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June 2008
 Miss Rumpius written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney is not only an inspirational story, it is also beautifully illustrated. Her depictions of the little house by the seashore, the grassy rolling hills along the coast and the paths that wind through them are vividly and evocatively created. This book won the American Book Award and is a charming story about little Alice Rumphius who lived in a seaside city, where “from the front stoop she could see the wharves and the bristling masts of tall ships." The story shares Alice’s life. Alice's grandfather is an artist and woodcarver who carves figureheads for ships, and paints pictures of ships and faraway places. In the evenings, Alice sits on her grandfather's knee and is delighted by his stories about the places he's traveled. Alice promises that when she grows up, she wants to live the same life her grandfather has lived. She wants to travel to faraway places and then come home to live by the sea. And her grandfather tells her that there is a third thing she must do – she must do something to make the world more beautiful. This is such a noble ideal and a wonderful goal to offer all children and youth. A message the church offers through ministry and mission.
Alice grows up. People call her Miss Rumphius. She moves to a city far from the sea and works in a library "dusting books and keeping them from getting mixed up, and helping people find the ones they wanted". And just as she had dreamed she would, Miss Rumphius eventually leaves her library and travels the world, meeting lots of new and different people and having great adventures. Eventually her explorations come to an end and she settles comfortably in a house by the sea. Some years later, an illness requires her to stay in bed for an extended period of time. Her greatest happiness during her recuperation comes from watching the lupines blooming in her garden and this sight reminds her of her grandfather's words and guidance. When she recovers, she wanders the countryside scattering handfuls of lupine seed. The following spring, the seeds bloom into a sea of blue, purple and rose-colored flowers. Miss Rumphius, now known as the Lupine Lady, is content. It is through the lupines that she discovers a way to make the world more beautiful. Not only has she achieved her personal goals, but she has also fulfilled her grandfather's wish.
This is lovely story with such an admirable message. It is a great book to recommend as summer reading for church families. It’s simple story about the beauty of the world found in relationships and flowers and the stages of life we pass through offers us the opportunity to look into our own lives as we read about a woman dedicated and determined to do something beautiful in her life. It raises and offers an important question to each reader - “I wonder, maybe this is a story about me too ?”
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December 2007
 The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry and illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger is a classic. The beautiful cover of this traditional Christmas story in which a loving wife sells her tresses to buy a watch fob and chain for her husband, who in turn sells his watch to buy a comb for his wife inspires and is a touching tale about sacrificial love. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, this timeless book of literature tells the story of a young couple and the sacrifices each must make to buy the other a gift. Quoting from the opening paragraph, “Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.” One dollar and eight-seven cents is all the money Della has in the world to buy her beloved husband a Christmas present. In a world where Christmas has been acculturated and commercialized, this book is a symbol of the true meaning of unselfish giving. This larger size beauty of a book would make a great gift for children of all ages and adults too. It would be a gift from the heart to give at Christmas. The pictures by illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger, are infused with the poignancy and delight of this simple tale about the rewards of unselfish love. Each illustration, one page to the next are beautifully created delicate watercolors, uncluttered, powerfully and marvelously composed. Her use of brown, gray, beige, white and soft gray blue is very engaging and adds a contemporary feel to this famous short story. The joy, heartbreak and love in this story will leave a lump in your throat by the time you reach the final pages to finish it. Gift of the Magi is ideal for older children ages 8 to 12 up to adults who still love this story.
