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.

- M - (Missions, Social Concerns, Stewardship, Aged, Poverty)

RBM-1 STU BEAR STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES based on original Stu Bear stories by Elizabeth Caldwell- illustrated by John Foster; (K/Pri); Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., 2001.

In these darling stories Stu Bear, the teddy bear, learns about stewardship and missions. The many aspects of stewardship are explained to young children in a charming way.

A STU BEAR: A STORY ABOUT STEWARDSHIP FOR YOUNG CHILDREN by Lynn Delgado

B STU BEAR GOES ON A MISSION VISIT by Heather Chappell

RBM-2 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BOOK SERIES- (E); Habitat for Humanity, 1995.

A series of beautifully illustrated books to accompany the undated Habitat for Humanity Vacation Bible School kit. Can be used without the curriculum.

A. GRANDPA'S HAMMER by Ronald Kidd- Illustrator: Bill Farnsworth. Grandpa receives comfort and meaning for his life after his wife dies by becoming involved in a Habitat for Humanity project. His young granddaughter helps Grandpa get his life back together.

B. RAISING THE ROOF by Ronald Kidd- Illustrator: Jada Rowland. At first David resents the fact that his parents volunteer for Habitat for Humanity rather than spending time with him in the park. David decides to build a house at the playground, but he doesn't want help. He later learns about the joy of sharing and building things together.

C. DOORWAY TO THE WORLD by Ronald Kidd- Illustrator: Teresa Flavin. When young Ben and his parents are chosen to be Habitat for Humanity International Partners, Ben is not sure what this would involve and he doesn't want to leave his home and his friends. Through an exciting dream, he discovers that he really wants to help people in other countries to have a home.

D. BUILDING FRIENDS by Ronald Kidd- Illustrators: Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. Rosa loves sitting in her treehouse and watching what's going on in her neighborhood. One day she sees a new boy in a lot next door. She and Matthew become friends. Rosa's parents become volunteers for Habitat and begin working on the new house in the empty lot. Matthew and Rosa build a friendship and she is surprised to find that Matthew is to be her new neighbor.

RBM-3   A TO Z SERIES by Justine and Ron Fontes- C/A; Scholastic, Inc. 2003 (Gift).

            A TO Z books take the reader on trips to countries all over the world.  Children learn about Animals, Buildings, and  Cities and see cross-cultural comparisons.  They also learn about the Food, History, and People of other countries.

                   A.      CHINA

                   B.      IRELAND

                   C.      ISRAEL

                   D.      KENYA

                   E.      RUSSIA

                   F.      MEXICO

- N - (New Testament)

RBN-1 ZACCHEUS MEETS JESUS by Diane Stortz- illustrated by Todd Fagan; (Pre/K); Standard Publishing, 1996.

The story of Zaccheus and Jesus with colorful cartoon illustrations.

RBN-2 LYDIA by Marty Rhodes Figley- illustrated by Anita Riggio; (K/E); Eerdmans Book for Young Readers, 1999.

A colorfully illustrated story of Lydia, the seller of purple goods.

RBN-3 PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE series by Catherine Storr- illustrated by Mark Peppé; (E), Brown/Roa, 1998.

Some of the stories included are: The Miracle of the Net Full of Fish, healing miracles, The Stoning of Stephen, Saul's Conversion, Paul's Basket Escape, Peter's Prison Escape, and Paul's Shipwreck.

-O- (Old Testament)

RBO-1 CREATION by Helen Haidle- Illustrators: David and Elizabeth Haidle; (E); Zonderkidz, 2000.

Features excerpts from Genesis and the Psalms that show God's wonderful handiwork in all of creation. Includes a section called "God's Amazing Creatures," which shows God's unique design in some of God's more unusual creatures. Also includes unusual facts about more common creatures.

RBO-2 GOD'S PAINTBRUSH by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso- Illustrator: Annette Compton; (K/E); Jewish Lights Publishing, 1992.

Through fantasy, involvement, and beautiful illustrations, children of all faiths are invited to encounter God openly through their imaginations and moments in their own lives.

RBO-3 IN THE BEGINNING by Stephanie Jeffs- Illustrator: Susan Wintringham; (E); Abingdon Press, 1997.

A beautifully illustrated, detailed account of the creation story.

RBO-4 THE FLOOD, THE ARK, AND THE RAINBOW by Stephanie Jeffs- Illustrator: Susan Wintringham; (E); Abingdon Press, 1998.

A beautifully illustrated story of Noah's Ark.

RBO-5 CAN YOU FIND BIBLE HEROES?: INTRODUCING YOUR CHILD TO THE OLD TESTAMENT by Philip D. Gallery- Illustrator: Janet L. Harlow; (E); St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1998.

Stories of the heroic men and women of the Old Testament spring to life in dazzling pictures that sprinkle a little learning in with fun. Each picture hides ten symbols of God's love.

RBO-6 THE BROKEN JUG by Noni Lichtveld and Mies Bouhuys; (J/JH); Concordia Publishing, 1969.

The fascinating, but heart-breaking, story of the prophet Jeremiah's life and faithful prophecies. Includes the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.

RBO-7 A SPRIG OF GREEN by Noni Lichtveld and Mies Bouhuys; (J/JH); Concordia Publishing, 1969.

A very exciting story of the prophet Isaiah and his interactions with King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem at the time they were being attacked by the Assyrian Army. Includes prophecies about the Messiah.

