Some Board Books

Life has been very busy around our house, but I wanted to make sure to post about a few of the great board books I found somewhere I never expected...the local library. We (Madelyn and I) were visiting the library for various other reasons and I just happened to stumble across these biblically based books.

A Time For Everything

Written and Illustrated By Susie Poole

Appropriate for ages infant to six

This vibrantly colored board book is based on Ecclesiastes 3. It beautifully displays the simple yet complex idea that there is a time and place for everything. The author covers a variety of situations from saying hello and goodbye to loving and being loved.

The book clearly communicates that our actions can and sometimes should change based on the "time" and "season". This idea can often be confusing to children: Why is it okay to be noisy sometimes but not all the time? Our response should reflect God's sovereign plan over everything including time, seasons, and all other matters. God has created many different situations, emotions, and responses and there is a time for them all. It is important to check our hearts and see that they are responding to all circumstances in a way that brings God the glory and honor (and teach our children to do the same).

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the heaven:"

Does God Know How to Tie Shoes?                                          

Written by Mancy White Carlstorm

Illustrated by Lore McElrath-Eslick

This book takes a unique format as it follows Katrina, a young girl, as she explores her world. It is set up in a question answer format between the Katrina and her parents. Katrina asks a question as all young children do and her parents respond with an answer based on the Psalms.

One thing I loved about this book is the curiosity that is displayed in the young girl. What a great reminder of  the inquisitive nature of a child. 

Katrina's interpretations of her parents responses are a fun reflection of a child's thinking. Here is a great example of the text:

                "Mama, does God have any pets?

                 The animals and birds of the forest are his, and every cow on a thousand hills.

                 Maybe God would like us to get a puppy.          (Psalm 50: 10-11)"

Inevitable we have all been in a situation where a child has asked a countless number of, what seems to us, insignificant questions: Why is the sky blue? Can God count? How do we all look different? Why did God make colors?  And the list could go on and on I'm sure. Those questions can be a great springboard for declaring the goodness of God in our lives. This book was a reminder to me to take every opportunity to teach my children about God and reflect with them on His involvement and care about things that seem small or insignificant.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." Luke 18: 16-17

That is all for now. I hope that you are encouraged to think deeply about the goodness of our God and truths he has given us!