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Library Corner

We are missing a Christmas book from the Children’s Library.  Please check to see if you have the book titled Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado.  The book was purchased by the Preschool and donated in memory of Jim Noble, but it was borrowed before the dedication sticker was placed in the book.  Jacob’s Gift is a beautifully illustrated and well-told story of using our gifts to serve others.  Jacob, an apprentice carpenter, is working late into the night on a project (a trough) to be entered in a contest the next day.  As Jacob finishes his work, he falls asleep only to be awakened to find that a new-born baby is in need of a cradle.  Jacob learns the lesson that when we give a gift to someone it is like giving a gift to God.  -Ellen

I just finished reading the first book in the trilogy The Wilderking by Jonathan Rogers.  The Bark of the Bog Owl, is a fictitious parallel to the Biblical story of David, and in every way is a thriller/adventure book that is not easily laid down.  Aidan Errolson, the youngest of the Errolsons, is tending sheep in the pasture when Bayard the Truthspeaker comes to visit the Errolson manor.  Bayard is in search of the Wilderking, a “long-prophesied wild man who will come out of Corenwald’s forests and swamps to lead the kingdom back to its former glory.”  Bayard, who appears to be more of a madman than a prophet, declares twelve-year-old Aidan to be the Wilderking.  To the older Errolson brothers, the thought of Aidan as anything more than a shepherd was absurd.  But by the time of Bayard’s visit, part of the Wilderking prophesy had already come true.  This is a must-read book.  –Ellen

There are two more new books to look for in the Children’s Library.  God’s Wisdom for Little Girls by Elizabeth George and God’s Wisdom for Little Boys by Jim and Elizabeth George are short poems filled with character-building fun and virtues from the book of Proverbs.  “’Worth more than rubies,’ so we’re told.  God’s little girl is better than gold!”  Each rhyme is followed by the Bible verse upon which it is based.  Both books are filled with warm, colorful pictures that make reading them even more special when shared with your favorite little ones.  Enjoy!  -Ellen

I Wonder…Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb? by Janette Oke is a delightfully written children’s book that leads the reader through a  series of questions of what the childlike pursuits of the Son of God could have been.  “Did he like to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee with his grandpa?”  “Maybe his dad carved him a donkey form the left over olive wood…or maybe Jesus built things himself with pieces of wood left over from his dad’s carpenter shop.”  The brightly colored pictures include modern items like a computer opposite a picture of Jesus reading from a scroll in the temple.  Every page compares our lives with what Jesus’ life could have been and every page ends with “I wonder…”  This is a wonderful book that allows parents or grandparents a growing conversation with their children and grandchildren about discovering the life of Jesus.  -Ellen

Curiosity, advice from my brother-in-law who works in a Christian bookstore and a sale persuaded me to buy two episodes of the series Bibleman.  Bibleman is a Batman-like avenger of Truth who has pledged to fight evil in the name of God.  Currently, we have Defeating the Shadows of Doubt and The Six Lies of the Fibbler on DVD.  These are two of the older episodes and star Willie Aames from Eight is Enough and Charles in Charge as Bibleman.  (Willie Aames also produces the series.)  Bibleman defeats the bad guys with the Sword of Truth and Scripture.  A little far fetched?  Of course, but my boys love it!  And so do many others.  Bibleman has his own website, www.bibleman.com.   He also has a live touring show which will be in Medina in November.  I am wondering if this is a series we would like to continue and would appreciate your feedback.  -Ellen

A recent donation to the Children’s Library has enabled us to purchase a series of CD-Rom’s titled “Interactive Bible for Kids.”  There are eight in this series for children 3 to 8.  Included in the eight are the Birth and Boyhood of Jesus, the Life and Ministry of Jesus; Moses; Noah and the Ark , David; Paul; and others.  Each program has an Animated Storybook, Bible-time Theatre, Bible Quiz Show, Fun and Games, Discover the Bible and Hall of Fame.  Very little computer know-how is required to run most of the programs.  With a little help from a computer-literate husband, we were able to run the Bible-time Theater.  My boys loved exploring these programs.  And in their play, they are learning Bible stories, names and events.  We were also able to purchase a CD-Rom program titled The Amazing Expedition Bible.  This interactive Bible for older children features a historical time-line.  Look for these new computer programs on top of the center bookcase in the Children’s Library.  -Ellen 

