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CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
the passage answers. The passages are
presented from the Good News Bible, King
James Version, or the New Revised Standard
Version, with no pattern as to which text is used.
An index completes the work, with references to
biblical themes.
The illustrations and artwork are highly
significant factors in this book. The style is
stylized and eclectic. Highly intricate borders
line the outside of every page: throughout the
Old Testament section the pattern is a detailed,
leafy, patterned border; the Gospel section has
page borders that are in a vine and grape motif;
from Acts onward the pattern suggest flames.
The pictures of people are somewhat simplified
and pre-Renaissance in appearance. Other
pictures appear quilt-like. The same rich,
vibrant colors are used consistently from
beginning to end, with lots of gold.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Hidden treasures : amazing stories from
the Old Testament, by Mary Manz Simon;
illustrated by Jeff Preston. LCCN
00037910. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 0805423281, HBB,
$9.99.
221.9’505. Bible stories--O.T. 40 p. Elementary.
Hidden treasures : amazing stories from
the New Testament, by Mary Manz
Simon; illustrated by Jeff Preston. LCCN
00037911. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 80542329X, HBB,
$9.99.
225.9’505. Bible stories--N.T. 40 p. Elementary.
Mary Manz Simon has adapted little known
stories from the Old and New Testaments,
creating Hidden Treasures: Amazing Stories
from the Old Testament and Hidden Treasures:
Amazing Stories from the New Testament. For
an example, the story of Rahab and how she
helps Joshua’s men escape from the soldiers of
Jericho. Most children are taught the story of
Moses as a baby and how he was adopted by the
Pharoah’s daughter, but how many have heard
how Moses defended young women at a well?
During Pharoah’s reign of terror against Hebrew
baby boys were two midwives who defied the
command to kill. These women were
responsible for safely guiding the birth of
newborn boys, despite the threats of the
Egyptian soldiers. These nurses were blessed of
God and soon had babies of their own. Elijah,
exhausted from running from Queen Jezebel,
awoke to the smell of fresh bread. Maybe not so
unusual; however, Elijah had been in the
wilderness and there was no oven close by. God
had provided for Elijah because of his
faithfulness and obedience.
These stories are excellent for children to read
by themselves, or for reading aloud as a family,
and questions are included at the conclusion of
each story. What’s important is that Ms. Simon
doesn’t simply tell stories of little-known
people, but through the questions she
encourages children to find the part of the story
that relates to their lives. Her desire is to create
“a heart connection” through the retelling of
these stories about ordinary people that God
used in extraordinary ways. Jeff Preston, the
illustrator, has managed to capture the drama
and emotion of these stories in vibrant colors.
The illustrations add depth to the characters, and
enjoyment of the stories. The series would
make a wonderful addition to family libraries
and would appeal to even small children. The
questions allow children to consider what they
learned and serves to reinforce bible truths.
Parents would find these series to be a great way
to spend quality time with their children.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Exodus, by Brian Wildsmith. LCCN
98018066. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans
Books for Young Readers, Wm. B.
Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN 0802851754, HBB,
$20.00.
222’.120505. Moses (Biblical leader); Exodus, The;
Bible stories--O.T. unp. Elementary.
The words “wonderful” and “awesome” have
never been more aptly applied than when
describing the story of God’s work in the
salvation of His people from Egypt. Beginning
with the birth of Moses and ending with the rise
of Joshua to the leadership of God’s people,
Wildsmith’s book offers an artistically rich,
colorful, and respectful depiction of the events.
The detail of the watercolor-tinted line drawings
is as intriguing as the accuracy with which the
time and locale are drawn. In addition, the
perspective is always maintained in a way that
emphasizes the greatness of the mighty acts of
God rather than the actions of men. Particularly
telling is Wildsmith’s depiction of the Ark of the
Covenant and the Ten Commandments on both
the front and back endpapers of his book. So
often the Exodus story is reduced to a paean to
the human desire for freedom, but Wildsmith’s
book does not fall into that trap nor ignore the
compelling, covenantal reason for the
deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt or the
Law of Freedom they were soon to embrace. In
summary, Brian Wildsmith’s Exodus brings the
biblical account down to the verbal and visual
level of a child without sacrificing the integrity
or majesty of the event.
Pamela A. Todd, Librarian/English Teacher, Chalcedon Christian
School, Cumming, Georgia
A faith to grow on : important things you
should know now that you believe, by
John MacArthur. LCCN 00032913.
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, 2000. ISBN 0849975123, HBB,
$15.99.
230. Christian children--Religious life--Miscellanea;
Christian life. 192 p. Elementary.
This visually appealing book offers both “food
and exercise” for spiritual growth. Author John
MacArthur creates a devotional to help kids
understand their faith and grow as Christians.
The book is broken down into twelve chapters,
each focusing on a separate Christian doctrine
(God, sin, worship, prayer, forgiveness).
Chapters include from four to twelve questions
such as: What does God want from us? Must we
obey God all the time? and Why doesn’t God
answer my prayers right away? A single spread
is devoted to each question. MacArthur offers
concise answers and activities to reinforce the
concept and encourage children to grow closer
to God.
Each chapter is color-coded, creating bright
spreads that follow the same layout. Answers to
common questions children—and new
believers—have about God, faith, and the
church, dominate the left side of the spread.
These explanations are written in kid-friendly
language. A word scramble and a prayer starter
below the narrative completes the left side of the
spread. An activity and a sidebar helping
children relate the concept to everyday life
dominates the right side of the spread. Relevant
Bible passages (God’s Word) cover the right
margin of each spread. A honeycomb
background is sprinkled with tiny photos of
children, along with two to three larger photos
on each spread.
Not only is the layout visually appealing, it
attracts young readers to this fine devotional
because it makes it easier to use. Color-coding
makes locating a specific category easier than
using the table of contents. Children may also
flip through and stop at spreads with headings
matching their own questions: What if I tell
someone about Jesus and nothing happens?
(from the chapter on Evangelism); What is
heaven like? (from the chapter on Heaven);
Does God see everything we do? (from the
chapter on Worship); and Who wrote the Bible?
(from the chapter on the Bible). The
information and activities on each spread work
together to help the reader not only better
understand his faith, but apply what he’s
learning so he will truly build up his spiritual
muscle. For instance, in “How should we
pray?” the spread provides a step-by-step for
praying: Praise God, ask for his will, offer trust
in him, and ask for what we need, for
forgiveness, and for his help. The activity
suggests finding a private place to “talk” quietly
with God while the sidebar discusses easing fear
by praying silently. “God Word” includes five
scripture passages.
A Faith to Grow on: Important Things You
Should Know Now That You Believe is a book
parents will enjoy sharing with their children.
Its visual appeal and non-doctrinal approach
makes it suitable to general libraries as well.
The kid-friendly narrative makes it a nonthreatening
addition for all libraries as well.
MacArthur suggests, in the introduction, to read
a section every day to “grow strong in the
Lord!”
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
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