M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
Books
that Enhance Family Faith
By
Holly E. Newton
With general conference just a day away, I have some outstanding books to recommend for families. Later in this column, look for poetry books to celebrate Poetry Month.
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First,
there is a new board book that showcases our Savior’s life in a simple, yet
powerful way. My First Story of the First Easter, by
Deanna Draper Buck, shouldn’t dissuade you purchasing it because Easter is over.
This is one of those books that families should have on their bookshelves to
read and read again. It presents Christ’s life from birth to His resurrection
in a wonderful way that youngsters will grasp, understand and appreciate.
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Before
They Turn Twelve: Helping Children Gain a Testimony of the Lord’s Standards, by Deborah
Pace Rowley, is filled with engaging and meaningful activities that children
can relate to and begin to comprehend. Building a testimony is vitally important
in the lives of young children and this book not only helps build testimonies
but will also help to build family relationships, as families participate in
the enriching activities. This book is perfect for all ages, not just before
they turn twelve!
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Who’s
Your Hero? Book of Mormon Stories Applied to Children, Vol. 3, by David
Bowman, retells the inspiring stories of Captain Moroni, Nephi, Lehi and The
Brother of Jared in a captivating and illustrated way for children to relate
to and understand. Scriptural references are included, but it’s the way the
author showcases these heroes that helps navigate young children into understanding
the nature of these true heroes. Each hero teaches a fundamental principal
of righteousness, making this volume, along with the other two, valuable for
children ages 3 to 12.
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Here’s
a very small sized book. In fact, it’s so small that you could easily carry
it in your pocket which would be a good idea! The Little Book of Book
of Mormon Evidences, by John Hilton III, is packed with
inspiring evidences that this is the true testament of Christ living in the
Americas. You could easily read it in one sitting, but it’s so interesting and
valuable you may find yourself referring to it again and again! This book is
for teens through adults.
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And for the older reader looking for more inspiring books, Henry J. Eyring has
a new book out about his grandfather, the great and noble chemist. Mormon
Scientist: The Life and Faith of Henry Eyring reads like an inspiring
novel, but it’s a non-fictional account of a man whose influence in the medical
field of research was great. He was a prolific writer of many medical articles,
and he never felt that science and religion were separate or against each other,
but rather worked in synchronized motion as the Lord would want.
This devout believer, whose intelligence surpasses many, never wavered in disbelief. This was a humble man and a man who loved God with all of this heart.
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Lastly,
here’s a book for the reader who loves a good fiction book. The Wednesday
Letters, by Jason F. Wright, is a compelling story about a couple who
were married for 39 years and have recently died. Their children soon discover
boxes of letters that their father wrote to their mother every Wednesday. They
also begin to learn something new about their parents that they never knew before
and here lies the bulk of the story. This page-turner will most likely have
you sifting over your past and who knows what you’ll discover in those memories?
This is an excellent book full of imagery and fascinating characters and great
for young adult through adult.
__________________
April
is the month for celebrating the rhyming, patterning and placement of words.
It’s Poetry Month! Here are some of the best poetry books geared for all ages
of kids.
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Jack
Prelutsky has to be America’s best loved children’s poet. His ability to place
words in the most amazing and often humorous ways probably placed him as the
nation’s first Children’s Poet Laureate. For fans of his wonderfully simple,
yet profound, perfect poems, In Aunt Giraffe’s Green Garden,
will not disappoint. Petra Mathers brightly painted the full page illustrations
and provides a perfect match with the poems. Each poem takes you to a perfectly
imagined location in this country as the season of warmth comes into view.
In the poem, “Above the Wide Potomac,” “majestic eagles fly, they swoop and
soar all morning in the clear Virginia Sky.” Oh to write like Mr. Prelutsky!
Animal Friends: A Collection of Poems for Children, illustrated by Michael Hague, has a variety of standard poems about 20 animals which include “The Cow” by Robert Louis Stevenson, “Hopping Frog” by Christina Rossetti and “My Puppy” by Aileen Fisher. Hague’s watercolors are beautiful and perfectly match the mood of each delightful poem!
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You
just can’t be without the very familiar nursery rhymes during this month. Mother
Goose and Friends, selected and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, is the
quintessential standard for youngsters everywhere. All of your favorites, along
with some unfamiliar poems, are included in this book. If you don’t own a Mother
Goose book, this will soon become a favorite! Sanderson has captured the magic
of the rhyme in each oil painting. (There are miniature sprites, leprechauns
and fairies sprinkled throughout.) And if your little one doesn’t know even
one of these poems, shame on you!
Feel like shouting? Shout! Little Poems that Roar, by Brod Bagert, and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa, has all of the activities that younger children are engaged in when going to pre-school or kindergarten. Included are “Snack Time”, “Taking Turns” and “Finger Paints.” Every page spills over with effervescent color and will surely have your little ones tapping their toes throughout!
Where I Live, by Eileen Spinelli, and illustrated by Matt Phelan, is a look at life when young Diana has to move. This gentle story, told through sweet poems, displays the difficulties, trepidations and finally rewards of moving to a new neighborhood.
And here’s some tapping. Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems), by Linda Sue Park, and illustrated by Istvan Banyai, are a collection of traditional Korean style poetry. These are similar to haiku but the fifth and sixth lines have a surprise. Children seem to really enjoy this style because the ending is usually funny and this book doesn’t disappoint. In “Ocean Emotion,” the red flag waves its stern warning: “DANGER — NO SWIMMING TODAY. The ocean churns, foams, roars, dashes, hurls huge breakers at the sand! The next day it’s all tired out and takes a long nap in the sun.” This book makes one appreciate the usage of fewer words but big impact!
This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness, by Joyce Sidman, and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, is a series of classic poems inspired by William Carlos Williams’ famous poem about stealing some plums. One of the students gets the idea to make the poems into a book, and included are responses from apologies that the students offered. There are a variety of styles of poems and the topics are perfect for open discussions.
One of my very favorite poets rhymes new poems to familiar songs, making the song hilarious and great fun for all. Alan Katz and David Catrow have written other books in this same manner and if you aren’t familiar with them check out all of their books. Are You Quite Polite? Silly Dilly Manners Songs is another excellent addition to their grow-ing fun and funny poetry books. For instance, “The Dirty Song” is set to the music of “The Red River Valley.” This amusing song will undoubtedly teach about the dirt and mud kids track into the house and why it’s important to wipe your feet at the door. The illustrations are a perfect match as they are just as funny as the songs. Here’s one happy technique to teach some etiquette to your family!
I’ve included in this poetic semblance, the winner of this year’s Newbery award. It reads like poetry with choice words selected with opposing voices uttering opposing references. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village, by Laura Amy Schlitz, and illustrated by Robert Byrd, allows groups of kids to join in the reading and learn all about British life in the year 1255, from the perspective of the youth back then. The dialogues are not only engaging, but there’s much to learn about the difficulties of life in the thirteen century.
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