KIDS BOOKS: N00KB00KS

Local bookstore + excellent children’s book + Emma O’Brien = just the right shop for Carey and me in downtown Lancaster City, PA. What a delight to have Emma and her family move from Brooklyn, where she worked as consultant for startups and non-profits, to Lancaster, where she decided to open n00kb00ks.

Her story includes several different chapters, which came together for her family’s good, as well as for our community:  her mother’s love of books and Emma’s ongoing love for good books for children, having a baby during the pandemic, and finding a certain small quaint space, wondering where she can be creating, which all led to thinking “starting a bookstore seems rather natural.”

She and her husband love to bring people together, and as they were making plans to move here, they looked for places where they could place long tables with good food, and while on the hunt, they discovered this downtown space was for sale and the price was right. And from there, they bought the space and then a home with space to share meals with others. Then. . . their first child was born and a bookstore opened.

Emma’s desire is to stock n00kb00k’s shelves with hardback books that are long lasting, but also with books that are magical or offer empathy or highlight kindness. She enjoys finding stories that are the best quality—whether they are whimsical or thought provoking.  As other indie-bookstore owners have learned along the way, she has been paying attention to “how to stay in my lane” while also catering to what people want. Her favorites include older classics, translated works, self-published books, and also new pictures books from different cultural backgrounds. Most of her books come from smaller book publishing houses that offer a variety of aesthetics, such as Enchanted Lion Books.

Wandering around n00kb00ks is a sweet journey of delight. A large front window with happy colorful images framing the glass beckons one to enter, and the sunshine flooding the space welcomes you in. Hardback picture book fronts face out on one wall of shelves, helping you find just the right book to look through. More shelves on another wall offer books in categories such as Nature, Art Appreciation, Local Authors, and Young Adult. There are cozy spots where one can lean up against the wall with several books to look through and fun art on the walls.

Carey and I have enjoyed our trips to n00kb00ks and our times talking with Emma about books and children. We share the love of some of the same writers and illustrators, and she has introduced us to new ones to investigate. Emma hopes to share books with children and adults because “everyone’s inner child should be allowed to live.”

Here are some books she loves and books I discovered while perusing her shelves. If you find yourself in downtown Lancaster City, make n00kb00ks a place to checkout. Say hi to Emma and ask her for some good ideas to share with the little people in your life.

Follow her on Instagram .

A Few, New Emma Favorites:

Watercress by Andrea Wang —“Beautiful and bittersweet”

Little One by Kiyo Tanaka  (translated from Japanese by David Boyd) — “Happy find and about a little girl with an imaginary friend”

Pig and Horse and Something Scary by Zoey Abbot — “emotions, scary thoughts, friends, and tea”

What I found at n00kb00ks — Books for Inquisitive Minds and Perfect for Summer Time (or Books I Wish Had Been Around When My Girls were Younger)

Atlas of Adventures: A Collection of Natural Wonders, Exciting Experiences and Fun Festivities from the Four Corners of the Globe illustrated by Lucy Letherland — I’m just going to get this for myself because I love books about places with colorful little pictures and factoids spread around geographical maps. The companion book is

Curious about Crocodiles by Owen Davey with Flying Eye Books — This is part of a series such as Bonkers about Beetles and Passionate about Penguins and fun to look at and learn from. “Passionate about Penguins” just makes me smile!

The Big Book of Blooms by Yuval Zommer — This book has other companions like Big Book of Bugs, Big Book of Blue, and Big Book of Birds. It is another great one for looking at as well as reading. With titles like these I want to own every one.

Before spring ends officially and summer starts, be sure to check out And Then It’s Spring, written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin E. Stead — it’s a sweet story of a boy, his dog, and waiting for spring life. Carey love Erin E. Stead’s work and books.

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This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Poem in Your Pocket Day

Today is Poem in Your Pocket Day!

Ever since 2002, April 29 has been designated Poem in Your Pocket Day. I do wish I had known about this day earlier, but it is never too late to share poems. You could extend this pleasurable day into the weekend. 

Poets.org shared the following thoughts: “Every April, on Poem in Your Pocket Day, people celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with them, and sharing it with others, throughout the day at schools, bookstores, libraries, retirement homes, parks, workplaces, and on social media (using the hashtag #PocketPoem).”

