Livre de la semaine: "Coloriages de Pâques, Des Rameaux à la Pentecôte"

Titre: Coloriages de Pâques, Des Rameaux à la Pentecôte

Auteur: Maïte Roche

Illustrateur: Maïte Roche

Voici l'extérieur du livre...

Voici l'intérieur du livre...

À propos du livre...

Ce livre commence avec le récit des Rameaux. Ensuite, nous voyageons avec Jésus et ses disciples pour la Semaine Sainte et Pâques, jusqu'à la Pentecôte.

Nous utilisons ce livre dans notre paroisse pour les coloriages des enfants pendant le culte. Nous allons commencer ces coloriages pour le Carême. On pourrait aussi colorier les pages à la maison en famille. Ce serait une bonne façon de raconter des histoires et commencer une discussion.

Qu'est-ce que j'aime dans le livre?

J'adore les images de Maïte Roche!

Est-ce qu'il y a des choses que je n'aime pas?

Non.

Où est-ce qu'on peut l'acheter? 

https://www.amazon.ca/Coloriages-Pâques-Rameaux-à-Pentecôte/dp/2728915075/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=coloriages+de+pâques+maite+roche&qid=1582046187&s=books&sr=1-1

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/coloriages-de-pâques-des-rameaux/9782728915071-item.html?ikwid=maite+roche+coloriages+de+paques&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

Book of the Week: "Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter"

Title: Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter

Author: Laura Alary

Illustrator: Ann Boyajian

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

About the book...

The book follows the church's rhythms of Lent and Easter. We learn about personal practices like prayer and sharing, as well as communal practices like Holy Week worship services.

The book also follows the stories of Jesus most often told during Lent, Holy Week and Easter.

An important theme is "making space" and "getting ready" for Easter. We will be reading a little of the book at church every week, and participating in a few of the practices the book suggests (like eating pretzels and collecting food for the local food bank.)

What do I like about it?

The words and illustrations feel peaceful and calming. They fit the mood of Lent well. The book is written clearly. This is particularly helpful for seasons of the church year which are hard for us to understand. The book provides important teaching to children and adults.

Personally, I struggle with what feels like a lot of expectations in Lent. We will go to all the services!  We will participate in a study group. We will read a devotional. We will do extra Easter crafts. We will have a more vibrant prayer life. I love that Make Room gives ideas for concrete practices and rhythms for Lent, while still keeping it simple.

Are there any drawbacks?

None!

Where can it be purchased?

https://www.amazon.ca/Make-Room-Childs-Guide-Easter/dp/1612616593

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=a%20child%27s%20guide%20to%20lent%20and%20easter#internal=1

Book of the Week: "Christmas in the Barn"

Title: Christmas in the Barn

Author: Margaret Wise Brown

Illustrator: Diane Goode

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

About the book...

This is a telling of the Christmas story for young children.

The pictures are bright and warm. They show a scene that looks like rural North America. (Red barns, snow...) This will fit with what most kids from the Global North know about barns. 

The story is told in rhyme. There are a few pages about animals and their sounds, which will be interesting for many young children.

What do I like about it?

I like that it is really easy for young children to understand. I also like the rhyme and poetry of the words. The warmth of the illustrations is lovely in a time when for me the world is very cold. The animals are interesting. I think that this is a good, simple telling of the Christmas story.

The story asks lots of questions, which makes it a good story to spark conversations.

It is good for reading in worship or at home.

Are there any drawbacks?

The story changes the cultural context of the Christmas story to rural North America. I think that this is a wonderful choice for young children who live in the Global North, since it will help them relate to the story.

I am less sure that the story would work well in the Global South.

Where can it be purchased?

This book was published in the 1950s and has been widely read. If you ask friends or at church, you might be able to borrow a copy.

