Product Description
How do children experience and understand God? How can adults help children grow their life of faith? Throughout more than a decade of field research, children's spirituality experts Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May listened to children talk about their relationships with God, observed children and their parents in learning and worship settings, and interviewed adults about their childhood faith experiences. This accessibly written book weaves together their findings to offer a glimpse of the spiritual responsiveness and potential of children. Through case studies, it provides insight into children's perceptions of God and how they process their faith. In addition, the book suggests how parents, teachers, and ministry leaders can more effectively relate to and work with children and pre-adolescents to nurture their faith, offering a helpful picture of adults and children on the spiritual journey together. The book also includes color illustrations created by some of the children the authors observed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Learning from the Children
This review originally appeared on the Englewood Review of Books and my blog, Jacob's Café, and was made possible by a complimentary copy from the publisher.

As a child psychologist with a particular passion and speciality in spirituality, particularly spiritual formation, I was very excited to review Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May's Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey. This book discusses the results from multiple projects exploring childhood Christian spirituality. Before thinking it may be boring, allow me to assure you that it's not. While it could definitely be used in an academic setting (the publishing house emphasizes that), it really is meant for laity, not academics.

I recently began a spirituality group as part of my organization's child partial hospitalization program for psychiatric problems. This book was helpful in developing some activities to initiate discussion on spiritual topics. However, it really is meant for a parents and church-based ministries rather than therapists. And it is focused on Christian spirituality. So if you're looking for ways to explore the spirituality of atheist children, this book is probably not what you're looking for (although I would also argue it's techniques could be altered for the appropriate spiritual context).

Stonehouse and May begin their tome by beautifully introducing their passion for developing child spirituality and discussing their research methodology. It's detailed enough to moderately satisfy those of us with a critical eye on methodology (their more detailed appendix helps), but does not get bogged down in academic technicalities so as to lose readers of the intended audience. They then wisely move into beginning to tell some of the stories of kids' responses to various prompts. I think it was wise for them to begin this way because it emphasizes that children can and do talk about deep spiritual concepts... when given the opportunity. I can vouch for this in the groups I have run. In fact, as I discussed on my blog, I think children are just as sophisticated as many adults. What often seems to happen is that we, as a society, do not develop children's spiritualities, so as adults, we are essentially stunted at the childhood developmental level.

Stonehouse and May do not make this argument, but I saw continued evidence for this as I read the stories. The child participants are often more willing to ask questions than most adults. They are also able to more vibrantly verbalize their experiences with God and Christ. In fact, their desire to truly be with God far surpasses the desire of most adults I know (including myself).

From this foundation, they continue to tell stories, weaving in various techniques to stimulate spiritual discussion and also challenge children to grow. These are the techniques that are both useful for research and are incredibly practical for use in homes, churches, youth groups, schools, etc. At the core of many of the practices is a concept of reflective engagement, the idea of letting the children meditate and contemplate spiritual ideas for themselves. Some are done with others, some individually. While some people may think children may not be able to do this, Stonehouse and May's anecdotes passionately prove otherwise.

While this book is intended to help people develop children's spirituality, I think it has just as much potential (if not more potential) to help form adult's spirituality. In fact, several of the reflective engagement practices are conducted with the whole family or in dialogue with adults. It is meant to let everyone experience God together, in a true corporate worship experience. And then seeing the innocent and pure love of Christ cannot not affect the adult hearts that have been hardened by cynicism, pain, and suffering. Truly, we will learn from the children. ... Read more

Product Description
From the patient three-toed sloth to the trustworthy pigeon, animals model certain behaviors.In these stories, even the youngest child will learn to understand and appreciate the traits they can see in these animals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

5 minute devotions
My kids are 5 and 8 and this book is a perfect combination of questions for them both. There are easier questions for my younger son and more "thinking" questions for my daughter. I highly recommend the book!

Great way to end dinner
We love to end our dinners with these informative devotions featuring some of God's precious and unique creations -like my favorite, the sloth! True to the title, More Five Minute Devotions for Children: Celebrating God's World As A Familytake 5 minutes to read.Our children love to study the illustrations.Questions follow to check for understanding plus a Bible verse to remind us of the big picture!

Wonderful devotional book
My children LOVED this book! We have this one and the first one. I'm not sure what the previous reviewer was looking at who said these books are the same, but they are absolutely not!There are no repeated stories between the first and second books.Each book has 21 different stories.I think that the book "My big book of Five Minute devotions" might be a combination of the two original books "Five minute devotions" and "More five minute devotions" but I am not certain of this b/c I do not own "My big book.."

My son is 6 and almost cried when there were no more new pages to read. It is well written and the illustrations which tie into the story are beautiful.

Beware, it's the same book
Although I loved the first book of "Five-Minute Devotions for Children", I was disappointed by this book because it is the same book.There are only two new devotionals in this book and the rest are exactly the same as the first book.The first book is a better deal as far as price and quantity as well.Buy the first book, this one was just a marketing ploy.

great devotional
This book is great.It has a nice "lesson" combined with a religious message and is all based around animals -- which my son just loved.We read one per night until we finished the book and then started over again! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

religious meditations allow children to experience
I have used several of these meditations with my third grade religious class students.They seem to participate in discussions much more after having the experience themselves.These mediations allow the students to get more of the feelings of the Bible story/passage as opposed to just reading it with them or to them. ... Read more

Product Description
No teacher wants to be a drill sergeant. No child wants to be in trouble all the time.....Imagine being able to take all the energy that you spend on crowd control and pour it into teaching kids to kn ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Wonderful Practical Resource for Christian Workers
I can't say enough about the wisdom in this book.Perfectly applicable for today's Christian workers and the environment in which they work.Anywone working with children in church should have a resource like this.This author obviously knows what she is talking about.She is an exremely talented and devoted Christian teacher.I also suggest her other book called Touching Hearts Touching Lives.The biography alone makes it extremly valuable to anyone considering persuing teaching as a career.A lot of wisdom and love has been poured into both of these books.

helped me want to work with kids
I volunteered to teach a class of four year olds for a year in a church ministry.Seven of the kids were great, but one little boy's behavior made me regret my decision, and his behavior started affecting the other boys.I picked this book up at a Children's Ministry Seminar, and it changed everything.I instituted the suggestions in this book, and the difference was almost miraculous.Not only did I understand the boy better, but the suggestions worked!I saw change immediately, and the boy's behavior continued to be good as long as I was consistent.The year turned out to be a blessing to me and to the kids.He was a sweet boy who was always excited to see "his teacher," and he said he'd miss me over the summer.