Poem in Your Pocket Day takes place during National Poetry Month, which seems quite perfect since April feels like a living poem with all the flowers blooming, breezes blowing, and birds chirping. 

But why take time with poetry anyway? 

Says Missy Andrews in her essay about poetry in Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: Poetry “exercises in-sight. . . that inner vision is the stuff of imagination. . . While the modern mind associates the imaginative faculty with “unreality,” the Bible suggests that figured things are often more real than things material. The Apostle Paul argues: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor.4:18 NIV). If this is so, how is one to perceive the unseen reality of the gospel but with the figurative faculty that is the imagination? How is one to perceive the invisible truths without poetics?” 

Not only does reading poetry help us move into the the deep beautiful mysteries of Scripture and life in Jesus, it helps us learn to pay attention, enjoy, lament, name, and move through our lives and places with open hearts and open eyes. Poetry can be a means of grace to help you and me and the children we know live our days well. 

Enjoy Poem in Your Pocket Day with a loved one or a beloved little one. Below are poems to recopy and illustrate, memorize or recite, or together share with others (maybe with a telephone call or facetime). 

I also suggest adding in pancakes or popcorn or ice cream to increase the fun. 

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This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

The O in Hope | Luci Shaw
From the book The O in Hope

Hope holds one lovely vowel like a promise!
Think how we cry “Oh!” at the round sun rising.
O is the shape of a mouth singing, and in 
the color of a round red cherry.
“Oh!” say our open eyes at surprising beauty,
and then “Wow!”  
O is as complete as a wedding ring,
a round pool, and the shape of ripples 
spreading on the water.
O is the heart of love and joy.
O was in the invention of the wheel.
O multiplies in the zoo, in an open door,
and in a cool drink on a hot day.
O grows in the heart of a green woood.
O is like the moon, and the looping paths of planets.
You’ll find O in food and books,
and cotton socks, and useful tools, and knitting wool.
We love the double O in good,
and how O is in itself complete and whole.
Love forms a circle that holds us all together,
safe in the center of the loving heart of God.

Puppy and I  | A.A. Milne 
When We Were Very Young

I met a Man as I went walking:
We got talking,
Man and I.
"Where are you going to, Man?" I said
  (I said to the Man as he went by).
"Down to the village, to get some bread.
  Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

I met a horse as I went walking;
We got talking,
Horse and I.
"Where are you going to, Horse, today?"
  (I said to the Horse as he went by).
"Down to the village to get some hay.
  Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

I met a Woman as I went walking;
We got talking,
Woman and I.
"Where are you going to, Woman, so early?"
  (I said to the Woman as she went by).
"Down to the village to get some barley.
  Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

I met some Rabbits as I went walking;
We got talking,
Rabbits and I.
"Where are you going in your brown fur coats?"
  (I said to the Rabbits as they went by).
"Down to the village to get some oats.
  Will you come with us?" "No, not I."

I met a Puppy as I went walking;
We got talking,
Puppy and I.
"Where are you going this nice fine day?"
  (I said to the Puppy as he went by).
"Up to the hills to roll and play."
"I'll come with you, Puppy," said I.

Who has seen the Wind | Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the Wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

 Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by. 

The Duck | Ogden Nash

Behold the duck.
It does not cluck.
A cluck it lacks.
It quacks.
It is especially fond
Of a Puddle or pond.
When it dines or sups,
It bottoms up.

A Popcorn Song | Nancy Byrd Turner

Sing a song of popcorn
When the snowstorms rage;
Fifty little round men
Put into a cage.
Shake them till they laugh and leap
Crowding to the top;
Watch them burst their little coats
Pop!! Pop!! Pop!!

from Firefly | Li Po

I think
If you flew
Up to the sky
Beside the moon,
You would
Twinkle
Like a star. 

The Swing | Robert Louis Stevenson 
(This one does need to be read or recited while swinging on a swing.)

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

KIDS BOOKS: Book Release Day!

Today is the official “Welcome to the world, Wild Things and Castles in the Sky!” 