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/christmas-in-the-barn/9780060526368-item.html?ikwid=Christmas+in+the+barn&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

https://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Barn-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/006052636X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Christmas+in+the+barn&qid=1575907067&sr=8-1

Book of the Week: "Refuge"

Title: Refuge: The Timeless Story of Christmas

Author: Anne Booth

Illustrator: Sam Usher

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

About the book...

After the stable and the shepherds, Mary and Joseph took Jesus and they fled to Egypt. They were refugees, protecting Jesus from King Herod, who wanted to kill him.

Refuge follows this part of the Christmas story. It reminds us of the millions of people who are refugees today. 

What do I like about it?

I think that the book is true to the biblical story. The words and illustrations speak powerfully of safety in a time of fear, and of hope in a time of darkness.

The book is told from the perspective of the donkey. I was surprised by this choice, but it was well done.

The story of one family can touch us in ways that statistics alone sometimes do not.

Are there any drawbacks?

My copy is a little on the small side - a shame because I would have loved to show everyone the pictures at church. But it would be great for home use.

Where can it be purchased?

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/refuge/9780316361729-item.html?ikwid=refuge&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=1

https://www.amazon.ca/Refuge-Anne-Booth/dp/0316361720/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1575906260&sr=8-1-fkmr0

On Amazon, the Kindle version is only $2.99 (in Dec. 2019). There are also lots of gently used copies available.

Livre de la semaine: Les Psaumes pour les tout-petits

Titre: Les Psaumes pour les tout-petits

Auteur: Marie-Hélène Delval

Illustrateur: Arno

Voici l'extérieur du livre...

Voici l'intérieur du livre...

Qu'est-ce que j'aime dans le livre?

Le livre est paisible et exprime bien les émotions de la vie humaine. Les psaumes ne sont pas normalement dans les livres de récits bibliques, mais ils sont pourtant importants.

Dans les mots de l'auteur: "Pour prier avec les jeunes enfants, les mots des psaumes conviennent particulièrement: inventés par les croyants du fond des âges, ils disent encore aujourd'hui l'éloignement vertigineux et l'intime proximité de Dieu."

Les images sont créatives.

Est-ce qu'il y a des choses que je n'aime pas?

Non, je l'aime bien.

Où est-ce qu'on peut l'acheter? 

https://www.renaud-bray.com/Livres_Produit.aspx?id=1241203&def=Psaumes+pour+les+tout-petits,DELVAL,+MARIE-HÉLENE,9782747038188

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/psaumes-pour-les-tout-petits-les/marie-helene-delval/2747011291/?id=33190

https://www.amazon.ca/psaumes-pour-tout-petits-Marie-Hélène-Delval/dp/2747011291

Book of the Week: A Church for All

Title: A Church for All

Author: Gayle E Pitman

Illustrator: Laure Fournier

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What is it about?

It is Sunday morning, and families of all kinds are coming to church. The book talks about the many ways people are different, and about how all of us are are an important part of the Church. 

We read this book at church and it was interesting to see how the kids interpreted it in different ways according to their experiences and ages.

What do I like about it?

At the most basic: It is a picture book about inclusion of people all across the LGBTQ2SIA+ spectrum! This already makes it an amazing book.

I loved the simple words about how all of us are welcome. I also loved the pictures, which have all of these little hidden gems. (Like the baby with jam on her face!)

I loved the way that it highlights how all of us are welcome at church. It doesn't matter if we are differently abled, or over-dressed, or a bit messy, or our kids are super loud. We are all welcome!

At the risk of offering book purists: We didn't need the dust jacket, so I cut out the picture from its front. It is now decorating my office door.

The book is going to have a prominent place in our bookshelf as one way of saying "Welcome!" to all kinds of families who visit our church.

Are there any drawbacks?

Nope! I only wish that this author and illustrator would team up for another book.

Where can it be purchased?

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/a-church-for-all/9780807511794-item.html?ikwid=a+church+for+all&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

https://www.amazon.ca/Church-All-Gayle-Pitman/dp/080751179X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+church+for+all&qid=1574797238&sr=8-1

And more...

