My latest board book released a few months ago and I still smile every time I see it. Good Morning, God Loves You is another book I co-authored with my creative and talented daughter, Teri McKinley (and yes, I’m a bit biased). It’s published by Tyndale Publishing House and filled with colorful illustrations by Anita Smidt. The idea for this book came from my daughter who reads to her sons both morning and night. She noticed that bedtime books are easy to come by—which makes sense since reading at bedtime is a common routine for many families—but finding a book for the morning is not as easy ..read more

I wish I had this book alongside my Bible while raising my kids. Let me emphasize that again. I wish this book was written when I was raising my children. The chapters are conversational. I felt like Mrs. Mancini was sitting there encouraging me as a young parent. Encouraging is the right word here. She isn’t high-minded or judgemental but rather takes us through useful information every parent can use.  She incorporates scripture with each recommendation, so it’s not her that speaks, but God’s Word. Each chapter builds on the previous with good instruction beginning with building a s ..read more

April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism, once a little-known condition, has become fairly commonplace. According to the Center for Disease Control, the incidence of autism is now 1 in 36, up from 1 in 100 just 20 years ago. That means more and more kiddos are struggling to navigate the world from an autism perspective, while their friends and classmates are trying to figure out how to relate to them. According to the Autism Society, Autism Spectrum Disorder includes a range of lifelong developmental conditions that usually appear during early childhood. These conditions can impact a person’s ..read more

In a world where teachers feel underappreciated and exhausted, showing them our appreciation is more important than ever. They play a vital role in shaping the minds of future generations, so showing gratitude for their hard work and dedication is a must. Finding the perfect gift to express your gratitude can be a daunting task, but fear not. As a former school teacher and elementary principal, I know how much teachers love books. Therefore, I am sharing four thoughtful and creative teacher appreciation gift ideas that will impact your child’s teacher. Finding the right children’s book is just ..read more

I am always on the lookout for books to help our youngest children learn about how God loves and cares for them. I recently was introduced to a new series which take BIG concepts and makes them understandable for little ones. Baby Virtues – BABY HOPE Baby Virtues – BABY COURAGE Written by Maria Marianayaham Illustrated by Kat Uno Worthy Kids:2024 This sweet board book series introduces babies and toddlers to important biblical concepts which are the building blocks of faith. Each book has action-packed language that features common experiences in a child’s world . BABY HOPE begins with a sim ..read more

This month, we have the second part of the story of Moses, which . If you’ve missed any of our previous studies, you can find links to all of them at the end of the post. Moses lived an incredible life, throughout which God weaved part of His plan to redeem His people from slavery and, ultimately to deliver all people who believe from being eternally lost. I hope this printable helps you share part of the story of Moses with the preteens and teens in your life so they can learn more about Moses and the part he played in God’s plan. May they also see how God can use any life that is obedient to ..read more

From Karen Whiting. With Easter weekend we think about Jesus dying for us and then rising to bring us eternal life. His mother Mary stood by the cross, went to the tomb, and stayed with the apostles to watch Jesus ascend to heaven and she prayed wit them. Mary treasured her son. Since the thirteenth century, people have rejoiced in Mary’s saying yes to being the mother of Jesus by planting marigolds. that look golden and sunny. The tiny Marigolds are among the easiest seeds to grow. Plant them in the cups of an egg carton. Watch them sprout and once they are a few inches high transplant th ..read more

by Mark Restaino Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. As you read the words of the beloved song, Amazing Grace by John Newton, did you sing along? Yeah, me too! This hymn, written in 1772, reaches across time to touch hearts in every generation. The lyrics of Amazing Grace are the story of salvation, redemption, faith, and security in the Father. Mark Restaino has taken the lyrics to Amazing Grace and paired them with beautiful illustrations to create a unique book for children. The words of this song ac ..read more

My friend Xochitl has written a new picture book that will be embraced by all cultures and families. She is a multi-genre, multi-talented author and I’m excited to share my interview with her in today’s post. Please tell us how you got the idea to write your new picture book, Xochitl. After following God from California to Wisconsin, I was missing my sons, struggling with chronic pain and fatigue, and angry at my husband for getting a job across the country. During this spiritual drought, I was feeling isolated and abandoned by God. Even though I had originally felt at peace regarding the une ..read more

Exploring nature is a first love for me. As a child, I caught crawfish from our creek. I made “toady-frog houses” in my sandbox. Later I hunted and fished with my dad. The memories of these happy times in creation draw me back into the wild even today. That’s why I am so excited about Annette Whipple’s new Quirky Critters Devotions. Let me share the unique qualities of this devotional that will draw your children and you into its pages. There are 52 devotions divided into 7 sections – Mammals, Insects, Amphibians, Birds, Fish, Reptiles, and Spiders. You and your children may go straight th ..read more