Very detailed... but very simple...
It's a great book. It helped me understand the different types of kids... and how they learn differently... Now I can spot a learning type from across the room... really helped me understand the "wiggly" kid...

Excellent book that can help any teacher!
The Discipline Guide is an excellent source for anyone who is working with children. It can be used for teacher training. The book covers a variety of areas in discipline.The authors incorporate all the aspects of a child'swhole person in a concise and understandable way. This book will changeyour thinking and will forever help in working with children. I reallyenjoyed reading the book and plan to use it when I train teachers inchurch. It can be used in a variety of ways, from sunday school to daycare.

Excellent book that can help any teacher!
The Discipline Guide is an excellent source for anyone who is working with children. It can be used for teacher training. The book covers a variety of areas in discipline.The authors incorporate all the aspects of a child'swhole person in a concise and understandable way. This book will changeyour thinking and will forever help in working with children. I reallyenjoyed reading the book and plan to use it when I train teachers inchurch. It can be used in a variety of ways, from sunday school to daycare. ... Read more

Product Description
Why does divorce cause so much strain and long-term distress for children of all ages? Andrew Root, a recognized authority on youth ministry and a child of divorce himself, explains that divorce causes children to question their core identity. Since a child is the product of the union of a mother and father, when that union ends, he or she experiences a baffling sense of loss of self--a loss of his or her very sense of being. Root redirects efforts for assisting children of divorce to first address this fundamental experience. This unique book examines the impact of divorce not only from a theological and spiritual perspective but also from a young person's perspective. It will benefit those who have experienced divorce and those who minister to children of divorce. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great insight into divorce
I was looking for a book that provided insight into divorce. Though I am not through yet, this book provides insight into how kids respond and react psychologically and socially to divorce. I would recommend this book for Youth workers, pastors, and all people who work with children.

Divorce as Ontological Anxiety
As I write this review, I cannot help but draw connections between my own story and Andrew Root's newest book, "The Children of Divorce."

Root's premise is that divorce is not only a sociological or psychological upheaval, but that at its roots has ontological implications. Divorce affects our very sense of being in the world. Root writes:

"It is my belief that our humanity (and very being) is upheld in community. For each of us, the most significant and core of these communities is the one made up of a biological mother and father. Without their community, there would be no child. So when that community is destroyed, it is a threat to the child's being. Divorce, therefore, should be seen as not just the split of a social unity, but the break of the community in which the child's identity rests. Divorce is much more than a psychological or sociological reality. It is about something deeper than economic advantage, psychological stability, or social capital. Divorce is a threat to a child's very ontology, to his or her very being."

Root offers a history of the family as a social unit, revealing that our current societal norms creates a culture ripe for divorce. In the past, marriage was based around kin, location, and economic motives; in our present day, marriage's foundation is generally around an emotional choice between two lovers, a choice that can just as easily be unchosen. Living in this risky world, children must live with the reality that their family--and thus their very sense of being--could be uprooted at any moment. Root reveals the ontological effects of divorce with a comprehensive look at the sense of self through the multifaceted lens of philosophy (Martin Heidegger), social theory (Anthony Giddens), and theology (Karl Barth). If we find our being through community and relationship, and if the central relationship of family is shattered, then our very being becomes fractured. Root puts it this way:

"In constant interaction with this community of mother and father, the child discovers himself and his world. When this world collapses, the unreal floods his being, for even though he may be old enough to have other objects and communities in his life, he has lost the one that has been from the beginning the one that made him real, the one that is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. When this is taken away, the young person is lost."

The practical implications of this reality are enormous. We cannot approach children of divorce by only giving them information or offering temporary sympathy for their emotions; we must recognize that a central foundation of their being has been torn away. They are not just emotionally hurting, much like the temporary pain of an insult or a lousy day; they are hurting from the depths of their soul, which has lifelong effects. Root shares numerous stories throughout the book, from young children to adults, all sharing the same ontological anxiety.

Root manages to take a very academic approach to a complex subject and still affect one's heart. As I read Root's introductory own story of how both his and his wife's parents made decisions to separate, the wave of emotions hit me. His story is near-parallel to mine, with my own parents recently separated and a growing sense of ontological urgency welling up in my heart. It was a deeply healing book to read. Root's personal reflection gave a voice to the emotions struggling within my own soul:

"I felt numb, cut loose, unbound. My family had never been perfect, but it had been my family. Now that it was falling apart, it seemed as if I had nowhere to stand. It was like the scene late in the movie Back to the Future, where Marty begins to become transparent as it looks like he will fail to bring his teenaged parents together. It seemed as if I were fading into nothingness."

If one's being and sense of self can be shaken as an adult, how much more do our young people in the homes of divorce deal with ontological anxiety? Names and faces from youth groups past and present came to mind as I reflected upon the book. They are in need of a solid community where their sense of being can safely rub shoulders with others struggling to form their own identities. There is hope--the church can be a new family, a place where children of divorce can find belonging and regain a sense of being in the world. The Children of Divorce is a philosophically- and theologically-rich resource for those seeking to understand and love children of divorce in the name of Jesus.