The dust jacket of the book had some wonderful pictures. I cut the front and back of the dust jacket to  post on my office door. I hope that these decorations will help communicate to all people that they are welcome in the church.

Calendrier de L'Avent de l'Évangile

En ce moment, les calendriers de l'avent sont assez populaires. J'ai vu des calendriers à 1$ avec un peu de chocolat...des calendriers plus chers avec du chocolat de meilleure qualité...et même des calendriers pour adultes avec une bière par jour!

Ces calendriers sont le fun, mais pour moi il y a déjà assez de chocolat et de gâteries à Noël. Je cherchais plutôt quelque chose pour m'aider à me préparer spirituellement pour Noël.

Voici ce que j'ai trouvé...

Le Calendrier de l'Avent, par Maïte Roche

Ceci est un calendrier de l'avent pour attendre la naissance de Jésus. Le calendrier s'ouvre pour dévoiler une très belle scène:

Chaque jour, on ouvre une petite porte. On voit une image et des mots.

Le calendrier est accompagné par un petit livre de dévotions avec une page à colorier, un verset de la Bible et une prière.

On pourrait ré-utiliser ce calendrier chaque année!

Si vous cherchez ce calendrier, c'est disponible ici:

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/calendrier-de-l%27avent/maite-roche/9782916350776/?id=1111752&cat=1884314

https://www.amazon.ca/Calendrier-lAvent-lEvangile-Maïte-Roche/dp/2728911339/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=maite+roche+calendrier&qid=1574088550&sr=8-1

Livre de la semaine: Coloriages de la vie de Jésus (De la Nativité à la résurrection

Titre: Coloriages de la vie de Jésus: De la Nativité à la résurrection

Auteur: Maïte Roche

Illustrateur: Maïte Roche

Voici l'extérieur du livre...

Voici l'intérieur du livre...

Qu'est-ce que j'aime dans le livre?

Les coloriages sont magnifiques!

Le livre raconte la vie de Jésus de sa naissance jusqu'à sa résurrection. Cette progression est utile pour tous les enfants, mais surtout pour les enfants jeunes qui ont parfois de la difficulté à associer Jésus l'adulte et Jésus le bébé.

Il y a beaucoup de coloriages de Noël. On pourrait commencer à colorier ce livre à Noël, continuer pendant l'hiver, et terminer à Carême.

Est-ce qu'il y a des choses que je n'aime pas?

Non.

Où est-ce qu'on peut l'acheter? 

On peut le trouver dans plusieurs librairies chrétiennes, ainsi que sur internet:

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/32-coloriages-de-la-vie-de-jésus/roche-maite/9782362360060/?id=1155217&cat=

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/coloriages-de-la-vie-de/9782362360060-item.html?ikwid=Maïte+Roche+coloriages&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=2

Book of the Week: Great Joy

Title: Great Joy

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What do I like about it?

This is a story about love and great joy at Christmas. It is about how everyone is important to God. The little girl in the story is the one who notices a homeless man who the adults have forgotten or ignored. She invites him to the Christmas Pageant at church. The joy is complete when all are together, warm and loved.

The 1940s pictures are beautiful!

Although the book does not mention Jesus, I would say that it is "Christ-centred" in that it is about how Jesus' birth means love for all. I think it would be suitable for reading at church, at home, or in a setting like a school.

Are there any drawbacks?

No!

Areas for further exploration with kids: How does Jesus relate to "Great joy"? How can we bring justice and care to people who are experiencing homelessness?

Where can it be purchased?

It is available at most local libraries.

There is a different edition available at Chapters: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=great%20joy%20kate#internal=1

The version I have is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Great-Joy-Kate-DiCamillo/dp/0763629200/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1O4R8P0UTA3P5&keywords=kate+dicamillo+books&qid=1574087513&sprefix=Kate+di%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-14

Book of the Week: Just in Case You Ever Wonder

Title: "Just in Case You Ever Wonder"

Author: Max Lucado

Illustrator: Eve Tharlet

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What do I like about it?

