Books my 19-22 month olds love (that we own):

These are some of the books my little ones regularly ask for or talk about. Disclaimer: These books are on nearly all the recommended book lists.

• Colors by DK Publishing 

We received this board book as a gift, and it has been a favorite from the start. It has no plot, merely brightly colored photos highlighting a common color. However, it has provoked much conversation, first about the objects and now the colors themselves.

• If You Give a… Series by Laura Joffe Numeroff 

Speaking of Felicia Bond, my kids also love this series. Their favorites are If You Give a Pig a Party (it has balloons and lots of animal friends) and If You Take a Mouse to School. Judah loves the latter, although I have my suspicions that the book’s fascination lies in the built up anticipation of the page near the end with a basketball on one side and a soccer ball on the other. Sometimes he loses interest after that page and always asks to go back to it.

• Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman 

Both kids beg to read about this little teddy bear. They love the scenes where the bear is sleeping, watch carefully for the little girl, and jabber about Corduroy’s pocket. Each book ends with a scene of affection between the girl and her bear, which of course we have to imitate each time. The “nuzzle noses” scene at the end of “A Pocket for Corduroy” has become a new and frequent form of affection in our home.

• Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss 

They seem to enjoy each of the Dr. Seuss books we have, although the longer “Horton Hears a Who” usually requires two sittings. By far their favorite, however, is Hop on Pop (with second place belonging to Fox in Socks, possibly because they sense the readers’ preference for the silly tongue twisting book). They love the Ball Wall sequence and the Mr. Brown picnic adventures. 

As a side note, reading Dr. Seuss (or really any of these books, I’m afraid) has resulted in memorizing Dr. Seuss, and he comes up in our daily life quite frequently. The kids’ phone play often initiates a recitation of “Hello? Hello? I called you up to say hello. I said hello. Can you hear me, Joe?”, blocks turn into “A Quick Trick Block Stack,” and I don’t care to admit how often we quote “Luke Luck Likes Lakes” or “Let’s have a Little Talk about Tweetle Beetles.” I just hope “Jabberwocky” and “Cabbages and Kings” get as much attention in five years.

• Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina 

This peddler taught our kids one of their first animal sounds, and they are probably the only kids around who say, “tsz, tsz” for monkeys while shaking their finger instead of “ooh, ooh” while scratching their armpits. When we went to the zoo, Little Girl walked around the monkey house shaking her finger and declaring, “tsz, tsz.” I had to pull her back to the path several times, she was so excited. Judah came alive when his idea to put two caps on his head spurred a mini-reenactment and recitation of the book in the back yard. They’re still sometimes convinced our tree has monkeys in it. It has been delightful to watch their pretend play develop, although, truth be told, I am the one doing most of the acting and quoting for this game so far. They just watch and enjoy. 

Lloyd Alexander, Prydain series

(written ages ago)

Finally, I have found a series that I believe young boys will love, and the messages in the series are wonderful! Nevertheless, not long before now, I would have been far too self-righteous to read or dare enjoy books with titles such as “The Book of Three” or “The Black Cauldron.” Now having read them, I would recommend them to any elementary aged student, especially boys.

They are the Lord of the Rings stories for younger readers. Besides featuring younger characters, shorter books, and easier vocabulary, these books are less intense than Tolkien’s (however, for especially fearful readers, these stories are not less intense than the Narnia series). Without losing excitement or opportunities for valor, Alexander manages to keep especially frightening scenes brief. Also, Alexander’s characters frequently lighten the scene with humor: for example a sort of talking pet frequently worries about “crunchings and munchings,” the girl chatters about everything, and a bard’s magic harp snaps a string whenever he exaggerates.

In each book, a subtle theme or moral can be drawn out. Each of these morals harmonizes with the Christian worldview. In the first novel, Taran learns that each member of a group is important to the completion of their quest. Not only must each rely on the others and overlook their seeming weaknesses, but if any one member of the group failed to play their part, the entire quest would fail. In The Black Cauldron, he learns about the sacrifice and humility necessary to good leadership. At The Castle of Llyr, Taran demonstrates his own character by pursuing another person’s good that brings sorrow to himself. Then as he succeeds and fails as Taran Wanderer, he realizes that the nobility that matters is nobility of character, not of birth. Finally, The High King brings all of the lessons Taran has learned into one final test of wisdom and courage.

Besides these lessons, there are many other opportunities to view courage, loyalty, and the importance of fighting against evil. One of the most poignant moments in the book is worth detailing here. In the story, a man fighting on the side of right dies in traitorous pursuit of his own glory. Another character, throughout the story consistently self-centered, frequently willing to endanger others and the mission for his own reputation, at last gives his own life to stop evil from prevailing. Taran is surprised that both are honored in death. A wise and courageous knight, Gwydion, explains to Taran,

“It is easy to judge evil unmixed… But, alas, in most of us good and bad are closely woven as the threads on a loom; greater wisdom than mine is needed for the judging.

“King Morgant served the Sons of Don long and well… Until the thirst for power parched his throat, he was a fearless and noble lord. In battle he saved my life more than once. These things are part of him and cannot be put aside or forgotten.

“And so shall I honor Morgant, … for what he used to be, and Ellidyr Prince of Pen-Llarcau for what he became.”

These stories are full of fun and adventure, but their real value consists in spurring readers on to nobility of character.

The Jesus Storybook Bible

(again, written ages ago)

Each story in this collection is tied to Jesus, and is profitable for adults as well as for children. The Old Testament is spectacular, explaining the stories in terminology that then easily transforms into a description of Christ. Readers will understand how each event of the Old Testament shows the brokenness of man’s heart or paints a picture of the One who fixes hearts. Lloyd Jones also traces the promise of Jesus through Abraham’s offspring. She frequently points out that God’s people are not chosen for their obedience—they are not obedient—but because of His amazing love.