This new Square Halo release, something I started dreaming up summer 2020, would not have turned into the book I am so thankful for and proud of without Carey Bustard and Théa Rosenburg as my partners. I loved how we collaborate(d) together, and also how each of us have different strengths and passions that were needed for this project. 

As Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children is not just many essays about books, but also a plethora of recommendations, here is a list of books that are important to Théa and her daughters. Another place to check out Thea’s book thoughts and recommendations, follow her at Little Book, Big Story . Théa is one of the wisest people I know about books and a favorite Square Halo editor. Following are a few of her family’s favorites….

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When your children range in age from six to almost-fourteen, it can be tough to find read-alouds that engage and challenge everybody. A few on this list hit that sweet spot, and a few others are books that all four girls have loved when they were at the perfect age to love them.

The Complete Brambly Hedge, by Jill Barklem

I’ve never quite been able to decide if the magic in this book flows mostly from the illustrations or the stories. Probably, it’s the harmonious blend of the two: Barklem’s tales of the Brambly Hedge mice are delightful and sweetly told, and her watercolor illustrations (especially the cutaways of the homes!) have drawn our family into the world of Brambly Hedge over and over again.

The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson, by Glenn McCarty

When I started reading this book to my girls, I had a hunch they’d enjoy it. But this frontier story so quickly won us all over and became such a foundational part of our summer lunch read-alouds that we’ve since read every other Glenn McCarty book we can find. And how’s this for full circle: I bought this book after reading Carolyn Givens’s recommendation in Wild Things!

James Herriot’s books (all of them)

At some point, all four girls have discovered James Herriot’s Treasury for Children, and we’ve lingered together over his stories of life as a country vet in the 1930s. But as the older girls have outgrown that book (as much as it’s possible to outgrow it—I’m not sure you ever really can), we’ve discovered Herriot’s other memoirs. These books include a lot more details about birth and veterinary procedures and aren’t exactly meant for teens and tweens, but Herriot is such a fantastic storyteller, he makes even these details riveting and somehow warm and wholesome. I’m pretty sure we’ll all love these stories forever.

The Secret Life of Walter Kitty, by Barbara Jean Hicks

Barbara Jean Hicks and Caldecott-winning illustrator Dan Santat get the double life of the cat just right: they capture the inner life of Walter, a cat who answers to Fang and imagines himself as pirate, superhero, and explorer, and they set that alongside his everyday existence as a house cat—a sucker for catnip and chin-scratches, who is also willing to answer, in his weakest moments, to Snookums. We’ve loved so many picture books over the years, but this is one of those rare gems that still makes us all laugh.

The Wilderking Trilogy, by Jonathan Rogers

The summer we listened to the audiobooks of this trilogy over lunch was also the summer the girls ran along hiking trails barking like bog owls at top volume. (This was startling for other hikers and hilarious to me.) Rogers’s reimagining of King David’s story is set in a swamp filled with some of the most memorable characters you’ll meet, and it hits that sweet spot for readers who are ready for an adventure tale, but not quite ready for anything too scary or intense. But these books aren’t all fun and adventure: there are some deep, true moments in here that you’ll carry away with you and think back on for years.

KIDS BOOKS: Poetry for Easter

May this Holy Week, these days of walking with Jesus and seeing how he set his face toward his death on cross and “did not despise its shame,” find you meditating on Scripture and other good words — to enlarge your imagination concerning God’s love found in Jesus Christ and to unite your heart to praise his name.

Here are a few poems you and the children in your life can share together, as you enter in the story of the Cross.

Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe | CS Lewis 

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

April | John Updike

April
It's Spring! Farewell
To chills and colds!
The blushing, girlish
World unfolds

Each flower, leaf,
And blade of turf--
Small love-notes sent
From air to earth.

The sky's a hard
Of prancing sheep,
The birds and fields
Abandon sleep,

And jonquils, tulips,
Daffodils
Bloom bright upon
The wide-eyed hills.

All things renew.
All things begin.
At church, they bring
The lilies in.

Royalty | Luci Shaw

He was a plain man
and learned no latin.

Having left all gold behind
he dealt out peace
to all us wild men
and the weather

He ate fish, bread,
country wine and God’s will

Dust sandalled his feet

He wore purple only once
and that was an irony

Quiet | Leslie Bustard 

…like a robin’s egg in a nest,

a row of yellow tulips, petals closed,

the last few shadowed moments

on the eastern horizon,

and Holy Saturday, 

as Christ was lying in the sealed tomb,

and the angels were waiting. 