The Journey of Understanding
This excellent new book deserves a place in your library, especially if you're a counselor or social worker seeking to help others. Authentic, true-to-life and packed with anecdotal examples, this is a powerful and immediately useful book.

Earlier studies (see Judith Wallerstein's 'What About the Kids?' here on Amazon) have explored this territory, yet there is still so much we need to learn! Especially in recent history, there was a tendency to minimize the impact of divorce on children --- and on the generations yet to come.

Fractured families have social consequences, economic consequences, and ultimately personal and individual consequences. Author Andrew Root explores these issues honestly and directly. Cheers for doing so.

Accessible for the general reader, but very helpful for anyone in a counseling role.

Barbara Sheldon, M.S.W.
I also highly recommend:Moving Forward After Divorce: Practical Steps to * Healing Your Hurts * Finding Fresh Perspective * Managing Your New Life ... Read more

Product Description
Prayers, lessons, and truths for young hearts, minds, and souls

With colorful, captivating illustrations, the Catholic Prayer Book for Children helps boys and girls ages 6 to 10 discover the beauty of prayer as it encourages them to form the lifelong habit of praying.

Here are:

• Beloved, traditional Catholic prayers

• Original prayers that accurately reflect a youngster’s daily concerns and experiences

• A "how to" for offering his or her own prayers.

But more than a prayer book, Catholic Prayer Book for Children also puts in your child’s hands the basics of the Catholic Faith: the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, sacraments, corporal and spiritual works of mercy, gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, lives of the saints, and more.

With an age-appropriate "examination of conscience," and an introduction to the Mass and its major prayers, the Catholic Prayer Book for Children makes the perfect First Reconciliation or First Communion gift.

This is the keepsake your child will keep.The prayers, lessons, and truths we never outgrow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

My deepest thanks
I'd like to offer five stars to each of you along with my deepest thanks for the very kind comments on my book. It was a joy to create. It rekindled memories of my own Catholic grade school studies--I still have the frayed, stapled pages of prayers and Commandments and such that we used in memorization. And it was a wonderful project on which to collaborate with my young daughter--each time I reread it, I think of bedtimes and mealtimes and holidays and everydays when we shared prayer. I am truly moved to know that others use and enjoy this book.

Great for any age
This book is obviously geared toward children but I found it helpful as an adult too. Great to have for youngsters!

Wonderful, wonderful book!
I ordered this book for my Sunday School class of 3rd and 4th graders and thought it was an amazing book.It included all of the things that the students either needed to learn or review for the year.Once our director saw them, he had me order them for our entire CCD program!

A pretty good buy for Catholics
I thought my hubby would enjoy this as he explains the Catholic faith to our boys. Simple, easy to read.

wonderful book for my grand children and their mothers
Now in my 70s I was a good traditional catholic with an Aunt,a Nun and an Uncle a priest. My 2 daughters and their families are somewhat Catholic. This book is great for adults to share with their children and has new ideas. On Christmas day, I was able to share this book and everyone liked it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Awesome
The item was in great condition and received in good timing. No problems in ordering or recieving

not what I expected
This was not what I expected. This may have been my fault.I was looking for something to assist me in teaching my kids about the Bible. I felt it was very difficult to follow. It seemed to me to be thrown together by thought and not in much order.

Works great with all ages, easy to use, lots of information!
I have been using the Ultimate Bible Guide for several weeks, and just love it!I teach a mixed age group of kids.The kids range from age 2 1/2 to 12.Our class is currently working on a project that I found in thebook.We are making a set of the books of the Bible from greeting cardboxes.The Ultimate Bible Guide lives up to it's description. Inspiration, history of the Bible, how to use the Bible, and other studyhelps are included. I would highly recommend this resource for teacherswho want their kids to view the Bible as their lifetime friend. ... Read more

Product Description
You can be a next-level leader! Expert Jim Wideman empowers readers to be dynamic, effective and efficient ministry leaders. This guide gives you the best of the best from Jim's own favorite workshops and keynote addresses. And this isn't just theory; it's practical advice brought to you from someone who has served in small churches; large churches; and churches in between! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent Resource
I can't say enough about this book.It is a step by step guide to help improve your ministry.Jim Wideman is honest and comical.It will help you see where you need to improve, but also encourage you when you are already doing what needs to be done. Excellent book highly recommend to anyone in children's ministry.

It's what you wish you knew your rookie year...
Great book. It's a simple read. Practical and user friendly. Filled with transferable concepts that any leader can build into him or herself and then transfer to others.

I wish I had this my freshman year of children's ministry.

not just for children's ministry
This is the BEST leadership book I've read -- especially for anyone in a staff position. Excellent, practical information for any staff position -- not just for children's ministry. This is a MUST HAVE! ... Read more

Product Description
Teaching kids about the Bible is a piece of cake! This book reinforces common Sunday school messages and Bible stories through fun, hands-on kitchen activities for children age 5 and up. Children will remember God’s laws by making Ten Commandment Cake, learn about the birth of Moses while making Mini Moses Root Beer Floats, observe Good Friday by decorating Hot Cross Buns, and more. Elaine Magee developed the 28 lessons as a unique way to supplement the Sunday school classes at her church. General enough to incorporate all Christian denominations, they’re perfect for use in Sunday school or at home. Each activity includes a general message, related scriptures, and easy-to-follow recipes that outline teacher preparation and specific information and ideas for the class. The recipes even include complete nutritional analysis. "In this book, Elaine Magee provides what she gave the children of our church: fun, nutritious, interactive, and community-building Bible lessons. I am so pleased that Elaine brought to our congregation an exciting method for children (and adults) to discover the church as an enjoyable, tasty, nourishing place." Dr. Shel White, Pastor St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Pleasant Hill, California ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fun way to teach bible stories to kids
The book is designed to be used in Sunday School classes, but you can easily use it at home, as I plan to do. I won't be able to do a few recipes because I don't have the equipment required, like a bread machine, or I'm not familiar with the ingredients, like Wondra quick-mixing flour, but most of the recipes seem easy and tasty. Each recipe has a short scripture passage that goes along with it, to explain the relevance of the recipe. ... Read more

Product Description
Many parents would be dismayed to discover that their child feels unloved. After all, they make sure that their child has the things they need. They attend their child's school events. They buy their child the things they want. So why is it then that most children doubt that they are genuinely and unconditionally loved?