 The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado and his three daughters, with Liz Bonham (**) as Illustrator is a story written for children ages 5 to 8 years old. Older children are able to independently read this story with minimal assistance. This story tells the story of the birth of Jesus through the eyes of Joshua. Joshua - a lamb - is different than the other sheep. He has no parents, and he is disabled. His only friend is an old cow named Abigail. She often reminds him that "God has a special place for those who feel left out." When the shepherds come gather the sheep to walk to the next valley and Joshua must stay behind. The others laugh and say mean things to him. Joshua and Abigail are both in for a surprise later that night, when they are awakened by a woman and a child lying in the stables with them. Joshua lies next to the baby (Jesus) to keep him warm. Mary and Joseph do not have a blanket and Joshua is blanket for the Christ child. He soon learns that even though he may not fit in with the rest of the sheep, God did have a special place just for him. This is a sweet book and helps children relate to the way children can treat one another who are different from themselves. The Crippled Lamb is quickly becoming a new Christmas classic for children that will become a popular perennial.
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(**) Barnes and Noble. Lots of other wonderful books by Max Lucado can also be found at Amazon.com
October 2007
Celebrating at Home: Prayers and Liturgies for Families by Deborah Albersweth Payden and Laura Loving is an easy to use, high accessible worship and liturgy resource for families in your congregation. In anticipation of the upcoming resource center open house featuring the author Rev. Deborah Payden I pulled down from the book shelf this wonderful resource and began reading it again. It begins with an invitation to “come in, stay a while, sit a spell, set the table, decorate the room, light a candle, read the scripture, say a prayer, sing a song, laugh out loud, shed your tears, dance a jig, be still and listen, join hands and celebrate being God’s people!” and then offers many and varied ways to live out and into that engaging invitation. This book is a gift to all who have it and use it. It is an invaluable resource that provides a beginning point for families with room for each family’s own rituals and ethnic traditions. It has chapters on Sabbath, seasons of the church year, seasonal celebrations and life transitions. It offers ways to find meaning and mindfulness within all that makes up family life and offers support for families that want to make home the faith forming center or the “domestic church” for their children and themselves.
 Come Worship With Me – A Journey Through the Church Year by Ruth Boling and illustrated by Tracey Dahle Carrier is a treasure and must have for every church library.
The seasons of the Christian year come alive in this brilliant colored and marvelously illustrated children's book. Friendly church mice invite children of all ages to 'Come Worship With Me.' In this story with some help from the family of churchgoing mice, children are introduced to the liturgical calendar of the church. Each page traces the journey of the church year from Advent through Christmas, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost, and beyond. In child-friendly language, the major seasons and festivals of the liturgical calendar are explained, accompanied by delightful full-color illustrations In a special closing section, clear and easy-to-understand explanations are given for many Christian symbols and crosses. This book helps to make the church calendar assessable to children and youth. It could also be read during worship to inform and educate adults and children alike about the liturgical calendar year.
September 2007
With the exciting opportunity to meet and hear Dr. Lib Caldwell, the Harold Blake Walker Professor of Pastoral Theology at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, on Feb 23rd 2008, as part of the Pastoral Excellence Program, I recommend for your reading and growth both of these books:
 Come Unto Me : Rethinking the Sacraments for Children Come Unto Me looks at and discusses the actuality of congregational and familial practices of the sacraments. This book is a great resource to strengthen and aid the Christian education ministry of those responsible for the development of children and adults alike. It combines theory, theology, and practicality. Caldwell provides prototypes for intentional liturgical and educational change, and offers a” holistic sacramental educational model that works to integrate education and worship” into the lives of members of the congregation. Reflection and discussion ideas and suggestions are part of every chapter, so this book offers itself as potentially good for a small group study. It could be used as part of a parenting course in local churches to help and facilitate the family as the faith forming center of children’s lives. This book is a good introduction book for parents who want to learn about raising their children as spiritual beings. It combines theory, theology, and practicality.
Making a Home for Faith: Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Your Children.
This is also a must read book for helping to equip families with ways to teach faith as part of the home environment. The images and information are tremendous and aide parents/caregivers with ways to nurture their children’s faith formation. Dr Caldwell advocates that the church and family are partners in ministry and that faith formation is a life long process. The chapters steer the reader through ways each family can "make a home for faith" through nurturing the spiritual life of their children. The writing is clear and concise, and there are helpful resources listed in the book as well. Again this book could be a part of a parenting class or part of a book study group for parents. It is a definite must-read for every educator and parent who takes the faith and Christian practices for youth and children seriously.
