Developing a Love of Reading in Your Young Children

Periodically I get asked questions about how my children became lovers of books. Look for several posts that address what I did, starting with tiny kids otherwise known as infants and toddlers.

1) When my kiddos are infants I started by reading to them any moment we were sitting down. Before they could sit up or hold the book, we'd cuddle in a rocking chair with a pile of board books. There are an amazing assortment of books, but here are a few I love to this day:  

• Goodnight Moon, 
• Guess How Much I Love You,
• Dr. Seuss' A, B, C
• Barnyard Dance, and 

Devotional for Boys

Triple Dog Dare is designed to fill a year with devotions for boys. Written by Jeremy V. Jones, it is similar to Truth & Dare, only clearly targeted at the slingshot toting sex. The layout is one verse a day, followed by a summary truth, a short devotional, and a triple dare to apply the truth. Then there's a chance to journal, but without the pretty lines in the girls' version. Each week focuses on a different emotion like Fear, Shame, Pride, etc. and in the bottom right-hand corner, there's a graphic that acts like a flipbook. It's a very cool devotional.

My older son is 8, so hasn't quite picked it up on his own yet, but wants to. A little prompting from me, and I know he'll dive into it. Why?

Watch this trailer and see for yourself:

Great Devotional for Tween Girls

It's been awhile since I've talked about books. So with the arrival of the new year (Happy 2012), I thought I'd tell you about a couple devotionals my older kids are working through this year. Both are designed for kids in the 9 to 12 year old range. You can take a peek at both of these devotionals here.

The first is Truth & Dare by Ann-Margaret Hovsepian. This book has a great lay-out. At the beginning of each day's devotion, there is one verse for the girls to read. Then there's a short story or illustration to go with it. That's followed by a Dare: a way to apply the Truth to their thoughts that day and then a triple-dog dare that helps girls bring what they've learned down to their everyday lives. At the end of the page there's a short journaling session. The book reads like they're sitting down with a big sister or older friend, and gleaning from her faith and experience. It also deals with the issues that confront them. Everything from fashion to music to touching the world.

My daughter (11) has a hunger to serve God and grow in her relationship with Him. This devotional gives her an opportunity to do that in a way that isn't too much. Instead, she is reading and interaction with the devotions solely on her own and because she wants to. I love that!

Here's more: "Dare to discover the secrets to a life that sparkles for God. You've got what it takes to make an impact on the world. This devotional is filled with powerful wisdom on everything from godly friendship and serving others to getting along with your parents and worshipping God. It's advice for real life from the greatest BFF of all: your heavenly Father."

Friday I'll tell you about one for boys.

Children's Book: That's when I talk to God

As a mom, I love to find books that help me break complicated ideas about faith into easy to understand concepts. This book does just that with prayer.

Sometimes it's tricky to help our kids understand that they can pray anytime about anything. In this beautifully illustrated book, Dan and Ali Morrow walk children through the different times they can pray. We can pray when we want to tell God that we love Him. We can pray when we are thankful. We can talk to God when we need to tell Him sorry. This charming book is a great way to help your children understand God wants to hear from us all the time for any reason.

Children's Book Extravaganza

It's back to school time -- or if you're like us, your kids started weeks ago already. I'm always looking for great children's books since we're a family of readers. The other days I got three books that are absolutely beautiful. From illustrations to words, these books are beautifully packaged with great content for 2 year olds and up. Abigail enjoyed them, but I don't know how often she'll return to them.

So what are they you ask?

God Gave Us Heaven is a beautiful book by Lisa Tawn Bergren about the mysteries of heaven with an age-appropriate explanation of how we get to heaven.

Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels? During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.

The next book is God Loves Me More Than That by Dandi Daley Mackall. This delightful rhyme explores the length, breadth, depth and loudness of God's love. I absolutely love the way it conveys God's love. It's "louder than a thunder-rumbling, storm-charged cloud." Isn't that great! And the pictures are wonderful, with a little boy starring in this book.

In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!

When God Created My Toes is a delightful romp by a little girl as she realizes that God made her and delights in her. Inspired by Psalm 139, this book starts at the toes and works its way up to the heart. Throughout its pages children will be reminded that they are special, no matter what they look like or do, just because God made them.

In When God Made My Toes, kids are drawn into the wonder of their creation by God. Their masterful artist who fashioned them just right for amazing and delightful adventures, such as roller skating, finger-painting, doing flips, and drinking cocoa. Children will come to an understanding that God shaped each part of their amazing bodies with joy, delight, and humor.

These books are wonderful and would make great additions to your library or precious baby gifts. I love to give books for baby gifts! Nothing like getting a child started in the right way. :-)

Mrs. Rosey Posey: Great Books for kids

he Mrs. Rosey Posey Series

Mrs. Rosey Posey is an eccentric, grandmotherly character who tells stories to the neighborhood children and teaches them how God loves and cares for them. Recommended for children ages 4-7.

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Baby Bird

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Young readers will learn that God cares for every living creature in Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Baby Bird. A baby bird falls from its nest, and Mrs. Rosey Posey takes care of it.

All the while, she intrigues the children by telling them that someone else saw the baby bird fall. The story and illustrations will pull children into the quest to discover who it is.

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Yum Yummy Birthday Cake

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Mrs. Rosey-Posey’s birthday is a great occasion for a parade and a feast. But when Mrs. Rosey Posey puts out a tempting birthday cake full of wonderful treats, can Sarah follow Mrs. Rosey Posey’s rule about not touching?

Children learn a personal lesson about repentance and trust, and discover the meaning of forgiving and loving people when they wrong us. This fanciful story will make young readers hungry for more!

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate

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Natalie comes to Mrs. Rosey Posey's house when her friends go to a movie that Natalie's parents won't let her see. Mrs. Rosey Posey gives Natalie a treat and lets her choose which plate she'd like to eat it on. Mrs. Rosey Posey tells her a story about a special china plate that sets itself apart for a visiting king.

This much-loved classic story helps Level 2 readers understand how sometimes being told no is really God’s way of setting them aside for his very best intentions.

I brought these books home from ICRS, and the kids and I have really enjoyed them. Mrs. Rosey Posey books are fun to read and have wonderful values slipped in. If you're looking for some great early readers for kids you know, get these books. They're delightful and the illustrations are great!

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Hidden Treasure

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In this story, Mrs. Rosey Posey slips Ross, Jacob, and Adam a treasure map while they are playing pirates in her tree house. Their rollicking treasure hunt brings surprises and a lesson about a special treasure.

Children love playing at Mrs. Rosey Posey's house because she is always ready for an adventure. This imaginative book helps young readers discover what an invaluable treasure God’s Word is.