The Lion, the Witch, the Wardrobe | CS Lewis 

The rising of the sun had made everything look so different – all the colours and shadows were changed – that for a moment they didn’t see the important thing.  Then they did.  The Stone Table was broken into two pieces by a great crack that ran down it from end to end; and there was no Aslan.

“Oh, oh, oh!” cried the two girls rushing back to the Table.

“Oh, it’s too bad,” sobbed Lucy; “they might have left the body alone.”

“Whose done it?” cried Susan.  “What does it mean? Is it more magic?”

“Yes!” said a great voice behind their backs.  “It is more magic.”  They looked round.  There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen him before, shaking his mane (for it had apparently grown again) stood Aslan himself.

Emmaus 2 | Malcolm Guite

We thought that everything was lost and gone,

Disaster on disaster overtook us

The night we left our Jesus all alone

And we were scattered, and our faith forsook us.

But oh that foul Friday proved far worse,

For we had hoped that he had been the one,

Till crucifixion proved he was a curse,

And on the cross our hopes were all undone.

Oh foolish foolish heart why do you grieve?

Here is good news and comfort to your soul:

Open your mind to scripture and believe

He bore the curse for you to make you whole

The living God was numbered with the dead

That He might bring you Life in broken bread.

from The Jesus Storybook Bible | Sally Lloyd-Jones

And the King says, “Look!”

God and his children are together again.

No more running away. Or hiding.

Nor more crying or being lonely or afraid.

Nor more being sick or dying.

Because all these things are gone.

Yes, they’re gone forever.

Everything sad has come untrue.

And see — I have wiped away every tear from every eye!”

And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder

In the sky says, “Look, I am making everything new!”  
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This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Easter Stories for Your Imagination

The other day someone on Facebook asked, “Which book would you like to reread for the first time?”

I didn’t check the other answers so I could come up with my own idea.

After a quick moment I knew I would want to relive many of those magical first moments in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S— like being with Lucy when she has tea with Mr. Tumnus, with the Peter, Susan, and Lucy when they come before the magnificent Aslan, and with Edmund as he trudges through the melting snow while spring musically makes its way into Narnia.  Rowen Wlliams in The Lion’s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia says Lewis was seeking to re-enchant us with the glories of the gospel. The Chronicles of Narnia are Great Supposal stories. Suppose there was another world, and Jesus acted in that world, what would it be like? And seeing Jesus and how he acts (Aslan) we might see him as if for the first time and our dullness to the Scriptures may be replaced with awe and gratefulness. I have experienced this. (spoiler) Reliving the death and then the resurrection of Aslan chokes me up often. I don’t remember how I felt when I first read it when I was 12, so I imagine rereading these scenes for the first time and experiencing the joy of Aslan, Susan, and Lucy romping around the broken Stone Table might enchant me even more to the glory of Christ’s resurrection. 

Epic stories like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter capture, like The Chronicles of Narnia, the sacrificial love of Jesus without actually be allegorical. Rereading these or even excerpts from them would be a way to assist the imaginations of our young people as we invite them into the true miracle of the gospel story.  The following are several more stories that can be read during Passion Week and can help us enter into the amazingness of this time of the year and church calenar.

1.     Bare Tree and Little Wind: A Story for Holy Week by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Khoa Le. “A lyrical, captivating retelling of the Palm Sunday and Easter story…” I love how my imagination gets caught up in the Holy Land through the characters of a tree and wind. Through these characters I witness what happens to Jesus and then I’m given the hope of his return that will restore the whole earth – people and nature.  Mitali Perkins is a wonderful storyteller and the pictures by Khao Le are colorful and captivating. 

2.     Oscar Wilde Stories for Children by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by P.J. Lynch

“The Selfish Giant” and “The Nightingale and the Rose” are short stories which beautifully and achingly point us to Jesus and his sacrifice. P. J. Lynch’s illustrations in other books have been a favorite of mine for a longtime; these are a great addition to enjoying these stories. 

