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All books are in print and available unless designated with an *; all DVDs are available for purchase. Books not in print may be found in public, private, or church libraries, as well as for purchase from Amazon.com. This listing has been compiled by Marjorie Geissinger, Mary Grieser, and Naomi Kauffman, members of the Bux-Mont Librarians in Pennsylvania. Church librarians will find “News and Views," a quarterly publication of the Bux-Mont Librarians, to be helpful in providing information for the promotion and general workings of the church library as well as including book and DVD reviews of newly published resources. A yearly subscription is available for $10. To subscribe, go to bux-montchurchlibrarians@hotmail.com.
God Loves Me More Than That, Dandi Daley Mackall, Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2008.
Lively rhymes and engaging illustrations in this delightful picture book will help preschoolers learn that God loves them more than they can imagine. (Session 13)
ABC-Book of Feelings, Marlys Boddy, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1991.
This book uses a Christian perspective to explore the world of emotions alphabetically. (Sessions 2, 6, 8)
The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule, Michael and Jan Berenstain, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zonderkidz, 2008.
One of the new faith-based Berenstain Bears books communicating a range of inspirational topics. Soft covered picture book. (Session 4)
Bully Bill, Joy Birky, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2007.
A bully changes his ways because of meeting a boy who makes friends by helping others. Good choice for discussion following the reading. (Session 4)
Children's Heroes of the Bible, The Old Testament, animated stories on DVD, 23-minute episodes
Six episodes on Joseph, Moses, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Esther (Session 4)
Faith the Cow, Susan Bame Hoover, Elgin, Ill.: Brethren Press, 1995.
Working together by supplying cows to help alleviate hunger and poverty is cause for celebration. (Session 10)
Gaither's Pond series:
The Legend at Gaither's Pond, 35 minutes, DVD, Alexandria, Ind.: Live Bait Productions, 2003.
The Great Divide, 30 minutes, DVD, Alexandria, Ind.: Live Bait Productions, 2005.
Hermie & Friends series:
Children will spend time in the garden with their insect friends, learning important lessons about honesty, fear, rules, and how important they are to God. (Sessions 1-13)
Hailey & Bailey's Silly Fight, 60 minutes, DVD, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.
Will their sibling spat spoil their good deeds and infect the entire garden or will everybody learn about getting along?Buzby the Misbehaving Bee, 30 minutes, DVD, Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 2005.
Webster the Scaredy Spider, 30 minutes, DVD, Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 2004.
Flo the Lyin' Fly, 30 minutes, DVD, Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 2003.
Hermie: A Common Caterpillar, 30 minutes, DVD, Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 2007.
I'm Sorry, Sam McBratney, New York: Harper Collins, 2000.
Even best friends fight and when that happens, "I'm sorry" is the hardest thing to say. A sensitive picture book. (Session 12)
In Search of the Great White Tiger: Gnoo Zoo Series, DVD, 45 minutes, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Pub., 2002.
Sheila Walsh, Women of Faith speaker, takes children on a musical animated journey to the land of Gnoo. Friendly animals search for the Great White Tiger and children will discover faith-building lessons along the way. (Session 4)
Ivy's Icicle, Gary & Jan Bower, Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2002.
Ivy is very upset when her brother accidentally breaks the doll Grandmother gave her for Christmas but she eventually learns how to forgive him. (Session 4)
Life at the Pond series:
Alligator Hunter, 30 minutes, DVD, Isaac Entertainment.
All the critters at the pond are aghast when Methuselah the alligator is trapped by an Australian hunter, so they scheme to steal him back! But when Methuselah prays for his captors, everybody discovers the power of love. (Session 4)The Little Things, 30 minutes, DVD, Isaac Entertainment.
The Rise and Fall of Tony the Frog, 30 minutes, DVD, Isaac Entertainment.
Big Mouth Bass, 30 minutes, DVD, Isaac Entertainment.
There's Something Funny in the Water, 30 minutes, DVD, Isaac Entertainment.
My Very First Prayers, Lois Rock, Intercourse, Pa.: Good Books, 2003.
An illustrated collection of 120 prayers, divided into many categories. (Sessions 3, 8, 4)
One Winter's Day, M. Christina Butler, Intercourse, Pa.: Good Books, 2006.
