Interview with Diane Stortz

I am very excited to share this interview with Diane Stortz. Diane is an author and former editorial director whose heart's desire is to "tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord" (Psalm 78:4). Her most recent release is I AM: 40 Reasons to Trust God.





What is unique about this Bible storybook?
The focus of the book is on the names and descriptive titles of God in the Bible. So every story shows how either an Old Testament or New Testament name tells us more about who God is. For example, the story of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, shows us that God is The LORD Who Heals. Each story also contains a short devotion about the name and what it means for a child's daily life. There's also a prayer, a "Learn More" section, and a "What Happened Next?" section that links all the stories together from Genesis through Revelation.

How did you come up with the idea for this book? 
"I'm not sure! Some time back, I was introduced to the idea of reading the Bible to get to know God -- as opposed to studying it for information or as rules to be followed. Since this book is designed to help children get to know God better, I suppose the idea actually began forming then.

You've written the Bible storybooks besides this one. Why is this type of book important to you?
I love creating engaging books based on the Bible that children want to return to again and again! An age-appropriate Bible storybook makes such a good entry point for children to engage with God's Word. When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, he noted that Timothy's faith began with this mother and grandmother and with the Scripture they taught him: "From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15). Sometimes parents get introduced to God and the Word through a good Bible storybook too!

I hope you will take a few minutes to check out this lovely new book from Diane. It would make a perfect gift for a baby shower, birthday, or Easter!

I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God

ISBN-13: 9780529120663

I'd like to thank Diane for this interview and pray many blessings on her writing and the lives it will touch.

Three Reasons to Give Children Books for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming! 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 preteen's Valentine's Day treat.

1. Books can be shared between parent and child or between grandparent and grandchild. Children crave time with the adults in their lives. Sharing a book is a great way to spend time and a perfect invitation to discuss the important things of the Bible.
2. Books can teach the nature of God's love. Whether the recipient is a preschooler listening to a Bible storybook, a beginning reader reading an easy text Bible story, or a tween completing a devotional, books are a fantastic way to introduce or reinforce the concept of God's love.
3. Children can enjoy books again and again. Young readers love being able to read books on their own. They love rereading the same books, savoring the success of becoming an independent reader. What joy to give a book to a beginning reader for Valentine's Day! What a privilege to give the child a book that affirms God's love for him. Middle grade readers also love books. They are at such a critical time in life. Suddenly, they must decide what they believe and what choices they will make when mom and dad are not always with them. Offering the right books can help middle graders make God-honoring choices.

Will you share a book with a child this Valentine's Day?

I pray that you and your family will have a sweet Valentine's Day spending time together and enjoying words that bring your child closer to God.

Carol

A portion of this post appeared first on the Christian Children's Authors blog. Have you visited us there?

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

A Sweet Book for Toddler Girls

Diane Stortz

Are you looking for something fresh and new for the toddler girl on your list? I have the privilege of reviewing a new board book for little girls that just released this month. The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers by Diane Stortz is a beautiful solution for gift giving, and since it just released, that special little girl won't already have it. Let me explain why this book is such a perfect gift.

The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers is a board book. Its pink cover is sprinkled with twinkly stars. A large heart announces the title, and three smiling little girls invite the reader to explore the inside of the book. The color and feel of the book is special, yet durable for young hands. The size is perfect for a toddler to hold and to turn the pages. Inside the book, young book enthusiasts have a treat with lovely color illustrations an simple, toddler-friendly text for eight Bible stories: A Perfect World, Safe in a Big Boat, Saving Baby Moses, Brave Queen Esther, Born in a Stable, Let the Children Come, The Saddest Day, Alive Again!


The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers would make a lovely gift for many occasions: a baby shower, a baby's birth, a baby dedication, as well as Christmas, birthday, or Easter for a toddler. Here is what the publisher says about this charming book:

The sweetest things surround a little girl's life: hearts and flowers, kittens and puppies, umbrellas and tea parties, kisses and hugs. But the sweetest thing of all in her life is God's love. The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers includes eight beloved Bible stories that show how much God love his people and every little girl.

The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers is a must-read for every little girl. What a wonderful addition to a child's library and sweet words of life for her tender heart!


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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) 2014 Carol McAdams Moore

Why I Write for Beginning Readers

I love to write for kids! Those who are beginning readers are especially fun (and challenging) to write for. Here are four reasons I love to write for beginning readers.

