Picture Books

Lauren Castillo’s Art: Nana in the Country, It’s Not Time for Sleeping, Twenty Yawns, The Ramble Shamble Children

Lauren Castillo's bold outlines and childlike compositions make these books accessible to young readers and their parents, too. Her books are universally cheerful and vibrant, ...
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The Empty Pot by Demi

The Empty Pot is a lovely tale from China about the rewards of honesty and integrity. The Empty Pot by Demi, Square Fish. 32 pages. ...
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A Few Beautiful Minutes by Kate Allen Fox

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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*Houses with a Story by Seiji Yoshida

Houses with a Story offers both a fascinating tour of storybook dwellings and a springboard to imagination. *Houses with Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly ...
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Picture Books about Latin America: Martin de Porres, A Flicker of Hope, and Water Day

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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Ten Little Rabbits by Maurice Sendak

Ten Little Rabbits, published ten years after the author’s death, doesn’t detract from the Sendak legacy. Ten Little Rabbits by Maurice Sendak. Harper, 2024, 26 ...
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Recent Picture Books from New Growth Press: My First ABC Book of Bible Verses, Something Scary Happened, Our Great God

New Growth Press consistently publishes high quality resources for churches and families. We've enjoyed many of their devotionals, picture books, and chapter books. Here's a ...
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2024 Caldecott Honor Books Roundup

Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter by Aida Salazar, illustrated by Molly Mendoza. Scholastic, 2023, 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ...
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Recent Christian Picture Books: God’s Signpost, The God Contest, and The 10 Commandments

Whew! It's sooo exciting to get boxes of books on my doorstep, but sometimes the picture books get lost in the shuffle. Here's a round-up ...
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Growing Patterns, Mysterious Patterns, and the Power of Snow

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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Big by Vashti Harrison

In Big, winner of the 2024 Caldecott medal, one young girl learns to be kind to herself, despite the words of others. Big by Vashti ...
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Saint Valentine the Kindhearted, Saint Patrick the Forgiver, Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver by Ned Bustard

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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Bible Board Books: Tiny Hands and For the Bible Tells Me So

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.

African Heroes introduces children to heroes of the faith who are from Africa in this vibrantly illustrated picture book from New Growth Press. *African Heroes: ...
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We Are Branches by Joyce Sidman

We take branches for granted, but have you ever considered what a wise design they are, with so many applications in nature? We Are Branches ...
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Behold the Octopus! by Suzanne Slade

With text that is both simple and detailed, and with beautiful illustrations, Behold the Octopus introduces a fascinating ocean creature. Behold the Octopus! by Suzanne ...
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Evergreen by Matthew Cordell

Evergreen is the story of a fearful young squirrel who learns bravery on her quest to obey her mother and deliver soup to ailing Granny ...
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Hidden Hope by Elisa Boxer

Hidden Hope tells of a brave young lady who smuggled papers in a child's toy to save lives during World War II. Hidden Hope: How ...
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Two Picture Books on Words and Storytelling: Sholem’s Treasure and The Language of Angels

The Language of Angels and Sholem’s Treasure illustrate how great an influence word and history has had on Jewish culture. The Language of Angels: A ...
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Tomfoolery! by Michelle Markel

Tomfoolery! tells the story of Randolph Caldecott, the iconoclastic illustrator who lent his name to the prestigious award. Tomfoolery! Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age ...
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All of a Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins and Paul O. Zelinsky

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah is a fun way to introduce this Jewish holiday to young children. All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. ...
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Christian Christmas Picture Books Round-Up

Christian Christmas Picture Books Round-Up: Holy Night and Little Star, 'Twas the Night, The Nativity, and The Animals Speak Today we're highlighting Christian Christmas picture ...
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Traditional Christmas Picture Books: A Roundup

The Chimney Problem, the decorating dilemma, a pesky pigeon, and a reformed Grinch take center stage in four new Christmas picture books. Those of us ...
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Tomie DePaola Christmas Picture Books Round-Up

Tomie DePaola Christmas Picture Books Round-Up Tomie DePaola was a truly prolific (and much beloved) picture book creator. His illustrations are recognizable anywhere. We're only ...
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*Memories of Survival by Esther Nisenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt

