Bookshelf

When our kids were very young, we started the bedtime routine of gathering on the floor of, most often, our boys’ bedroom before tucking our babies, toddlers, and eventually elementary kids into bed. We read at least one story from an illustrated Bible and would pray for our family. My sweet memories include praying for extended family members, which were chosen each night by drawing a name from the prayer jar (each name was written on a popsicle stick and placed in a pint canning jar). Over the years we read and reread through numerous illustrated Bibles, enough that a couple of the well-loved ones fell into pieces.

With such fond memories, I’m delighted to share a new illustrated children’s Bible with you! I Wonder: Exploring God’s Grand Story is thoughtfully written by Glenys Nellist and beautifully illustrated by Alessandra Fusi.

(There’s also a fun BONUS at the end of this post!)

With 16 stories from the Old Testament and 14 from the New Testament, I appreciate that this story Bible weaves in a blend of both highly popular and some stories that might often be skipped over in a children’s Bible, such as the Rahab and Nehemiah in the Old Testament and The Woman at the Well and the Lady in the Crowd in the New Testament. The stories are also a great length, at typically six illustrated pages – or three 2-page spreads, for a mixed age group of littles … where most families with more than one child find themselves at some point in time.

What else is great about this new illustrated Bible? I Wonder fosters critical thinking, with “I wonder” prompts at the end of every Bible story. These are fantastic conversation starters to promote dialogue about God’s word and to provide clarity when we might be tempted to skip over the life application pieces. This week I had the privilege of interviewing author, Glenys Nellist and I’m delighted to share a small glimpse into what went into writing this lovely book:

What inspired you to write I Wonder?

Several years ago I came across a wonderful Sunday school curriculum called Godly Play. Using this Montessori-based approach, the teacher, or Storyteller, simply retells the stories of the Bible using either small manipulatives or pictures and then the children are invited to ‘wonder’ about what they have heard and seen. Their learning is not directed, and the Storyteller trusts that God is at work in their minds as they ponder these open-ended questions and make meaning out of mystery. Godly Play became the inspiration behind I Wonder. Each of the thirty stories is followed by three I Wonder questions that encourage children to ponder for themselves about God, and what their part might be in God’s grand story.

How did you choose which stories to include?

Firstly, I wanted to include stories, even if they didn’t usually appear in a children’s Storybook Bible, that had an element of mystery and would naturally cause the reader to wonder. For example, the story of Elijah, hiding in the cave, when God comes to him, not in the earthquake, the wind, or the fire, but the whisper is so mysterious to me. Or the story of Jacob who, after cheating Esau and is terrified of meeting him again, finds that he can actually see the face of God in his forgiving brother. Secondly, it was very important to me to include the women of the Bible, who are so often under-represented. You’ll find that I write the story of Moses from the point of view of Miriam, his sister, and in the New Testament, I included the story of the woman who had been ill for twelve years. We don’t even know her name, but yet Jesus called her ‘daughter.’ Surely, her story deserves to be told?

What did you think when you saw the illustrations? Do you have a favorite one?

Oh, goodness! I couldn’t possibly choose just one! The illustrations by the talented Alessandra Fusi are incredible. Through her use of color and vivid detail, she truly brought my words to life. It was important to me that whoever was chosen to illustrate this book would also be able to cause the reader to wonder about the grand stories of the Bible. I think she truly achieved that, and one glance at the gorgeous cover will confirm that.

What are your hopes for I Wonder?

I do hope and pray that whoever reads I Wonder will truly find God in its pages, perhaps in a new way, and will be encouraged to ponder what their part might be in God’s grand story.

Thank you, Glenys, for taking the time to participate in our little corner of the internet! I’m delighted to have you be a part of The Daily Joy Bookshelf, and for your positive contributions to the world of children’s literature.

BONUS: Zonderkidz, publisher of I Wonder, has provided some companion Coloring Pages and an Activity Pack!

Here are your I Wonder coloring pages:

Get your I Wonder activity pack here:

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, a small commission may be earned at no additional cost to you.

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Bookshelf

I’m intentionally sharing some fantastic books that showcase Black History on the last day of February.  Why?  Because these are books that should be read and celebrated all year long – not just one month out of the year.  

When you are showcasing numerous topics this coming year, including music, law, art, astronomy, writing, acting, producing, and so much more –intentionally include a variety of voices that will enrich and add depth to the experiences.

Young, Gifted and Black written by Jamia Wilson and illustrated by Andrea Pippins

In this book you will “Meet 52 black heroes from past and present.”  The title of the book was inspired by the song To Be Young, Gifted and Black written by Nina Simone – also one of the individuals featured in this book.  This non-fiction book is packed full of inspiring facts about black role-models from around the globe.

Reach Higher: An Inspiring Photo Celebration of First Lady Michelle Obama by Amanda Lucidon (former official white house photographer)

Few individuals have their lives photo-documented in the way that the first family experiences and this book of photos (which was adapted for young readers from the New York Times bestseller Chasing Light) provides an inside look into the world of the former first lady.  This book also dives into a little history of the role of the first lady, the role of the White House photographer, and more!

