Children Books & Beyond
Welcome to Shaped By Books! Here you will find our latest as we build this site to help you use children's books to enhance your child's life.
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, educator, caregiver or friend of a child, we hope you will find the tools you need to make the most of every read.
Jul 02, 2024
Who Are You? - A Little Book About Your Big Identity
Releasing today!
Three things I really like about this book: the important topic of where our identity is found, the additional ideas, activities and Bible verses included at the end to assist caregivers in teaching kids even more beyond the book, and the illustrations depict a variety of children including ones with needs such as wheelchairs or glasses.
Christina Fox addresses the issue of where our identity lies in a simple manner and yet with a far-reaching goal. It begins with the questions – “Who are you? What really makes you…you?” This book teaches kids their identity is not found in what they can or cannot do, the things they have or like, what others say, or even how they feel. Who we are is grounded in our relationship with God. He created us to be His child and reflect His love. The author briefly includes the Gospel message along with God creating us in His image.
The repetitive question, “Is that what makes you, you?” will stick with the reader beyond the read and help them see not only their own special identity, but that everyone they meet has been uniquely created by God too. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this for my grandkids!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crossway Publishing for the advanced copy to review with my honest impressions.
Who Are You? A Little Book about Your Big Identity
By Christina Fox / Crossway
*This is an affiliate link to our partners @ Christianbook.com
Jun 25, 2024
Helping Littles Not Be Afraid
Hoo’s There? by Kristi Valiant is a fun, short read perfect to help small children deal with being scared at night. But it is also…so much more!
This little board book gives a great model of friendship! The cute characters, an owl and a pig, demonstrate it’s okay to share how you feel with others; we don’t have to face our fears alone. They find a way to work together and solve the problem of the mystery monster.
The fun rhyming words, synonyms, and lots of sound words (onomatopoeia) are great to build a child’s vocabulary. This makes it a wonderful book for little ones to grow with. I really like how the author has many of these words stand out with varying colors, fonts and placement on the pages. As you read aloud, you can use your finger to follow the words moving across the pages; in this way, it will help little ones develop text awareness which is a pre-reading skill.
The illustrations are bright, colorful and whimsical. Kids will enjoy pointing out fun objects and colors or using their fingers to follow the delightful characters of Hampton and Figgy through to the end of the book! Don’t miss one other fun element Kristi includes in her recent books: keep your eyes open for a mouse, a penguin and a hippo!
I was surprised the book didn’t have any mention of God since it is from a well-known Christian publisher, but it certainly sets a fun stage for parents to begin a spiritual discussion and include an added Bible verse such as Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (CSB).
All in all, this is a delightful read that offers plenty of learning too. Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson Publishing for the advanced copy to review with my honest impressions.
Hoo's There?: A Silly Book for the Bedtime Scaries
By Kristi Valiant / Thomas Nelson Childrens Books
Mar 20, 2024
Best Nonfiction Books for Kids including Preschoolers
Books bring us both stories and facts; that's why finding the best nonfiction books for kids is important. Capturing a child's interest in learning can be fun! Find out how to introduce even your preschooler to the world of nonfiction!
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Feb 26, 2024
Nine Favorite Christian Books for Kids to Shape Lives
Spiritual development is important, and Christian books for kids can help ignite both conversations & understanding about God. These can be tools to point to Jesus!
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Jun 20, 2023
Wordless Books for Preschool on Up!
Spark imagination, enhance oral language and discover the magic found in wordless books for preschool on up! These visual palettes of art will inspire kids as well as adults and bring joy to your time of reading!
May 19, 2023
Best Picture Books for Kids on Up!
From standing classics to recently published, let us help you find the best picture books for kids of all ages! Locate children's books that impact & shape for years to come.
Mar 02, 2023
Best Dr Seuss Books for Each Age & Stage
Reading the best Dr Seuss books offers valuable lessons for every age & developmental stage. Toddlers to beginning readers to older kids, these classics teach & reach kids of all ages!
Aug 16, 2022
Grief Books for Children to Comfort Hearts
Grief is a difficult topic to discuss. Grief books for children can assist by using stories to help kids as well as adults deal with the pain of loss. They help us begin the discussion and bring comfort & peace.
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Jul 18, 2022
Pete the Cat Book - Teaching Kids About Emotions & Attitudes
Kids can learn to take a new perspective to manage emotions of sadness, grumpiness or disappointment through reading a Pete the Cat book! Includes book activities & Bible lesson.
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Jul 15, 2022
Rainbow Fish Book for Kids - Lessons on Friendship & Sharing
Teach children about sharing & making friends with The Rainbow Fish book for kids. Includes reading activities, a Bible lesson and more for your child's development.
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May 25, 2022
A Cat and Dog Book on Friendship - My Big Dog
We normally think of cats and dogs as opposites, but if they can be friends when they are so different, so can we! This cat and dog book for kids helps them understand what it takes to be a friend and make a friend.
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Mar 22, 2022
A Christian Book for Kids at Easter
"Tale of Three Trees" is our favorite Christian book for kids especially for Easter! It walks through the life of Christ pointing to God's plans for us being bigger than we could ever dream and planting seeds of hope!
Mar 07, 2022
Giraffes Can't Dance - Book for Kids' Self-Esteem
One of my favorite books for kids is Giraffes Can't Dance! Gerald the Giraffe learns a wonderful lesson that builds his self-esteem, and kids will learn the same lesson!
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Feb 03, 2022
Picture Book Biography - Catching the Moon
Marcenia "Toni Stone" Lyle dreamed of being a professional baseball player when she was a young girl, and she achieved it! This picture book biography is sure to inspire kids to not give up and work for their dreams.
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Feb 01, 2022
Picture Book Biography - Snowflake Bentley with Activities
Discover how this inspirational picture book biography can enhance a child's development through focused activities & discussions. Perseverance, uniqueness, reading skills, science and more!
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Welcome! I'm Susan - Mom to four grown children & Suzie to our grandchildren. I love books and truly believe they can shape lives!