3.     “Maundy Thursday” by Walter Wangerin

I found this story in Stories for the Christian Year by The Chrysostom Society, but you can also find in online through Christianity Today. 

I read this story every Maundy Thursday to my family and anyone will listen. This story helps us remember how Jesus broke the bread and shared the wine with his disciples before he was arrested and then died. It is funny and endearing; it chokes me up every time I read the end.  

4.     The Light Princess by George MacDonald and illustrated by Ned Bustard

This novella, with all the trappings of a traditional fairy tale told with a nod and a wink and clever word play offers insight into what true sacrifice looks like. (Also, the illustrations are perfect, created by my husband Ned. He fills each picture with lots of fun things to look at . . . yes, I might be slightly biased).

5.     The Biggest Story Bible Storybook written by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark. 

When my daughters were younger, and if I remembered (!), I would read all the Bible stories starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Christ’s death. Then on Easter and a few days after we would read the rest of the glorious story. (Each day we would focus on the stories that happened on that day.) Reading straight from the Bible is always a very, very good idea; supplementing with a storybook Bible is good, too, especially if the illustrations can capture your imagination without replacing any images in one’s mind already. This new one published by Crossway has colorful and dramatic illustrations by Don Clark, are modern-vintage; they are clear enough to give you an idea of what is going on, but because they are so stylized you don’t think it is actually how everything looked.  
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This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Resources

Several recently published books have come into BookEnd (the name my husband gave to our house here in Lancaster) that just need to be shared. These are great resources for adults and teeangers. 

1.     Special Grace: Prayers and Reflections for Families with Special Needs by Elrena Evans. 

Joni Eareckson Tada shares in the forward the words of a mother with three special needs children. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve teetered on the edge, desperate and wholly overwhelmed, barely able to utter a mere “Jesus, help me.’ How wonderful to have a Christ-loving mom articulate much heartfelt, spot-on prayers for nearly every circumstance! I so appreciate her faithfulness, her honesty, and her humor. “ I know how much I have needed the prayers of Every Moment Holy to help me trust God in everyday ups and downs, so I am excited how this book can help families with special needs children pray (and also help me pray alongside my friends). Topics include Family Life, School, Public Life, Changes, Seasons of the Year, and Thanksgivings (and other prayers).  What a gift this book is to the Body of Christ. 

2.     Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art Through the Eyes of Faith by Russ Ramsey. 

Several years ago I heard Russ Ramsey give several talks that linked Scripture and gospel truths with stories of certain artists and their paintings. My heart and mind could not have been happier. I’ve been looking forward to this book. Russ Ramsey writes about nine artists, including such greats as  Michaelangelo, Rembrandt, Vermeer, van Gogh, Tanner, and Lillias Trotter. This book will be great for those who love art or would like to dig deeper into the importance of art and beauty in our lives, and even grow in their appreciation of it.  My husband got to write one of the endorsements in which he praised the book, saying: “Ramsey is a deep lover of art and a student of art history. In this book he takes the reader on an amazing guided tour through an art museum that doesn't exist. In this carefully curated collection of art from around the world, he offers you an experience that only someone who really loves art can. This book inspires the reader to engage art in an eye-opening way and understand how these famous works of art bring glory to God.”

3.     Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children Novels to Refresh our Tired Souls by Mitali Perkins. 

Recently I wrote that Mitali Perkins is the Literature professor I wish I had had. This book is memoir, “classroom instruction” on the ins and outs of each story, as well as discussions on the virtues and vices these stories point us to. At the same time, she, while in love for these stories and their authors, also speaks to those challenging parts that many classics contain. It’s such a very good read. I love how she doesn’t tell us to throw away these classics but to see their value by modeling what it looks to truly be refreshed by these books; but at the same time she helps us think seriously and discerningly about legitimately troublesome parts (usually how “the other” is portrayed). Mitali Perkins discusses Little Women, A Little Princess, The Hobbit, Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, and Chronicles of Narnia. This book would be wonderful for an adult to read so they can have solid and wise tools to interact with young people they know who are reading these books – tools that can help them highlight all the good and work through the hard parts. 