The book is narrated by a parent, speaking to their child. It would make a great bed-time book read by a Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa!

The Daddy bear* starts by telling his daughter that she was created by God. This is why she's so special. The Daddy tells his child that no matter what challenges she faces in life, he will be there for her and will always love her. Then he tells about how God will always love her and be there for her too. Finally, the Daddy talks about heaven. "In heaven you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you."

This is a good book about creation, or about love (of families and of God!).

Although only a few pages are about heaven, I think that this is also a good introduction to talking about heaven. The book grounds the discussion about heaven in truths about God's love. I think that this is a theologically solid place to start the conversation.

*I actually have no idea what gender the parent/child bears are, and it doesn't really matter. I have given them a gender just so that I don't trip over pronouns!

Are there any drawbacks?

The central image of this book is this: God loves us just like our Mommies and Daddies love us. This image is fantastic for children who have known the safety of their parents' love. But what about kids who have not had this experience? What about children who are in foster care and are hurting because they and their parents will not be "together, forever."? Of course, God is still a loving mother and father to these children. However, I don't think that this image wold be helpful to their emotional or spiritual health at the moment.

Where can it be purchased?

This is a very popular book, which can be purchased at most secular or Christian bookstores. I bought mine at Chapters: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/just-in-case-you-ever/9780718075385-item.html?ref=item_page%3avariation

Book of the Week: "The Boy and the Ocean"

Title: "The Boy and the Ocean"

Author: Max Lucado

Illustrator: T. Lively Fluharty

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What do I like about it?

I like the "wondering" tone of the book. Max Lucado answers a question asked by many children, while also encouraging children to ask more good questions.

The message of the book is very solid: God's love is "always here. It's always big. It never ends. God's love is special." This is repeated three times in the book, which helps the words to sink into your heart.

The illustrations are gorgeous!

Are there any drawbacks?

I had bought it to read during the service at church and found it a little long. (Our church has lots of littles!) It could be shortened to read at church, or would be a good length for reading at home.

The book is metaphorical and some children might not make the connections. At the same time, it is ok to read things that we will grow into! I would still highly recommend this book.

Where can it be purchased?

I found it at my local Chapters. I am sure most Christian bookstores would also have it in stock.

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-boy-and-the-ocean/9781433539312-item.html?ikwid=the+boy+and+the+ocean&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

Livre de la semaine: La Bible en casse-têtes 6-en-1: l'amour de Jésus

Titre: La Bible en casse-têtes 6-en-1: l'amour de Jésus

Voici l'extérieur du livre...

Voici l'intérieur du livre...

Qu'est-ce que j'aime dans le livre?

Ce livre contient six casse-têtes pour partager l'amour de Jésus.

C'est une façon simple et intéressante à raconter des récits de la Bible. Les enfants peuvent faire les casse-têtes seuls, ou (encore mieux!) avec un parent ou grand-parent. On peut faire le casse-tête ensemble, lire les mots et se poser des questions à propos de Jésus et du récit.

Si vous regardez la photo, vous pouvez voir que l'image est imprimée en dessous du casse-tête. Il y a ainsi deux niveaux de difficulté. Pour un casse-tête facile, on peux le faire sur la page. Pour un casse-tête plus difficile, on peut sortir les morceaux du livre et les mettre ensemble sans regarder l'image.

Souvent, je perds des morceaux d'un casse-tête. J'étais inquiète que les morceaux de ce casse-tête seraient vite perdus. Heureusement, les morceaux se tiennent bien ensemble. Ils restent dans leur page.

Est-ce qu'il y a des choses que je n'aime pas?

Non, je l'aime bien!

