Last  week, Carmel Tinnes shared an overview of Reader’s Theatre as a way to help us think about this form of dramatic storytelling in our ministry.  She follows up this week with an article that can help you begin to develop a script from the children’s book (or...

Name of Book:  Fly Away Home Author:  Eve Bunting Illustrator:  Ronald Himler Publisher:  Clarion Books Audience:  ages 5+ Summary:  A small boy and his father live in a busy airport.  The story explores some of the problems facing the homelessness as seen through the eyes of a...

Name of Book: Coming Home Author: Floyd Cooper Illustrator: Floyd Cooper Publisher: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers Audience: Intended audience is 4-8 years, but could be used with all ages. Summary: “Can I get a witness?” to “Can I give a witness?”  Coming Home tells the...

Name of Book:  pictures of hollis woods Author: Patricia Reilly Giff Publisher: Dell Yearling Audience: Ages 11–14 Summary: Hollis Woods is a 12 year old foster child who has lived in so many foster homes that she has lost count. Hollis is also an artist who chronicles her...

Name of Book:   The Color of Me Author:  Linda L. McDunn Illustrator:  Barbara Knutson Publisher:  Liturgical Press Audience:  Ages 3-6 Summary: This version of the creation story is used to point out God’s inclusiveness.  God made all the colors of the earth, the animals and...

One particularly good use of children’s books in the church is  reader’s theatre.  As Dr. Carmel Tinnes explains, “Reader’s theatre is a dramatic form that is on a continuum between storytelling and formal theatre”.   Dr. Tinnes shares her expertise...

Student Jim Collins developed a 3 hour workshop for parents that helped them learn to evaluate children’s books and see how they can be tools for faith conversations with their children.  Books used in this workshop include: How Full is Your Bucket? (Tom Rath and Mary...

Name of Book: Michael Rosen’s Sad Book Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Quentin Blake Publisher: Candlewick Press   Audience: Intended age range: age 8-12; more suitable age range: age 13-adults. Summary: This book features a story about Michael Rosen who deals with grief...