Children's Books

Reading Program 2002

Education for Mission

ERANDI’S BRAIDS
Penguin Putnam, 1999
32 pages
Antonio Hernández Madrigal (#3417) $16.00/

This is a tender story of a Mexican mother and daughter’s love for each other. When the child wants a doll for her birthday but her mother needs a new net for fishing, the child sacrifices her long, beautiful braids so her mother can continue to earn a living. An excellent supplement for the children’s 2002-2003 mission study on Mexico. For ages 4-8.

Nurturing for Community

MARIANTHE’S STORY: PAINTED WORDS /SPOKEN MEMORIES
Greenwillow Books, 1998
Aliki Brandenberg (#3461) /$16.00

Marianthe’s story is actually two books in one. Marianthe is a Greek child who enters school unable to speak English. Her first story is told through pictures, the only way she can communicate with her classmates. Gradually Marianthe learns to tell her story in words (the second story). Every child who has ever been uprooted and brought to a new country to face new customs and a new language will identify with it. For ages 5-8.

THE WORRY STONE
Parson Weems Publisher Service, 1996
40 pages
Marianna Dengler (#3475) / $15.95

Written and illustrated with loving hands, this book is three tales woven together: stories of a child and her grandfather; of the Chumash Indians of California; and of the friendship between an old woman and a lonely young boy. The book pays homage to the power of folk tales spoken aloud. For ages 8-11.

Social Action

SISTER ANNE’S HANDS
Penguin Putnam, 1998
40 pages
Marybeth Lorbiecki (#3459) $17.00/

This is a true story about how a teacher can change a child’s life. In the 1960's, warm and loving Sister Anne is assigned to teach in an all-white school. One day a child sends her a racist note. How she and the children deal with this challenge makes the story memorable. Poetic and uplifting, this book will be a joy to read alone or aloud. For ages 5-8.

Spiritual Growth

THE GIVE-AWAY
Abingdon Press, 1999
32 pages
Ray Buckley (#3425) $13.00/

In this beautifully illustrated book, the birds and animals discover that humans have lost their sense of who they are. The "Four-leggeds" and "Those Who Fly" offer their most precious gift, even at the cost of their lives, to restore humanity. In the end, the Creator must choose to give-away and gives the most precious gift of all. Written for "children of all ages," this also makes a wonderful Christmas meditation.