Establishing Devotional Routines with Kids

Are you looking for some new routines to study God's Word in the new year? Maybe you are hoping to establish the same routines for your children and preteens.

A new year is a great time to start a new devotion book.

Here is a portion of my post on the Christian Children's Authors blog from last January on that very topic.

Kids of this age might not say that they thrive on routine, but they do. And tweens who have a routine devotional time are much more likely to chillax as they learn the promises of the Bible.

For example, the child who understands that there is a set time to complete school work, expects it to be so. He or she might not verbally welcome doing school work, but knowing that there is a designated time to get it done is calming in a way.

What about learning God's Word? Again, if there is a routine, the tween will automatically expect it. Having a ready mind set goes a long way on the path to achievement.

Here are four considerations that parents can use to create and maintain a devotional routine to help tweens  chillax in God's Word.

• Time - Let's face it. We are all creatures of habit. If an activity has a regular time in our lives, it is likely to get done. Otherwise, well meant intentions can go by the wayside. Help tweens establish a regular time for their devotions.
• Place - When a devotional time happens in a regular place, there can be fewer distractions. For example, perhaps the tween devotion takes place every evening in a quiet place in his room (perhaps with an adult). It is much more likely to be productive than if it is in the family room in the midst of video games and conversation.
• Material - It is important to have a devotion book to use with the tween's Bible. Choose a Bible translation that fits the tween's reading ability and a devotional book that engages him. There are devotions of many different formats available.
• Participants - A time of devotions can be alone or with a family member. With a child who is old enough to read independently, it is a great idea to incorporate some individual time and an additional time of reading, discussion, and praying with an adult family member.

I hope you will join us on the Christian Children's Authors blog for more posts about all things reading with Christian kids.

Book Ideas for Christmas Week

Last evening, my husband asked me if we still needed to purchase any gifts. This morning, I hear the humm of cars headed to the mall. Maybe you still have a few gifts to purchase. (Friends, remember to Buy Local!) Maybe you are ready to relax with your family and celebrate Christmas. I hope that this week includes time to slow down with your family and to share a good book.

Here is a compilation of my fave posts about Christmas reading with children and teens.

• Books and Activities that Teach about Jesus' Birth
• How to Pick Books for Young Children
• Choosing Books for the Trip to Grandma's House
• Three Kinds of Gift Books for Young Children
• Three Ways to Share Books with Grandchildren
• Twelve Days of Christmas Reading for Older Kids
• Three Reasons for Something to Read
• Five Reasons to Read During Christmas Week
• The Devotion Book Table

Many blessings from our home to yours as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Carol

How to Pick Books for Young Children

Books are popular gifts to children.
Maybe your family follows the practice of Four Simple Gifts:

1. Something They Want
2. Something They Need
3. Something to Wear
4. Something to Read

Maybe your family is enjoying the 25 Books for Christmas tradition.
Perhaps your family just values the practice of reading to young children.
No matter the reason for your book gift-giving, it can be tricky to choose just the right book for a child.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a book for a young child.

• Are the words at the child's level?
• Are the illustrations fun and colorful?
• Do the words and the pictures go together?
• Is it a topic of interest to the child?
• Is the book playful and engaging?

Several months ago, I also posted a series about Great Book for Christian Kids. It has some guidelines for picking books for preteens and teens as well.

I pray that your family will have some quiet time this Christmas season. I pray that you will take time to sit together and enjoy the greatest story of all, the story of the birth of our Savior.

Carol

Three Kinds of Gift Books for Children

Do you have a few things left to get for Christmas? Me, too!

I've been looking over my family's wish lists. And something stood out about books. It won't be a surprise to you.

Kids enjoy different book formats.

Here are three formats that are great considerations as you finish up your Christmas shopping.