May 2007
 Love One Another- the last days of Jesus as retold by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Elizabeth Uyehara is a children’s book that offers in fresh form the difficult task of describing the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. This is an inspiring and moving picture book that could be used throughout every Lent as well as Eastertide to help children remember the stories and events of Holy Week. Taken from the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Thompson uses simple and evocative language to express the emotional story of Jesus' betrayal i.e. when telling of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal for 30 pieces of silver, "Jesus was deeply grieved and troubled. He knew that something terrible would soon happen.’ This entire book has a personal and deeply felt retelling of the last days of Jesus life, death and crucifixion. Elizabeth Uyehara's oil paintings are done in a somewhat primitive manner which complements the writing style perfectly. The colors of the pictures towards the beginning of the story are cooler in blues, greens and grays. After the Resurrection the paintings are bright and vibrant. In an appearance, Jesus is surrounded in bright gold and red, “foreshadowing the colors of Pentecost.” This book will inspire all who read it to celebrate the joys of this Gospel story of love, forgiveness and hope. Church school classrooms, libraries and families will find this to be a wonderful and important addition to their children's book collection.
 Parables Jesus Told: The Tell-Me Stories by Ella K. Lindvall and illustrated by Kent Puckett is a ”read aloud to” book for ages two and up. Children enjoy and cherish times when they are read to and what better material to read from than the parables taught by Jesus Christ? Parables Jesus Told is a charming and helpful book filled with stories of the parables as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The illustrations use bright vivid colors and the typing is large. The words and stories are very simple and somewhat repetitive so it is great for young children. The brilliant yet simple illustrations are sure to peak and engage the children’s interest. This book will offer even young children these cherished Bible stories. Each of the five parables in this book, The Foolish Farmer, The Sheep That Was Lost, The People Helper Who Wouldn’t Help, Two Men Who Talked To God and Two Men and Their Houses are introduced as a story Jesus told and are just perfect for preschooler listeners and very early readers.
March 2007
Amazing Grace – A movie film produced by Ingenious Film Partners 2 LLP on behalf of Walden Media, LLC 
Be sure to see the new movie Amazing Grace, which tells the story of William Wilberforce, John Newton, and the overcoming of the slave trade in Britain. It is a very well done production about eradicating this immoral practice from the world. Wilberforce, born in 1759, was an abolitionist for much of his adult life and helped bring about the end of the slave trade in the British Empire and then slavery itself. He was a deeply faithful Christian and social conservative who rallied for animal rights and against trade unions as well. He devoted his entire life to social reform. In this film Wilberforce’s faith and commitment to his ‘calling” to live as a man of faith and to build a better world leads him to a time of testing, desperation, ill health, discouragement and a loss of hope. His friendship with John Newton continually inspires him to the cause and the love and devotion of his wife helps him to overcome his debilitating addition and grief. This movie is inspiring. How appropriate that Amazing Grace is being offered during Lent, the season that calls each of us to reflection and repentance. Lent is the season of the church year when we reflect upon our own wanderings, weaknesses, our contributions towards oppression, any areas in our lives where we fall short and fail. And yet we are reminded in Amazing Grace that God's way of transformation is often found in the patient enduring of the wilderness. This movie offers an inspirational illustration that each of our own times of wandering and wilderness is experienced within the light of God’s love and amazing grace.
Tales of the Tree People "To tree...or not to tree?" by Lori E Mazzola is a children’s paperback that shares a tale of two young children as they discover a God-given gift that enables them to help save the earth and its people. Their journey is filled with excitement and adventure. Their desire to please God and their family grants them the ability to actually do so. From a country home to a big rain forest, Mars and Venus are transported. They carry a secret and a special key, given to them by a weeping tree. Travel with them from the countryside, to an entirely different country, as they experience the beauty and awe and intricacy of God’s creations. These unique and extraordinary characters carry a very important message which unfolds as you read. You are transported into an fantasy world where the impossible becomes possible…where, with a little faith, dreams beyond your most vivid imagination come true… This book is a captivating and a message filled tale holding metaphors of truth. “Delightful mix of poetry and prose this little book of talking trees, all children - young and old – is a must read! Packed with wisdom, full of fun, it holds a gift for everyone,” was what one review said of this book.
