Book Recommendations for Ministry with Children:"Sustainable Children's Ministry: From Last-Minute Scrambling to Long-Term Solutions" by Mark DeVries and Annette Safstrom
"Children's Ministry in The Way of Jesus" by David Csinos and Ivy Beckwith "Holy Work with Children: Making Meaning Together" by Tanya Marie Eustace Campen "Children's Ministry that Fits: Beyond One Size Fits All Approaches to Nurturing Children's Spirituality" by David Csinos Tips For Reading Aloud:
Book Bans:"If the stated goal is to protect children, we should be asking ourselves what actually works. Keeping the reality of the world from those who could be more easily harmed by it isn’t the answer." Steven A Hassan PhD, Psychology Today
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/banned-books/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/books/banned-picture-books.html https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/toolki
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Recommended Reading:How to Pick Inclusive Books by Tammy Seidemann, Head of Holy Cross Lutheran School
Beaming Books - publishes high-quality children’s books that help kids thrive in every part of who they are–emotionally, socially, and spiritually; an imprint of Augsburg Fortress Press.
Picture Book Recommendations - from McKay Educational Resource Centre at Knox College.
Children & Youth Books - Recommended Reading from Holden Village in the Summer of 2020
FREE Picture & Board Books:Paraclete Post, sponsored generously by a grant from the Southern Ohio Synod, helps build at-home faith libraries through high quality picture/board books, art, and suggestions for spiritual play and family conversation.
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Did you know only 31% of children’s books feature a female character,
and only 13% feature a person of color?
and only 13% feature a person of color?
Books for Littles run by Ashia Ray offers books about Disability Rights,
Gender Equality, Wealth Inequity and Racial Justice.
Gender Equality, Wealth Inequity and Racial Justice.
Every Day Books To Talk About Biblical Themes:
Activism:
Three Lines in a Circle: The Exciting Life of the Peace Symbol by Michael G. Long and illustrator Carlos Vélez tells the history of the peace symbol and how it became a powerful icon used in marches and movements around the world. Get a free peace symbol coloring sheet here.
What Do You Do With an Idea? —
by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom What do you do with an idea...you change the world! 
Malala: Activist for Girl's Education by Raphaele Frier and illustrated by Aurelia Fronty. Malala at 17 is the youngest person to win the Noble Peace Prize. Her activist started at home, with her family's passion for education, and they would not let religious extremists reduce their freedoms.
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood up for Education and Changed the World written by Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick
My Two Blankets is an excellent book for preschool and elementary age youth, as it follows a young girl who must leave her home and who moves to a new country. Now she is a girl who not only has two countries but two blankets where she belongs and feels at home.
You Are Revolutionary
Author Cindy Wang Brandt and Illustrator Lynnor Bontigao. Every kid is a revolutionary! You don't need to wait until you grow up, all kids have what it takes to make a difference. 
The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler- by John Hendrix. Written in graphic novel form , this indepth book about the makings of WWII, Hitler and how Lutheran theology shaped Bonhoeffer's world view reads well for youth and adults.
Grandparents (including Dementia):
Grandmothers Galore! By Judith Henderson and Ellen Yeomans and Illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh -a house full of grandmothers tries to determine who is the “best” grandma, a hilarious hullabaloo ensues.
My New Granny
by Elisabeth Steinkellner - A Wonderful book about reconnecting with the "new person" that comes with dementia. 
Grandma: Jessica Shepherd.
Oscar loves Grandma, and their time together is always lots of fun. As she becomes less able to look after herself, she has to go into a care home. 
the remember balloons Written by Jessie Oliveros illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte. A 2019 Schneider Family Award Honor Book! What’s Happening to Grandpa meets Up in this tender, sensitive picture book that gently explains the memory loss associated with aging and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Someday We Will: A Book for Grandparents and Grandchildren
In Someday We Will, kids and grandparents separated by many miles dream of all the wonderful things they'll do together someday, from bicycling down a hill to whiling away the hours on a beach. Before they know it, someday is here! 
Drawn Together by Minh Lê, A mother drops her son off at his grandfather's house. This time together is hard for both the boy and his grandfather because they do not speak the same language. They do not watch the same TV programs.
A Doll for Grandma: A Story about Alzheimer's Disease - A Doll for Grandma poignantly and sensitively tells the story of a girl's empathy and kindness in the face of her grandmother's growing dementia.
Arts:
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay - by Susan Hood shares the story of children living in garbage dumps, learning how to make improvised instruments and AMAZING music now touring worldwide!
