Customer Reviews

Big Thoughts for Little People

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4 star:		(4)
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My children (3 & 4 years old) are getting excited right now that Amazon.com has a picture of this book, if that tells you how much they love it. This book contains 26 lessons, one for each letter of the alphabet. Each begins with a rhyme ("Z is for Zebra, Zebu, or Zoo. God made all the creatures, and He made you, too.") Next is a discussion of the highlighted virtue, and questions to ask your preschooler (In "F is Forgive" we are asked "Did someone hurt you or your feelings today? Did you forgive him?") To go along with this is a beautiful illustration of children both acting the way God would like, and acting in a way He would not like. Also in the picture you will find objects that begin with that lesson's letter (in "H is for Helping" you can find hay, hens, horses, hats, and holly) and hidden ladybugs to count. Finally, each lesson wraps up with a Bible verse to learn ("Happy are the kind and merciful. -- Matthew 5:7") This remarkable book has been an invaluable resource in our homeschooling efforts, but is sure to be a joy for all parents and children.

The book uses the alphabet to teach small children how to be good. It teaches right from wrong with fun poems, interactive pictures and descriptive paragraphs, and questions parents can ask their children

This little book uses the alphabet to teach children how to live good, moral lives and how to tell right from wrong. It teaches simple courtesy and manners. There is a Bible verse for for each thought and there are questions to encourage discussion of the text.

It is vitally important for children to grow up being treated with good manners and respect. If they see it all around them every day at home, and the example set by parents is one of good manners and moral conduct, this book will make a lot of sense to them.

Illustrations are simple, colorful and sometimes pretty surprising. Parents who are raising their children to live Christian lives will treasure this one.

As the brains behind The Living Bible (a revolutionary, paraphrased version of the American Standard Version), Kenneth Taylor was a bit of a visionary. Although Taylor was an editor, his publishing house (and many others) were wary of a paraphrased Bible, so he founded Tyndale House to publish the work. Taylor also had a love of bringing the word of God to children. Writing and publishing Big Thoughts for Little People was just one of the ways he did this.

At it's most basic, Big Thoughts for Little People is an alphabet book. But its value lies in the fact that it's also a devotional for small children. Each two-page spread brings up a topic, includes appropriate illustrations, and offers a paragraph about the topic. Taylor also includes questions for parents to ask their children, plus the Bible verse it's all based on. For example, for the letter "d" we read:


"D is for Doing
What needs to be done.
So please do it cheerfully;
Then you'll have fun."

Taylor asks us to notice the children in the accompanying illustration: What are they doing for others? he asks. Then we read: "We should treat others just as we want them to treat us. God is happy when we do helpful and kind things for one another." Questions for parents to ask follow:


"What is the duck doing?
How are the children doing kind things for one another? Tell about each one.
What kind thing could you do to help someone?"

Then in large letters, the page ends with: "Do for other what you want them to do for you. Matthew 7:12."

The writing is a little old-fashioned...but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. Whereas many modern writers would be afraid they were preaching to children, Taylor doesn't mind telling children exactly what is expected of them.

What I Like: I love the fact that Taylor wasn't afraid to share strong biblical principles (and Bible verses!) with very young children. Even toddlers can sit through these brief devotionals. The illustrations, by Katheryn E. Shoemaker, show lots of children and animals doing a variety of things.


What I Dislike: I would prefer bigger, more bold illustrations, since that's what most toddlers prefer.


Overall Rating: Very Good.

Kristina Seleshanko
editor of Christian Children's Book Review

My 3 1/2 year old daughter loves this book! The easy-to-understand text and engaging pictures allow truths about character to touch little hearts.

This book was recommended to us by some parents that we respect who now have older children. My 2.5 year old loves letters and asks me to read this book over and over again. Each letter is accompanied by a word that begins with the same letter, along with a Bible verse that corresponds to the word used. My child enjoys learning about manners, principles, and other expectations that God has for us which are outlined so nicely in this classic book.

Kenneth Taylor's books are great. This particular one is good for a short biblical story before bedtime and the children I know love finding the lady bugs hidden in each picture. This product was in perfect condition when I got it.

This is a great "start our morning" devotional. It is best suited for preschool age. I thought the pictures were a little hard to see but the kids have no problem figuring out what people or toys are doing in order to answer the questions. The book uses the alphabet to communicate a different character trait which it focuses on with a statement and then a few questions. Then there is a Bible verse at the end. Short and sweet, we enjoy it over breakfast.