Picture Books–at Any Age
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: I hope everyone enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving with family and good food. Everybody knows what happens next: Christmas! And, as it's still Picture ...
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Gladys Hunt on The Scent of Thanksgiving
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: Are the smells of sage and pumpkin spice already wafting through the house? In this post, Gladys Hunt finds wonderful smells in the ...
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Fairy Tales and Folk Tales: A Picture Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Google the difference between fairy tales and folk tales (or is it folktales?), and you'll find some answers. For instance, folk tales are part of ...
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Family Advent Devotional List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you have a favorite family Advent tradition? Perhaps your family does a Jesse Tree together. Or maybe you have an Advent wreath on your ...
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Honey for a Child’s Heart Read Along: Month 3
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to month 3 of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read Along! Not sure what we're talking about? Find out more here. Each month, ...
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Gladys Hunt on Literary Excellence
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: This month, our "Honey for a Child's Heart Read-Along" partners are thinking about Chapters 3, 13, and 14. The latter two chapters are ...
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20 ABC Books for All Ages
By Betsy Farquhar |
We're celebrating Picture Book Month here at RedeemedReader! ABC Books are some of the most common picture books young children see, but there are many ...
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Reformation Day Holiday Traditions
By Megan Saben |
Inventing a Celebration I’ve never had much use for Halloween. We didn’t celebrate it when I was growing up, substituting other family fun that day, ...
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Truth and Story
By Megan Saben |
(Note: Betsy and I are indebted to Ethan Pettit, librarian and Children's Literature professor from Covenant College, who enlightened us so much in seeing Christ ...
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The Three Little Pigs: A Book List
By Betsy Farquhar |
Just for fun, here's a round-up of some delightful version of the classic folktale "The Three Little Pigs" along with some funny spoofs and spins. ...
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Gladys Hunt on Recognizing the Good
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: In our Honey for a Child's Heart Read-Along this month, we're considering Chapter 15: "First Books for Readers." Settle in for some good ...
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Gladys Hunt on Your Family’s “Honey Ratio”
By Janie Cheaney |
Editor's Note: During this month's Honey for a Child's Heart Read-Along, we'll consider Chapter 2: "Milk and Honey," and Chapter 15: "First Books for Readers." ...
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Home Library Management: Curating and Storing the Collection
By Megan Saben |
A solution for managing your books before investing in more bookshelves. When the books overflow the shelves into piles on the floor, on every surface, ...
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Honey for a Child’s Heart Read Along: Month 2
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to month 2 of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read Along! Not sure what we're talking about? Find out more here. Each month, ...
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Cozy and Clever Books for Teens and Adults
By Hayley Morell |
During uncertain* times, there’s something reassuring about a cozy book. But even better than a cozy book is a cozy and clever book with bits ...
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Home Library Management: Weed out the M.U.S.T.Y. titles!
By Megan Saben |
NOTE: This post is an expansion of the previous post, "Analyzing the Situation." If you feel like the MUSTY acronym is helpful for you or ...
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Fantasy Books for Teen Girls: Keeper of the Lost Cities Read-Alikes
By Betsy Farquhar |
We have several fantasy book lists here on Redeemed Reader, but this list is especially for those who enjoy books like Keeper of the Lost ...
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Honey for a Child’s Heart Read Along: Introductions
By Betsy Farquhar |
Welcome to month 1 of our Honey for a Child's Heart Read Along! Not sure what we're talking about? Find out more here. Normally, these ...
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Home Library Management: Analyze the Situation
By Megan Saben |
Home Library Management is a mini-series based on a presentation I originally gave to a homeschool group when I was a professional librarian years ago. These ...
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Labor Day: Books about Work
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers: this is an adaptation of one of the first posts on Redeemed Reader, way back in 2011 (written by Emily Whitten, the "I" in ...
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Home Library Management: Where do I begin?