Où est-ce qu'on peut l'acheter? 

https://librairiechretienne.ca/product/2068-bible-en-casse-tetes-l-amour-de-jesus

https://www.biblescanada.com/products/Children/PDV-BIBLE-EN-CASSE-TETE-6-EN-1-LAMOUR-DE-JESUS-14

Livre de la semaine: Petit guide pour apprendre à prier

Titre: Petit guide pour apprendre à prier

Auteur: Gabrielle Mercer

Illustrateur: Lara Ede

Voici l'extérieur du livre...

Voici l'intérieur du livre...

Qu'est-ce que j'aime dans le livre?

J'aime surtout le message du livre: "Peu importe avec qui tu pries, peu importe où tu pries, tu peux être sur que Dieu t'écoute."

Le livre, qui enseigne aux enfants comment prier, est simple et facile à comprendre. J'aime aussi qu'il est en carton....c'est quasiment indestructible!

Est-ce qu'il y a des choses que je n'aime pas?

La version en français est traduite de l'anglais. C'est bien, mais une version originale en français aurait été préférable pour moi.

Où est-ce qu'on peut l'acheter? 

J'ai acheté ma copie à la librairie de la société biblique à Québec. C'est aussi disponible sur internet: https://www.amazon.ca/Petit-guide-pour-apprendre-prier/dp/2853006719/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=petit+guide+pour+apprendre+prier&qid=1570732159&sr=8-1

Book of the Week: "The Storm That Stopped"

Title: The Storm that Stopped

Author: Alison Mitchell

Illustrator: Catalina Echeverri

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What do I like about it? 

The book is fun and very visual. This is a great book for visual learners.

On one level, the book is a re-telling of Jesus calming the storm. It also has another layer, with a message about Jesus being the Son of God. Some children will understand all of it, while others will understand only part. That is ok! This book is a good one to puzzle over and ask questions about.

"The Storm that Stopped" is part of the series "Tales that Tell the Truth." If you enjoy this book, there are more like it. (https://www.goodreads.com/series/229412-tales-that-tell-the-truth).

Are there any drawbacks?

No.

Where can it be purchased?

At many secular and Christian bookstores. You can find it online here: https://www.amazon.ca/Storm-That-Stopped-story-really/dp/1910307963/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+storm+that+stopped&qid=1570580155&sr=8-1

There is also an activity book (which I have not tried): https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-storm-that-stopped-colouring/9781784981778-item.html?ikwid=the+storm+that+stopped&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

A Play Area

For a couple of years now, I've been looking at beautiful photos of children's church spaces. Many churches have set aside space in the sanctuary for children. This allows children to follow the worship service, but also to quietly play together.

When I thought about creating one of these areas, I felt overwhelmed. It looked really hard! This summer, I finally did get a start in it. It was much easier than it looked.

These are the things I added...

1. We started with colouring clipboards and some faith-based books. These were simple, faith based activities.

2. There were some gorgeous stickers at the dollar store. They were added to the space!

3. I saw some duplo (safe for little hands) and a wooden car at Value Village.

4. The duplo was really loud on the hard wood floor. I found a bright mat to make it a quiet activity. Bonus - the space looked more appealing and it was comfier for the kids.

5. Jesus The Sheep came to live in the space.



I wish that I had tried this years ago! Our children's space is not fancy, but it is working very well. The children love it.

Livre de la semaine: "La Bible pour les petits"

Titre: La Bible pour les petits

Auteur: Maïte Roche

Illustrateur: Maïte Roche

Voici l'extérieur du livre...

Voici l'intérieur du livre...

Qu'est-ce que j'aime dans le livre?

Les images dans ce livre sont magnifiques. J'ai passé beaucoup de temps à les regarder!

Les mots sont tout simples et bien choisis. Les histoires sont courtes - parfaites pour les tout-petits à l'église ou à la maison.

Ma copie est un livre en carton. Même un bébé peut le regarder sans déchirer les pages.