Several weeks ago the boys and I bought the latest Veggie Tale Video, A Snoodle’s Tale.  I haven’t been able to write about it however, because it hasn’t been until recently that we have been willing to share it with our church family.J We’re sorry.  But, we are pretty sure you are going to like this one!  You may want to watch it with your younger children, as you may need to explain why the gourd is concerned about being too jiggly when he dances.  (I don’t think I’ll try to explain that any more.)  We also have A Snoodle’s Tale on DVD.  We hope you enjoy watching this one.  -Ellen

This past spring, Cassie’s beloved cat of 14 years passed away.  In memory of Snickers, Cassie has donated Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant.  This is a wonderfully creative book about the journey a cat takes to get to heaven and the fun, love, and warmth that awaits him when he arrives.  My family loved reading this book.  As you turn through the pages, you can’t help but wonder “if this is what cat heaven is like, then people heaven must be a very special place, too.”  Whether or not you have pets, this book is a good introduction to heaven for young children.  -Ellen

This past Spring Valerie Sekerak and Annette Felton’s “Threes” class at Pioneer Preschool participated in a program called “Helping Hands.”  Each child was asked to use their “Helping Hands” to earn two quarters by doing household chores.  The students then brought the money back to school where it was collected and given to the Children’s Library for the purchase of four children’s books, one from each of the “Threes” classes.  Our new books are In A Minute, I Love You Just The Way You Are, and Be Gentle by Virginia Miller and I’m Sorry by Sam McBratney.  These are wonderful life-application stories for young children.  In Be Gentle Ba learns to be gentle with his new kitten.  In In a Minute George makes time to play with Ba, but only after all his work is done.   And, in I Love You Just The Way You Are, Ba learns that even though he is not having a good day, George will always love him.  I’m Sorry teaches two friends that the best way to show their love for each other is to say “I’m Sorry.”  Thank you to Valerie and Annette for initiating this program and thank you to all those “Helping Hands” who helped to purchase these books!

We have two books that are relatively new to our collection and worthy of spotlighting.  They are The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23.  Both books are illustrated by Timothy Ladwig, a Christian educator whose illustrations bring a contemporary meaning to children, especially those living in inner cities.   The pictures in The Lord’s Prayer tell a story of a father and daughter who have come to do yard work for an elderly woman.  Each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer is then reflected in the pictures of the father and daughter at work.  In Psalm 23, children roll down hill to “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” and they stare into puddles at “he leads me beside still waters.”  The picture for “…valley of the shadow of death” took a little explaining.  But when you see the last picture of the children sleeping in their bed with a picture of Jesus superimposed over their bedroom window, it brings a peaceful meaning to “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  The Lord’s Prayer will be available June 13.  -Ellen

Rushed?  In a hurry?  Trying to get things in place before you realize that summer has just slipped away?  I’d like to invite you to take the time to read to your child A Quiet Place by Douglas Wood.  The book begins “Sometimes a person needs a quiet place.  A place to rest your ears from…”  As you turn through the pages you find unique places for rest, solitude, creativity, and meditation.  Read this picture book for older children slowly and enjoy the mental imagery.  And, in the end you’ll “discover the very best quiet place of all is the one inside you.”  -Ellen

In the last Post article, I wrote that our Bibles are some of the least-used books in our library.  So, I thought it would be a good idea to spotlight some of the newer Bibles available in the Children’s Library.  A Child’s First Bible by Kenneth N. Taylor is a wonderful, first story Bible for children three and older.  This Bible has the feel of a “picture book” rather than a Bible.  The stories are simplified, and each page offers a question for further discussion.  God’s Word for Me! by Pat Alexander is the Bible I bought for the boys.  The colors in this Bible are not as vibrant as Kenneth Taylor’s version, but there is more continuity in the writing style.  I highly recommend this Bible for children four and older.  We have three different “kids’ study Bibles” all published by Zonderkidz; Holy Bible NIrV Kids’ Study Bible, The NIV Adventure Bible (which is the Bible given to children who have completed Ready, Set, Worship), and NIV Boys Bible.  All three are for ages 8-12.  The NIrV Bible is the New International Reader’s Bible.  It is an easier-to-read, easier-to-understand translation of the Bible based on the NIV.  All three of these Bibles have “break-out points” that help explain passages.  Of the three, The NIV Adventure Bible offers more informative generalizations throughout.  And last, there's the revolutionary Revolve: The Complete New Testament (for girls) of which I cannot say enough.  These are just a few of the Bibles we have to offer.  -Ellen

