Eight favorite books for Children’s Time
Photograph by Kimberly Farmer via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Paul Bailey
Over the years, I found these books to be wonderful conversation starters with children in worship and other settings. The goal of any children’s time is interaction. If I am doing all the talking, then my audience is adults. After young people connect with the characters, I can lead them to a Bible passage or Gospel message. Finally, I always end with, “Let’s pray. Let’s close our eyes, fold our hands, and be quiet for just a minute.”
SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR. HATCH by Eileen Spinelli, Simon & Schuster, 1991
The story is about a lonely man who gets a Valentine gift, but doesn’t know who sent it. His search for the giver and the discovery that it was an accident helps him learn that everyone loves him. CONVERSATION: Can you think of someone who loves you? Would someone you love enjoy a mysterious surprise like Mr. Hatch? Why is he so happy? God loves you very much and wants us to love others.
THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein, HarperCollins, 1964
A boy grows up visiting a tree in the woods. As he ages, his interests change. The tree keeps giving to the boy as he grows, showing that we all have ways we can give and that the most important gift is ourselves. CONVERSATION: Before reading the story, ask what they think a tree could give a boy. Who do you think was happier, the man or the tree? The Bible teaches us that giving can make us happy, even more than getting.
THE CAT IN THE HAT by Dr. Seuss, Random House, 1957
This is a classic tale of a mischievous cat that comes with friends and creates havoc in the house. CONVERSATION: If a stranger comes to your door, should you just let them in? What were some of the bad things the cat and friends did? How do you know what is good and bad? How does God remind us?
SIDNEY & NORMAN: A TALE OF TWO PIGS by Phil Vischer, Thomas Nelson, 2006
This is a powerful children’s story about the grace of God and how God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). A proud pig and his neighbor, a humble pig, each receive an invitation to meet God. Norman assumes it is to receive an award, and Sidney assumes it is to get yelled at for being a failure. God tells them each what they need to hear. CONVERSATION: Before each pig’s meeting with God, ask what the children think God will say? Did God love Sidney? Norman? Why do you think they became friends in the end?
Over the years, I found these books to be wonderful conversation starters with children in worship and other settings.
WILMA UNLIMITED by Kathleen Krull, Scholastic Books, 1996
In this true story, Wilma Rudolph begins her childhood in racially segregated Tennessee. From a young age, she is crippled with polio but is determined to be like the other kids. The book becomes a miracle journey of healing with a wonderful moment in church. She eventually became an Olympic champion. CONVERSATION: As you read, ask the children if they would have given up? What do you think kept her going? Who helped her? Why do you think people treated her like that? And what would God have wanted us to do?
OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORIA, by Peggy Rathmann, Putnam, 1995
These two lead safety presentations at schools. Everyone pays attention to Officer Buckle as he reads each rule, but he does not see that his dog, Gloria, is acting it out behind him. He finds out and decides to quit. Gloria goes out alone, but no one understands the rules. Accidents begin to happen. They discover they are a team, each with different jobs, and they can’t do it alone. CONVERSATION: After a few pages, ask if anyone knows some good safety rules. What do you think Gloria would do? Would you rather do something yourself or with others? God tells us that we are like a body with different parts. Would it be a problem if we were all [name a body part]? We are all different and God made us to work together.
ENEMY PIE, by Derek Munson, Chronicle Books, 2000
This is a fun book about what to do when you don’t like someone. Dad offers to make an enemy pie so his son can get revenge on another boy, but to make it work, the son has to do some things that change everything. CONVERSATION: Before reading, ask: Why would someone not like someone? Can you think of someone who deserves an enemy pie? Then read about the father who helped his son plot a dinner with a surprise enemy pie. At the end, ask: What did you think would happen? What made the boy change how he felt about his enemy Jeremy?
THANKSGIVING AT THE TAPPLETONS, by Eileen Spinelli, HarperCollins, 1982
A family hosts a dinner and each member has a job. Things go wrong. When the guests arrive, there is no food prepared to eat. The family is reminded that being together is what they are most thankful for during a closing prayer. CONVERSATION: What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving? What would be the worst thing that could happen on Thanksgiving? God wants us to have a great Thanksgiving, even if something goes wrong.
BONUS:
ANY BIRTH OF CHRIST or EASTER SUNDAY BOOK
Use any illustrated book telling the birth of Christ or the Easter story. Talk about 5-10 simple verbs that can be acted out before reading (Walking sound by slapping knees or faster for running; frightened face for “Be not afraid”; shouting “Yeah” for good news; etc.). Pause to do each action as it comes up in the familiar story.
Rev. Dr. Paul Bailey retired in 2021 from the Eastwood Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY. In addition to over 40 years of pastoral ministry, he was an adjunct instructor in Communications at Onondaga Community College for 15 years.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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