In this best-selling book, Dr. D. Ross Campbell reveals the emotional needs of a child and provides parents with the skill and techniques that can begin to help make your child feel truly loved and accepted. You'll learn to really love your child through every situation of child rearing from physical touch to discipline and from affirmation to spiritual nurture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

There's a baby in the bathwater
I am naturally disinclined to read a psychiatrist's opinion on the matter of child rearing.Like other soft sciences, their claims can be difficult to verify with satisfaction and I am not inclined to simply take them at their word when so much is at stake.

Having recently read, "Shepherding a Child's Heart" my own heart was softened to the task so I read Dr. Campbell's book guardedly, while hoping to glean something useful. And, being predisposed to distrust psychiatrists, I was surprised when I did.

I did not agree with everything Dr. Campbell wrote (in fact there was much that I disagreed with). But there were some gems that I discovered that I would have most likely missed if my heart had not be softened to the task. As it turns out, there was a baby in the bathwater.

I appreciated his thoughts on loving your child with eye contact, physical touch, active listening, and focused attention. I particularly benefited from his thoughts on physical touch, which is an area that I haven't given enough attention in my own parenting. I've already put some of his ideas into practice and I can honestly say that they have been a true help.

Now, on to the bathwater...

Regarding discipline, the author did have some good points. Namely, that discipline and love should not be separated (though he himself separates them several times) and that punishment is a small part of discipline. However, his poor handling of scripture, and his elevating of his own ideas over clear scriptural prescriptions were troubling.

On page 93, he writes, "Proponents of corporal punishment seem to have forgotten that the shepherd's rod referred to in scripture was used almost exclusively for guiding the sheep, not beating them. The shepherds would gently steer the sheep, especially the lambs, by simply holding the rod to block them from going in the wrong direction and then gently nudge them toward the right direction. If the rod was (or is) an instrument used principally for beating, I would have a difficult time with Psalm 23 "your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Here the author is simply wrong. The Hebrew for "rod" in Ps. 23 is found 47 times in the bible. More than half of those instances (28) are translated as "rod". 11 instances are translated as "scepter", and only for times as "staff". Moreover, for the instances translated as "rod", the far majority are in a context of punishment and/or violence.

This is not to say that the rod should be the primary means of discipline, but, it should be one of the primary means of punishment - not as a last resort, but as a regular, consistent means to administer loving correction to your children in accordance with the scriptures.

The author betrays his actual feelings toward the clear biblical prescription of corporal punishment, in spite of his allowance for its "minimal" use (96). On page 96, the author calls punishment, "the most negative and primitive factor."On page 97, he writes, "Corporal punishment degrades, dehumanizes, and humiliates a child." This is pure nonsense. Of course, child abuse does these things. But corporal punishment administered biblically reflects the manner in which our heavenly Father deals with the children he loves. Proverbs 13:24 says, "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." Proverbs 23:13-14 says, "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol." Hebrews 12:6 says, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises (or "scourges") every son whom he receives."

Does God really prescribe a method of discipline that degrades, dehumanizes, and humiliates his children? I think here it would be best for the author to shut his mouth and let the word of the LORD speak for itself.

His lack of scriptural understanding in the realm of children does not end there. On page 102 he claims that "the primary cause of misbehavior in a child" is the "lack of love." Though lack of love is almost certain to result in misbehavior, it is not the root cause. The root cause, according to the bible, is sin. Failing to understand the fallen, human state of our children will make sound biblical parenting difficult. Swapping the biblical cause of misbehavior with a more pleasant psychological substitute is to treat the word of God as secondary in authority to our own ideas.

There were still other problems with his view on child rearing. His explanation of "two-year-old negativism" is not satisfactory. We did not experience the dreaded "terrible twos" precisely because we did require response to first requests and never tolerated a "no" answer as a reasonable way for our children to "separate themselves psychologically from their parents."

In conclusion, there was a baby in the bath, and once removed, there was a tub of dirty water that urgently needed to be thrown out. Read "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp instead.

This should be a required read for all parents!
This book is very insightful. The information and skills taught in this book are too often forgotten and/or neglected but absolutely vital for raising a healthy child. It is a short book and easy read. I recommend this book to parents of all ages!

How to really love your child

Of course I thought I really loved my child before I got this book but I have to admit that I wasn't getting the message through to her.Now I understand that I need to really take more time to communicate with her, listen to her point of view and give her my undivided attention.I think Campbell's message is worth putting into practice.I highly recommend this book for any parent.

Best book on parenting I've read
While so many parenting books out there are "ages and stages" and discipline (reacting AFTER behavior), Dr. Campbell take a preventative approach.I think every parent, teacher, grandparent, babysitter, social worker ... basically anyone who interacts with children on a regular basis should read this book!

