Soul Sustenance: New Books from Zonderkidz

I recently had a chance to review several new books from Zonderkidz. They were all on a variety of topics, great for a variety of ages.

One Big Heart
ABC News correspondent Linsey Davis is releasing her second children’s book, One Big Heart: A Celebration of Being More Alike Than Different, following up on the success of her award-winning picture book The World is Awake, which was recently named a Christopher Award winner. Her hope is to encourage young readers to find the essence of God in the world around us. 

It was a cute picture book, uplifting, and a great way to encourage kids to look for what makes us all the same.












Arcade and the Golden Travel Guide
Arcade and the Golden Travel Guide is the second book in the Coin Slot Chronicles series by New York Times bestselling author, former NFL running back, and Dancing with the Stars champion Rashad Jennings. This humorous and imaginative series encourages readers to value the power of friendship and imagination, and to never underestimate an underdog.

Even though it was the second in a series, it worked as a standalone book. It is cute, different, and fun, with strong messages about perseverance and working together.

The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Tryouts
Sister Bear is a super soccer player. She’s fast on her feet. She kicks the ball with the power of a cub twice her size. She should be a shoo-in at soccer tryouts, but there is one little problem. Sister Bear is too small. Read along to find out if Sister makes the team, or has to stay stuck on the sidelines.

This is the first mini-chapter book I've read. It's great for families with kids who enjoy Brother and Sister bear, but have started to outgrow the picture books. Like all of the Berenstain Bears books, it teaches a gentle lesson with a positive resolution..

The One and Only Wolfgang
From Instagram sensation Steve Greig and New York Times bestselling author Mary Rand Hess comes The One and Only Wolfgang. This humorous, heartwarming story about Greig’s real-life menagerie of senior rescue animals affirms that, in a family, everyone belongs.

This is a great book for any dog lovers, fun to read and cute.
 
Bible Gems to Remember Illustrated Bible
Bible Gems to Remember Illustrated Bible, written by Robin Schmitt and illustrated by Kris Aro McCleod, takes children through 52 stories from the Bible. Each story will include a powerful gem from Scripture of five words or less for children to memorize and hold close to their hearts.
Bible Gems to Remember Devotional
Bible Gems to Remember Devotions for Kids will give kids a devotion per week to read through, mediate and reflect upon, and put into practice. Each of the 52 devotions will include a Bible gem to memorize. Scripture is sparkling with “gemstones”––concise statements of 5 words or less that hold great value, meaning, and power.

The Bible was actually a little young for my girls, even though the devotional worked well for their ages. I did like how both brought Bible truths down to concise phrases, making it easy for kids of all ages to gain important understanding about God and His love.