1. Traditional, Print Books - Traditional books can be wrapped and tucked inside a stocking or placed under the tree. They can be held and enjoyed again and again as the child or teen turns the pages and takes in the illustrations. Traditional, print books can be shared between parent (or grandparent) and the young reader. These books can be stowed away for future generations to enjoy. We can probably all agree on the benefits of books that we can hold and share with others... But some young readers are changing... And screens are more and more important in their young lives.
2. Ebooks - One reader on my Christmas list ONLY reads ebooks. Ebooks offer the convenience of being transported easily from place to place. One device can hold an entire library and can be tucked inside the child's book bag, ready to board the plane to Grandma's or keep one entertained in the back seat of a car.
3. Audio Books - Audio books offer their own set of perks. They are convenient and can be enjoyed individually or shared with a group. I posted about the draw of audio books for some kids who struggle with reading, but readers of all abilities enjoy listening to books.

What about the kids and teens on your Christmas list? What kinds of books will keep them "turning the pages"?

Carol

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A Note from Carol:

I have the amazing opportunity to write books for children and preteens. My preteen devotionals are for kids ages 8 - 12, written in the popular doodle format. Kids read a short devotion and then write or doodle (draw) how the Bible text applies to their own lives. The books make great stocking stuffers and gifts for Sunday School groups. You can check them out by clicking on one of the pictures at the right. 

Choosing Books for the Trip to Grandma's House

Screens for kids. I am a fan.

And not so much.

Certainly today's kids are part of a technological generation. Most adults joke that if they are stuck with a computer or phone question, they should ask a child to help.

In the next few weeks, lots of families will pack their bags to visit grandparents and other relatives. Here's to hoping that books, not screens, will be the biggest consideration for what goes into children's travel bags.

Books about Travel

Kids love to travel - for the most part, anyway. Traveling is an adventure that includes new places, new people, and new experiences. Is it the child's first time on a plane, include a book about air travel. Does Grandma live in a different geographic region? Include books about that area. They will teach new information and will serve as a natural answer to the never ending question Are we there yet?

Books about Christmas

Everyone is excited about the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth and the many Christmas traditions. Why not include a book or two about the holiday? Reading about the Christmas story is a wonderful way to teach about the blessed event and to help kids corral their excitement as they focus on the pictures and text.

Books about Special Interests

Christmas vacation is a time away from traditional learning, but kids never stop wanting to learn about things that interest them. Include a new book about a high-interest topic. Here are some things to consider when choosing high-interest books.

Books to Share with Grandma

Grandparents never tire of sharing books with their grands. Perhaps they are books that Grandma will read aloud to little ones. Perhaps they are books that beginning readers will proudly read to her. Maybe the books will be books that preteens can read and discuss with Grandma. 

At the beginning of a new year, many people start a new devotional. Choosing one that a grandparent can begin with a young child or preteen is a wonderful way for grandparents to share their faith with another generation. I am privileged to be the author of two devotionals for preteens. Dare U 2 Open This Book is for boys ages 8 - 12. Just Sayin' is for girls ages 8 -12. You can read more about them by clicking on the pictures to the right.

What kind of books will your kiddos pack this year?

Carol

       

Three Reasons for Something to Read

It started at the Apple Store. (Actually it started long before that.) The young 20-something clerk leaned toward me and asked if I could believe it. Believe what? She wanted to know if I could believe that they already had their Christmas tree up...

People are looking forward to a Thanksgiving feast with family this week, but they are also looking ahead to checking off the items on their Christmas shopping list. Almost everyday I read the adage -

Something they want; something they need; something to wear; something to read...

I wish I knew WHO originated that. I surely would credit that individual or organization here.

And, of course, I am focused on the last part - #something to read.

Here are three reasons to add something to read for the kids and teens on your shopping list.

1. Books Offer New Adventures After the flurry of gifts on Christmas, kids are faced with days off school and some extra time on their hands. Giving a book for Christmas is a great passport to new places, new experiences, and new learning challenges.
2. Books Bring People Together Our family looks forward to additional time together over the Christmas break. Being able to stay in our jammies a tad later or staying up way to late has always been a time to pull out those board games. It can also be a time to share a new book. The #something to read book might be a new publication or it might be a treasured title for a parent or grandparent to share with the child.
3. Books Foster Spiritual Growth Just after Christmas comes the New Year. Giving a child a new devotional is a perfect way to encourage them to take a fresh look at God's Word.