Luis Paints the World - For ages 5-10 about a brother's deployment into the army and the artful way his brother paints about the things he hopes his brother remembers while he is away. By Terry Farish, illustrated by Oliver Dominguez.
American Ballet Theatre presents Boys Dance by John Allman and illustrated by Luciano Lozano - Boys who love to move are center stage in this refreshing, rhyming love letter to ballet with the reminder that ballet is for everyone.
My Love for You Is Always
By Gillian Sze & Illustrated by Michelle Lee What is love? a child wonders as the mother prepares a traditional Chinese meal for her family, Bodies:
I Love Me! -by LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss and illustrated by Beth Hughes. This energetic picture book teaches all kids to celebrate their bodies.
Rissy No Kissies
Katey Howes (Author) Jess Engle (Illustrator) -A lovebird who doesn't like kisses?! Rissy's friends and family wonder if she's sick, confused, or rude. But kisses make Rissy uncomfortable. 
Beautiful - Short, poignant book whose words and pictures together tell a liberating story for young girls (and boys) written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.
Don't Hug Doug
(HE DOESN'T LIKE IT) - Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn’t like hugs, in this fun and exuberant story which aims to spark discussions about bodily autonomy and consent–from author Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman. Cancer:
The Lemonade Club - by Patricia Polacco captures the journey of a cancer diagnosis without shying away from its realities.
Cancer Hates Kisses - by Jessica Reid Sliwerski and Mika Song. A simple and appropriate way to talk with kids about cancer.
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Belong in Church Library:
We are All Under One Wide Sky written by Deborah Wiles and illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier - Whether tending sheep in Afghanistan, watering tulips in the Netherlands, or flying kites in the United States, children enjoy one another and the spacious world around them. A peace anthem with a timely and important message
Wonder Walkers written and illustrated by Micha Archer - Language that is spare and economic yet profound and beautifully poetic. Only wonderstruck children, confronting nature’s gorgeous mysteries, could express themselves so intimately, creatively, and originally.
Emotions:
Love Was Inside by Andrew Joyner - This book, inspired by kids who found ways to stay connected to the people they love during the pandemic, is about what an imaginative, curious and loving little girl did when her world was turned inside out.
Norman Didn't Do It! (Yes, He Did)
by Ryan Higgins Norman's best friend is a tree. But then a sapling starts to grow nearby and Norman gets jealous. What will he do next? An adorable story about friendship and widening circles. 
Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) written and illustrated by Keith Negley has brief but powerful words paired with trimmed down modern illustrations.
All About Anxiety tackles tough questions kids have about what's going on in their brains when they feel anxious and equips readers with new strategies to manage anxiety so they can thrive in their daily lives.
The Branch - Author Mireille Messier explores a young child's experience with loss and renewal. Good for lessons on perseverance, teamwork and initiative, also an example of caring for the environment by reusing salvaged materials. Illustrated by Pierre Pratt.
Knit Together by Angela Dominguez, A young girl loves to draw and her mother loves to knit. There are so many things the girl would make if only she could learn to knit, but she struggles with it.
Sloth Wasn't Sleepy - by Kate Messner illustrated by Valentina Toro. A creative way of inviting children into self soothing and beginning meditation practices.
Silence -
Jerome W. Berryman, Illustrated by Lois Kilberg, ages 3-8. Silence is a means to contemplate words and images, to develop a comfort level that creates a foundation for wonder. 
Watercress by Andrea Wang illustrated by Jason Chin Driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl’s parents stop suddenly when they spot something growing in a ditch by the side of the road…watercress! With an old paper bag and some rusty scissors, the whole family wades into the muck to collect as much of the muddy, snail-covered plant as they can.
Perfect written and illustrated by Max Amato - A fussy eraser and a mischievous pencil spar in this picture book adventure.
In this funny and light-hearted picture book, a fussy eraser tries to keep the pages clean by erasing the scribbles of a mischievous pencil. But before long, the eraser discovers what can happen when two opposing forces come together to have fun. Faith:
Noah's Bark - Noah's trying to build an ark, but with the snakes quacking, the beavers crowing, and the pigs howling, he can't even hear himself think, much less make a giant boat. Discover how each animal came to make the noise it does today in this whimsical retelling of the beloved Noah's ark story. Written by Stephen Krensky.
What Is God Like?
By Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner Illustrated by Ying Hui Tan - It encourages young hearts to “think about what makes you feel safe, what makes you feel loved, and what makes you feel brave. That’s what God is like.” 