C'est assez difficile de raconter, avec seulement 15 histoires, l'arc narratif de la Bible. Je crois que Maïte Roche a bien choisi ses histoires. Si on veut plus d'histoires à propos de Jésus, elle a aussi un autre livre: L'Évangile pour les petits  https://www.archambault.ca/livres/évangile-pour-les-petits-l'-n-éd/roche-maïte/9782728919222/?id=1459013&cat=

Est-ce qu'il y a des choses que je n'aime pas?

Presque chaque personne dans les desseins a la peau blanche.

Où est-ce qu'on peut acheter ce livre? 

J'ai acheté ma copie au magasin de la Société Biblique de Québec. Si vous préférez, vous pouvez aussi l'acheter sur internet.

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/bible-pour-les-petits-la-n-éd/roche-maïte/9782728918485/?id=1405469&cat=

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/la-bible-pour-les-petits/9782728918485-item.html?ikwid=la+bible+pour+les+petits+maite+roche&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0

Book of the Week: "When God Made You"

Title: "When God Made You"

Author: Matthew Paul Turner

Illustrator: David Catrow

What does it look like outside?

What does it look like inside?

What do I like about it?

The book has an important message to each child: You are created by God.

I like the beautiful illustrations and the beautiful words (with rhyme and rhythm.) I think that God's amazing creation is well celebrated in this book.

The children at our church enjoyed the pictures and the message.

We have been purposely looking for books with more diverse characters. We appreciated this book for that reason.

Are there any drawbacks?

I was reading to a younger audience (aged 2-8) and found that some of the words were very tricky. As a book with few words and many pictures, it looks like a book for younger kids. However, in many cases there was a strong focus on beauty of language. This was good, but in some cases a much simpler word would have sufficed. Some of the younger kids lost attention since they couldn't understand what the book was about.

Where can it be purchased?

Most Christian or secular bookstores. In Canada, you can order online at https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/when-god-made-you/9781601429186-item.html?ikwid=when+god+made+you&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0 . 

Book trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_pBRUXlFNw

Livre de la semaine: "Coloriages de la Bible"

Titre: "Coloriages de la Bible: De la Création aux Prophètes"

Auteur et illustratrice: Maïte Roche

Voici l'extérieur du livre...

Voici l'intérieur du livre...

Qu'est-ce que j'aime dans le livre?

Les coloriages sont magnifiques! Chaque page contient une citation de la Bible, ainsi qu'une image pour l'accompagner. Les images sont intéressantes et belles. Nous avons même coupé les images coloriées par les enfants pour décorer l'église.

Si vous cherchez sur Google, vous allez trouver très peu de coloriages chrétiens en français. Ce livre de coloriages est donc assez spécial.

Nous offrons les coloriages aux enfants pendant les célébrations liturgiques. Le livre pourrait également être colorié à la maison. On pourrait raconter à un enfant un récit de la Bible, et ensuite colorier la page qui l'illustre

Est-ce qu'il y a des choses que je n'aime pas?

Normalement, j'imprime les coloriages pour offrir aux enfants de l'église. J'aurais préféré acheter un PDF avec les coloriages. J'aurais donc pu imprimer le nombre qu'il me fallait.

Où est-ce qu'on peut l'acheter? 

On peut trouver ce livre chez Chapters ou Amazon. C'est aussi disponible chez Archambault:

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/32-coloriages-de-la-bible/roche-maïte/9782362360022/?id=1155216&cat=

J'ai tant aimé ce livre que j'ai commandé des autres livres de Maïte Roche!

Coloriages pour attendre Jésus

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/coloriages-pour-attendre-jésus/roche-maïte/9782728919383/?id=1602705&cat=

Coloriages de Pâques

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/coloriages-de-pâques/roche-maite/9782728915071/?id=1245398&cat=

Coloriages de Noël

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/coloriages-de-noël/roche-maite/9782362360077/?id=1209400&cat=

Coloriages de la vie de Jésus

https://www.archambault.ca/livres/32-coloriages-de-la-vie-de-jésus/roche-maite/9782362360060/?id=1155217&cat=