In publishing Christian books for children, how do we decide where stories should end and preaching begin? We want to impart to young readers the grace and grandeur of God but in such a way that they discover this for themselves. The books offered at The Children’s Bookstore have varying degrees of spiritual insight. Some such as “Bartram and the Blue Morning Glory” simply teach us that the hand of God is on every creature great and small. Others like our young adult novel, “The Midget Green Swamp Moose” show characters directly coming to understand the accepting of God into their life.
There are many ways to offer Bible stories for children. Yes one could retell the parables of the gospel and once again redraw the characters. But to be honest, there are a thousand books for children already doing so. And one could turn the Biblical characters into funny looking vegetables as well. And that also has been done. But perhaps the best way to impart true spiritual understanding to children is to voice that knowledge in terms they best will understand as is done in books such as “The Chronicles of Narnia,” or “The Midget Green Swamp Moose.”
It hard to say whether or not the parables as found in the Bible are in the best form to be read to children. Probably not, as younger children need friendly images and simpler language when attempting to deal with events from thousands of years ago. For this reason so many important Bible stories for kids have been rewritten. Children can better understand the story of Noah and the Ark with pictures of animals walking aboard the boat two by two. You will find many biblical themes in the titles published by Morningside Books. We take great pride in offering books we feel are “pleasing to the eye of God.”
Which are the best kid’s Bible stories? Are they stories from the Old Testament such as Noah and the Ark or David and Goliath? Or perhaps the deeper meanings of stories found in the New Testament such as the story of Fish and Loaves offers more insight. We would think the latter, as we are pleased that within every book we sell are important lessons and messages culled from stories and verses of the Bible. No, we don’t have pop up animals climbing onto the Ark. But we do let the young reader see how God is always around them working miracles.
What defines stories as being Christian children’s books? Is it the ability to fill the pages of the book with scripture? Or is it the deeper meanings imparted by the action and dialog of the stories that touch a young reader’s heart and mind? Our books, whether they are about a child living in ancient China or a mouse living on a sand dune all carry important positive messages for children, messages taken from the Bible. Yes, some of our books make specific reference to God as the child’s savior. Yet others help a child learn by his or herself how God is all around and everywhere looking after everything.