Feb. 2007
 Common Grace – How to Be A Person and Other Spiritual Matters by Anthony B Robinson is a wonderful book full of wisdom. The book is written in three sections; On Faith, On Relationships, On Society with each section having several chapters. Common Grace would be a delightful Lenten spiritual discipline. This book could easily be used as a Lenten devotional, reading the introduction and then a chapter a day for forty days. Each essay is creatively done and offers insights through stories well rooted in solid theology sensitively tendered. Some stories will break one’s heart, and some stories remind one of things always known. Some stories are exceptionally helpful for our civic life. Robinson beautifully writes of the importance of the little graces and ordinary blessings that constitute a life well lived. He is clearly a theologian as well as a preacher, and until recently was a working in a congregation as a pastor. His stories reveal and reflect the very real importance of sacred rituals that happen when the faithful gather for church,as well as engaging stories as examples for insight and understanding of profound encounters of the holy. This book helps one discover the grace that is common to all human life. He writes in a letter to his 14 year-old daughter, Laura, "Christianity is a religion of grace. It is not a religion of virtue, nor a religion of rules.... A religion of grace says, 'God loves you--that's the given. Because God loves you, act as if you are beloved.' Grace comes first." This little gem contains wonderful ideas, wise insights and is extremely well written. It is easy to read and a true delight.
Walk In A Relaxed Manner Life Lessons From the Camino by Joyce Rupp is another gem of a book for use as a Lenten devotional or spiritual discipline. Lent is a journey and a pilgrimage for forty days. Walk In A Relaxed Manner is Joyce Rupp’s experience of her pilgrimage walk of Camino de Santiago. She teaches that so much of what we learn that comes from our life journeys depends on what is experienced and how ones responds. Each is part of the growth process offering insight and awareness to seeing life more clearly. Rupp writes that as she walked the many miles of the Camino, it cast insight onto how easily one is caught up in the cultural rush and hurry, the pull of daily schedules and the “forever not enough time”. The author writes, “The Camino helped me to look at the pressure of expectations and the strain of demands that I, and others, place upon myself. Little did I know that with every step I took on my walk toward Santiago, a huge change was unfolding in how I "did my life." It was not until we returned home that layer upon layer kept being peeled back. Underneath all the layers was one major truth for me: I had to let go of trying to control and have everything go the way I wanted it to go. I needed to look at how I did my life, not so much what I did with my life.” This book ‘s teachings and adventures stir up enthusiasm and hope for life. Rupp has an amazing ability to transform the mundane into that something more, that one might call sacred. She provides a way for the reader, even if they never have the opportunity to walk across the ancient pilgrimage path to Santiago Spain, to grow and expand spiritually on one’s own journeys in life. Her daily prayer that she and her companion wrote is a perfect example of this book’s blessings. The Pilgrimage prayer is: “Guardian of my soul, guide me on my way this day. Keep me safe from harm. Deepen my relationship with you, your Earth, and all your family. Strengthen your love within me that I may be a presence of your peace in our world. Amen “ I sincerely enjoyed Joyce's pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. I laughed and I cried. I think you will enjoy this good read and will find it a true gift.
Jan. 2007
Passing On The Faith – A Radical New Model for Youth and Family Ministry by Dr. Merton P Strommen and the Rev. Dr. Richard A Hardel addresses how, together, parents and the church can increase the likelihood that children will be committed to Jesus Christ and a life of service when they graduate from high school. Stormmen and Hardel both of the Youth and Family Institute propose a new paradigm of deliberate and collaborative partnership between congregation and family in which the primary responsibility for children’s faith development is assumed by parents. Passing On The Faith offers new models of children, youth and family ministry emphasizing the partnership between the home and the congregation. Offering this holistic approach for “discipling” is applicable in many different settings and faith traditions.