A Jewish woman who lived through World War II in Poland and had to hide in order to survive tells her story through fabric and ...
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A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes and Jerry Pinkney

A Walk in the Woods features Jerry Pinkney’s last illustrations in a sensitive portrayal of childhood grief. A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, ...
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Music for the End of Time by Jen Bryant

Music for the End of time is a picture book biography, a story of hope found through creating beauty in the midst of affliction. Music ...
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*Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan

A girl and a spider share adventures. Don't overlook this masterpiece of creation that probably lives in your own backyard. *Jumper: A Day in the ...
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While Everyone Is Sleeping by Sarah Mackenzie

While Everyone Is Sleeping is a sweet bedtime book, perfect for cozy nights. While Everyone Is Sleeping by Sarah Mackenzie and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. ...
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100 Things to Know About Inventions by Clive Gifford

A fun, visual book about the history of inventions and some relationships between them, ideal for those who are mechanically minded. 100 Things to Know ...
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The Brilliant Calculator: How Mathematician Edith Clarke Helped Electrify America by Jan Lower

The Brilliant Calculator is a good introduction to a woman engineer whose work allows us to communicate better. For that, I am grateful. The Brilliant ...
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*William’s House by Ginger Howard

Wouldn't it make sense that a house built in the style of a home in England would work just as well in America? *William's House ...
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Gertie: The Darling Duck of WWII by Shari Swanson

A sweet story about a mother duck whose unusual nesting spot provided a welcome diversion from from the war, both in local news and beyond. ...
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God, You Are by William R. Osborne

God, You Are introduces young children to God’s character and attributes in a warm devotional setting. God, You Are: 20 Promises from the Psalms for ...
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5 Ways to Encourage Art Appreciation with Picture Books

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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Nonfiction Picture Books: We Are Starlings, Great Carrier Reef, The Book of Turtles

We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration by Robert Furrow & Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Marc Martin. Random House Studio, 2023, ...
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Portraits of Faith: *Pilipinto and God’s Servant Ruth

A missionary daughter in the 20th century and a pagan-born woman of ancient Israel offer two inspiring examples of faithfulness in difficult circumstances. *Pilipinto: The ...
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Teaching the Faith: *The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism

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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cover of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Gladys Hunt on Re-issues: Good, Bad, and Ugly

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

(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)

(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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Beach Books! (Librarians’ List)

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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Picture Books to Make You Think: Twenty Questions, Bucket of Questions, Wants vs. Needs vs. Robots, and The Tree and the River

Four new picture books raised questions and stimulate discussion for readers ages 3-12. Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Candlewick, 2023, 32 ...
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Two Books about Sexuality for Kids and Teens

Books about sexuality for kids and teens are not new, but these days, it's getting harder to separate the wheat from the chaff. Well-meaning titles ...
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*Make Way by Angel Burke Kunkel

Make Way tells the story of a very famous family of ducks, the man who made them famous and the woman who made them a ...
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Gladys Hunt on Getting Them to Sleep

Go to Sleep Books Originally posted on the Tumblr Website, June 23, 2009 A new mother told me that her baby received four copies of ...
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*A Little More Beautiful by Sarah Mackenzie

Lou Alice loves to make the world a little more beautiful. But what happens when she's old and bedridden? *A Little More Beautiful by Sarah ...
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Nonfiction Picture Books: Concrete; Luminous; The Animal Toolkit; The Universe in You; Digestion: The Musical

Outstanding picture books from 2022 feature the story of a ubiquitous building material, unusual animals, basic particle physics, and a different take on the topic ...
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Gladys Hunt on Taking Notice

Editor's Note: The Honey for a Child's Heart Read-Along is focusing this month on Chapter 7 ("Honey from the Rock") and Chapter 23 ("Nourishing Your ...
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3 Picture Books about Friendship and Positivity

Silver Linings and The Bright Side showcase a positive attitude, while Friends beyond Measure puts a clever, mathematical spin on childhood best friends. Silver Linings ...
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Noticing by Kobi Yomada