I took a poll on Twitter, and 100% of the people who responded said that they would be giving at least one book this Christmas.

What about your gift giving this year? Will the gifts under your tree include #something to read?

Carol

The Devotion Book Table

I met her at a book industry event. She was a children's ministry director for her church. I must admit she had a new-to-me idea that I truly loved.

Each year as we approach Christmas, she sets up a devotion book table for parents and kids.

Her goal is to get as many devotions for children and tweens in one spot for families to compare. Her hope is to get a good devotional fit into each child's hands as the New Year arrives. When families can preview and compare a wide variety of books, they are more likely to find one that their son or daughter will connect with and stick with for Bible study.

How can children's ministry leaders get sample copies of new, popular tween devotions? Many authors offer giveaways through sites such as Goodreads. Sometimes publishers have review copies available for the asking (if the reader is willing to post a review). 

For today only, I am offering a review copy of each tween devotional below to the first 25 children's ministry leaders who respond.

What: 

A review copy of Just Sayin' and Dare U 2 Open This Book

Who: 
Children's ministry leaders

How: 
Send the following to me at carolmcadamsmoore@gmail.com

• Your name
• Church name
• Church email address (for my monthly newsletter)
• Church snail mail address

What devotional is on your child's reading list for 2016?

Christmas Traditions and Children's Books

Have we connected on the Christian Children's Authors site? I'm sharing my post from yesterday...

Tomorrow will be November 1st. I LOVE November. It is a time of remembering the blessing of family and friends. It is a time of gathering together and looking forward to celebrating Jesus' birth at Christmas.

So why am I writing about Christmas reading when tomorrow will only be November 1st?

Read the post on Christian Children's Authors.

Costumes, Pretend, and Jesus

I was talking past a display of costumes when a little girl grabbed a hat with a long braid attached to the back. She pulled it on her head.

"Daddy, who do I look like?" she asked.

"You look just the same," he replied and chuckled.

I partially understood his response. She, in fact, had two long braids of her own. It was a moment of pretend, though. It was a moment to be someone new, someone she perhaps admired and aspired to be (in this case, someone famous, although troubled).

When children pretend, they get to try on a new personality and a new reputation.

THAT is what I love about this time of year. It reminds me of how we all have the opportunity to be a new person with a new reputation in Jesus. It is not just dress up and pretend.

He offers us the real thing, the genuine opportunity to be born again.

And when we say, "Daddy, who do I look like?"...  the marvelous thing is that all He sees is the new person we have become.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17  NLT

Recommended Books for Kids

It happened at the post office. A young mom was at the counter. She had a baby on one hip and a

preschooler dancing at her feet. She was talking to the clerk about mailing several books that were obviously written for children. The books were on top of a colorful, padded envelope.

My first reaction was to think what an awesome gift they would be for the recipient. Then, I wondered if they were the same titles that the dancing preschooler knew and loved - you know, recommended preschool reading.

One child offering a book recommendation to another is such a fun idea. Here are some reasons why:

• The first child gets a chance to share a title he or she loves.
• The first child stops to think about why the book is recommended.
• The first child writes or draws about the recommendation
• The second child gets a gift.
• The second child not only gets to read the recommendation, but can think about his or her own reaction to the book.
• The second child can write or draw a thank you note and reaction to the book.

What are other ways that kids can pass on their impressions about books they are reading? I love to post about that!

A Traveling Book Club

Under Cover Devotion Club

Book Bag Fun for Preschoolers

I also love giving children's books as gifts. How about you?

Carol

Book Fun with Kids

Gift Books for Children

I love to visit libraries and bookstores! I love to read about new books online. Books can take us to so many places beyond our actual surroundings.