4.     The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints by Jessica Hooten Wilson  

Do I need to make a disclaimer that I am on the launch team for this book? Probably not, except to say after I heard the author speak at a conference on renewing the imagination this past September, I knew I would love this book. Getting a jump-start on reading it has been a delight. Jessica Hooten Wilson says “Novels introduce us to ways of imagining God already at work in our hearts, present in the world, transforming and sanctifying his creation all the time.” She discusses eight contemporary classics, such as Kristen Lavransdatter, The Moviegoer, The Book of the Dun Cow, Moses, and Man of the Mountain. In each chapter she narrates and highlights the plot and the main characters, as well as instructs the reader in different aspects of holiness, as each book discusses one aspect of holy living. This book would make a solid read not just for adults who love books and the life of the mind and imagination but also upper-high school book-lovers and readers who desire to think deeply about what they are reading. 

5.     Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genre Transforms Bible Study by Kristie Anyabwile

I am also on the launch team for this book that was just recently released. Kristie Anyabwile is a Bible teacher I have enjoyed listening to. She is a wealth of Scriptural and theological knowledge, a love for the Church, and has a great ability to share truths in a way that is solid and accessible. Her book Literarily will help readers of Scripture dig in deeper (to sound like a cliché) by helping the them understand the importance of the authors use of certain genres, such as law, history, prophecy, and poetry, as well as literary themes and devices used within them.  This book is an important tool in helping adults and teenagers thoughtfully encounter God’s Word.

6.     A Guide to Reading and Thinking Series edited by Karen Swallow Prior

The novels in this series are books I read in high school (Scarlet Letter) or classics I sought out in my adult years (Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility), as well as books I have been planning on reading sometime (Frankenstein and Tess of the D’Urbervilles). And while each book truly looks wonderful on my bookshelf (the covers look classy and feel welcoming), I have been glad for how each book in the series enlarges my mind through Karen Swallow Prior’s introduction and guidance through the themes, characters, etc. Since reading her first book Booked: Literature for the Soul of Me and then Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist, and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books, I have sought her out to learn how to think more deeply about the classics.  Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the novels with her reader’s guide, have recently been released. These books and the other ones are perfect reads for high schoolers and adults. 
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This post was written by Leslie Bustard, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

KIDS BOOKS: Easter Books for Toddlers

When last year’s leaves have turned to mould in the flower beds and the vines of the clematis are black and brittle, that first glimpse of a golden crocus feels like a promise. Spring is coming! When my daughters were younger they’d wonder at each new spring flower, and I was never sure how well they remembered seeing the same flowers the previous year. Now, they are old enough to know: when we’re out walking, we’ll interrupt each other to cry, “Crocus!” and clap and maybe make fools of ourselves. And then we’ll go back to talking about middle school math, or a book they just finished. We delight in the changing season together, but we both know it happened last year and that it will (most likely) happen again next spring.

But when they were little: ah! Those crocuses were a burst of color where a second before everything had looked brown and sodden. The spring was brand new to them, and they marveled at each crocus (and then, at a certain age, most likely tried to eat it). The Easter story, nestled neatly into spring as it is, was new to them too. And over the years we found that the best Easter books for toddlers told the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection with color, promise, and joy. They gave our daughters something to wonder at, delight in, and remember. These Easter books for young readers became some of our very favorites.

Easter is Coming, by Tama Fortner

This lovely, large-format board book tells the littlest readers the story of Easter from Genesis onward. The illustrations in this one are particularly lovely.

The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross, by Carl Laferton

This one, too, tells the whole story of Easter, from the garden of Eden to Jesus' return. But it's not as long as you'd think such a telling would be—better yet, it's now available as a board book! And while it’s not technically an Easter book, it does offer a companion Advent-style calendar for the two weeks leading up to Easter.

What is Easter?, by Michelle Medlock Adams

This sweet rhymed board book tells readers not just what happened on Easter but why we celebrate it the way we do. Where does the bunny come in? What's up with the new dresses? What is Easter? answers all those burning questions and more.

Holy Week, by Danielle Hitchen

This board book primer takes readers through the events of Holy Week, supporting each page with Scripture and emphasizing the different emotions Jesus and the disciples may have felt as the week went on. 

A Very Happy Easter, by Tim Thornborough

This one also focuses on emotions as it tells the Easter story (those toddlers and their emotions!), but it tells the story differently, in an interactive and delightful way.