How to Really Love Your Child by Dr. Ross Campbell, M.D.
In the preface, Dr. Campbell acknowledges that there is a lot of parenting information out there--enough to overwhelm parents. Though the information is good "many books, articles, and lectures have honed in on one, or at most only a few specific aspects of child rearing without clearly defining the specific areas they cover." It's not that the information is wrong or the parents didn't do it right, "the problem lies in the parents not having a general, balanced perspective on how to relate to a child." Dr. Campbell believes "the problem is how to manifest our love to a child through discipline and when to show it in other more affectionate ways."
In chapter one he cites some of the common problems he has seen as a psychiatrist. Chapters two and three talk about the home, parents and child and how important this relationship is for the child to understand love. An entire chapter is devoted to how the husband and wife relate and how that affects the children. Chapter three defines what unconditional love is and is not. The next three chapters discuss how to express, demonstrate, show this unconditional love through eye contact, physical contact and focused attention.
While chapter three defined unconditional love, chapter seven touches on appropriate and inappropriate love: possessiveness, seductiveness, vicariousness and role-reversal. If you are a loving, Christian parent and think you can skip over this chapter--wait.Read through it if only to know possible warning signs if you ever see them in your friends' or your child's friends' family.
Though chapter eight touches on helping your child learn how to deal with his anger, Dr. Campbell says this topic is thoroughly covered in How to Really Love Your Angry Child. There is some helpful starting information in this chapter, however.
Chapter nine is about discipline. Dr. Campbell says "that making a child feel loved is the first and most important part of good discipline." Love and discipline should not be viewed as separate entities, and "punishment is a very small part of discipline." But the next thing he says is what I found interesting:
"What you have read thus far in this book is the most important aspect of discipline, and you must apply what you've learned to expect the best results from disciplining your child. There is no point in reading further at this time if you have not applied what you have already read."

EDUCATORS DESPERATELY NEED THIS BOOK TOO!
As a young Children's ministry student teacher in 1980 in Lynchburg VA,I was privileged to study under the instruction of Herb Owen, children's minister and music writer for Brentwood Music and many others. The resource other than scripture that most influenced my ministry was this book.

After now 25 years of graduation from LBC now LU and working with children much longer, it laid the foundation for how I dealt with any age group! Many parents and teachers love their kids, but find it hard to show them

Often they compensate with toys and games, but Dr. Campbell gives four things children and teens really want from MOM and DAD, or anyone who wishes to influence for the rest of their life-including TEACHERS, COACHES, SS teachers, VBS workers, AWANA & Master Clubs leaders, etc.

Through Eye Contact, Proper Physical Contact, Focused Attention, and Discipline, we show children not only our love, but the love of a Heavenly Father.

No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. Love is an action verb. HT Really Love Your Child shows you HOW.

I recommend it for every new parent, and anyone who takes on the task of leading children to a fulfilled life of joy and happiness independent of circumstances.

... Read more

Product Description
Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World's Religious Traditions provides a forum for prominent religious scholars to examine the state of religious knowledge and theological reflection on spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Featuring essays from thinkers representing the world's major religious traditions, the book introduces new voices, challenges assumptions, raises new questions, and broadens the base of knowledge and investment in this important domain of life. Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality will set the stage for new waves of scholarship and dialogue within and across traditions, disciplines, and cultures that will enrich understanding and strengthen how the world's religious traditions, and others, understand and cultivate the spiritual lives of children and adolescents around the globe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A theological underpinning to a wide range of possibilities
In the preface, the editors state the question that confronted them at the start of the process for this book - `How do you do justice to the wisdom of multiple religious traditions within a single volume - particularly on a "fuzzy" topic like spirituality?"Even with an idea of being as inclusive as possible, some selectivity had to be put in place - the focus was set on `theological or philosophical perspectives from within religious traditions', those traditions being primarily Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism (with some voices from a few others).This is not intended as a definitive text, but rather as a starting point for conversations between the traditions, cultures, and people.

It is unusual in history for cultures to not be concerned about the future (modern political discourse in the West has a very high rate of reference to children and families), and yet the specific concerns of children and adolescents, both in terms of what they need and what they want, are often missing.This is also true in the area of religion and spirituality.`Despite the popular buzz about spirituality, relatively little critical attention has focused on the spiritual lives of children and adolescents.Much of the literature of spirituality has focused instead on adults.'There are various ways in which churches and other religious institutions try to incorporate children and young adults, but they often fall short for various reasons, sometimes due to stereotypes or outmoded views, and sometimes due to narrow focus, or lack of attention.`An important opportunity to enrich the lives of children and adolescents is being lost, set aside by most religious traditions and religious studies scholars as unworthy of critical attention.'

My own interest in this subject comes from a few different angles; first, I have a personal connection with a few of the contributors and editors of this volume. Second, I am interested in spiritual practices and how they develop in people.However, I am now in my eighth year as a chaplain at a retirement community, and we have no children in the immediate community.This is not to say that children are not important - on the contrary, virtually everyone in my community is a parent, grandparent, and even great-grandparent, and virtually everyone is concerned at how things will continue and be passed down.This led me to the fifth section of the text - Who is Responsible for Nurturing Spirituality?The essays here have given me insights to share with my community, of things for them to consider and to share with their own families.Also, there are practices and ideas that, while designed and intended for children, might also have application for older adults as well - ideas such as narrative theology and storytelling, and ideas of prayer, holy days and blessing such as found in the essays in section three: Rituals and Practices to Nurture the Inner Life.

This is an academic text, as the editors point out in their postscript.`Although these dialogues have intrinsic merit, we believe they need to be strengthened and enriched by also engaging in sustained dialogue with young people themselves as well as their leaders, educators, and parents.'This is not a how-to manual, but rather a book to lay a theological underpinning to a wide range of possibilities.

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Product Description
Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley, creators of the acclaimed Children Just Like Me, meet with children around the world as they celebrate 25 of their favorite holidays and traditions. With stunning photographs and illustrations, readers meet each child and learn the significance of the chosen celebration. Full color.Amazon.com Review
Dorling Kindersley Publishers never fail to create beautiful,engaging children's books, packed with fascinating information. InCelebrations, photographer Barnabas Kindersley teams up withwriter Anabel Kindersley and UNICEF to create a fascinating journeyexploring the cultural traditions of children all over theworld. Harry Belefonte notes in his introduction, "Here is youropportunity to travel by book to nearly every corner of the globe... [and] join children everywhere in celebrating important events intheir lives." In addition to photographs of traditional costumesand customs, each child from the wide range of countries representedgives a first-person account of how holidays are celebrated. Childrenwill enjoy learning about how kids like just like them have fun, andin the process will broaden their cultural horizons. (Ages 8 to12) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Interesting and Useful
I am using this book while teaching a K-8 International class with our homeschool co-op.
I love the interesting pictures and information. You can tell it is a little dated, but the kids don't care!