Grandad Mandela written by Zazi Ziwelene and Zindzi Mandela and illustrated by Sean Qualls

Written by the grandchildren of Nelson Mandela, this story is written in a question and answer format – as they ask their grandmother fifteen questions about their great-grandad.  Through their questions, his life story is retold in a related and inspiring way.

Feed Your Mind: A Story of August Wilson by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Cannaday Chapman

August Wilson is considered one of the most influential American playwrights and has won two Pulitzer Prizes. Written in two acts (in honor of his plays), this story showcases his incredible grit and determination, overcoming incredible obstacles of racism to pursue his strengths in writing. 

Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Bryan Collier

Growing up, Ernie Barnes loved to draw and create art, but there was no opportunity to make a living as a young black man in the segregated south.  Instead, he became a football star.  This story chronicles his journey to the NFL and how, after playing football, Ernie Barnes was finally able to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist.

WhoHQ Books – Your Headquarters for History books

Who is Oprah Winfrey? by Barbara Kramer and What Were the Negro Leagues? by Varian Johnson are just two of the many, many books in this engaging non-fiction series that introduce young readers to past and present historical figures and events.  Arranged in short chapters, with illustrations and sometimes actual photographs, these books are a great way to get young readers interested and engaged in history.

Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Keith Mallett

This beautiful picture book retells how the song Lift Every Voice and Sing, originally sung by a chorus of five hundred black children in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, impacted a family over the course of five generations.

Clap Your Hands: A Celebration of Gospel by Toyomi Igus and illustrated by Michele Wood

This poetic book highlights the rich musical history of black culture through music, including historical milestones that have occurred over hundreds of years.

Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davie Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

The final months of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life are retold through nearly forty poems and beautiful illustrations in this captivating tribute to a man who left an inspiring legacy.

Nighttime Symphony by Timbaland feat. Christopher Myers and illustrated by Christopher Myers and Kaa Illustration

Although this book does not highlight black history, it does celebrate black joy. The lyrical storm portrayed in this book represents much more than rain.  Written from a father to a son, this book is a beautiful and rhythmic lullaby to be read again and again.

Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer and illustrated by Frank Morrison

A simple trip to the planetarium for a young boy named Neil, drastically impacted his future as he went on to become an astrophysicist and a leader in the field of astronomy. 

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein and Jerry Pinkney

This book beautify retells the night before the 1963 March on Washington and the preparation that went into Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.  Full of historical information, with pages of notes and sources in the end pages, this story is told from a perspective that feels both new and historical all at once.

The 5 O’Clock Band by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier

Written as an autobiographical picture book companion to Trombone Shorty, this book is a tribute to Troy Andrew’s first band and his beloved New Orleans.  I love that their band was named for the time they met for practice, which was after school and homework were finished.

Ella Queen of Jazz by Helen Hancocks

This inspiring story tells of how Ella had to overcome prejudice in order to share her talent, and how her friendship with Marilyn Monroe helped them both to make advancements in their careers.

Thurgood by Jonah Winter and illustrated Bryan Collier

Another amazingly illustrated book by Bryan Collier, this biography is packed full of information on the life and accomplishments of the first black United States Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall.

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson

This book is a poetic tribute to black America, that ties the past to the present and leaves you wanting more.  I also wrote more about this book here.  The Undefeated is a book that belongs on every bookshelf.

All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Bookshelf

Some of my favorite holiday memories are reading a different Christmas book to my kids each night before bed! Although we had many children’s books out all year long, the Christmas books were stored in a special book basket and I only brought them out each year during the month of December … which made them even more special!

Even though my youngest is now fifteen, I am still a children’s book collector and love adding to my book collection. The holiday season is in full swing, but there’s still time to add new books into the rotation. I’ve never been a mom who did a fantastic job planning way ahead, so don’t beat yourself up, mama, if you’re just now thinking about reading your child a Christmas story. And at least in my neck of the woods, there are still some fantastic options available for curbside pick-up at our local library. Here are some great books to get you started!

The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman

Nancy Tillman writes books that are so sentimental that, to be honest, I often choke back tears reading them aloud. Her books are intended to leave a child feeling loved and valued. While celebrating the spirit of Christmas, this book ends with the affirmation that the best part of Christmas is … YOU. Did I mention her books make the perfect gifts?

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I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison

If you’re struggling to get into the Christmas Spirit, then this book might just do the trick! With really fun illustrations and a short, engaging storyline (perfect for those nights you really need a shorter bedtime read) this book is about an adorable young girl who shows how she’s interacting with the world around her during the most wonderful time of year. This book would also make a fantastic class read-aloud! I’m a big fan of onomatopoeias, which you will find on nearly every page.

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A World of Cookies for Santa by M. E. Furman and illustrated by Susan Gal

One of our traditions has been to put out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa. I even have a special plate and mug just for this purpose. This is my most recent Christmas book purchase, and I just love it so much! This book follows Santa’s trip around the globe, showing what treats children from each culture leave for him. As someone who loves to travel and learn about other cultures, I find this book so informative and fun!

