Calgary author tells how to find the best Christian children’s books for your kids this Christmas
Christian parents who want to avoid the controversy over The Golden Compass can still give kids books they’ll love to read.
Calgary, AB, December 7, 2007 РChildren’s author Ruth Willms believes good novels make great Christmas gifts for kids, but as a Christian mother and grandmother, she knows the importance of children’s fiction that teaches biblical values.
Recently, Calgary’s Catholic school board pulled all copies of The Golden Compass series, pending a review of the books. While Willms hasn’t read the controversial The Golden Compass or the Harry Potter books, another series over which some Christian parents disagree, she understands why they’ve been a hit with millions of readers. “All of us, not only kids, are fascinated by the supernatural and the fantastic.” Willms says.
In fact, Willms‚Äô recently published novel, The Lion Tree, is a fantasy based on biblical truths and Bible stories. ‚ÄúI used fantasy in the novel,‚Äù Willms says, ‚Äúbut the main characters face real life challenges and find real life answers that work for all kids. It isn‚Äôt a magic power or the power of positive thinking, it is… Well, why don‚Äôt I let you read the book and find out for yourself?‚Äù
For kids who yearn for fantasy fiction and parents who prefer to steer clear of controversy, Willms also recommends The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.
According to Willms, children’s books don’t need to be explicitly Christian to hold a positive message for their readers. Each year, The Christophers Рan organization whose mission is to encourage people from all walks of life to use their God-given talents to make a positive difference in the world Рrecognize mainstream children’s books that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”
Previous years’ recipients of the Christopher Book Awards for children’s books include:
- A Symphony Of Whales by Steve Schuch
- Witness by Karen Hesse
- Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen
- The Teacher’s Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Another award program, the Children’s Crown Award Reading Program, recognizes wholesome and uplifting books that have been published within the last two years and are voted on by students – meaning that every winner is kid-approved. All awards are endorsed by The National Christian School Association. Some previous recipients of the Children’s Crown Award are:
- The Good Dog by Avi
- Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan
- Sky Memories by Pat Brisson
- Saving Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Please visit http://www.RuthWillms.com to download a free sample chapter of Willms’ Christian fantasy novel, The Lion Tree. You can learn more about the Christopher Awards at http://www.christophers.org and the Children’s Crown Award Reading Program at http://www.childrenscrownaward.org
Contact: Ruth Willms
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.RuthWillms.com
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