Stunning illustrations accompany paraphrased Psalms written especially for young children.

Psalms Comfort and

Inspire Kids

Psalms for Young Children

Marie-Hélène Delval / Eerdmans Books for Young Readers c $16 ISBN: 9780802853226

>>> It’s worth the price of admission to this enchanting book for young children to have access to the gorgeous illustrations in Psalms for Young Children. They’re quite unusual and original, fitting beautifully with the paraphrased Psalms written so that even the very young can understand them.

Long a favorite with adults, Psalms can be a comfort and inspiration to children, too, when the words explain the meaning without talking down to them. “God, when I’m in my bed at night, I think about you. And then I’m not scared of anything. I can fall asleep quietly and in peace” (Psalm 4).

A line of happily dancing children on a world stage sing Psalm 47, “Let’s clap our hands and shout with joy, because God is a great strong king! God is king of all the earth. Let’s celebrate with songs!” Children may get up to dance just reading it and seeing the colorful illustration!

We don’t always feel like singing, though. “When I am sad, it feels like I’m underwater, like I’m stuck in the mud, or at the bottom of a dark hole. Pull me from this dark place, God! Save me! I need your help!” (Psalm 69).

—Anita Cain

PRODUCT INTELLIGENCE

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Reviews

Are There Horses in Heaven?

Mary Lou Davis / Christian Focus

Publications p $10.99 ISBN: 9781845502836

In Are There Horses in Heaven, Davis tells the semi-autobiographical story of a young girl living in the South.

Mary spends all her
time at Heathermoor
farm, riding horses,
indulging in mischief,
and trying to imitate
the legendary Franny
and Love, best friends
who rode horses
on the same farm
years ago. Alternat-
ing between Love’s
adventures and Mary’s,
the book follows both
girls as they discover
all life’s hardships and
delights. As the book
progresses, however,
Love’s absence from
present-day adven-
tures becomes increas-
ingly conspicuous,

until the climax, when everything is revealed. Love’s fate impacts every character in the book—as well as the reader—in a powerful way.

As the story begins, leaping from memory to memory, readers may search for a uniting thread, but the narrative takes flight once a rhythm is found. The book will appeal to the same audience as the famed “American Girl” series.

—Josh Skaggs

The Captive Princess

Wendy Lawton / Moody

Publishers p $6.99 ISBN: 9780802476401

She’s one of the few Native American women from long ago to have made the history books, and that was no

mistake. This intriguing and beautifully written book about Pocahontas for older children and teens can also be enjoyed by adults.

She was special among her tribe, to her father, and to John Smith, one of the early explorer/settlers to come to America. Pocahontas was the favorite daughter of her father—the chief of the Powhattan nation and the most powerful man in all the land—and was thus considered a princess. The nickname, given by her father,

means little mischief maker. She’s 11 as the story begins. Not only does she save John Smith’s life, but the entire village, when she influences her father to send food to feed the starving people.

Though this is juvenile fiction, it’s based on Pocahontas’ actual life. At what point reality ends and fiction begins is for readers to discern, but this is engaging reading which won’t fail to keep readers alert and interested.

—Anita Cain

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