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.