Great Holiday gift
My children received this as a Christmas gift, and it is a really nice book. Great for elementary aged school children, particularly appropriate for a holiday gift, because we can read together about other celebrations while we are celebrating. It is a book that we have put with our special holiday books that we read at Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, etc.

children world culture
The museum is presenting multicultural programs and this book will fit it nicely.

Thank you,

Kitty

Great for the entire family
This is a wonderful book with personal stories around the world from children and the holidays they celebrate.Perfect for the entire year.The photographs are captivating that even my 2 year old loves to sit and listen.Worth every penny.

great cultural experience
I loved the variety of cultures shown and all the beautiful color photos.A great introduction to understanding other beliefs and religious holidays.Great buy! ... Read more

Product Description
Language constantly changes. Last year's words may mean something completely different today. Since Bible times many word meanings have changed radically. So today's child has difficulty understanding the true meaning of God's saving words. The International Children's Bible Dictionary resolves that problem! This excellent, fun-to-learn Bible study tool offers ten innovative features, which children, parents, and teachers will use often to help kids clearly understand Bible words, phrases, places, and events. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Taken advantage of
The book arrived on time and in good condition.But it had a big price tag on the front saying it was $4.99.And I was charged $11.99 +S/H.I felt really taken advantage of!

Much Better than the NEW One, of course!
This was a great Bible Dictionary for Children, with lots of illustrations, and more importantly, great written information written in an easy to assimilate style.The kids in my class really love this dictionary, and it is a great tool to teach kids how to use reference material, both for Bible Study, and for all areas of their life where this skill comes in handy.It is a great way to reinforce a Bible story you just taught, or to enhance their understanding of the material.It is also great to help review different Bible characters, places, and events.Highly recommended.

It is hard to find, but my kids like this one much better than the new one with the red cover.Pick up as many as you can find. ... Read more

Product Description
Every Christian culture has given us touching legends and charming stories of the wondrous deeds of the Child Jesus. Many of these tales reveal to children the generous ways He helps them when they're unhappy or afflicted.More than a century ago, A. Fowler Lutz collected the best of these legends. Although they spring from lands as various as France, Norway, and Greece, Germany, Syria, and China, these stories have many excellent things in common.Each has the simplicity of goodness, and each is rich with the faith of ordinary people who aren t surprised by miracles. In these stories, they even seem to expect miracles!The young heroes of these tales have a faith simpler than ours, and stronger. They know that Jesus is close to us, no matter how far away He may seem. They trust that He's walking with us every step of our way, no matter how steep and rocky our path may be.That's the faith you'll find in these Stories of the Child Jesus, an innocent faith you can instill in your own little ones by reading them these charming sweet tales out loud. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My kids adore this book - A+++++
My kids and I just LOVE this book.These little stories will captivate your children over and over again.I am actually reading one story in my 3rd grader's class tomorrow.Some of these will have you in tears, most will inspire, and all will touch your heart and change it just a touch for the better.Little children will be enriched and grow from these beautiful little stories of children like themselves who experience the infant Divine Child. ... Read more

Product Description
Much ministry to children looks more like mere entertainment than authentic spiritual formation. But what if children's ministries were rooted in a mind set whereby we taught children, with our words and actions, how the story of God, the story of church history, the story of the local community, and the story of the child intersect and speak to one another? What if children's ministry was less about downloading information into kids' heads and more about leading them into these powerful, compelling stories? Beckwith aims to help ministers and parents create a ministry that captures children's imaginations not just to keep them occupied, but to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. In addition to providing theological reasons for formational children's ministry, the book offers examples of how Ivy and other practitioners are implementing a formational model. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of stories and poems about Muslim children from a variety of backgrounds, focusing on the celebration of holidays and practices of Islam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great book
I enjoyed this book. I do think this is a book for all children , it has great stiries for the whole family. I love to read this book to my daughter.

Hopeful
I can only hope that this brilliant book helpd educate muslims and non-muslims about the true beauty of Islam.

An excellent resource
My favorite short stroy is the Black Ghost.The children run from fear of her and her young son is dreadfully embarrassed until the black ghost rescues one of the boys.Reaching out from under her black abaya, the mysterious woman is soft and gentle.The young boys confront their friend, "You never told us you had such a nice mother."

Children's Nonfiction

Not only for muslim children
This book is so informative and well-written it should be in every muslim house.However, this book is not only very good for muslim children, it is also an excellent book for non-muslim children to read and learn more about islam.It can be used as an excellent tool in a classroom to dispel any misconceptions non-muslim children may carry against their muslim classmates.They will be able to learn more about prayer, fasting, eid and other things that their muslim classmates and friends follow in their lives.

Should be read by all educators and anyone who works with diverse populations.
This is a wonderful book. It's informative, non-judgemental, and non-proselytizing. I was especially impressed that the authors managed to tell a series of situational stories from a child's point of view. My favorite was the one about the little boy who becomes separated from his parents at Mecca and finds shelter with a kindly old man.This book covers such topics as Muslim minority children having to choose between adherences to their religion, e.g. forgoing observance of prayer times and dietary restrictions for the sake of convenience and fitting in with the crowd. I could feel the self-consciousness myself when a little boy overhears his friends mistaken his mother for a ghost after being frightened by her veil, and the guilt when a young girl succumbs to temptation and devours the delicious candies that contain pork byproducts.