Jesus Rose for Me, by Jared Kennedy

This exuberant telling of the Easter story looks forward, beyond Jesus' death and resurrection to this moment, today, and helps readers understand why Jesus died—and why his resurrection still matters so much to us. This is one of my favorites.
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This post was written by Théa Rosenburg, one of the co-editors of Wild Things and Castles in the Sky.

Nailed It

Aimee Byrd writes, “This is a devotional for those who don’t fit into the happy-little-Christian box. And it’s also for those who think it’s okay to have a little humor in their reading reflections. Kennedy doesn’t pick all the easy verses either. She pulls devotion to God out of what may have seemed random acts in history. Our days are kind of like that, aren’t they? Circumstances often seem arbitrary and we sometimes question if it really matters how we get through them. This is what I especially appreciated about the book—Anne weaves all the tapestry together and helps the reader see the significance of God’s holiness, mercy, and love in Christ working in our own lives now.”

Square Halo Books has been honored to release a new, revised edition of Nailed It. Anne Kennedy’s well-loved devotional for “angry or worn out people". This new version of the book has been completely redesigned, a new Bible reading plan has been added, and, as Anne writes, “Another adjustment I made was to massacre (that’s what it felt like) a lot of the entries I particularly liked, or to edit them so severely that they are almost completely new. I can’t remember why I did this, and if you’re mad at me, I’m sorry. Some things—even book writing—are essentially beyond my control. Whatever your feelings, I hope you will drop your anger, fatigue, and cutting sarcasm, and go huffing back into the Bible itself.”

As might be expected, this book boasts many glowing endorsements from famous people like Aimee Byrd, Foley Beach, Brant Hansen, Megan Hill, Karen Swallow Prior, et al. But what is really exciting for us are the enthusiastic endorsements for this work not by famous folks, but by ordinary saints. Here are a smattering culled from GoodReads, Instagram, etc.:

“Anne is a Christian writer in the great tradition, seeking to understand life in the light of the revealed Word rather than impose her subjective stuff on the cosmos. As such she becomes a valuable spiritual companion, a fallen being bumping around a fallen world with the fallen rest of us rather than sitting among a smug illuminati.”—Tim

“Anne Kennedy is so relatable and funny AND sarcastic! The devotions read like a conversation that you don’t want to end. She takes a few verses from almost every book in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. You feel like you’ve had a great overview of the scope of scripture with every single devotion pointing you to Christ!”—Dana

“This not a typical devotional book, as I have found typical devotional books. It is not filled with saccharine messages or trite moral teachings. Though seminary educated, Kennedy’s devotions are not academic lessons, either. Her writing displays scriptural and spiritual insight while her personal examples leave room for the Spirit to stimulate readers’ own personal application. No cookie cutter answers are offered.”—Barb

“I'll be frank. I've always felt like a second-class Christian woman, because I detest women's ministry stuff ( fluffy retreats with arts and crafts) and devotional books in which the author thinks she has received new revelations from God, etc., etc., etc. Nailed It causes me to pick up my Bible everyday. I love how the author, in a time when sin and repentance have gone missing in the church, stresses the need for clinging to the cross, flinging ourselves in the loving, merciful arms of God. I read. I weep and laugh loudly. I pray. This devotional is changing my life. No joke.”—Lisa

“Yay! I have a much loved copy of the original, but obviously the revisions mean this edition needs to come home with us, too.”—Sherri

“This book is a one-of-a-kind, a one-and-only, a jewel, a pearl, a "perfect fit" gift straight from heaven to all suffering with a case of humanity. You will not find another one like this! This author knows your secret heart. She knows those feelings you dare not admit, even to yourself. You'll find yourself laughing and groaning as you read, knowing she "gets you". It's just an unbelievably great book.”—Elizabeth

“I cannot recommend this book highly enough. 'Tis most excellent.”—Jenni

And finally, here is a video of Anne opening her box and books with her kids circling all around her asking, “Do we have to read these for school?”

