Northern California Ecumenical
Media Resource Center

RESOURCE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN and YOUTH,
and CHILDREN'S LEADERS

The resource books in this section are useful for resourcing all of the topics listed below. They should be especially helpful for those teachers who are using the Rotation Model Workshop style of teaching. The letter (T) indicates books for teachers.

-G- (God, Death)

RBG-1 GOD IS LIKE: THREE PARABLES FOR CHILDREN by Julie Walters; Illustrator: Thea Kliros;

(Pre/Pri); Waterbrook Press, 2000.

In story form, the book shows children how God is like a steady rock, a spark of light, and a breath of wind. Illustrated in delicate watercolors.

RBG-2 GOD'S LOVE IS LIKE written and illustrated by Ray Buckley; (K/E); Abingdon Press, 1998.

Multicultural stories relate five of the parables Jesus told: Sarai Sees Jesus (Bible times) - Good Samaritan

The Little Seed That Grew (Hispanic) - Mustard Seed

Keetah's Special Day (Native American) - The Loving Father - Jody Learns about Good Soil (Asian-American) -The Soils.

RBG-3 GOD IS LIKE A MOTHER HEN by Carolyn Stahl Bohler; Illustrator: Dean Nicklas; (Pre/Pri); Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 1996.

Uses the traditional similes to help children understand God with small-child-friendly text and colorful illustrations.

RBG-4 GOD IS WITH ME written and illustrated by Debby Andersen- (Pre); Standard Publishing, 1984.

A colorful book with cartoon illustrations which shows small children that God is with them. The story is based on Psalm 139.

RBG-5 IN GOD'S NAME by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso; Illustrator: Phoebe Stone; (E); Jewish Lights Publishing, 1993.

An inclusive study of people from all walks of life seeking for the perfect name for God. The beautifully illustrated book identifies and names the many wonderful characteristics of God.

RBG-6 MARTIN THE COBBLER adapted from Leo Tolstoy Illustrations from the Billy Budd clay animation film; (E).

A Russian folk tale in which Martin the Cobbler awaits a visit from God and then finds that loving visits with his guests were his visits from God.

RBG-7 WHEN GOD SPEAKS by Joan Lowery Nixon; Illustrator: James McIlrath; (Pri); Our Sunday Visitor, 1978. A small boy learns to hear God speak through nature experiences.

RBG-8 WHEN GOD LISTENS by Joan Lowery Nixon,: (Pri); Our Sunday Visitor, 1978.

A young girl learns to talk to God through everyday experiences.

RBG-9 HOW DOES GOD LISTEN? by Kay Lindahl; Illustrator: Cynthia Maloney; (Pre-K/Pri); Skylight Paths Publishing, 2005.

This lively book helps children use all of their senses to explore how God is always present in their everyday lives and is always listening. It helps children develop a direct and personal relationship with God.

RBI-1    THE MAGIC FOREST by Michele Hemenway and Sara A. Buchanan; illustrated by Sam Gardner; (E; Journal, audiocassette, and activity book; Bridge Resources, 1998.

The Magic Forest, written with and for children, allows children to explore the themes of:  transformation, the struggle for good, overcoming fears, and finding love and support in the world.  The kit includes an activity book that contains the story, an audiocassette, and a children’s journal to help them experience the story.

-J- (Jesus)

RBJ-1 BIBLE SEARCH AND SEE: STORIES OF JESUS written by Stephanie Jeffs; Illustrator: Roger Fereday; (K/E); Augsburg Fortress, 1998.

Stories of Jesus are illustrated with a search page for each story. Includes events in the life of Jesus, miracles and parables.

RBJ-2 A CHILD'S LIFE OF JESUS written by Fulton Oursler; Illustrator: Helen Caswell; (K/E); Abingdon Press, 1997.

The story of the life of Jesus from birth to Resurrection.

RBJ-3 GUIDED MEDITATIONS FOR CHILDREN 2: HOW TO TEACH CHILDREN TO PRAY USING SCRIPTURE by Jane Reehorst, B.V.M.; (E); Brown-Roa, 1991.

Children are taught to pray using Scripture meditations. Includes major stories and teaching from the life of Jesus.

RBJ-4 JESUS GOES TO THE MARKETPLACE by Carolyn Muller Wolcott; Illustrator: Neil Fisher; (K/Pri); Abingdon Press, 1999.

When Jesus was a little boy, he might have made a trip to the marketplace with his parents. This story shows small children that Jesus was once a little child just like them. It also has a good message about giving.

RBJ-5 JESUS GOES TO THE SYNAGOGUE by Helen Brown- Illustrator: Neil Fisher- (K/Pri); Abingdon Press, 1999.

A fictional story of what might have happened when the boy Jesus went to the synagogue.

RBJ-6 JESUS LIGHTS THE SABBATH LAMP by James S. Tippet- Illustrator: Neil Fisher- (K/Pri); Abingdon Press, 1981.

A fictional story of what might have happened when Jesus was a child.