Little Hedgehog, whose nest was blown away in a wintry snowstorm, sets out for his friend Badger's house. Before going, he wraps himself in his warm cap, mittens, and scarf that readers can actually feel and touch. Along the way he meets other animals shivering in the cold and Little Hedgehog shows his care and love for them in a way in which young readers can delight. His generosity is returned to him when the storm is over. (Session 4)
Pete & Pillar: The Big Rain, Jeffrey Stoddard, Anderson, Ind.: Warner Press, 2007.
Though haulers and diggers rarely team up, Pete, a diesel truck, and Pillar, a bulldozer, are best friends. When a major rainstorm triggers flooding, they tackle it together. But Pete gets buried while trying to support the dam. An unforgettable tale of friendship based on John 15:13.
(Session 4)
Rainbow Fish to the Rescue, Marcus Pfister, adapted by J. Alison James, New York: North-South Books, 1998.
Rainbow Fish must choose between his newfound friends and a lonely little fish when a dangerous, hungry shark threatens the reef. (Session 4)
Will You Forgive Me?, Sally Grindley, New York: Kingfisher, 2001.
Figgy Fox takes Jefferson Bear's tickling stick. When he confesses to Jefferson Bear what he has done, he is forgiven. (Session 4)
The Bible for Children, Murray Watts, Intercourse, Pa.: Good Books, 2002.
Containing more than 200 Bible stories, retold by playwright Murray Watts with elegant illustrations by Helen Cann. This book has the design and drama of a modern classic. (Sessions 1-13)
Brother Juniper, Diane Gibfried, New York: Clarion Books, 2006.
Beautifully illustrated by Meilo So, this book retells the story of Brother Juniper, who was a friar and friend of St. Francis of Assisi. Readers will delight in the kind and gracious ways of Brother Juniper and maybe become aware of the Junipers in their own lives. (Session 4)
Coals of Fire, Elizabeth H. Bauman, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1954.
The author shares true stories of men and women who practiced returning good for evil in this classic, still in print. (Session 7)
The Children's Illustrated Bible, Eve B. MacMaster, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2006.
This book is rich in stories that teach, fascinate, and encourage young people. It retells the Bible stories with clear, simple language and has colorful artwork that takes children from reading to discovery. (Sessions 1-13)
Cups Held Out, Judith Roth, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2006.
A good discussion-starter for adults and children on our responsibility to help those in need. (Session 7)
Finding Anna Bee, Cindy Snider, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2007.
Spirited Anna Bee and her five new friends at camp discover a mysterious bridge to the past. Their adventures teach them firsthand about Christian faith heroes, each other, and the way of peace. (Sessions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Four Feet, Two Sandals, Karen Lynn Williams, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007.
In the clothes brought to the refugee camp Lina finds a sandal that fits perfectly; then she meets the girl with the matching shoe and must make a decision. (Session 1)
Give a Goat, Jan West Schrock, Gardiner, Maine: Tilbury House, 2008.
A fifth-grade class is inspired by a rainy day book to reach out with helping hands. Humorous illustrations show the philanthropic process from inspiration to celebrating success. (Session 10)
Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes, vols. 1-3, Dave & Neta Jackson, Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1996.
(Session 1)
Jesse's Shoes: Appreciating Kids with Special Needs, Beverly Lewis, Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, 2007.
Jesse's sister is tired of taking care of him, and other kids ridicule him. In the end they do the right thing. (Session 4)
In the Arms of Angels, DVD, 14 minutes, Vision Video, 2004.
When eight-year-old Belle disobeys her father, she puts herself and her younger brother in grave danger from a rock slide that would have meant certain death for both, had God not intervened.
Belle draws closer to God and learns a lesson in obedience. (Session 9)
King George and the Ducky, VeggieTales, DVD, animated, 30 minutes, Big Idea, 2003.
The selfish King George won't share his Rubber Ducky with anyone in his kingdom. He declares he is the most important person in the world. His loyal subjects are hurt and confused. The king learns lessons in kindness and humility. (Session 4)
*Ladder of Angels: Scenes from the Bible illustrated by Children of the World, Madeleine L'Engle, New York: Penguin Books, 1979.