Who Will I Be, Lord? by Vaunda Michaeux Nelson and illustrated by Sean Qualls. This book provides realistic examples of people's jobs and lives as this young girl looks at their examples and explores who they are and who she wants to be in light of God's calling.
Picturing God
Gorgeous handcrafted mosaics and poetic language bring to life the many metaphors for God found in the Bible. 
Regina Persisted: An Untold Story - From a young age, Regina Jonas loved to read stories from the Bible. She loved to read Hebrew. She wanted to be a rabbi.
Mama God by Daneen Akers and Gillian Gamble - A picture book that serves as one long prayer of thanksgiving Mama God.
Our Father in Heaven: A Lord's Prayer Pop-Up Book - by Agostino Traini from Sparkhouse.
God/grandparenting:
Water of Baptism, Water for Life: An Activity Book by Anne E. Kitch and Illustrated by Shelley Dieterichs makes for a wonderful family devotional or upper elementary kid's devotional. Includes inclusive language for God as well as diverse pictures and wonderful connections between baptismal water and daily water use.
Homelessness:The Coat
Written by Séverine Vidal Illustrated by Louis Thomas. The Coat offers a glimpse at the hardships confronting those who are experiencing homelessness, inspiring us to treat them with compassion and respect. A downloadable discussion guide is available at flyawaybooks.com/resources. 
A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning and illustrated by Elaine Pedlar.
Zettie and her Mama left their warm and comfortable home in Jamaica for an uncertain life in the United States. Mama's unwavering love, support, and gutsy determination give Zettie the confidence that, together, she and her mother can meet all challenges. FREE Teacher Guide here. |
Military:
Deployment: Strategies for Working with Kids in Military Families - by Dr. Karen Petty
Shooting At The Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914 written and illustrated by John Hendrix. A story of a young British soldier on the front lines of WWI writing his mother about a shared Christmas Eve with the Germans.
Welcome:
The Visitor - Author and Illustrator Antje Damm. An older woman named Elise lives alone as a recluse, scared of everything outside her home. The play of a little boy named Emil brings him to her doorstep. A bond of friendship forms and Elise’s worldview brightens. Great for discussions about the importance of intergenerational relationships. Read how to make more connections here.
All of Us - by Kathryn Erskine and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. With stunning, lush art to accompany the lyrical text, this book celebrates how honoring everyone's talent creates a world that's richer for all of us.
A Piece of Home by Jeri Watts and illustrated by Hyewon Yum. A well thought out book on welcome and belonging for people of all backgrounds; this particular character is Korean.
Hello World! - by Kelly Corrigan and illustrated by Stacy Ebert. This clever book invites us to recognize there will always be different kinds of people so lets get to know each other!
Big Bob, Little Bob - Despite the fact that they share a name, Big Bob and Little Bob are different. No matter what they do, they do not do it the same. Could they possibly be friends despite these differences?
Four Feet, Two Sandals- by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug. When relief workers bring used clothing to the refugee camp, everyone scrambles to grab whatever they can. Ten-year-old Lina is thrilled when she finds a sandal that fits her foot perfectly, until she sees that another girl has the matching shoe...
Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush's Incredible Journey by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes, illustrated by Sue Cornelison. This is a true story of one lost cat’s journey to be reunited with his Iraqi refugee family.
Sugar in Milk - by Thrity Umrigar and Illustrated by Khoa Le. A timely and timeless picture book about immigration that demonstrates the power of diversity, acceptance, and tolerance
The Girl and the Bicycle
By Mark Pett A little girl sees a shiny new bicycle in the shop window. She hurries home to see if she has enough money in her piggy bank, but when she comes up short, she knocks on the doors of her neighbors, hoping to do their yardwork. They all turn her away except for a kindly old woman. 
Wishes written by Mượn Thị Văn and illustrated by Victo Ngai - a sparingly evocative picture book about family, love, loss, and welcome
Varied Abilities:
I'll Walk With You by Carol Lynn Pearson and Jane Sanders Help little ones learn to show love for the people around them, no matter how they look, sound, pray, love, or think.
Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw and Matt Carr A great introduction to young children about varied abilities. Like the cover says, "Go ahead ask me!"
Benji, The Bad Day, And Me - by Sally J.Pla and illustrated by Ken Min. In this tender story about siblings, author Sally J. Pla shares her experience of raising sons with different personality traits and needs. Benji, the Bad Day, and Me embraces the philosophy that we are all part of a wide spectrum of neurodiversity. FREE Teacher Guide pdf available here.
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