The reading material in our house has, over the last four years, focused on dinosaurs, construction equipment and things of that nature.  However, thanks to our February book sale, I have been able to enjoy a few “girl” books in my day-to-day life of “boy” things.  Roses for Mama, The Calling of Emily Evans, and A Gown of Spanish Lace are a sampling of  books by Janette Oke for girls 10 and up.  In Roses for Mama, seventeen-year-old Angela Peterson continues with the responsibility of raising her younger siblings after the death of their mother.  The Calling of Emily Evans focuses on a life of a young woman called to ministry.  In A Gown of Spanish Lace a young woman’s faith helps to change the heart of her captor.  These are wonderful books of Christian faith, and I encourage you to check them out for your daughters. 

It’s popcorn time!  Four new videos were purchased at the book sale in February.  If I Only Had A Green Nose, and Hermie; A Common Caterpillar are videos based on the Max Lucado books with the same title.  The other two videos are An Easter Carol (a Veggie Tale video) and 321 Penguins, both of which are produced by Big Idea.  An Easter Carol is a “spin-off” of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and is a sequel to The Star of Christmas.  In An Easter Carol, Ebenezer Nezzer is visited by a music box angel who explains to him the reasons why we celebrate Easter past, present and future.  An Easter Carol is also available on DVD.  (I’ve always wanted to say that.)  In 321 Penguins, we learn the importance of sharing.  All four videos were given the stamp of approval by the Shirley boys.  -Ellen

One of our new books in the library is from a series published by Zonderkidz.  This series of books uses the letters of two young ladies to convey a story.  Our book is titled Liberty Letters, The personal correspondence of Hannah Brown and Sarah Smith:  The Underground Railroad, 1858.   Hannah’s grandfather is one of Virginia ’s most active abolitionists.  Sarah’s father is a “conductor” of an Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania .  Both girls share in the experience of assisting a South Carolina family to freedom in Canada .  Each book in the series is written to show how the power of friendship, courage and faith shown through ordinary people helped shape the events of American history.  I highly recommend this series, Ellen.

Although Christmas has passed, there is a book which merits review while the season is still fresh in our minds and hearts.  Red-headed Robbie’s Christmas Story by Bill Luttrell is a charming story of a little boy who, when nervous, becomes flustered and says silly things.  Robbie’s name is picked to tell a Christmas story at the all-school assembly.  As he struggles with ideas for his story, he asks for help from his classmates.  Robbie’s friends tell him their ideas of the meaning of Christmas.  Upon hearing their suggestions, Robbie offers them a more meaningful reflection of Christmas.  Assembly day arrives and naturally Robbie becomes flustered.  It is Robbie’s friends, however, who come to his aid, and help him tell the meaning of Christmas through their now-changed and more meaningful stories.  Thank you, Devin Landis, for sharing this wonderful book with our church family.  It will be enjoyed for many Christmases to come.  -Ellen

Three Saturdays ago, I dragged the boys to the Christian book store in Bedford and to my delight they were having a book sale.  I purchased a book for $.75 thinking that was just the right amount for our non-existent budget.  The book, The Unforgettable Summer, is one in a series of “Darcy and Friends” books by Joni Eareckson-Tada.  I read it that night and thought it was the best $.75 purchase I had made in a long time.  The book takes place the summer before Darcy enters junior high.  Darcy is anxious about attending a new school.  Will she find her way around?  Will she know anyone in her classes?  Will her old friends drift apart?  It is during summer camp that Darcy, who is wheelchair-bound, realizes that everyone has handicaps to overcome, and it is with God’s help that we face these challenges.  I liked the book so much that I ordered three others in the series.  I hope you enjoy this new addition to our library.  Ellen