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Product Description
Our Most Dear Friend presents the essence of the Bhagavad-Gita, the timeless scripture that forms the basic of India's sublime spiritual culture. Through the simple yet captivating painting, text, and photographic montages, children of every race, nationality, and religion will deepen their understanding of themselves, God, and His creation. This is a captivating, relevant, and inspiring book for ages 4 and up. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Nice Book - Not Worth $80
This is just a quick review I would have found useful:
I was looking for supplementary material for a religion class I am teaching.I needed material that was true to the religion but not above my audience.Therefore, this is definitely a CHILDREN's book in that it is the length that you could read it to your child before bedtime.The price is because this is out of print and should not deceive you about the length.Besides that, what the other reviewers say is true.It is a nice looking book that clearly communicates ideas from the Bhagavad-Gita to kids and novices.In the end, it worked well for me, but was shorter than I thought it would be.

Excellent book for all ages
The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful and are appealing to even the youngest reader. The simple narration is great for young readers. This is a book that will grow with my child so he can enjoy it for years to come.

Combines text with beautiful paintings & superb photography
Our Most Dear Friend is an excellent picturebook introduction for young readers to the Bhagavad-gita, the world's oldest religious scripture. This "Song of God" originated about five thousands years ago and is still read and revered by 850 million Hindus around the world. Highly recommended for school and community multicultural picturebook collections. Our Most Dear Friend combines text with beautiful paintings and superb photography.

Great photography, Great message!
Vishaka's Bhagavad-gita for Children has been one of my 11-yr. old's favorite books since we first purchased it 3 years ago. Kids of almost any age can appreciate the brightly-colored, mind-capturingillustrations/photographs, and the spiritual message of the Bhagavad-gitais presented at just the right reading level for elementary-grade readersto understand. All in all, the presentation is very attractive and willappeal to any child, anywhere. This book provides a great yet subtle way tointroduce good values and principles of good character into the minds ofour children, as well as a healthy respect for the concept of a supreme,loving God.

beautiful book
This is a beautiful book for all ages. My only criticism is the children do not have on any tilak. ... Read more

Product Description

Author, editor, and speaker Glynnis Whitwer identifies many of the inevitable hurts children experience—harsh reprimands from coaches or teachers, uncaring remarks from family members or friends, troubling misunderstandings between siblings—and gives parents practical, effective advice to handle these painful situations. She also gently helps readers identify their own personal fears, painful memories, and angry reactions and understand how those emotions cloud their judgment and interfere with effective assistance.

Warm, encouraging, and filled with heartfelt inspiration, each chapter includes

• Life stories of how other parents successfully dealt with similar issues
• Scripture memory verses for children and parents
• Study and discussion questions for groups, parents and their children, or personal devotions

As parents realize they can’t protect their children in all circumstances, they can gain confidence knowing they’ve taught their children to respond to life’s everyday hurts in a healthy and loving way.

Customer Reviews (5)

A must read!
This is a great Bible study that every parent should read. But there's no reason to wait until your child is hurting and then quickly read this for damage control. This is a great Bible study to do before your child is hurting. The study questions at the end of the chapters encourage you to look at your own life to sort through negative behaviors that we as parents can unwittingly pass on to our kids.

Whitwer covers important topics such as bullying, stress, grief, anger, disappointment, as well as when to consider professional help. While she tells stories from her life and her children's, she doesn't claim to be an expert; just a fellow parent offering advice on what she has found works and why. Frankly, I'm tired of "experts" telling me they know my child. It's refreshing to hear Whitwer's take from the trenches.

I found this book encouraging and thought provoking and will be recommending it to many of my parent friends and my church. We can't put our kids in bubbles, but When Your Child Is Hurting can help parents and kids survive the hurts life inevitably brings.

Practical and Wise
When Your Child is Hurting speaks to the heart of every mom with empathy, examples, and exhortation. It's true; we all want to protect our kids from hurt but that prohibits them from experiencing the harsh reality of life, developing character, or becoming healthily independent. The better - and the more reasonable - approach is to show unconditional love, support, counsel, and maturity. I felt the author wrote with compassion and, yet through stories, revealed her personal insights, shortcomings, and growth.
I like her attitude and approach, and recommend this book to all parents!

Brenda Nixon, M.A.
Conference Speaker and author of The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start.

ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR PARENTING LIBRARY!
From the tender dedication to the final page of chapter 16 author Glynnis Whitwer graciously communicates that Jesus is the best model we have for preserving through life's disappointments.Infused by real life examples, supported by memory verses, encouraging words, and discussion or journal questions When Your Child is Hurting is an essential volume to add to your parenting library.

Pat Ennis is the establishing Chairperson of the Department of Home Economics-Family and Consumer Sciences at The Master's College and co-author of BECOMING A WOMAN WHO PLEASES GOD, DESIGNING A LIFESTYLE THAT PLEASES GOD, PRACTICING HOSPITALITY, THE JOY OF SERVING OTHERS, and author of PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT, THE FINE ART OF BECOMING A GODLY WOMAN.

A Book EVERY Parent MUST Read!
When I first read the title of this book, I wondered if it was for me. Is my child hurting?

Having read Glynnis' writing before, I knew the pages in between would be filled with godly wisdom and faith filled advice for parents with hurting children.

But then I read the book. And I want you to know that this is a book EVERY PARENT MUST READ! Glynnis has written a book we all need because our children are always going through ups and downs in life, and we are here to help guide, encourage and support them through their life journey.

If you don't think your child is hurting now, wait ten minutes. They will sit the bench at their volleyball game, fail an exam, lose a best friend, or feel fat and ugly like they don't fit in.

You see, When Your Child is Hurting deals with everyday issues we all face, everyday stresses and failures we all must deal with. And as a mom of four, I am so blessed to have Glynnis' help along the way.