Ladder of Angels proves the relevance of the Bible for today's world by combining 65 images only a child could visualize with the evocative meditations of a spiritually mature writer for familiar as well as less familiar Bible stories. See "Nehemiah Comes to Jerusalem." (Sessions 11, 12)
Larry Lights the Way, Mary Murray, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zonderkidz, 2003.
Larry the Lamp Lighter shines as the only cheerful, polite, encouraging Veggie in the kingdom. The newly anointed eight-year-old Prince Junior wonders how to convince the grumpy Veggies to be more like Larry. This is a delightful book emphasizing the importance of encouragement and kindness. (Session 4)
The Lord's Prayer, Tim Ladwig, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2002.
A young girl and her father spend a day helping an elderly neighbor. The love and guidance the child experiences in her relationship with her dad reflect the heart and will of God in ways children understand. (Session 3)
One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference, Katie Smith Milway, Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2008.
One Hen is a persuasive story of how reaching out to help someone with a small loan can have a big impact. This story is based on a real person who really did change his community and now is helping others do the same thing through a microcredit lending program. (Session 4)
Planting the Trees of Kenya, Claire A. Nivola, New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2008.
With glowing watercolor illustrations and lyrical prose, the author tells the remarkable story of one woman's efforts to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it. (Session 10)
Playing War, Becky Beckwith, Gardiner, Maine: Tilbury House, 2005.
A group of boys enjoys playing war until Sameer moves into the neighborhood and tells of losing his family to a real war. (Sessions 1, 6)
Runaway Slave-The Story of Harriet Tubman, Ann McGovern, New York: Four Winds Press, 1965.
Harriet Tubman, born a slave, dreamed of freedom. After escaping, she helped many others escape. (Session 1)
Stories Told by Mother Teresa, compiled by Edward LeJoly and Jaya Chaliha, Shaftesbury, England: Element Books Ltd., January 2000.
(Session 4)
The Story of Ruby Bridges, Robert Coles, New York: Scholastic, 1995.
For months six-year-old Ruby Bridges must confront the hostility of segregationists when she becomes the first African American girl to integrate. (Sessions 1, 7)
Walking to School, Eve Bunting, New York: Clarion Books, 2008.
The author takes a complicated situation, such as the Catholic/Protestant conflict in Ireland, and writes a story for children to understand. An act of kindness cuts through the violence and a peace treaty was signed in 2007, which makes the situation more peaceful. (Session 7)
I Heard Good News Today, Cornelia Lehn, Newton, Kan.: Faith and Life Press, 1991.
A great collection of mission and service stories from around the world. (Sessions 1-13)
Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg and Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth, New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2009.
Based on the true story of Greg Mortenson's first building project in Pakistan. The chronicle of his entire incredible experience, Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time, has been a consistent New York Times bestseller and has sold more than 1.2 million copies. (Session 4)
Plant a Seed of Peace, Rebecca Seiling, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2007.
Forty-three delightfully illustrated stories of peacemakers from today and the past will capture the imagination of children of all ages. They tell of people whose lives point to something beyond themselves-a transforming faith in God. Readers will learn how to put their faith into action so they too can grow a better world. Several indexes make this a very easy-to-use resource for a variety of occasions. (Session 4)
The Loving Arms of God, Anne Elizabeth Stickney, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2001.
The author uses stories from the Bible (The Lord's Prayer) to teach children important truths about how God continues to work with and care for people today. Each chapter also includes a section called "Meeting God," which offers a verse to remember, some questions to discuss, and a suggestion for prayer. (Sessions 2, 3)
Why War Is Never a Good Idea, Alice Walker, New York: HarperCollins, 2007.
This book personifies the power and wanton devastation of war in an evocative poem. Artwork is compelling. (Session 1)
Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove, Jan Cheripko, Honesdale, Pa.: Boyds Mills Press, 2004.
An ambitious monk learns a lesson when he encounters Brother Bartholomew, the old monk who tends the apple grove. (Session 4)
Elisabeth and the Windmill, Esther Bender, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2003.