One of the best stories surprised me by being included: Genesis 22. After telling the challenging, heart-wrenching account of Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son, Sally Lloyd-Jones closes this way: “Many years later, another Son would climb another hill, carrying wood on his back. Like Isaac, he would trust his Father and do what his Father asked. He wouldn’t struggle or run away. Who was he? God’s Son, his only Son—the Son he loved. The Lamb of God.”

Please read it.

Christian Fiction, part 4

(written ages ago)

Stepping Heavenward
by Elizabeth Prentiss

This is a lovely little book that makes a girl want to love God more, yet tells very plainly the truths of sinfulness. In every case, it is discreet, so that it may be read by even a young girl. However, I believe that an intermediate girl would benefit most from reading it. Advanced readers should read it also, because its lessons remain helpful.

Never are the lessons preachy, though. Because Prentiss wrote the novel in a journal style, each recording of a sermon or text is from the perspective of the protagonist, and therefore is introduced and appreciated through her life. Loving Christ is made gradual and beautiful, and there is so much wisdom about the individuality and the universality of the Christian walk and Christian growth. At the same time, life is shown in much pain and sorrow, although the lesson learned from suffering is joy, pure, great joy. All young women, and perhaps older women, should read it.

Christian Fiction, part 3

Elsie Dinsmore

The Elsie Dinsmore series has the misfortune of being recommended widely throughout the Christian home-schooling community. At first glance, the stories are charming and strongly uphold Christian character. However, Martha Finley does not demonstrate Christianity accurately or appealingly. Elsie rarely sins, and the few sins she has are not addressed well. In addition, her primary temptation is not considered a sin by the majority of Christians today.

Elsie has almost no faults, although she repents of several throughout the series. Her faults mostly consist of thoughts or feelings that last no more than a few seconds before she implodes into days of tears and repentance. While many girls raised in Christian homes may find that their faults are primarily within their heads and hearts, the author could have helped such readers by making these faults more explicit, or more realistically long-lasting. Also, giving Elsie the comfort of the cross and the Holy Spirit earlier in her repentance would be advantageous not only to her own fictitious soul, but also to the souls of girls encouraged to emulate her.

Her other sins seem accidental. Though I don’t claim to know the hearts of other readers, I am willful sinner. Elsie’s example discourages my will to obey by showing how impossible true obedience is, instead of the intended effect of encouraging by her example.

In addition, much of the plot of the first two books surrounds a “sin” that is no sin. Elsie is commanded on several occasions to play on Sunday, which she considers a mortal sin. She refuses, courageously enduring peril to her health. Again, because this is not considered sinful by many orthodox interpretations of scripture, her courage seems wasted. In sum, the books do little to encourage young saints in their process of sanctification, despite their technical adherence to orthodoxy.

Christian Fiction, part 2

Patricia St. John

Elementary readers will love Patricia St. John's stories. I still do. St. John skillfully presents the gospel in every story, often tying it to particular Scriptures by showing how God saves us from darkness, death, fear, or other aspects of man’s sinful condition. The books rarely, though not never, preach; the characters are identifiable and likable. Each has an interesting setting or plot, too. A few may be more interesting to girls than boys, but many will appeal to both.

Her best work, Treasures of the Snow, takes the reader to the Alps and climbs up among the goats and flowers. Annette and Lucien, the main characters, learn lessons of forgiveness, both God’s forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others, when Lucien is responsible for crippling Annette’s little brother. Other fun settings include England, North Africa, and New Testament Palestine. While showing some serious situations, St. John keeps the tone of her works appropriate for children.

Foreign missions is depicted from several different angles. In two separate books (The Tanglewoods’ Secret and Three Go Searching), children are raised apart from their parents because the parents work as missionaries. This may require some discussion. Other books also show missionary work.

Another reason I love St. John’s works is because she actively demonstrates in many of the books how and why all Christians, even children, should evangelize the lost. Each protagonist has a family member, friend, or community that needs the same Savior that the child himself finds. Again, without being preachy, St. John shows the gospel active in lives and hearts.

Christian Fiction, part 1

I have mixed feelings about Christian fiction. There is value in explicit references to God, the Bible, and living a faithful life; all these help with understanding and learning from a work of fiction. The problem lies in the many works of “Christian” fiction which do not represent Christ well. Either they are extremely secular in content or worldview, or the author presents orthodoxy in an unflattering light. In the following series of posts, I want to examine a few varied works which fall into this category.

Christian Romance

In general, I have come to believe that this is a terrible genre. Nevertheless, here are two exceptions to my general dislike of authors in this category. The first is Janette Oke. Oke’s romances for the most part are wholesome, but more importantly, the theme of her stories does not center on the romance, but on living the Christian life. In a simple way, she writes of various trials in life, and—without being preachy—shows how faith brings her characters through each. The lessons learned in each story are not very profound, but are nevertheless worth telling. An intermediate reader would be mature enough for her works.

The second author I enjoy is Francine Rivers. Many of the topics discussed in her novels are mature, so readers should be advanced (maybe even married in some instances). Yet she deals with these mature topics with honesty and adheres to essential Christianity (for example, showing man’s sin, but also the greatness of God to forgive and change His people, showing the difficulty Christians may have in obeying Christ). Her novels often focus more on the application of Christianity to difficult circumstances than on romance, yet her character development suffers no lack as a result.