As we head into the holidays, books can play a key role in exploring traditions, experiencing adventures, and accepting challenges to do more of what Jesus wants us to do.

It's not really that simple - is it? But books can help us (as well as the children in our lives) to take that next step, to climb a little higher.

Will books be a part of your Christmas giving this year?

Library Fun for Children

I love the library, don't you? I mean, what's not to like? Books, friends, activities...

I'm planning out my week, and one of my highlights will be meeting a friend at the library. I will be handing off several hundred bookmarks for a children's literacy event.

I'm excited to see my friend. I'm also excited to check out her library. I haven't been to that particular branch before, but I know it to be a place of awesome activities for children.

It make me think of all the things that libraries offer kids:

• Author events
• Summer reading programs
• Movie nights
• Book clubs
• Story hours
• Comfy chairs 
• Computers 
• Activity sheets
• Art and craft times

And, of course...

thousands and thousands of books

that can take them just about everywhere.

Are you planning your week, too? I'm hoping it will include some time at the library.

Let's Hear It for Book Fairs

As you might imagine, I love books. I am drawn to places that have lots of books -- like libraries, bookstores, book sales, and book fairs.

Last week, I saw this.

Yay! Let's hear it for school book fairs! Book fairs have a special place in my heart. A school book fair is where I first got the idea for my tween devos from Zonderkidz. What better place is there to see what intrigues young readers?

This week marks the first birthday of Dare U 2 Open This Book and Just Sayin'.

   

Yes! We are planning a party, and you are invited. Keep an eye on my blog and on other social media for all the details. We are friends -- right? If not, let's connect. I don't want you to be left out of the festivities. It's not often we get to celebrate the birthday of twins.

Labor Day - A Day of Play

Adults celebrate Labor Day as a day of rest from our hard work, and a day to be thankful for the opportunity to work. While adults may be taking it easy today, I do hope that children are hard at work.

When I ask children what they will do, given a day off, I often get a similar answer. Almost without variance, the day will revolve around video games. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against video games per se, but I grew up in THAT neighborhood.

In THAT neighborhood, the children were all hard at work.

"Play is the work of the child..."

                  Maria Montessori

In THAT neighborhood, little girls were rocking their baby dolls and practicing being mommies. Little boys were digging with trucks in the dirt... and dreaming of building big buildings. Kids were swinging on tire swings and dreaming of the future... and every week the bookmobile stopped by with books that helped the kids learn about the world and the many possibilities for their futures.

I recently watched a video by a panel of Australian children's authors and illustrators. It was a wonderful tribute to how their faith is the force behind their writing, whether overtly in the words on the page or through a child's eyes of a Christian worldview.

I made me think of the power of preschool play -- or pretending -- and the role that children's books make on building Christian character.

Preschoolers love to pretend.

Pretending can be wonderful practice for the way that God wants them to live, as young children and later as teens and adults. It can instill a confidence to follow the plan that God has for their lives.

Christian children's books help them pretend, or practice, how to live God's plan for their lives.

I wish you and your family a wonderful day together of work - and of play.

Carol

Three Back to School Reading Routines

It is back to school time.

Seriously.

Your family might home school. Your family might have children in a Christian or public school. But any way you look at it, this is back to school time.

And that means routines.

I hear lots of accounts of back to school routines. Some families practice getting up at a certain time. Some families spend time brushing up on basic school skills such as math facts...and reading.

Three Ways to Give Books to Needy Children

How can we support literacy development in needy children?

Today I am the blogger on Christian Children's Authors. . . 

This week I saw a promotion for free books for needy children. 

The organization placed a vending-style machine in several locations. The machine (which delivered its wares for free) was filled with books.

Fostering a Love of Reading in Children

Today I am on the Christian Children's Authors blog. . .

This week, I ate at a popular hamburger chain. The sign said that kids could read four books and them get a free hamburger.

It made me think of different kinds of reading programs I have seen.

