Book Review: What Would Jesus Do? ~ Helen Haidle

This little treasure is the classic 'In His Steps' retold and revised by Helen Haidle.

Follow the lives of two children Clair and Bill, as their perspectives of being a Christian are changed forever after meeting a poor boy and his blind companion who challenge their every decision and life encounter with the phrase 'What would Jesus do?'

What Would Jesus Do is a personal favorite of our family's. My siblings simply beg to read chapter after chapter. This is a fun, simplistic and interesting way children can be taught about God's word and cultivate character traits . At the end of each chapter there is a Bible verse that pertains to the lesson learned in the chapter and two or three engaging questions for the children. I highly recommend adding this to your library!


Indecency: None
Violence: None
Language: None
Age Interest: 5-12

Children's Book Review: Adventures in the Big Thicket ~ Ken Gire

Set in the bayous of Texas, and not complete without being read in a drawling Texan accent, these animal tales based off the book of Proverbs will have children enraptured. Each story is told in allegorical form pertaining to a verse out of Proverbs.

Children will get a kick at how ham crazed and anxious the bobcat Hamhock is to devour Mr. McGillicutty's prize hams, be they alive or dead...even if it means a few bullet holes in his breeches.  They will read of the greedy frog Buford T. Suggs and his 'almost' inheritance that caused him to make very unwise decisions. And adding to the fools of the bayou is High Pockets the jackrabbit who learns a thing or two the hard way about pride. And the mail carrying Jabberlips thinks twice about talking after seeing where all talk and no work gets him in the winter. After reading the fourteen short tales of the Texan bayou, kids will be begging to re-read it!

"Y'all don't need a plan," said High pockets. "All y'all need is guts. And from the looks of it, ya ain't got enough to corner a cockroach." "And I suppose you do?" challenged Fussbudget the badger. "Why back where I come from, badger, they call me ' King of the Gators.' "  "Back where I come from they call your kind 'full of marsh mush." Replied Fussbudget. 

Violence: Mostly presented as comical. Hamhock is shot at multiple times. Animals threatened to be eaten by a gator.
Language: Other than incorrect grammar and slang words, none. :)
Age Interest: 5-13 (But again, even I still enjoy listening in.)

Book Review: Audrey Amaka ~ Brent Vernon

 " Audrey Amaka didn’t have a long neck like other giraffes.  In fact, Audrey didn’t have a neck at all!  But what she did have was brain power—and lots of it!  Everyone knew that Audrey Amaka had a good head on her shoulders."

"When Audrey's dream of visiting the beautiful and mysterious Curiosity Crescent is finally realized, she finds herself learning important lessons in obedience and responsibility."

Our children love this new series with the funny, neckless, but very smart Audrey Amaka. Vivid and creative pictures, and with every story there is a valuable lesson from scripture to learn. 

Age Interest: 3-10 

The Seven Silly Eaters ~ Mary Ann Hoberman

"Peter wants only milk, Lucy won't settle for anything except pink lemonade, and Jack is stuck on applesauce. Each new addition to the Peters household brings a new demand for a special meal. What's a mother to do? Even though Mrs. Peters picks, peels, strains, scrapes, poaches, fries, and kneads, the requests for special food keep coming. It isn't until her birthday arrives that a present form her children solves the picky-eater problem and surprises everyone." 

Our children love to snuggle down with this entertaining, rhyming story of a large family. Full of laughs, (and sometimes relate-able circumstances) colorful and funny illustration, the Silly Eaters is a good book to add to your children's library.

Indecency: None
Violence: None
Language: None
Age Interest: 3-8 (On second thought, I enjoy it as much as them. 3-18) :D

The Wemmicks ~ Max Lucado

Follow the humorous, lovable, teaching tales of the village of wooden Wemmicks and their maker Eli as they learn through experience that green noses aren't to be envied, fame over friends has bad results, learning to treasure the gifts you have no matter what, and remembering that you are special just the way you were made.

Our family loves these books not just because they hold good story lines, but because they teach very important things about biblical character. Highly recommended and loved by our family. 

Indecency: None
Language: None
Violence: None
Age Interest: 3-10

Grace & Truth Books

"Each of these delightful volumes are full of Biblical truth, presented in the most winsome possible stories, sure to warm the heart and teach the mind of every family member. The reading level for this set is said to be 4th - 5th grade, but we find children of all ages enjoy them, and even adults often tell us they find them delightful to read." 

This collection is  a wonderful addition to your children's library. We've read all of these and our children love them. Each story is interesting from the start, captivating every age, very well written, and the stories are short(110 pages) so it doesn't take long to read them as a family. Each book examines very important character qualities and builds integrity within those areas. I love the strong family bonds present in many of these books as well. Written in the 19th century, the way this collection is written is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the present day books passed as good literature. Highly recommended from the Crawford's!

Grace & Truth Character Collection

The Princess and the Kiss ~ Jennie Bishop

Isn't it difficult to find good story books for children that's not just fluff and nonsense? I am here to tell you...they exist!

Girls of all ages will enjoy this sweet and encouraging story of the rewards of keeping your heart pure. In this story of purity a young princess has been given a special gift by God and her parents have helped her keep it safe for many years. The princess tries to find someone deserving on which to bestow her precious gift God has given her. A man who will one day help her rule the kingdom with wisdom; but sadly, none in the kingdom is worthy enough. Does God remember the princess and her kiss?

A wonderful story book for mothers and daughters to read together and discuss how God gives each of us something very special to guard for our future husbands.

Indecency: None

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 5-12