1. Beginning readers are just mastering the print word. They are super excited about being about to read stories and Bible truths for themselves.
2. Beginning readers love to read for others. They will read a fiction story or a Bible storybook again and again - to anyone who will listen! What a privilege for an author to be a part of that witness through young voices.
3. Beginning readers are school-aged. Whether they attend a public school, a Christian school, or are homeschooled, they are starting to be confronted with new ideas. Some of those do not reflect Bible teachings. Not only do beginning readers explore their faith, they begin to defend it through their reading.
4. Beginning readers grow to be middle grade readers. I love writing for that age group, too. Read all about it here.

Do these characteristics sound like the beginning readers you know? What would you add?

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Notes from Carol

Have we connected on Twitter and Facebook?



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copyright (c) 2014 Carol McAdams Moore

Summer Bible Reading Club for Kids

You might share some of my loves: I love summer! I love summer reading clubs! I love the Bible!

I think that kids love summer, reading, and the Bible as well. I have written about encouraging Bible reading here. Today, I want to share three ideas for creating a summer Bible reading club for children.

• Choose the Material 

  Perhaps you have a preschooler who is not in the reader category just yet. Choose a Bible storybook with multiple stories. Your child can choose the stories from the book for his or her reading material.
  
  Perhaps you have a beginning reader. A Bible storybook or beginning reader Bible would be appropriate reading that would foster reading independence and give your child ownership in his efforts in the Bible reading club.
  
  Perhaps you have an elementary reader. He may be ready for a traditional Bible reading, or he may feel more comfortable with one of the selections above. Remember the goal is to create an enjoyment and habit of reading the Bible, so help the child choose a comfortable Bible choice.
  
  Perhaps you have a tween reader (age 9-12). A traditional Bible is most likely the best selection.

• Choose the Rewards

   Plan the plan! Talk to your child about the reading expectations. Will it be one story from the Bible storybook? A chapter from the traditional Bible?
  
  How often do you hope the plan will be done? Perhaps the child will need a reading schedule, or maybe he will be motivated to reads lots.
  
  Track the progress. A simple sticker chart or check sheet can fit the bill here. However, you can be super creative. Choose a simple paper shape (such as a frog) that can move up the frig or across the wall to show progress in reading.
  
  Plan a reward system. The important thing is that the rewards are fun, not expensive. Will the child receive a reward after every five readings? An ice cream cone might be a fun reward. Do you hope that 50 readings will happen this summer? Maybe a movie reward will be in order. Let your child help plan the rewards! Communicate the plan early to maximize a clear understanding of how the summer Bible reading club will work.
  

• Enjoy the Plan

  Let your child read with you. Here are some more ideas: How to Grow a Bible Reader.
  
  Join in. Kids LOVE doing things with their parents. What will be your summer Bible reading plan? Let your child help you track your progress. Yes. You, too can have a frog on the frig!
  
  Have fun!

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Notes from Carol

I am super excited about my devos for tweens. . .

Dare U 2 Open This Book 

and

Just Sayin'

Coming from Zonderkidz in October 2014!

Have we connected on Twitter and Facebook?



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copyright (c) 2014 Carol McAdams Moore

Beginning Reader Bible Stories

Parents know that the good old days of summer are perfect for visiting the library. This is especially true for the child in the six to eight year old range who is just mastering reading skills. The many Bible stories available in the easy reader format are close to my heart (as a parent, teacher, and writer of Sunday School curriculum).

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.  Psalm 119:105   (NIV)

What do beginner Bibles offer the new reader?

• a chance to explore the Scripture for himself
• an opportunity to practice his newly acquired reading skills
  

Beginning Bible Readers at Home

Do you want to encourage your child to read Bible stories for himself?

• Visit your local library or Christian bookstore.
• Help your child select some Bible storybooks at his reading level.
• Give your child the opportunity to read them to you again and again. (Kids learn from repetition.)
• Suggest that your child read one of the stories aloud for bedtime devotional.
• Have a Bible story play. Act out the story using simple props found around the house.

Kid Ministry Idea

How can VBS and Sunday School teachers encourage the new Bible reader?

• Establish an easy reader check out system. Allow kids to borrow one or two books to read at home.
• Create a Bible readers club. Fashion it after the summer reading club at the local library. Reward kids for beginning Bible stories they have read.
• Have guest readers. Encourage one child to read the focus Bible story for the other kids

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Tweetables

What do beginner Bibles offer the new reader?   Tweet this!

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105  (NIV)   Tweet this!

How can VBS and Sunday School teachers encourage beginning readers?   Tweet this!

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Notes from Carol

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will come back often! Let's connect on Twitter and Facebook!



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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore