Resource Books for Children

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.

RBT-1 101 GREAT GAMES FOR KIDS by Jolene L.Roehlkepartain- (Pre/E); Abingdon Press, 2000.

Active fun that brings Scripture to life and gets kids up and moving. The book is divided into four age-level sections and includes a Scripture guide.

RBT-2 BIBLE TIME WITH KIDS: 400+ BIBLE-BASED ACTIVITIES TO USE WITH CHILDREN by Cindy Dingwall- (C/A); Abingdon Press, 1997.

Contains creative ideas, projects, and activities, each linked to a Scripture passage to help children learn people, places, and happenings in the Bible. Included are puzzles, prayers, stories, outings, bulletin board ideas, dramas, games, and songs, art and service projects, and crafts. (Reproducible pages).

RBT-3 CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY by Martha Bettis Gee- (E); Bridge Resources, 1998.

RBT-4 THE FAMILY BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA by Berkeley and Alvera Mickelson; (E/Y) David C. Cook, 1978.

RBT-5 I WANT TO KNOW: BIBLE STORIES, ARTICLES, FACTS, AND FUN ABOUT GOD, JESUS, THE BIBLE AND PRAYER by Rick Osborne and K. Christie Bowler with a variety of illustrators; (J/JH); ZonderKidz, 2000.

This fun, informative book is packed with great full-color photos, cartoons, and graphics. Includes study guide.

RBT-6 LEARNING TO LOVE LIKE JESUS: CREATIVE BIBLE-LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 12- by Tracy Leffingwell Harrast; (E); David C. Cook, 1991.

A book of creative activities to accompany stories about Jesus. Pages may be photocopied for classroom use.

RBT-7 LEARNING THROUGH ART AND DRAMA by Robert G. Davidson; (C/A) Educational Ministries.

The purpose of this teacher-training program is to help church school teachers and facilitators gain additional insight into the creative use of art and drama in the learning process.

RBT-8 BOREDOM BUSTERS: 84 QUICK ACTIVITIES TO WAKE UP A YOUTH GROUP by Cindy S. Hansen; (Y); Group, 1990.

RBT-9 A HANDBOOK OF ARTS AND CRAFTS by Willard F. Wankelman, Philip and Marietta Wigg- (E/JH); Wm. C. Brown Company, 1976.

A wide selection of art activities for elementary/junior high children. The book also includes a section on the basic concepts of art instruction.

RBT-10 SAFE SANCTUARIES: REDUCING THE RISK OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE CHURCH by Joy Thornburg Melton- (A) Discipleship Resources, 2000.

This book explains what child abuse is and ways in which the church can protect itself from child abusing volunteers.

RBT-11 THE BIG BOOK OF BIBLE GAMES: 200 FUN GAMES FOR BIBLE LEARNING- (E); Gospel Light, 1996.

Contains 200 fun games for Bible learning for children in grades 1 - 6. The reproducible collection includes Bible stories, review games, Scripture memory games, and life application games.

RBT-12 CREATIVITIES: 101 CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN TO CELEBRATE GOD’S LOVE by Patricia Mathson; (K/E); Ave Maria Press, 1992.

A wide variety of creative activities for teaching Old and New Testament and seasonal lessons to kindergarten through elementary age children.

RBT-13 OPENING THE BIBLE WITH CHILDREN by Patricia Griggs; (T); Abingdon Press, 1990.

Experienced Christian educator Patricia Griggs gives insights and ideas on teaching beginning Bible skills.

RBT-14 INSTANT PUPPET SKITS: 20 STORIES FROM PEOPLE WHO MET JESUS by Mikal Keefer and John Cutshall; (C/A); 2 CD’s; Group Publishing, 2003.

Puppet stories included are: The Christmas Miracle, Teacher at the Temple, John the Baptist, Apostle Andrew, Planning the Wedding, Friend of the Paralytic, Clear the temple, Nicodemus, Centurion and Servant, Fish and Loaves, Peter on the Water, Grateful Leper, Mary and Martha, Lazarus, Prodigal Son, Little Girl on His Lap, Zacchaeus, The Last Supper, The Centurion and the Soldier, Mary Magdalene.

RBT-15 TEACHING TODAY’S TEACHERS TO TEACH by Donald L. Griggs; (T); Abingdon Press, 2003.

A comprehensive guidebook of practical ideas, advice, and wisdom on the art and practice of teaching. Includes reproducible charts and pages. Helps teachers work with multiple intelligences and new teaching models, use media, identify their gifts, design lesson plans and encourage creativity.

RBT-16 SEVEN WAYS OF TEACHING THE BIBLE TO CHILDREN by Barbara Bruce; (T); Abingdon Press, 1996.

Barbara Bruce uses the 7 learning styles to show teachers how to meet the various learning styles of children. 25 Old and New Testament lessons feature warm-up exercises, Scripture readings, activities and options for tailoring the lessons to individual learning needs.

RBT-17 A FAITHFUL FUTURE: TEACHING AND LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP by Carol F. Krau, Judith M. Bunyi, N. Lynne Westfield, Joyce Brown, Barbara Bruce, Ben Marshall; 2 Volumes; (T); Discipleship Resources, 1999.

A Faithful Future was written by a team of people who have a wide variety and many years of experience in training leaders in the church. The Books are designed to be used for teacher/leader support and training.

A. Volume 1 includes workshop models for each of the five critical processes for effective leadership and one for developing a plan; articles for teachers; reproducible handouts; and suggested helpful resources.

B. Volume 2 includes workshop sections that contain an introductory article that provides an overview of the section topic; a workshop model to adapt for use with teachers and small group leaders; a primary resource to use for further exploration of the topic; a short bibliography of additional resources; reproducible articles and handouts for use in workshops.

RBT-18 GUIDE FOR RECREATION LEADERS by Glenn Q. Bannerman and Robert E. Fakkema; (T); Bridge Resource, 1998.

In Part One recreation consultant, Glenn Bannerman, tells why we recreate and includes teaching tips and guidelines for teachers on planning. The second part is brimming with tried and true activities for all ages and groups.

RBT-20 CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES FOR THE CHRISTIAN YEAR by Delia Halverson- (A); Abingdon Press, 2004.

Delia Halverson offers Sunday School teachers and leaders of children's ministries practical information and activities for the cycle of the Christian Church calendar. Resources, activities, and reproducible pages are for pre-school through elementary age children.

RBT-21 SIDE BY SIDE is a response to the need for family-oriented Sunday School lessons. It contains 45 to 60-minute classroom sessions that focus on specific topics and themes. Each session features a learning focus, Scripture text, and theme-related activities.

RBT-22 THE BIG BOOK OF BIBLE SKILLS: FUN WAYS TO TEACH YOUR KIDS HOW TO USE THEIR BIBLES! (K/E); Gospel Light, 1999.

RBT-28 FOLLOWING JESUS: More About Young Children and Worship by Sonja M. Stewart- (A); Geneva Press, 2000.

Sonja Stewart offers another valuable educational resource to help introduce 3-to 8-year-old children to the wonder of worship. The book contains presentations for thirty-four lessons. Patterns for figures are included.

RBT-29 TEACHING GODLY PLAY: The Sunday Morning Handbook by Jerome W. Berryman- (A) Abingdon Press, 1995.

Teaching Godly Play: offers an alternative to the same old way of teaching religion to children, teaches children how to “learn and work” together, provides techniques for teachers that help children develop spiritually regardless of denominational affiliation or curriculum used, shows how children can seek and find their own answers to their faith questions, illustrates how to involve parents and the rest of the congregation in the spiritual development of children.

RBT-30 ALWAYS IN REHEARSAL: The Practice Of Worship And The Presence Of Children by James H. Ritchie, Jr.- (A); Discipleship Resources, 1989.

Always in Rehearsal lays a theological, liturgical, and child-sensitive foundation for the inclusion of young persons in congregational worship and provides a wealth of ideas for how this approach can be implemented.

RBV-1 TOBEE AND THE AMAZING BIRD CHOIR- by Chloe Canterbury; (E/JH); Bridge Resources, 2000.

The story of Tobee is a historically-based adventure about a California house finch illegally taken to the East Coast. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter on happiness, courage, liberation, heroism, etc.

RBW-1 THE GENTLE DARK: Nighttime Poems and Prayers for Children by Alyson Huntly; Illustrator: Chao Yu; (Pre/Pri); United Church Publishing House, 1999.

A collection of gentle poems and prayers that celebrate a God whose love sustains and embraces us all. The book helps to dispel negative feelings about the dark.

RBW-2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND WORSHIP by Sonja M. Stewart and Jerome W. Berryman; (T); Westminster John Knox Press, 1989.

The authors have devised an exciting way to introduce three- to seven-year olds to the wonder of worship. Their approach integrates Christian Education and worship. Activities are developed around the order of worship commonly used in Reformed Churches. The book offers lessons based on Parables of the Kingdom, selected passages from the Old Testament, and liturgical year stories.

RBW-3 PRAISE! SONGS AND POEMS FROM THE BIBLE RETOLD FOR CHILDREN by A.J. McCallen and illustrated by Ferelith Eccles Williams; (K/E); Collins, 1980.

RBW-4 JOURNEY TO THE SPRING AT CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN by Gary Brewer; (Y); Bridge Resources, 2000.

Everyone who has ever longed to follow the steep path to the soul will find this adventure inspiring. Gurion, the main character, teaches us to see through the eyes of the dreamer that lives in each of us.

RBX-1 THE VERY SPECIAL BABY: A CHRISTMAS STORY FOR THE VERY YOUNG by Carol Woodard- Illustrator: Ati Forberg; (Pre/K); Fortress Press, 1968.

A lovely Christmas story for little children which includes opportunities for the listeners to participate through acting out simple parts of the story.

RBX-2 NINE DAYS TO CHRISTMAS by Marie Hall Ets and Aurora La Bastida; illustrated by Marie Hall Ets; (E); Viking Press, 1959.

A Caldecott Medal book about a little Mexican girl's experience with her first Posada. Shows many of the traditions which are part of Las Posadas.

RBX-3 THE CHRISTMAS STORY, A - Z- by Anna Liechty, Judith Harris Chase, Phyllis Vos Wezeman-(K/Pri); Educational Ministries, Inc., 1992.

The book presents a program design in which the story of the birth of Jesus is told through an alphabetical banner depicting these events. Coloring pages with a symbol for each letter of the alphabet are included.

RBX-4 MOUSE TALES: THINGS HOPED FOR – ADVENT, CHRISTMAS, EPIPHANY by Ruth L. Bolin- illustrated by Tracey Dahle Carrier; (J); Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.

The stories show a community of mice children learning to care for one another, welcome outsiders, disagree in love, forgive their friends, and love as Christ loves. The story takes place during the Christmas season.

RBY-1 DAYBOOK FOR NEW VOICES: A CALENDAR OF REFLECTIONS AND PRAYERS- edited by Maren and Maria Tirabassi- (Y); Pilgrim Press, 2004.

Daybook is a collection of prayers, poems, and reflections for every day of the year, written primarily by youth.