RBO-8 NOAH'S ARK by Peter Spier; (Pri/E); Doubleday and Co. 1977.

The story of Noah is told through the colorful illustrations of well-known author/illustrator, Peter Spier.

RBO-9 JACOB'S LADDER by Sekiya Miyoshi; (K/Pri); Pilgrim Press, 2001.

In this fictionalized version of the story of Jacob and Esau, Sekiya Miyoshi shows how God's children of all hues need one another.

RBO-10 THE PROMISED LAND- Delete (Lost)

RBO-11 DAVID AND GOLIATH by Sekiya Miyoshi; (K/Pri); Pilgrim Press, 2001.

Sekiya Miyoshi recreates the story of David, the shepherd boy, who defeats Goliath, the giant. The simple story is illustrated in beautiful glowing colors.

RBO-12 DANIEL AND THE LION by Sekiya Miyoshi; (K/Pri);

Pilgrim Press, 2001.

A somewhat fictionalized version of Daniel in the lion's den illustrated in beautiful, glowing colors.

RBO-13 PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE SERIES by Catherine Storr; (Pre/Pri); Brown-Roa, 1998.

The Bible for young children through stories and pictures.

A ADAM AND EVE- illustrated by Jim Russell - The story of Adam and Eve, their disobedience and subsequent banishment from the Garden of Eden.

B NOAH AND HIS ARK- illustrated by Jim Russell - The traditional story of Noah and the Ark.

C ABRAHAM AND ISAAC - illustrated by Gavin Rowe

The story of Abraham and Sarah, the death of Lot’s wife, the interrupted sacrifice of Isaac, and the later marriage of Isaac and Rebecca.

D JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS- illustrated by Chris Molan - The story of Joseph and his special coat and the wickedness and treachery of his brothers who sold him into slavery.

E JOSEPH THE DREAM-TELLER - illustrated by Chris Molan - The story of Joseph and his interpretations of the Pharaoh's dreams until he is made governor of Egypt.

F JOSEPH AND THE FAMINE- illustrated by Chris Molan - The story of Joseph, governor of Egypt, and his reconciliation with his brothers.

G MOSES OF THE BULRUSHES- illustrated by Jim Russell - The story of Moses hidden as a baby in the bulrushes, his rescue by Pharaoh's daughter, and his later murder of an Egyptian. It concludes with God's call to Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt.

H MOSES AND THE PLAGUES- illustrated by Jim Russell - The story of Moses's and Aaron's request to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free. It tells about the 10 plagues God sent when Pharaoh refused to let the people go.

I MOSES IN THE WILDERNESS- illustrated by Jim Russell - The story of Moses and the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The wilderness stories include the 10 Commandments, the golden calf, and the Ark of the Covenant.

J SAMSON AND DELILAH- illustrated by Ivan Lapper- The story of the strong man Samson, his betrayal by his wife Delilah, and his revenge on the Philistines.

K RUTH'S STORY- illustrated by Geoff Taylor - The story of Ruth from her time in Moab through her marriage to Boaz and the birth of their son Obed.

L DAVID AND GOLIATH- illustrated by Chris Molan -The story of David from his anointing by Samuel through the slaying of Goliath and his going to live with King Saul.

M KING DAVID- illustrated by Paul Crampton - The story begins with David and Saul and Saul's jealous hatred of David. After Saul's death David becomes king. Includes the story of David and Bathsheba and concludes with the birth of Solomon.

N THE TRIALS OF DANIEL- illustrated by Larry Wilkinson - A nicely illustrated story of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar. Includes the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and fiery furnace. It concludes with the story of King Darius and Daniel in the lion's den.

O JONAH AND THE WHALE- illustrated by Larry Wilkinson - An exciting telling of the story of Jonah with many colorful illustrations.

RBO-14 DAVID'S SONGS: HIS PSALMS AND THEIR STORY by Colin Eisler and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; (E); Dial Books, 1992.

Beautifully illustrated story of the life of David and the possible motivations behind some of his Psalms.

RBO-15 THE PROMISED LAND - AN OLD TESTAMENT ACTIVITY BOOK by Linda Robinson Whited; Illustrator: Robert S. Jones; (E); Abingdon Press, 1999.

Activities for children to accompany a study of the "Promised Land" from Abraham through Joshua.

RBO-16 JONAH AND THE BIG FISH written and illustrated by Sekiya Miyoshi; (E); Pilgrim Press, 2002.

A beautifully illustrated, imaginative story of Jonah.

RBO-17 THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD by Masahiro Kasuya; (K/E); Pilgrim Press, 2002.

A colorful adaptation of the creation story for young children. The book illustrates the first seven days and beyond with a special message for today.

RBO-18 LITTLE CHILDREN’S BIBLE BOOKS series by Anne de Graaf; Illustrator: José Pérez Montero; (K/Pri); Broadman and Holman 2000.

A series of books for young children with short sentences, simple words, colorful cartoon illustrations, and special fold-out pages.

A ABRAHAM- The story of Abraham retold for little people with jumbo fold-out interactive text.

B JOSEPH- The story of Joseph retold for little people with jumbo fold-out text.

C. DANIEL- The story of Daniel retold for little people with jumbo fold-out interactive text.

RBO-19 THE OLDEST STORY IN THE WORLD wirtten and illustrated by Sekiya Miyoshi; (E); Judson Press, 1964.

A brightly illustrated story of creation.