Illustrator Ashley Bryan uses paper cutting to interpret some of the old spirituals in his book Let it Shine. Included in the book are This Little Light of Mine, When the Saints Go Marching In, and He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands. In the back of the book are the musical scores for each song. Bryan has also used paper cutting to illustrate Cecil F. Alexander’s Irish hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful. He has created more than thirty-five brightly colored children’s books. I love that the paper cutting is large enough for children to trace with their fingers the lines of each tree and animal imagining how they might cut and create illustrations for their favorite songs.

Illustrator Bruce Whatley uses amazing paintings to also interpret a beautiful book for All Things Bright and Beautiful. His paintings of a countryside filled with flowers, mountain views, and a child’s quiet farm life create a relaxing read/singing of an old favorite hymn. Children will enjoy drawing/painting about the beauty of their own environment and the wonders of God’s creation all around them. The musical scores are also included in the back of this book.

There is no end to the children’s books illustrated for Christmas songs and hymns. Psalms are also favorites for illustrators. My favorite is Psalms Twenty-Three illustrated by Tim Ladwig. He takes the psalm that is thousands of years old and demonstrates for children how it still applies today. The children have a lamb for a stuffed animal who goes from bed to table where there is a good breakfast before school. They enjoy lying down in the green grass of the park and playing with sticks and leaves in a rain puddle. A stained glass window in a church reminds them as they walk to school that Jesus is always watching over them. Recess with just the simple things of friends and an old tire is a gift that will restore a soul. At school, walking in line and studying hard guides them in paths of righteousness. The gang-filled streets that greet them on the way home seem like a valley of death but they won’t fear because they know Jesus is with them. The lady at the crosswalk with her stop sign on a pole adds a bit of humor as they realize it is a rod and staff that comforts them. The family is comforted by another good meal at supper, though the gangs still roam the streets right outside their window. A good warm bath and grandma’s goodness and love as she repairs the lamb remind them that they can dwell in the house of the Lord — forever.

Discussing the pictures and singing the words as we point are the beginnings of teaching reading to our little ones as we imprint God’s word on their hearts. In Ephesians, He instructs us to use the psalms, and hymns, and songs. Can’t you just see your little ones, quiet, in their rooms and when you go check, there is this soft singing as your child turns the pages of the books that have been read to him.

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

~ Ephesians 5:19

Reading with children — Gail Cartee

#christianbooksforkids, #readingwithchildren, #singingwithchildren

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