The Biblical model presented by the authors brings out the best of the Christian tradition and is solidly backed up by modern youth and family research. Passing on the Faith makes you think and gives you the tools to act as well through practical wisdom and concrete examples. This book should be read by Chrisitian educators, youth ministers, clergy and lay alike. The Rev. Dr. Richard Hardel will be one of the keynoters at this years NEAUCE (New England Assoc. of United Church Educators) which will be held at the Craigville Conference Center in May 8-10. Click here for the registration forms so you can be sure to register for this exciting opportunity to learn from Rev. Dr. Hardel.
Understanding Today's Youth Culture by Walt Mueller is a definitive tool for understanding and positively influencing today’s youth. This book is directed toward parents but is easily translated and usable for youth ministry and for anyone who works with youth. Offering insight into the rapidly changing youth culture Meuller paints a truthful picture of the confusing world of our youth culture and the effects it has on youth as they grow through adolescence into adulthood. Mr. Meuller states that he “provides information on the cultural forces that are molding and shaping the values, attitudes, and behaviors of kids. The information included will increase your ministry and teaching effectiveness by deepening your understanding of the issues facing kids every day, and your ability to address those issues with intelligence and relevance.” Sections cover topics such as understanding your teen, understanding the media and music that surround your teen, understanding the pressures your teen faces, understanding substance abuse and teenage depression, understanding and encouraging your teen spiritually. Using the companion study guide, the church could offer a twelve week parents of teens class. It will help prepare parents and offer them insights providing them with some practical "hands on" ways of constructively interacting with their children.
Dec. 2006
Three Wise Women of Christmas by Dandi Daley Mackall, Illustrator:
Diana Magnuson
The Christmas story can never be experienced or told too many times. Children and adults alike welcome the opportunity to hear anew of the birth of the Messiah. The One who brings forgiveness and the promise of eternal life to each of us. Unlike so many children’s Christmas books and stories today, Three Wise Women of Christmas offers biblical content drawn from Scripture. It is written for listeners ages kindergarten through grade four or five. However, even as an adult, I loved the story and found it refreshing as it presented the Christmas account through three faithful women of God, Elizabeth, Mary and Anna. This “premier” book explores each woman’s part in the Christmas story, weaving them into the whole story through a running narrative, each sharing her part of the Christmas story in first person. The illustrations add realism and are emphasized throughout the book which adds integrity and dignity to each character and their significance to the events as the story unfolds. The Three Wise Women of Christmas stands out from other books available because it tells the story of Jesus' birth from a unique perspective using dramatic, beautiful visuals.
Let's Say Grace: Family Mealtime Prayers Mealtime Prayers for Family Occasions Throughout the Year by Robert M. Hamma
This treasure of a book offers families a collection of mealtime prayers that helps to bring family’s daily experiences – visits from grandparents, a dance recital, birthdays, job promotions etc. to God as the family is gathered together for a meal. Written in language that every age, from young to old can understand and appreciate, this collection of mealtime prayers is intended to help families make prayer a meaningful and joyful part of life. These short and simple prayers of gratitude help mealtimes to become an opportunity to recall God’s presence and thank God for the blessings of the table and the day. There is a whole chapter with traditional graces and mealtime blessings for daily use. This valuable family resource also contains prayers for the days of the week. seasons of the church year, national holidays and religious days. Families could keep this book on their dinner table and each member of the family including children, could take turns reading a prayer before the meal. Fr. Edward Hays, author of Prayers for the Domestic Church endorses this book saying, “ This graceful little book, at once simple and insightful, helps us enter the rhythms of nature, the church year, national and family holidays, and holy days with tender and open hearts.” This is a “must have book” for every family and would make a marvelous gift for any household seeking to offer prayerful blessings at their mealtimes.
