One Book, One Church
Monthly reading clubs such as a "One Book, One Church" program are
a great way to involve your church families and spice up your
children's ministry. You may want to select several books so kids
of all ages can participate. Here are tips to get you
started.
• Volunteers' Choice-Volunteers vote on a
selection of books each month, or the "volunteer of the month" gets
to select the book.
• Kids' Choice-Each month, kids cast their vote
on the book they want to read. You can alternate this with
"Parent's Choice," "Sister's Choice," and "Brother's Choice"
months.
• Best Sellers-Choose the book based on the
best-sellers list. Bestsellers' Lists:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/bestsell.html
• Classics-Have people nominate their all-time
favorite tome in one sentence. Then choose one of those books each
month.
Christian or Mainstream?
There are tons of wonderful Christian books for families-in fact,
we've listed some of our current favorites. Our recommended books
offer strong biblical lessons and wonderful writing. They also
reinforce Christian beliefs. But keep in mind that many secular
books also offer strong moral messages that can easily be
incorporated into your lessons. You may be surprised by the way
families make their own biblical connections to secular stories, so
don't shy away from choosing mainstream books-just carefully screen
each book beforehand.
Buy the Book
Publicize the book club throughout your congregation. Emphasize
that it's open to everyone, not just those with children. Bookworms
are everywhere, and some of your seniors and singles may want to
get involved as discussion-group leaders and organizers-publicize
in your bulletin, newsletters, on posters, and from the
pulpit.
Go to
www.cmmag.com for more tips to make your book club a page-turning
success.
Our Picks
Good books abound! Here are some of our current favorites you may
want to share with your congregation.
• Two by Two: The Story of Noah's Ark by
Allia Zobel-Nolan. Young children can take part in this interactive
retelling of Noah's adventure. $10.99; Kregel KidZone;
800-733-2607; www.kregel.com. Ages 2 to 5.
• All Safe On Board by Mig Holder.
Follow these colorful characters as they board the ark for a huge
adventure. $10.99; Candle Books; 800-733-2607; www.kregel.com.
Ages 5 to 10.
• The Parable of Two Builders by Melody
Carlson. Introduce kids to a modern retelling of the two
buildersand their choices. $9.99; ZonderKidz; 800-727-3480;
www.zonderkidz.com. Ages 4 to 6.
• America's Promise by Alma Powell.
Learn about a special place just for kids in this friendly
neighborhood. $15.99; HarperCollins Publishers;
www.harpercollins.com. Ages 4 to 7.
• Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the
World by Paul L. Maier. Kids discover the life and
purpose of Martin Luther. $12.99; Concordia Publishing House;
800-325-3040; www.cph.org. Ages 7 to 10.
• PageLand: A Story About Love and Sharing and Working
Together by David Hutchens. Enter a fantasy world
where the characters cause trouble until they learn to work
together. $14.99; Broadman & Holman Publishers;
800-448-8032; www.broadmanholman.com. Ages 7 to 12.
• My Life as a Prickly Porcupine From
Pluto by Bill Myers. McDoogle tells a small lie that
leads to real whoppers-will he ever stop lying? $5.99; Tommy
Nelson; 800-933-9673; www.tommynelson.com. Ages 10 to
12.
• Two Sides to Everything by Deb
Brammer. Will Josh ever fit into his new school, new country, and
new life? $7.49; Journey Forth; 800-845-5731; www.bjup.com.
Ages 9 to 12.
• Rescue in the Mayan Jungle by Karla
Warkentin. Travel through time to discover the Mayan jungle and the
dangers within. $6.99; FaithKidz; 800-323-7543;
www.cookministries.com. Ages 10 to 12.