Elisabeth can't read. She's 16 and dreams of reading. Hannes promises to teach her to read. Two other boys are interested in being her friend. Will she have a future with any of them? (Sessions 1, 2, 3, 4)
The Jacket, Andrew Clements, New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2002.
Phil's absent-minded younger brother forgot his lunch money. Phil determines to deliver it to him before the first bell rings. He spies the back of Jimmy's one-of-a-kind jacket and pushes forward. But the kid wearing the jacket is someone else, someone he's never seen before. Phil makes an accusation, tempers flare, and both boys land in the principal's office. Will Daniel be able to forgive Phil's accusation based on racial prejudice? (Session 8)
Made for a Purpose, Dandi Daley Mackall, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zonderkidz, 2004.
C. J. loves building beautiful sand castles and spending time alone. Through new friends who persist in getting to know her, she learns about God's love and how God made her. Illustrations are colorful and very unusual. (Session 4)
The Oak Inside the Acorn, Max Lucado, Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 2006.
It was hard for Little Acorn to believe he would ever be a big, strong oak tree. But as time passed, he did grow into a big oak. Then one day he found that his strong branches were just right for a very special purpose. This heart-tugging tale urges readers to be the best they can be. (Session 11)
Nory Ryan's Song, Patricia Reilly Giff, New York: Delacorte Press, 2000.
It is 1845 and Nory Ryan's family has lived on Ireland's beautiful Maldin Bay for generations. Life is hard but it is a place full of magic and song. Nory's family plants potatoes while Dad sails away on a fishing boat to earn the rent money to pay Lord Cunningham. A terrible blight attacks the potato crop. Faced with starvation, Nory must summon the courage and ingenuity to find a way to help her family survive. Excellent story based on fact. (Session 4) Also read the sequel, Maggie's Door, about the emigration to America.
Virginia and the Tiny One, Esther Bender, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1998.
Papa awakens his children on a snowy night before Christmas to take them to Grandma's house. On Christmas Day, he bursts in the door with the news: "Mama's okay. There are three of them!" Life has just handed Virginia a test of faith and caring in this story set in the 1850s. (Session 1)
Walking with Jesus, Mary Clemens Meyer, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1992.
Chapter's 7 and 11 are stories of how listening to God's word changed how people responded to evil situations. Other stories in the book could be used also. (Session 11)
A Friend at Midnight, Caroline B. Cooney, New York: Delacorte Press, 2006.
Lily is trying to adjust to life after her parents' divorce. Her faith in God is tested, and she struggles to trust God as she tries to figure out what to do when her eight-year-old brother is deserted by her father in a large airport. One reviewer said, ". . . best teen novel I've ever read. Brimming with realistic characters, unexpected twists, and heartwarming redemptions, this is a superior read." (Session 6)
A Treasury of Miracles for Teens, Karen Kingsbury, Grand Haven, Mich.: Brilliance Audio, 2003.
Author Karen Kingsbury collects real-life stories from ordinary teens all across America that prove God cares for us and responds to our prayers. (Sessions 2, 3)
International Children's Bible Dictionary, Ronald Youngblood, Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 2006.
This is a fun and easy-to-use guide to the words, peoples, and places in the Bible.
Manners & Customs in the Bible: An Illustrated Guide to Daily Life in Bible Times, Victor H. Matthews, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006.
New color illustrations, maps, photos, and diagrams make it easy to picture the world of Bible times. The third printing of this popular resource will help readers gain invaluable background information on the Bible's culture, its people, and how they lived. Reading level is middler to youth.
Nelson's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Bible, John Drane, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2001.
Another helpful resource for further Bible study.
Welcome to Israel, Geraldine Mesenas & Frederick Fisher, Milwaukee, Wis.: Gareth Stevens Pub., 2001.
Presents an overview of the geography, history, government, economics, people, and culture of Israel.
Feature Films for Families
P.O. Box 572410
Murray, UT 84157
1-800-347-2833
In Canada:
Feature Films for Families (Canada), Inc.
P.O. Box 88
Barrie, ON L4M 4S9
1-800-326-4598
This company continually produces fine family-type films with biblical values on DVDs at reasonable prices. For more information, check the website at www.familytv.com.
