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.
Oct 17, 2024
Reading Aloud to Children - 6 Tips & Strategies
Make the most of reading aloud to children! Here are 6 simple tips from a school librarian that will enhance your time reading books with kids.
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Sep 12, 2024
Wonderful Advent Devotion for Kids & Families
Discovering Christmas offers so much in one little package! Twenty-five days of devotions countdown to Christmas. Each includes a short, interesting devotion to introduce each topic, Read About It - a Scripture reading, Talk About It - discussion questions, Go About It - fun activities and Pray About It - a short prayer.
The author has done a marvelous job weaving together the Christmas story, the Gospel message from Genesis to the resurrection, and practical ways to live out our faith altogether in one continuous story format giving a wonderful foundation of God’s Word.
An example of the commentary included from Day 17 – “The Shepherds’ Visit” is: “The angels could have gone to kings and queens or other important leaders to announce Jesus’ birth. But instead, they went to some ordinary people who were just doing their daily work. Why did the angels do this? Maybe to show that Jesus came for all people – both the fancy and not-so-fancy.”
On the days the story of the Wise Men is told, it also addresses how important it is to have God’s Word when making decisions and the joy that comes from giving. One of the activities on these days is to look at the stars at night and locate various constellations.
The illustrations are colorful and depict a variety of families of different ages and diversity. The children also vary even including one in a wheelchair and one with vitiligo (an autoimmune condition which causes the skin to be two tones). I love that she included these not only so that children with these unique characteristics will feel included, but also to condition others towards acceptance of differences.
This book would be great for family devotions with children of varying ages or as a personal devotion to be read aloud or on their own.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tommy Nelson Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
Discovering Christmas: A 25-Day Advent Devotional with Activities for Kids
By Amanda Jass / Thomas Nelson Childrens Books
Aug 27, 2024
Benefits of Reading Dr Seuss Books
Whether you are reading Dr Seuss to small children or grown ups, discover what the best Dr Seuss books are for each age and how to make the most of the read with activities.
Aug 22, 2024
Zach Williams - A Little More Like Jesus
If you listen to Christian music, you have probably heard Zach Williams’ hit – “Less Like Me.” Now here’s a children’s book to help us pass along the same message through simple text and purposeful illustrations perfect for younger children.
“A Little More Like Jesus” adapts the lyrics of the song to fit a nice rhythm and rhyme text encouraging the reader to be aware of others’ needs around them and the many ways we can let the light of Jesus shine through us. As a group of kids jump on a bus with Williams himself, they tour places they see practical daily acts of kindness, love, patience, peace, faith and goodness.
The colorful illustrations depict many of these simple acts and open up wonderful conversation starters. Let kids share what they see and discuss how they could do these same things in their own lives.
This book sets a great early learning stage promoting awareness and noticing needs of others and then doing what Jesus would do. There is also a sweet prayer which would be a great way to start each day – “Jesus, help me be like you in all the things I say and do. Please let me see the way You see and find Your light inside of me.”
Thank you to Netgalley and Zonderkidz for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Affiliate Link:
Little More Like Jesus
By Zach Williams / ZonderKidz
Hop aboard for a fun, faith-filled journey with Zach Williams' new picture book "A Little More Like Jesus"! Kids ages 4 to 8 will discover the fruits of the spirit through engaging rhymes and bright artwork. Let them learn how to show more love, patience, kindness, and more just like Jesus. A perfect read-aloud for spiritual development. 32 pages, from Zonderkidz.
Aug 13, 2024
Interactive Book for Preschoolers
Jack & Scarlett Books - *Affiliate Link
What sets this book apart from many others is its interactive text! Readers are asked to participate by finding and counting sticks, saying “Ready, Set, Go!”, tapping a blue floaty three times and other fun activities as they experience more than just a story.
Jack (a squirrel) and Scarlett (a rabbit) go camping. The text is conversational and the story is simple for little ones to easily understand. The characters discuss how they feel extra happy at times like their heart is dancing. Scarlett shares that when we follow God, He fills our heart with joy. It also includes Galatians 5:22-23 with the fruit of the Spirit and the characters model praying before they eat.
Overall, this is a delightful little book which toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy time and again. More than that though, it will share truth from God’s Word and His love for them. It makes for a great discussion starter on joy and being thankful to God while also teaching the song – “I’ve Got the Joy Down in My Heart.”
These adorable characters will easily become favorites and may also be found on the Listener Kids Youtube channel where they share Bible verses and Bible songs for kids!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson Publishing for the advanced copy to review with my honest impressions.
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
Christian Books for Kids to Shape Lives - Our Favorites
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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Welcome! I'm Susan - Mom to four grown children & Suzie to our grandchildren. I love books and truly believe they can shape lives!
