Good News for Little Hearts is a new children's book series from New Growth Press. The books are beautifully illustrated, with bright pictures featuring family units that are animals. My younger children are 6, 4, and 4, and they were each very drawn to the pictures as well as the main characters!
Each book discusses a specific topic, which is seen very clearly on the cover of the books just above the title--I love this feature so much, and my one main criticisms of these hardcover books is if you take the dust jacket off (because young kids rarely keep it on the book!), you only see the picture of the main character and not the title or the key point. This criticism is merely based on my own personal preference, and in no way affects the true impact of the books!
Because these books flow so well together & essentially are the start of a series (I really hope there will be more!), I am going to provide info about each book all within this same blog post. Please note that each book is fully independent of the others, is a solid stand alone, and can be purchased so you can focus on just one of the key principles. At the same time, by reading each of them you get a broader sense of each animal family being part of a community, and that each child who is they key focus is likely friends with the other 2 main characters. I particularly like to look at them as a corroboration of Biblical principles and great elements of discussion. Each book contains what I could call a "Parent Help Section" that gives insight on how to help your children face anxiety, failure, and anger. The very last page of each book is a tear-out of 4 "Back Pocket Bible Verses" you can give to your child, put on the fridge, or read together! Tremendous resources to find at the back of a children's book!!
Zoe's Hiding Place (when you are anxious)
Zoe is a young mouse who lives with her parents and baby brother. She is a bit of a daydreamer, and doesn't always have great listening ears. She has not heard her teacher on a few occasions, and that led to her getting lost on a previous field trip. When Zoe realizes the class is going on another field trip, she is filled with worry & afraid she will become lost again. The reader gets to watch as Zoe prays, looks to her parents for guidance, and seeks comfort in the Bible verse her dad writes down for her.
Young children get to see how Zoe faces and overcomes a scary situation when she relies on the truth found within the word of God. Of the three books,
Zoe's Hiding Place is my favorite.
Buster's Ears Trip Him Up (when you fail)
Buster is a young bunny who lives with his parents and his sister. Buster is always in a hurry! Buster is also quite confident in his abilities, and is quite proud of the fact he is the 'fastest bunny in the meadow'. Buster and his sister, Ivy, are preparing to go to camp. Just before they leave, Buster's dad hands him a piece of paper. Dad tells Buster he will know the right time to read the message.
Buster is extremely excited (and a bit too confident) about a race that will take place during camp. When the race doesn't go as Buster thought it would, he becomes upset. The reader gets the chance to see Ivy extend great kindness to Buster, and Papa's note provides encouragement at the perfect time. Buster displays wonderful examples of learning both patience and humility.
Jax's Tail Twitches (when you are angry)
Jax is a squirrel who lives in a tree with his mom, dad, brother & baby sister. Of the three books, this one contains the most family interaction, as the family is together throughout the whole book. In addition, the entire squirrel family has individual lessons that they are learning outside of just Jax being the focus. Ultimately, they come together as a family and pray for God to forgive and help each of them. It is a powerful moment of humility! Although the book touches on Jax dealing with anger, it also shows how the two brothers learn to get along, Dad realizing he was selfish in not sharing with a neighbor, and Mom blaming the family for a burned dinner that she had forgotten. The family not only works through their issues, but also experiences kindness, generosity and grace from the neighbors. This is a children's book that is packed with many truths and much depth.
Click each link to purchase the following books:
Zoe's Hiding Place
Buster's Ears Trip Him Up
Jax's Tail Twitches
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