Some of them offer a prize or a treat after reading so many pages or for so many  minutes. The prize might be a ticket to an amusement or water park.

Read more

Learn to Write a Devotion - Event for Children and Teens

It Started with a Catsup Bottle

Truth. It started with a catsup bottle. Actually, it was (and still is) the World's Largest Catsup Bottle. 

Do you want to know something amazing?

I live very close to it.

Recently, I traveled from the state of Illinois, home of the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, to Florida. I had the privilege of talking to some children and teens who don't live near a huge catsup bottle, but near two huge bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. You can read about it here.

Thinking about what to say to them, reminded me of another true story.

Some years ago, I was talking to a girl about what she wanted to be as an adult.

Her response? She wanted to be a marine biologist.

The only problem (I am embarrassed to say I reminded her) was that she lived in Illinois (near corn fields and the World's Largest Catsup Bottle), not near the ocean where there surely would be work for marine biologists.

Some years went by, and I ran into someone who knew that girl.

She had moved to the east coast and grown up to be...

a marine biologist.

I learned a valuable lesson. We should never, ever limit the plans that God has for us. It reminded me of Jeremiah 29:11, so I took some catsup bottles with me to talk to the Orlando Children's Church. Each bottle had the verse taped to the back.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

We talked about catsup, corn fields, marine biologists and the truth that God has an awesome plan for each one of us. Then, we played a game, and catsup bottles were the prizes.

I had two bottles left.

When I checked out of my hotel, I offered them to the valet.

As I got into my car to drive back to the land of corn fields and the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, the valet thanked me and remarked that he loved the verse on the bottles. He said it was one of his favorite verses. 

Who knew he had even read the verse in the busy moments of packing things into my car?

And it all started with a bottle of catsup.

Join Me - A Traveling Book Club

These days I am thinking a lot about traveling and books. Later this month, I have the privilege of being a part of a literacy mission trip, hosted by the Christian Authors Network and the Christian Booksellers Association. You can read It’s Gonna Be a Great Summer here.

Today, I am posting on the Christian Children's Authors site -- A Traveling Book Club. I hope you will join me.

It's Gonna Be a Great Summer

You have encouraged me throughout my journey to publication. I continue to stand in awe of our great God who would allow me to have such an opportunity for service and outreach.

He has given me yet another opportunity, and I need your help.

Today I am posting about a children's literacy-mission event at the Orlando Children's Church in a few weeks that is very dear to my heart, an outreach to 550 children from at-risk backgrounds in the inner city of Christian Authors Network and the CBA. I am extremely privileged to be the co-chair for the children's activities that will span two days.
Orlando, Florida. It is co-sponsored by the Christian Booksellers Association and the Christian Authors Network.

It is our prayer and our goal to give each child a bag with one or more Christian books.

Will you help me?

Reading, Drawing, and Summer Reading Programs

Happy Saturday! On Saturdays, I post on the Christian Children's Authors blog. Here is a bit of today's post.

As I write this, I have the windows open in my office. It isn’t summer yet, but summer is surely just around
the corner. If you are a parent, a grandparent, or the caregiver of a child, I am sure that you have been busy planning for summer activities.





Summer Reading Clubs were a huge part of my summer activities as a child. I remember getting a little booklet at the library. The purpose of the booklet was to have a place to record a few things about each
book I read: title, author, summary, and what I liked about the book. I also got a construction paper shape that would move one more space around the room with each book I read.

Read the whole post 


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Notes from Carol

I am blessed to have two new releases. They are tween devos from Zonderkidz. What people are saying about the devotionals --

• The super fun feature about this devotional is it is interactive. Each devotional encourages drawing or something else artistic right in the book.  Amazon Customer
• Got two grandsons who are creative and zany. Carol McAdams Moore has given me a tool to give to these young men that will incorporate their love of the wacky to the Creator of their minds.  Cleo Lampos

For boys -                                          For girls -

                          


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copyright (c) 2015 Carol McAdams Moore

Engaging Kids in the Easter Message

Tomorrow is Easter! It is the day that we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, a day of joyous celebration.
How can we help children remember the important message of Easter? Elementary age kids often remember from doing something. Here are two ideas for engaging children in the concept of Resurrection Day.