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A Night of Great Joy by Mary Engelbreit

Raise your hand if you are a Mary Engelbreit fan! This adorable book captures the joy and amusement of the nativity story told through the lens of an elementary school Christmas pageant. The illustrations truly add so much depth to the story. This book would make a fantastic gift book, especially with the glitter and foil cover accents. It is also available in a board book version for little readers.

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Good News! It’s Christmas by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Lizzie Walkley

Part of the Good News! series, this board book is a perfect way to introduce little readers to the Christmas story. With a rhyming text, this book is a lively and fun read that will quickly become a favorite repeat read.

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The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats

This classic book by Ezra Jack Keats is an illustrated retelling of one of my favorite Christmas songs, The Little Drummer Boy! Even non-readers can participate with a “pa-rum-pum-pum-pum” echoing each line. Another great feature is the inclusion of the actual music to the song at the end of the story. With only the basic melody, the music is perfect for any beginning pianist. This book also could inspire a fun, impromptu drum session, because just about any pot, pan, mixing bowl, or container in your kitchen can be transformed into a simple drum.

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Corduroy’s Christmas based on the character by Don Freeman, written by B. G. Hennessy and illustrated by Lisa McCue

I love the classic Corduroy books and my kids loved lift-the-flap, so this was a perfect combination for some fun reading. With fun surprises on every page, this book follows Corduroy’s adventures as he trims the tree, bakes cookies, wraps presents, and so much more!

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Over in a Stable by Suzanne Nelson and illustrated by Aleksandar Zolotić

This lovely new picture book is a narrative counting book! With each turn of the page, the rhyming text keeps this story moving along and the illustrations are vibrant and engaging. I also love the extra touches on the cover, like the gold foil title and glittery accents.

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The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

The Legend of the Candy Cane has been a favorite of mine for years, and I have to admit, I love my version of the book written by Lori Walburg and illustrated by James Bernardin. I was so sad to learn the book is out of print and nearly impossible to find, but Zonderkidz released a newly illustrated version in 2012, with the same author. Although I loved the original illustrations by Bernardin, the story remains exactly the same. A new store is coming to town and there is much anticipation as to what it might be. To the excitement of all the children, a candy store is opening and the owner has brought with him a new candy. The owner uses the candy cane to retell the Christmas story … and along the way brings with him hope to this sleepy little town.

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The Christmas Star by Marcus Pfister

With the same holographic foil-stamping found in his famous The Rainbow Fish book, The Christmas Star is the journey of the wise men as they follow the star that leads to the Holy Child. Although some may take issue with the fact that the star leads them to a stable, I still love the storyline and artistry of this book. Plus, I always used those opportunities to develop critical thinking skills in my kids. They learned from a very early age that you have to be able to think about the text to make comparisons to the Biblical account.

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A Very Fiona Christmas by Richard Cowdrey

This adorable light-up Christmas story is about a real-life hippo you can meet at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden! In this story, Fiona is excited to celebrate her first Christmas at the zoo and is learning what Christmas is all about. When a new animal, who is scared and lonely, arrives just before Christmas, Fiona learns that the true meaning of Christmas includes helping and showing love to others.

If you’re not familiar with Fiona’s story, she was born premature and wasn’t expected to live. However, full of spunk and determination, she defied the odds and her story spread around the globe. A Very Fiona Christmas is just the latest in a series of adorable books, including the original Fiona the Hippo.

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‘Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Elena Selivanova

Written in the lyrical style of the beloved ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Dr. Clement C. Moore, this book is a lovely retelling of the night Jesus was born. Although the wise men did not come visit the night of Jesus’ birth in the Biblical account, the inclusion in this book flows with the story and, as I mentioned when discussing The Christmas Star, just provides another opportunity for discussion and critical thinking. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is a great addition to any Christmas bookshelf.

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The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado and illustrated by Liz Bonham

Joshua wants to run and jump like the other lambs, but he has a leg that does not work right. In this lovely story, we see how God has a plan to use Josh in a very special way in the Christmas story. With a theme of acceptance and hope, this has quickly become a beloved holiday story for many. Although a touching storyline, the text is quite lengthy and better-suited for elementary-age kids who can sit through a longer story.

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Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

On a cold winter’s night one-by-one, animals come to take refuge in a the old stable with the kind Ox. As each enter, he welcomes them with the phrase, “There’s always room for a little one here.” The last to arrive was a tired donkey and a young couple, ready to welcome a baby. This touching story of acceptance is beautifully illustrated. Cockcroft’s use of “light” provides a magical feel. With only a few lines per page, this lovely story is also available as a board book.

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Can You See What I See? The Night Before Christmas by Walter Wick

This “picture puzzles to search and solve” book might not be at the top of your Christmas book wish list, but it might end up being your child’s favorite. My kids LOVED search and find books … and this one was no exception. With twelve two-page spreads, that are all tied to lines from the classic poem, this is a book that your kids will enjoy year after year.

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All reviews are completely my own and I only recommend books I truly believe are worthy of sharing with others. (Believe me, I read many books I do not recommend, which means you won’t see me writing about them!)

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means if you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.