Noticing, a picture book for tweens and older, beautifully illustrates the point that “One of the best things you can be is interested.” Noticing by ...
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The Story of God With Us, The Story of God Our King, and The Forgotten King

Three beautiful picture books emphasize the promise that God will one day dwell with us and that He will restore the glory of His people ...
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CSK Illlustrator Roundup: Standing in the Need of Prayer, Me and the Boss, and The Talk

The Coretta Scott King award, an prominent part of the annual ALA Youth Media Awards, honors African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for ...
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In the Blue by Erin Hourigan

In the Blue gently explores what it is like for a child to experience the depression of a loved one. In the Blue by Erin ...
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cover of At Jerusalem's Gate

At Jerusalem’s Gate by Nikki Grimes

At Jersualem's Gate offers poetic meditations on what people involved in the events leading to Christ's resurrection might have thought and felt. At Jerusalem's Gate: ...
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Gladys Hunt on Pigs and Possibilities

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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before music

Before Music: Where Instruments Come From by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Madison Safer

Where does music come from and how many ways can you make it? Before Music broadens the reader's horizons on the origin and creativity of ...
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cover of Like Me

Like Me by Laura Wifler

A young boy recounts a typical day in the life of his family, which includes a younger brother who has physical and mental disabilities. Like ...
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Why Your Church Nursery Needs a Library

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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cover image of who is Jesus

Three books about Jesus: The Darkest Night/The Brightest Day, The Acrostic of Jesus, and Who is Jesus?

Three books from New Growth Press are helpful for teaching children who Jesus is and what he has done for us. The Darkest Night/The Brightest ...
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cover of my brother is away

*My Brother Is Away by Sara Greenwood

My Brother Is Away offers an empathetic glimpse into what it's like, from the child's perspective, to have a brother (or sister) off in jail. ...
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Caldecott Honor Roundup: Ain’t Burned All the Bright, Berry Song, Choosing Brave, and Knight Owl

This year's Caldecott honor books explore a range of moods from wistful to whimsical. Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Jason ...
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Caldecott Medal: Hot Dog by Doug Salati

Hot Dog by Doug Salati. Knopf, 2022. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 3-8 Dogs are everywhere these days: in ...
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Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Love in the Library offers a tender picture of humanity and the miracle of love, and hope in the midst of a Japanese internment camp. ...
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Gladys Hunt on Choosing Mother Goose

Editor's Note: It's a new month--meaning a new chapter in our Honey for a Child's Heart Read-along. Or actually, two chapters: #5: "Poetry" and #22: ...
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wintry picture books

Wintry Picture Books: A Book List

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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Gladys Hunt on Little Golden Books

Editor's Note: You may have to be of a certain age for Little Golden Books to tweak your memory, but there was a lot of ...
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Gladys Hunt on Christmas Books

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

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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*This is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore

There aren't many picture books about Thanksgiving; This is the Feast is one of the best. This is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore, illustrated ...
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The Way of Birds: Duet and Feathers Together

Duet and Feathers Together present two notable bird species: the northern mockingbird and the white stork. Duet: Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird ...
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Gladys Hunt on The Scent of Thanksgiving

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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cover of king of christmas

The King of Christmas by Todd R. Hains and illustrated by Natasha Kennedy

The King of Christmas reminds young children where to look for Jesus, just as the wise men looked for Him at that first Christmas. The ...
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fairy tales and folk tales

Fairy Tales and Folk Tales: A Picture Book List

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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Gladys Hunt on the Art of the Picture Book

Editor's Note: November is National Picture Book Month! Participants in our "Honey for a Child's Heart Read-Along" are considering that topic in chapters 13 and ...
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Fun picture books for young listeners: How to Apologize, Not That Pet!, Sometimes Cake, and Mom, There’s a Bear at the Door

Four books featuring animals and young children are imaginative, instructive, and fun to read aloud to little ones. How to Apologize by David LaRochelle, illustrated ...
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abc books

20 ABC Books for All Ages

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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cover of story of us

*The Story of Us by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Kevin & Kristen Howdeshell