Nov. 2006
Prairie Christmas by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, illustrated by Ronald Himler
Through the delightful story and warm watercolor illustrations, this book offers the reader a window into life on the prairie in the 1800’s. Set on Christmas eve, eleven-year-old Emma, is disappointed when her mother, a doctor, is called to deliver a baby at the Van Der Meers. They must hurry as the baby is coming. Gently in the telling, an alternative to the stereo type of the male country doctor is offered teaching the reader that women began as doctors in the medical profession in the late 1800’s. This lovely story about the birth of a new baby on Christmas, engages the reader through text and illustrations. It contains several parallels to the biblical Christmas story. There is hope arriving in the darkness, and a bright star to show the way, preparation, waiting and anticipation, animals present for the birth, three visitors that bring gifts, Written for young readers, Prairie Christmas illustrates compassion focusing on the concept that easing someone’s else’s pain can help ease one’s own loss, disappointment and pain. Published by Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, this well written book would be a welcome addition to any child’s library.
The Story Book, illustrated by Victoria Bergesen; Light a Candle, illustrated by Anne Kosel; and Waiting Together, illustrated by Anne Thulson, are three booklets very reasonably priced booklet resources for family use or classroom use during Advent offered by Candle Press. Candle Press is a company committed to providing materials that encourage families to nurture the gift of awe and wonder in their children. The first booklet, The Story Book, offers a story from the Bible for each day in Advent- Creation right up to the birth of Jesus. This booklet works especially well when purchased with their 2006 Advent calendar. Light a Candle is helpful to families new to the concept of Advent. It is designed to help them discover ways to include time together while lighting a simple Advent wreath. It also includes additional ideas for adults, after they finish with the children. And Waiting Together helps families explore the Gospels from the four Sundays of Advent offering simple and concrete activities. Using materials found in most homes, it engages readers to reflect on how they can live out in their own lives the Gospel read for that week.
Oct. 2006
Grandpa’s Soup by Eiko Kadono; illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa
As we begin fall and all the abundance of harvest and Thanksgiving that it brings, it is important to help our students remember those less fortunate than themselves. Providing our children and youth through literature engaging stories is one way to nurture them in their faith. Grandpa’s Soup is a beautiful and poignant story about “Grandpa” following the death of his wife and the way he finds comfort from his loss. Grandpa wakes up and realizes he misses the soup his wife used to make for him. So he decides to try to make the soup himself. Though each batch he makes is bigger than the last, Granpda hardly gets a taste of it. Unexpected visitors, hungry for soup, keep arriving at his door. Soon, Grandpa discovers that sharing with his new friends is the best cure for his loneliness. The warm and soothing illustrations, match the gentle atmosphere of this kindly tale of wisdom. This book is easily used like a stone soup story in your church school or youth ministry program. Ask everyone to bring a favorite vegetable to add to the already heated broth. After reading the story together, make the soup and then deliver it to the local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Talk with your learners about loneliness and discuss with them the loneliness that many homeless encounter.
When the Wind Stops by Charlotte Zolotow: illustrated by Stefano Vitale
“Why does the day have to end? he asked her. So night can begin.” she said.”
This is a wonderful book that celebrates the cycles of life. It's an inspiring description of the continuity of life and wonders of the world around us. This story presents understanding into new beginnings, seasons changing, and nature. The boy asks questions of his mother and each answer offered leads to another question from her son. When the Wind Stops is a book that provides readers through illustrations of wind, wave, and seasons insights and understandings that nothing ends but rather “it begins in another place in a different way”. This book lends itself to pausing between the boy’s questions and his mother’s answers, allowing student and youth to supply their own answers first. After reading aloud the story, ask the learners to creatively illustrate through their own art the depth and vividness of the imaginings that this marvelous story evoked in them.
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