Read more

Kid's Day in Christian Bookstores

It is Saturday! Yay! Let's hear it for Saturday!

What will your family be doing today? Saturday is a time for sports, chores, errands... It gets busy quickly, doesn't it?

I want to put one more thing on your list to do.

Actually, I am hoping that you will make it top priority.

Today is not just any Saturday. Today is Kid's Day at many independent Christian stores across the country. It is an annual event for children and their families. Special activities created by children's authors will be the focus.

Read more 


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copyright (c) 2015 Carol McAdams Moore

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Bedtime Bible Stories

What do you think of when you hear the words children's bedtime stories? For generations, parents have been tucking their children into bed with a bedtime story. Some of those stories are make-believe, perhaps even a spontaneous creation. Other bedtime stories are readings of a favorite book. The characters are familiar friends who are visited again and again, and who seem to join the child as they drift into sweet dreams. Or perhaps the bedtime story is a new adventure that parent and child share.           Read more

        

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copyright (c) 2015 Carol McAdams Moore

Three Reasons to Give Children Books for Valentine's Day

Today I am posting on the Christian Children's Authors blog.
 
Happy Valentine's Day! Today, many children will be showered with cards and candy. Both are sweet expressions of love, but books also offer a great Valentine's Day gift option. Here are three reasons to consider books for a child or tween's Valentine's Day treat.

Read the complete article



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Notes from Carol

I am blessed to have two new releases. They are tween devos from Zonderkidz. What people are saying about the devotionals --

• The super fun feature about this devotional is it is interactive. Each devotional encourages drawing or something else artistic right in the book.  Amazon Customer
• Got two grandsons who are creative and zany. Carol McAdams Moore has given me a tool to give to these young men that will incorporate their love of the wacky to the Creator of their minds.  Cleo Lampos

For boys -                                          For girls -

                          


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copyright (c) 2015 Carol McAdams Moore

Intentional Marketing with Bookmarks

Last month, I posted about Seven Benefits of Bookmarks. Today I want to share some additional ideas for using bookmarks. These ideas are particularly geared to retailers, but some could be used by authors as well.





To many of us, bookstores are like candy shops. There are so many wonderful choices, and it is difficult to see them all. How can a simple bookmark guide a book lover to that perfect book on the shelf? Here are seven ways that might be accomplished. Read more

Marketing: Seven Benefits of Bookmarks

Today, I am blogging on the Christian Authors Network Blog about the benefits to authors and retailers of using bookmarks.

A bookmark is an effective marketing tool that can be used by authors and retailers alike. When my tween devos came out, the creative people at Zondervan put together some amazing bookmarks. With each of my marketing efforts, I am increasingly more thankful for those bookmarks. Here is a list of seven benefits of bookmarks.
Read the full post



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Notes from Carol

I am blessed to have two new releases. They are tween devos from Zonderkidz. What people are saying about the devotionals --

• The super fun feature about this devotional is it is interactive. Each devotional encourages drawing or something else artistic right in the book.  Amazon Customer
• Got two grandsons who are creative and zany. Carol McAdams Moore has given me a tool to give to these young men that will incorporate their love of the wacky to the Creator of their minds.  Cleo Lampos

For boys -                                          For girls -

                          


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copyright (c) 2015 Carol McAdams Moore

Establishing Devotional Routines with Kids

Chillax - That is something I want to do this year. I want to chillax in God's Word! What about you? Here are four ideas for helping you child or tween do that as well.

Read my post on the Christian Children's Authors blog.

After Christmas DIY Tag Craft

Are you looking for something to do with this year's Christmas cards? Making gift tags for next year is a fun way to engage kids on an afternoon off school. Here is my post on the Christian Children's Authors blog.

Read the post