The Story of Us tells the full redemptive story of Scripture in poetic form, using the classical 4 elements of earth, air, fire, and water. ...
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Gladys Hunt on Nursery Rhymes

Editor's Note: Our Honey for a Child's Heart Read-along readers are thinking about Chapter 15: "First Books for Readers." Beginning readers should be primed with ...
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truth and story

Truth and Story

(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 book list

The Three Little Pigs: A Book List

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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*Baby Believer Board Books

Theologically solid Baby Believer series provides a beautiful way to introduce littles to Scripture and church doctrine. Baby Believer board books series by Danielle Hitchen, ...
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Picture Books about Houses: Farmhouse and House Finds a Home

Farmhouse and House Finds a Home honor the ordinary structures that shelter and sustain growing families. Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall. Little, Brown, 2022, 48 pages. ...
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Big Theology for Little Hearts

Crossway's Big Theology for Little Hearts series attempts to introduce important Christian concepts through the medium of board books. The Church; Creation; The Holy Spirit ...
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cover of God Rescues

God Rescues and Taste & See: 2 Picture Books

God Rescues and Taste & See, new picture books from New Growth Press, offer parents colorful ways to introduce big theology concepts to children. God ...
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Labor Day: Books about Work

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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Science Picture Books: *The Beak Book, Nano, and Building

Three outstanding picture books offer windows into nano technology, beaver life, and the beauty and variety of beak design. *The Beak Book by Robin Page. ...
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*Marshmallow Clouds by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek

In Marshmallow Clouds, two poets look at the world, both the sublime and the mundane, through expressive wordplay. *Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among ...
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Picture books for and about school: *We the People, Pterodactyl Show and Tell, and My First Day

Three picture books are perfect for going back to school: We the People, Pterodactyl Show and Tell, and My First Day. *We the People: The ...
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Back to School Picture Books

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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*Wonderfull: Ancient Psalms Ever New by Marty Machowski

Wonderfull is a guide to the Psalms that introduces young people to modeling their devotional life after that of the Psalmist. Wonderfull: Ancient Psalms Ever ...
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Picture Books about Nature: Be Thankful for Trees, Yoshi and the Ocean, and The Whale Who Swam Through Time

The Blessing of a Tree Be Thankful for Trees by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. Red Comet Press, 2022, 80 pages. Reading Level: Picture ...
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Picture Book Round Up: Cora Cooks Pancit, Thoughtfull, Rice From Heaven, My Breakfast With Jesus

Four picture books encourage young listeners to notice the people around them, to serve with kindness, and to celebrate the diversity of God's church. Some ...
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cover image of room for everyone

*Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan, illustrated by Mercè López

A lively rhyming story about a generously overcrowded daladala on its way to the beach in a delightful read-aloud about siblings in Zanzibar. Room for ...
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*Psalm Twenty-Three and *The Lord’s Prayer, both illustrated by Tim Ladwig

Tim Ladwig illustrates two well-known Biblical texts, using Black families in urban settings in these picture books. *Psalm Twenty-Three, illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Eerdmans, 1997. ...
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*When Daddy Prays by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Tim Ladwig

When Daddy Prays shows a child's view of his pastor father, praying during all of life. Beautifully illustrated. *When Daddy Prays by Nikki Grimes and ...
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*The Sower by Scott James

The Sower employs biblical allegories of seeds and planting to recap the story of the Bible and its effect on human history—and on us. *The ...
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Polly and the Screen Time Overload by Betsy Childs Howard

Polly and the Screen Time Overload gently points young children away from electronic fascinations to the quieter joys of real life. Polly and the Screen ...
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Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder and Dan Santat

Endlessly Ever After allows readers to mix and match traditional tales to the tune of catchy rhymes and lavish illustrations. Endlessly Ever After: Pick Your ...
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cover image of the big wide welcome

Picture Book Round Up: The Big Wide Welcome, God Cares for Me, Love Is, Rice From Heaven, My Breakfast With Jesus

Three picture books remind young listeners to love people as Jesus loves, to show compassion for the sick, and provide an opportunity to see a ...
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