I picked this book Dare U 2 Open This Book by Carol McAdams Moore to review as I thought it might be just the thing to get my lad started on doing devotions without it being a stressful, I have to read lots and lots event for him. It is proving to meet that end quite nicely. I am reviewing this book on behalf of BookLook Bloggers.
My son has been using this for a couple of weeks now and seems to be learning and thinking as he goes through different bible passages. This is a devotional written for BOYS. It is very much geared that way.
I have to admit, that the meaning author is not always what I would take, and sometimes the context is lost in the focus on the verse. But the lad is thinking and this is a good thing.
So what do you get? You get a book that encourages children to draw and write what they think a passage means and how it affects them. Large writing in simplified language. Each devotional is a two page spread. One side introduces the passage or verse with verse focused on written out. Then a short "this is what it means" writing is given. The next page starts with "what if..." Then instruction to draw or write what that means or how it affects the child is given.
My son has been using this for a couple of weeks now and seems to be learning and thinking as he goes through different bible passages. This is a devotional written for BOYS. It is very much geared that way.
I have to admit, that the meaning author is not always what I would take, and sometimes the context is lost in the focus on the verse. But the lad is thinking and this is a good thing.
So what do you get? You get a book that encourages children to draw and write what they think a passage means and how it affects them. Large writing in simplified language. Each devotional is a two page spread. One side introduces the passage or verse with verse focused on written out. Then a short "this is what it means" writing is given. The next page starts with "what if..." Then instruction to draw or write what that means or how it affects the child is given.
 a typical page spread  my son was supposed to draw an orchestra here, but asked if he would write what he wanted instead. I said "it's your book, you do what works best for you.". That eased his frustration (of not knowing how to draw it) so that he could actually think about what he wanted instead. I can spell words that he can't. :) |
My son has learned that this book is his. What he writes or draws in it is between him and God. That if he wants to share it with me he can, but he doesn't have to. My goal is to encourage him to think on God's word, and to dwell on what it means to him, how the things in his life are affected by whom God is.
here he is taking time to think abit. Considering what unbelievable thing he knows about that God has a hand in. This took some thought.
My son's responses when asked if this would be a book he would recommend to other children his age (he is age 9). "Yes. It's a good devotional book. I can do it. There's not a whole lot of reading and I understand what it says."
My recommendation: Since I help my son find the bible passage, and I help him read it when he can't, it gives me a chance to talk with him about it, and then to be a sounding board when necessary. I don't mind that the explanation of the passage sometimes misses what I see as the point (it's an issue I struggle with, with most devotionals). But my son is thinking and learning, and THAT is what is most important for his first "on his own devotions".
My recommendation: Since I help my son find the bible passage, and I help him read it when he can't, it gives me a chance to talk with him about it, and then to be a sounding board when necessary. I don't mind that the explanation of the passage sometimes misses what I see as the point (it's an issue I struggle with, with most devotionals). But my son is thinking and learning, and THAT is what is most important for his first "on his own devotions".
RSS Feed
