by Bethan James and Yorgos Sgouros

Previously published in 2007 by Hodder, I am so glad this has been re-published and so is available for another generation of little ones.
I wrote in 2007 ‘The stick legs in the illustrations are eye catching and amusing, in fact all the illustrations are guaranteed to appeal to the very young. Look at Goliath! The text, fuller than in some board Bible stories, tells the stories with just enough detail for a little one to absorb. I also liked the choice of stories and enjoyed the way they were told.’
Stories that could be scary are dealt with sensitively leaving room for a fuller explanation when the child is older. Be warned and be ready with them! Your toddler is sure to grow into the Why? When? How? Stage very soon!

Review by Mary Bartholomew (31/01/12)

Board book
Price: £6.99
Publisher: Barnabas imprint of BRF
Published: January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-857-46080-6

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Grumpy Day

by Stephanie Carmichael and Jessica Green

We all have grumpy days, not just the children, and grumpiness can be catching! This story for young children is an ideal way to help a parent talk to children about this – there is a box of ‘Notes for parents’ opposite the title page.
First little Ben has a problem with his wooden blocks, then his older sister Emily with her soft toys and her train, while big brother Ben is miserable because it is raining and when he goes outside in his coat and boots to play, things get even worse.
I can remember days like that with my children – they happen in the best of families!
Ben’s Mum has the right idea, She comforts the smaller ones and suggests a way for them to play happily together, then goes outside to rescue Luke from a puddle and explain to him that God sends the rain for a purpose: that their neighbour no doubt wants the rain to nurture his fruit trees (the book being Australian says orange trees but they could just as well be apple trees) and sits on the step with Luke and says a prayer with him. That didn’t stop the rain but it did help Luke to understand.
Charming and with a distinct message.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (19/01/12)

Stapled Paperback
Publisher: Matthias Media, distributed by IVP
Published: 11 November 2011
ISBN: 978-1-921-89621-7

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David and the Kingmaker

by Fiona Veitch Smith

The second of the stories depicting David as a young boy growing up near Bethlehem.
David’s older brothers and sisters liked to show off their skills and thought David too young to join in any of their games, all he was good for was watching over the sheep. But this was something David did well, and loved doing. He protected them from wild animals and sang to them with his harp when all was peaceful.
When Samuel is sent by God to David’s family to anoint someone to be the next king, he looks at each of the brothers one by one – page by page - and none of them is fit to be king. Samuel asks Jesse, their father, if he has another son and Jesse says, ‘well, yes – but he is only a young boy out minding the sheep’
Everyone was surprised when Samuel said David was the one who would be king when he was older!
A novel way to tell the story, delightfully illustrated, and memorable for little ones.

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Review by Mary Bartholomew (11/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £5.99
Publisher: Crafty Publishing from CLC Wholesale
Published: November 2011
ISBN: 978-0-956-91411-8

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Noah’s Ark

by Illustrated by Peter Rutherford, Text and illustrations copyright, Tucker Slingsby Ltd.

This is a big board book, just about a foot square except the top is shaped to a glorious rainbow which helps little fingers turn the pages. This gives five large page spreads and the opportunity for bright illustrations with lots of activity and details to catch the eye. To make it yet more appealing, there are cut out ‘peep holes’ to the next pages and ‘lift the flap’ extra pictures you have to use your fingers to find – I missed them the first time I looked!
Just for fun I looked on our search facility to see how many books we had reviewed with Noah in the title during the last ten years, twenty six. This twenty seventh is among the very best – another one good for holding up in front of an assembly.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (03/11/11)

Board book
Price: £5.95
Publisher: Autumn House
Published: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-906-38184-4

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A Fishy Tale

- A Story About Jonah

by Anne Pilmoor, illustrated by Gustavo Mazali

With an attractive fishy shape, this book is a delight. I liked the way the story was told for little ones and I liked the illustrations with their big noses and expressive faces. So many Jonah re-tellings, but this one is special.
Though intended for pre-schoolers, my head mistress daughter thought it would be ideal for use in a junior school assembly as it is large, A4 Landscape.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (03/11/11)

Board book
Price: £3.95
Publisher: Autumn House
Published: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-906-38190-5

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Angels in the Bible

- God’s Friends Watching Over You

by Leyah Jensen, illustrated by Gustavo Mazali

If you look in Children: Bible Stories & Prayers– Age 4-11, you will see the same book but in a hardback edition for older children. This format is for children birth to 3 years, and is a lovely introduction to the angels mentioned so often in the Bible. Plenty of time for them to understand more fully as they grow older, but a fun book to have now, with its handle and clip fastening making it the child’s very own book.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (03/11/11)

Paperback
Publisher: Autumn House
Published: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-903-92174-6

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My Little Library CBT (Candle Bible for Toddlers) Text by Juliet David illustrations by Helen Prole
ISBN: 978-1-859-85906-3 Price: £3.99	Published: 23 September 2011
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Fish Don’t Need Snorkels by Karen Collum illustrated by Chiara Vercesi
ISBN: 978-1-906-38196-7 Price: £2.95	Published: 2010
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David and the Hairy Beast by Fiona Veitch Smith, illustrations by Amy Barnes
ISBN: 978-0-956-91410-1 Price: £5.99	Published: July 2011
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What Is the Church by Mandy Groce and Bill Bell illustrated by Tessa Janes
ISBN: 978-1-845-50703-9 Price: £2.99	Published: Spring 2011
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God Made Something Funny - Find the Animal by Penny Reeve illustrations by Roger De Klerk
ISBN: 978-1-845-50691-9	Published: Spring 2011
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Sammy, The Little Broken Shell by Carol Hamblet Adams illustrated by Linda Clearwater
ISBN: 978-0-736-92439-9 Price: £9.99	Published: January 2011
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Noah’s Ark - Build Your Own Text by Juliet David illustrations by Bill Bolton, designed by Tim Dowley Associates
ISBN: 978-1-859-85224-8 Price: £6.99	Published: 22 July 2011
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Jonah - Tiny Readers series by Juliet David illustrations by Hannah Wood
ISBN: 978-1-859-85880-6 Price: £2.99	Published: 01 March 2011
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Me Too Bedtime Bible Stories by Tim Dowley illustrated by Stephanie McFetridge Britt
ISBN: 978-1-859-85895-0 Price: £6.99	Published: April 2011
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The Lord’s Prayer for Little Ones by Allia Zobel Nolan illustrations by Janet Samuel
ISBN: 978-0-736-92662-1 Price: £9.99	Published: 01 January 2011
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Sometimes by Rebecca Elliott
ISBN: 978-0-745-96269-6 Price: £5.99	Published: May 2011
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Jesus’ Friends - My Book of Bible People by Christina Goodings illustrated by Claire Henley
ISBN: 978-0-745-96252-8 Price: £4.99	Published: June 2011
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Noah Jigsaw Book by Juliet david illustrated by Sara Pitt
ISBN: 978-1-859-85885-1 Price: £6.99	Published: Spring 2011
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My Pretty Pink Bible Bag Written and designed by Gabrielle Mercer illustrated by Laura Ede
ISBN: 978-1-860-24830-6 Price: £5.99	Published: 2010
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