RBJ-7 MORE STORIES AND SONGS OF JESUS by Paul Freeburg, D.C. and Christopher Walker- Illustrator: Jean Germano; (E); OCP Publications, 1999.

A nicely illustrated collection of children's stories and songs about Jesus from His birth to His resurrection.

RBJ-8 SMALL GIFTS IN GOD'S HANDS by Max Lucado- Illustrator: Cheri Bladholen; (K/E); Tommy Nelson, 2000.

A beautifully illustrated fictionalized story of "The Miracle of The Loaves and Fishes." It teaches children that no gift is too small for God to use.

RBJ-9 JESUS LOVES CHILDREN by Christiane Brusselmans; Illustrator: Napoli; (pre/Pri); Sadlier, 1981.

Using Scriptural passages in children's language, the book tells the story of God's love from creation through the return of Jesus after his Resurrection. Somewhat Catholic in emphasis.

RBJ-10 THE STORY OF JESUS by Mark Water and Susie Poole; (E); The Pilgrim Press, 2001.

The story of Jesus from the Annunciation to the Ascension.

RBJ-11 PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE series by Catherine Storr (Pri); Brown/Roa, 1998.

The Bible through stories and pictures. Each book includes a map of the Holy Land.

A THE BIRTH OF JESUS- illustrated by Gavin Rowe- The story of the birth of Jesus through the escape to Egypt.

B JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST- illustrated by Chris Molan; (E)- Tells the story of the baptism of Jesus, His temptation, some of His teachings including a kingdom parable and the Beatitudes. The story of the death of John the Baptist is also included.

C JESUS BEGINS HIS WORK- illustrated by Chris Molan- Stories included are the Boy Jesus in the Temple, the Calling of the Disciples, the Wedding at Cana, the Healing of the Blind Man and Jairus's Daughter.

D JESUS THE HEALER- illustrated by Chris Molan; Some of the stories included are: Healing the Leper, Casting out Demons, the Centurion's Servant, the Man with the Withered Hand, and Blind Bartimaeus. Also includes the Anointing of Jesus, the Zacchaeus story, and the Transfiguration.

E THE GOOD SAMARITAN- illustrated by Paul Crompton; Includes the Parable of the Seeds, the Mustard Seed, the Pearl of Great Price, the Parable of the Two Builders, and the Good Samaritan.

F THE PRODIGAL SON- illustrated by Gavin Rowe-

G MIRACLES BY THE SEA- illustrated by Chris Molan; Some of the miracles included are: the Miracle of the Fish Nets, Feeding the 5,000, Calming the Storm, and Walking on Water.

H THE FIRST EASTER- illustrated by Chris Molan; The story of Easter from the Passover Supper to the Resurrection.

RBJ-12 THE TALE OF THREE TREES; A TRADITIONAL FOLKTALE by Angela Elwell Hunt- illustrator: Tim Jonke; (E); Lion Children' Books, 1989.

This beautifully illustrated story of three trees who make wishes which come true through the life of Jesus. The first wanted to hold a precious treasure; the second dreamed of being a strong sailing ship; and the third little tree wanted to be so tall that when people looked up, they would think of God.

RBJ-13 JESUS SHOWS US HOW TO LIVE Paper Engineering by James Diaz: illustrated by Susan Morris; (Pre-K/K); Intervisual Communications, 1981.

Stories of Jesus with kaleidoscopic pictures for small children.

RBJ-14 JESUS IS OUR FRIEND: STORIES ABOUT HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS by Barbara Kunz Loots; Illustrated by Carol Bryan; (K/Pri); A Hallmark Pop-Up Book.

A pop-up book with stories about Jesus.

RBJ-15 JESUS, FRIEND OF CHILDREN by Pat Alexander; Illustrated by Noelle Herrenschmidt; (Pri); Concordia, 1976.

The life of Jesus told in 40 stories for young readers.

RBJ-16 WHAT THE BIBLE TELLS US illustrated by Kees de Kort; (K/2nd); Augsburg, 1968.

A series of stories of Jesus for young children.

A JESUS STILLS THE STORM

B. JESUS HEALS THE BLIND MAN

C. JESUS AT THE WEDDING

D. ZACCHAEUS

E. THE GOOD SAMARITAN

RBJ-17 WHEN JESUS WAS A LITTLE BOY by Georgia Moore Eberling; illustrated by Katherine Evans; (K/Pri); Grosset and Dunlap, 1954.

A fanciful story of Jesus as a little boy told in rhyme.

RBJ-18 JESUS AND HIS TIMES: A Reader's Digest book (J/A); The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., 1987.

A beautiful historical and cultural book about Jesus and His Times. Some of the topics included are: The Birth of the Savior, The Culture and History of the Holy Land, Religious Conflicts, and The Spread of the Gospel.

RBJ-19 BREAKFAST WITH JESUS by Mark A. Taylor- Illustrator: Andy Stiles; (Pre/Pri); Standard Publishing Col., 1993.

With cute illustrations for children, this books tells the story of the fishnet miracle and the disciples' breakfast with Jesus.