Five Recommended Books For Kids Age 8 and Under – Part 2

The Ology By Marty Machowski and Andy McGuire

There is a series by Penguin Random House called “The Ology” series that I highly advise steering clear from because its titles are as such: “Ghostology”, “Mythology”, “Wizardology”, Monsterology”, among others which desensitize children to the idea that fantastical things are real and harmless. It may be… but it may also (and I believe most likely) lead to an allure towards paganism, which God abhors (You may refer to Romans 1:18-32, Isaiah 5:20, 2 Peter 2:15, Matthew 15:9, Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and more). However, this first book on my list, “The Ology” by Marty Machowski and Andy McGuire is a burst of fresh air in the children’s book space. Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth is connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. “The Ology” takes complex concepts in the Bible and makes them easier to understand with well-thought-out examples, illustrations, and analogies. This book was designed for ages six to preteens, but is so theologically rich that kids can still get a lot out of it as they complete middle school and enter the 9th or 10th grade — yet the storybook is captivating enough and generous with its simplicity that you can start reading it to your preschoolers. This is definitely my favorite recommendation for Bible-based homeschooling families.

God Made Boys And Girls By Marty Machowski

Another book among many fantastic children’s books by Pastor Marty Machowski. This storybook geared towards ages 4-10 shares simple yet beautiful truths about how God loves them and designed them. The author does a wonderful job of describing the perfect plan of God making boys and girls distinct from each other, helping children understand that their being a biological boy or a girl is a gift from God and is “very good”! This is a much needed book today, where confusion and deception about genders is ramping up in our society.

When You See A Rainbow by Becky Dudley

This is an adorable book that helps to teach toddlers and younger children the biblical meaning of the rainbow from scripture. It presents a sweet, easy to follow rhyme that talks about Noah, The Flood, God’s promises, and God’s incredible creative power of the air, water, the earth and all its creatures. This type of book is especially welcome in this day in age where there is so much confusion surrounding the meaning of depictions of the rainbow.

Wonder & Wisdom By Joanna Rivard & Tim Penner

A Child’s First Book About Marriage by Jani Ortlund

In a world where traditional marriage, as God designed it, is at the center of hostile attack this book sets the record straight for children — “God’s way is always best”. And this book by Jani Ortlund (no relation to Dane C. Ortlund) does a great job at explaining why. An excellent supplement to scripture reading about God’s purposes for marriage as it is to the point, yet challenges little ones to look at the world around them with a biblical lense.