By Megan Saben |
Home Library Management is a mini-series based on a presentation I originally gave to a homeschool group when I was a professional librarian years ago. These ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Mark Hunt (Author), Part 2
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Mark Hunt (Author), Part 1
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Meghan Cox Gurdon (Book Reviewer, Author)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Home Library Management: Heart Issues
By Megan Saben |
Help! I have too many books! Is this a familiar concern? Of course you wouldn't want to blame the books. An abundant home library is ...
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High School British Literature: A Lively Approach
By Betsy Farquhar |
High School British Literature: Dull and Difficult? When I arrived at college, I was absolutely, 100% convinced that British lit was my jam. But it's ...
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Back to School Books for Middle School
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
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Back to School Picture Books
By Betsy Farquhar |
Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
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Are Your Books Burdens or Blessings? (How to purge your home library collection to benefit others)
By Betsy Farquhar |
"How many bookshelf feet do you need?" This was my husband's question after I requested some more bookshelves. My response: "I can fill whatever you ...
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Favorite Gardening Books for Kids
By Betsy Farquhar |
Spring has officially begun, and the garden beckons. Do you garden with your kids? If they're not interested, try a gardening book just for kids: ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Karina Yan Glaser, author of the Vanderbeekers series
By Janie Cheaney |
Our series of Back Porch Book Chats are casual conversations with book-lovers like ourselves: authors, booksellers, reviewers, bloggers, moms and dads. Today we’re delighted to ...
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The Velveteen Rabbit Turns 100: A Bunny Booklist
By Megan Saben |
The Velveteen Rabbit turns 100 There was once a velveteen rabbit . . . Once upon a time, there were three little rabbits and their ...
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Ukraine: Lessons in Liberty and Compassion, Part 1
By Hayley Morell |
This post was originally published in 2014, shortly after Ukraine's Maidan Revolution. Emily's reflections and application are still timely today. From Emily: As my kids ...
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Christian Easter Gifts for Kids and Teens
By Betsy Farquhar |
Do you give Easter gifts in your family? Most families I know give gifts—a lot of them—at Christmas, but give minimally (if at all) at ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Megan Saben (Book Reviewer, Author, Homeschool Mom)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Sports Books for Kids That Pack a Punch
By Betsy Farquhar |
Are you watching the Superbowl this month? Do you cheer for other sports at home? What about baseball? soccer? basketball? track? Do your sports fans ...
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The 2022 ALA Youth Media Awards
By Janie Cheaney |
Egg on our faces? Last year we accurately predicted that When You Trap a Tiger was a contender for Newbery recognition, and it won top ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Stephenie Pyles (Mom to 8 and Read Aloud Champion)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Back Porch Book Chat: Mystie Winckler (Blogger, Author, Podcaster, and More)
By Betsy Farquhar |
Back Porch Book Chat: A casual, virtual conversation about books. Join us as we chat with book lovers like ourselves about a topic we all ...
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Picture books for boys (and girls) who love action and humor
By Megan Saben |
A reader-inspired hunt for a roundup of favorite picture books for boys and girls who love action and humor A reader asks: "What I continue ...
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Flashlight Reads: Can’t-Put-‘Em-Down Books for All Ages
By Betsy Farquhar |
Flashlight Reads: Can't-Put-'Em-Down Books for the Kids (and Grown-ups) in Your Life Christmas break is one of those perfect, read-by-flashlight-under-the-covers breaks, isn't it? Days are ...
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Favorite Classics for Book Lovers
By Hayley Morell |
We review primarily new books here on Redeemed Reader, not because we don't love the old books, but because resources for the new books are ...
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Shop The Good Book Company!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop New Growth Press!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Ligonier Ministries!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Rabbit Room!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Moody Publishers!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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Shop Indie Books!
By Betsy Farquhar |
Readers, as part of our 2021 Christmas Gift Lists, we're featuring favorite Christian publishers and booksellers. Amazon is a great option for many things, but ...
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