A Book Review from Books At a Glance
by Kristin Stiles
The series Tiny Hands has added three new titles:
Each of these board books is geared toward infants and toddlers with the purpose being to expose them to good theology and Christian doctrine at the youngest age when their little brains are quickly absorbing what is fed into them. Even at this early stage, they are able to begin memorizing information even though they are not able to comprehend it yet.
Tiny Hands Hymns exposes your little ones to some of the great hymns of the faith including: “Abide With Me,” “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” “Fairest Lord Jesus,” “How Firm a Foundation,” “O Worship the King,” “Rock of Ages,” “Take My Life and Let It Be,” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” The lyrics for the first verse of each hymn is provided along with a colorful illustration. No musical notation is provided. I appreciate the songs that were selected and feel they are a good representation of hymns that children should be familiar with. The best use of this book would be for the reader to sing through the lyrics and not just read them. Some of the lyrics are clearly over the head of a toddler, and I wouldn’t even necessarily recommend that the parent try to explain them. Just allow your child to learn the melodies and repeat the words. One day, they will be old enough to understand them and by then, the rich texts will already be committed to memory.
Tiny Hands Apostles’ Creed is written in the same vein. Surely your toddler will not understand the deep theological concepts in this creed, but what an amazing resource this would be for your maturing child as you teach him/her gospel truths and can recall the clear doctrinal statements that you read again and again to your little one. Children learn so many Mother Goose rhymes—why not teach them something of much greater value?
Tiny Hands Psalms diverts from the pattern of the other two books in that the language is simplified for children. Selections from the following Psalms are included: 1, 18, 23, 34, 51, 100,121, and 139. The adapted versions stay close to the original and I would affirm that they retain the intended meanings. This is a great way to introduce your child to the wisdom, comfort, repentance, and praise that are contained in the Psalms.
I appreciate these books and would recommend them to parents who want to begin planting seeds that will one day, through the work of the Holy Spirit, help their child “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Kristin Stiles is a home-school mom, a Sunday School teacher, and helps lead the “Young, Reading, & Reformed” children’s ministry at Reformed Baptist Church of Franconia, PA.