Her chapters include:

1 The Difference a Parent Makes
2 Dealing with Disappointments
3 When Words Hurt
4 Overcoming Fear
5 Managing Stress
6 The Pain of Loneliness
7 Turning Failure into Victory
8 Body Awareness
9 Hope After Loss
10 Anger - When Is It Wrong?
11 Investing in Your Child's Strengths
12 Overcoming Insecurity
13 Dealing with a Bully
14 Caring for a Child with a Physical Difference
15 When Your Child Learns Differently
16 Knowing When to Get Professional Help

With four children myself, I know I have spent many nights reassuring my daughter that she will find a best friend, my tween that she will be able to come out of her shell when she is ready, and my son that he does not deserved to be picked on.

You see, our kids are hurting. Life is tough. But where can we go for the help we need to guide them on their life journey?

Right here.

Trish Berg, Mom of 4
Author and Speaker

Rattled: Surviving Your Baby's First Year Without Losing Your Cool

The Great American Supper Swap - Solving the Busy Woman's Family Dinnertime Dilemma

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holidays

Practical and Inspirational!
Women's speaker and staff member with Proverbs 31 Ministries author Glynnis Whitwer writes and speaks of what she knows best. Mothering. Whitwer is the mom to three sons and two adopted daughters and is passionate about offering moms and dads insightful, caring information on how to traverse the parenting journey as Christian believers. This author opens her text by admitting how difficult it was to write this book as she had to revisit her own childhood...growing pains and all...while simultaneously addressing her tender mom fears and concerns as her own children faced tough growing up challenges.

In this text, Whitwer covers a gamut of real life parenting touchstones that frequently have parents stymied and frustrated. What moms and dads will glean from every chapter is the foundational premise that God is present, active, and ready to offer needed wisdom, strength, and grace for every situation. Whitwer candidly discusses her own limitations, moments when she felt alone and out of control, and how God had to take her in hand and challenge her to trust Him with outcomes that didn't appear too friendly. Throughout this work, readers will find themselves agreeing with the author's conclusions about living the faith journey out as parents who continually seek to model Christ and His lifestyle by adhering to biblical principles, making scripture promises personal, and by doing periodic self-checks via Whitwer's chapter-by-chapter questions.

In each of Whitwer's sixteen topics the author provides real life examples from her own parenting experience, helpful memory verses, and an interesting set of Encouraging Words quotes from famous authors/speakers/noteworthy authorities. Closing up every chapter are a generous compilation of Discussion or Journal Questions which parents will find especially helpful as they digest Whitwer's information.

In an organized format, readers will be able to quickly thumb through Whitwer's table of contents and proceed easily to whatever subject is most pertinent to them at the time. Both moms and dads will appreciate in-depth resources on better understanding how much difference a parent really makes in the life of a child; helping kids deal with and grow from disappointments, learning how much power is in the spoken word; overcoming fear (the parents and their children's); managing stress more effectively; weathering the pain of loneliness; how parents can help kids turn their failures into victories; teaching a God-honoring body awareness; dealing with grief and loss; managing anger and understanding it; learning to identify and nurture children's strengths; dealing with insecurities; facing bullies with courage; and parenting children with physical, learning, and other disabilities and challenges.

It's hard to imagine a topic that Whitwer hasn't covered in this constructive resource that is both current and timeless. Parents of young children as well as teens will find themselves holding a real gem of faith-based practical help.


Michele Howe, author of Burdens Do a Body Good: Meeting Life's Challenges with Strength (and Soul)

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Product Description
Perspectives on Children's Spiritual Formation presents in counterpointform four views of children's spiritual formation and four related methodsof Christian Education. Each chapter is written by a prominent person(s)representing his or her view. Contributors also respond to the otherviewpoints. Views include the contemplative-reflective model (cultivatinga quiet, worshipful spirit), instructional-analytic model (involvingchild evangelism and Bible memorization), pragmatic participatory model(focusing on high-energy activities, often seen in mega-churches), and themedia-driven active-engagement model (using a video-based curriculumwith limited teacher training). ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of prayers brings together offerings from many cultures and religions, with the prayers themselves enhanced by beautiful photographic images of children from around the world. Together, words and pictures express a deep reverence for the earth and a spirit of oneness among all living things. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Beautiful Prayers from Many Faiths
Earth teach me to forget myself
as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness
as dry fields weep with rain.
~Ute

The prayers in One Earth, One Spirit are from the following faiths and cultures: Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Ojibwa, Sikh, Taoist, Tewa Pueblo, Ute and Zuni. In every country and culture, children say prayers in order to express their innermost thoughts and to comfort themselves with beautiful words. The last few pages of this book have notes about the prayers. You can read about the Zuni prayer and how it is taken from the ancient Night Chant of the Zuni or read about the reasons for certain prayers, like how they acknowledge the interdependence of human beings.

The prayers help children to connect with something greater than themselves. The prayers can be read like poetry and you might remember a few from your own childhood. This would be a perfect book to read before bed as it presents prayers that would bring comfort to a child.

The author, Tessa Strickland, was born in England and graduated from Cambridge University. She specialized in theology and ancient philosophy.

I could see a few of these poems in a frame. My favorite picture is the little girl standing in the waves on the shore.

~The Rebecca Review

Prayers for the Earth
This is a wonderful book of prayers for the earth and all living things on the earth.The pictures are beautiful and inspiring!The book features prayers for "children" of all ages from many different faiths.This book truly shows that we are all one and we are all connected.I highly recommend this book for all ages, especially adults.Read this book to your children or purchase it for yourselves to remind you of how simple life really can be!

Makes a wonderful holiday gift for the family.
My family purchased many copies of this wonderful book last year to share as Christmas gifts to out multicultural, multi-religious extended family. There is something for everyone here, child and adult, christian andnonchristian. The pictures are captivating. Our two year old son hasrecently taken an interest in his copy and it has become a nightlyfavorite. Our family highly reccomends the message and the presentation. ... Read more