Passion and Character(s)

For our latest offering, we are pleased to announce the publication of Godly Character(s): Insights for Spiritual Passion from the Lives of 8 Women in the Bible, an in-depth look at how desire for God can be cultivated by strengthening the practice of godly disciplines.  The book examines the spiritual effects of four inward-focused character traits—devotion, courage, faith, and vision—and four outward-looking character traits—initiative, nonconformity, tenacity, and generosity—as revealed through the lives of eight lesser-studied people in the Bible.  Reviewers have noted the impact of Godly Character(s)on rekindling affection and passion for God:

“Lisa Smith’s latest book is a treasure. It will draw you closer to God and will ignite your heart with passion for Him. Her insight and beautiful storytelling makes every section of this book delightful to read!” — Stacy DeWitt, executive director of James Storehouse

“This book is a terrific resource for anyone who wants more from their relationship with God than lackluster routines and complacent rituals. Lisa is both an engaging guide and an experienced practitioner, using Scriptures and stories, to lead us through eight characteristics needed to fuel a dynamic and passionate life with God.”— Carolyn Taketa, host of the Small Group Network podcast Group Talk

“This book is a slim treasure, packed with practical inspiration for the passionate Christian life. Utilizing the stories of some of the unsung heroines of Scripture, Godly Character(s) will be a trustworthy companion on the quest of devotion.” — Lanier Ivester, writer and speaker; author at lanierivester.com

Holiness

CLICK HERE to listen to a brief discussion of the holiness of God was presented by Square Halo author A.D. Bauer at Freedom Church (a Baptist church in Baltimore), as the first in a series of talks on the Attributes of God. To read a transcript of the discussion, CLICK HERE.

Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups

When folks hear the words “The Bible,” images of Westboro Baptists or Precious Moments’ kitschy angels with freakishly large heads may pop to mind. But the Bible is very differently than either of those extremes. Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups is a new book from Square Halo Books that shows the Bible as it really is—in all its raw, violent, and sexy glory. There are over 130 images by a wide range of artists—living and dead, Christian and non-Christian. Artists in this book include Hans Burgkmair, Margaret Bustard, Ned Bustard, Tanja Butler, Matthew L. Clark, Lovis Corinth, Erin Cross, Albrecht Dürer, Jean Duvet, Wayne Lacson Forte, Richard Gaston, Eric Gill, Steve Halla, Craig Hawkins, David Busch Johnson, Diego Jourdan Pereira, Edward Knippers, Chris Koelle, Kevin Lindholm, Franz Marc, Chris Stoffel Overvoorde, Steve Prince, Mark T. Smith, Justin Sorensen, Ryan Stander, Rembrandt van Rijn, Henri Van Straten, and Kreg Yingst. Fifty-eight of the images were made specifically for this book. Each spread in the book is a different account from the Bible. On the left is the scripture passage and a brief commentary on the art and the passage. On the right is the artwork. The commentaries help the reader to look deeper into the passage and help them to understand and apprecaite the art more. They also quote from many writers including N.T. Wright, Tim Keller, C.S. Lewis, Luci Shaw, A.D. Bauer, Denis Haack, D.A. Carson, Eric Jacobsen, Billy Graham, John Piper, Bono, and C.H. Spurgeon to name a few.

J. Mark Bertrand (novelist, speaker, and founder of the Bible Design Blog) says: “Revealed sets out to crush any notion that the Bible is a safe, inspirational read. Instead the artwork here, historic and contemporary, takes a warts-and-all approach to even the most troubling passages, trading well-meaning elision for unvarnished truth. If you gaze deeper, Revealed springs another surprise, too: it debunks the equally prevalent misconception that a sacred anthology ages in the making can offer no single, unifying message. To see that message, however, might just require a second look at verses that make the pious avert their eyes.” 

The official book release party for Revealed is scheduled for June 3, 2016 in the Square Halo Gallery. More details can be found HERE.

An interview with The Gospel Coalition about the book can be found HERE.

An article from The Washington Times about several of the contributors to Revealed can be found HERE.

Heart & Minds Bookstore awarded Revealed the BEST ART BOOK OF 2015 and also wrote a nice review HERE.

A PechaKucha presentation about Revealed can be watched HERE.

An article about Revealed on ArtWay can be found HERE.

And Revealed can be found on First Things' 2015 Christmas Guide to Buying a Bible.