My ABC of God Loves Me
Fiona Boon Thomas Nelson, £8.80
The benefit of this book is that it could help young children to begin to understand some of the words and phrases that they hear in church or from other Christians. However, the simple rhymes have put a limit on what can be said and it therefore feels like some of the words and their explanations have been shoe-horned in, purely because they fit the rhyming pattern. This makes it less pleasurable to read and share with little ones. This book still offers good value for money and does offer some useful words and descriptions.
Worth your time - a solid resource
Lisa Macbeth has worked with all ages of children for over ten years in a variety of settings. She has a master’s degree in mission (children) and lives in West London
Teach me with pictures
Simone Griffiths, Ruth Harris and Linda Hodgdon Jessica Kingsley, £19.99
Teach me with pictures is aimed at those working with children on the autistic spectrum to enable greater communication and inclusivity in any activity. The book introduces easy to use visual aid cards which can be used as they are, or inspire you to make your own using the same principles. For me, greater emphasis could be given to understanding the incredibly individualistic nature of autism and that one size does not fit all. It was not appropriate for instance for the young man I work with, though with some of his peers it would be perfect.
All that said I would still want it in my toolbox and from a Christian point of view openness to a new approach such as this could make or break a youngster and their family’s likelihood of accessing Church or not.
Worth your time - a solid resource
Emma Price is creative director of Create and Inspire
The Candle Bedtime Bible
Karen Williamson Candle Books, £7.99
The book is presented brilliantly, with an excellent balance between clear, well-presented stories and plenty of illustrations. For parents looking for a bedtime story it even tells you how long each reading should take. The excellently written stories are also perfect for assemblies, and would be suitable for most primary school children. The stories are all written in an engaging yet biblically accurate way, making it the best children’s story Bible I have ever come across.
The Candle Bedtime Bible is a resource you are guaranteed to use again and again, and whether you are a parent or a children’s worker it will certainly not have time to gather dust on the bookshelf!
One of the best resources I’ve ever engaged with
Chris Nash is a primary school teaching assistant who also helps lead children’s work for his local Baptist church
My Very First Prayers
Gabrielle Mercer Thomas Nelson, £8.99
The book communicates that prayer can take place anywhere at any time, not just in a church or at bedtime. It talks about praying silently, out loud and with others and introduces the idea that children can say thank you and sorry to God as well as praying for others Most importantly, this book conveys the crucial truth that God loves to listen to us praying and is happy whenever and however we chat to him. My very first prayers would make a lovely gift to a preschooler and their family and could be read and enjoyed over and over again.
An excellent resource that really impacted my ministry
Lisa Macbeth has worked with all ages of children for over ten years in a variety of settings. She has a master’s degree in mission (children) and lives in West London
Events that worked for us
Judy Comstock Abingdon Press, £15.99
This resource is similar in style to a manual or textbook, providing children’s leaders with guidance in planning and implementing a wide variety of children’s ministry events, from holiday clubs and seasonal parties, to overnight residentials and rites of passage such as Baptism. Developed in partnership with the International Network of Children’s Ministry, each article is written by an expert and includes a CD which contains resources to customise and print.
The book has a very American feel, reflected by the events and holidays it covers, and some of the suggestions made wouldn’t suit the culture of every setting. The chapter entitled ‘Gender wars: the ultimate pre-teen sleepover!’ is my worst nightmare realised. However, there is some merit in the topics they address, particularly with events that celebrate diversity and inclusion, and others for team building and staff motivation. Ultimately, this book has some interesting concepts and could be drawn upon when ideas are thin on the ground. The CD of documents is a bonus, but it would be hard to gauge its use without using it to do an event; the proof of the pudding would be in the eating!
Worth your time - a solid resource
Vikki Shacklady is a children’s and youth work consultant, and founder of revolution conference
