We dug out the Easter baskets for April’s photo shoot. 🙂 Our whole family got together and decided to share what we have been reading this month. From the youngest to the oldest, we’ve each chosen one book that we think you – or someone you know – would love. Even Ryan gets in on the fun. (He’s a good sport.)
We hope that you enjoy our suggestions. What have you been reading lately? Let us know in the comments!
For the babies…
Usborne Trucks was our first “boy” book. It’s been well-loved all these years and our baby loves its bumpy, rubbery, shiney Touchy Feely experience… and the cute fuzzy animals that show up here and there. It’s his go-to this month.
For the sweet toddlers…
Who doesn’t love Frances? This toddler has a birthday coming up and she has been loving this book about Gloria’s birthday party. A Birthday for Frances is Russell Hoban at his best (again) with cups of jelly beans, rainbow place cards, birthday candles, and party poppers. No matter how many times we read it aloud, we all wince when Francis is squeezing that Chompo bar…
For anyone with a heart…
A Sick Day for Amos McGee is at the top of our library stack this month. We love the way Amos’ careful friendships display the give-and-take of love. I was so thrilled when our son brought it to the read-aloud table for the third time. I said, “I love Amos McGee.” He sighed and said, “Me, too.” That’s what you want, folks. That’s what you want.
For the tween and/ or her mom…
Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy is on the A-List for so many tween girls because it is smart, realistic, suspenseful, and honest. Lia liked the believable culture and history that Hale creates. I liked that the main character is real with strengths and weaknesses.
For anyone who appreciates a satisfying ending…
Viv actually began The Mysterious Benedict Society a couple of times but wasn’t sure she could make it through. It was a bit intense for her and she felt intimidated by the imaginative powers. But, she recently braved through it and was delighted by the ending. How satisfying! Now, she’s looking forward to the second in the series.
For all of the Easter Bunnies out there…

I’ve been itching to tell you about Nancy Guthrie’s Praying through the Bible for Your Kids. It is so incredible and has been such a gift to me during these days of sparse solitary devotional time. Every day – every single day – Guthrie takes us straight to Scripture to meditate and pray for our children accordingly. These prayers are not topical and not typical, they are not watered-down or patronizing. Instead, they are based upon God’s promises through Christ and align my heart with the Word day by day. Can’t recommend it enough.
And this month Ryan recommends one his favorites, Nate Silver’s book on statistics, The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – But Some Don’t. He predicts the thinker in your life will like it.
Now, it’s your turn: This month, I recommend reading _________. Let us know in the comments! ?
Comments
9 responses to “The Big Family Book Party: April 2017”
yes!!!! I just got the Nancy Guthrie book on praying for our kids. It’s so good!
Ann Voskamp’s ” The Broken Way” … It’s a game changer!
That’s next on my book list! For real! Good to know you loved it, Ambri. 🙂
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
This one must be like gold… I’ve heard you talk about it before and saw you reference it just recently on Facebook. I’ll put it on my list and I’m sure we’ll discover that it has a permanent place in our collection. Thank you, Melissa.
My girls (ages 11, 9 and 6) and I are loving The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare for our current read aloud.
The older two are deep in The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, with lots of talk of hobbit lore round the table!
The little one and I are reading Little House in the Big Woods together. She doesn’t remember me reading it aloud to her sisters several years ago, so we get to experience it for the first time all over again!
And I just finished Wounded Tiger by T. Martin Bennet. It is the true story of how the Japanese pilot who lead the attack on Pearl Harbor came to know Christ through the witness of a martyred missionary’s daughter he never met. It is intense and difficult at times, but an amazing testimony to our God’s power to overcome evil with good. My husband and I were both inspired by it.
Wow, Jamie. Your family has great literary taste. So rich! Your hobbit lore reminds me of a book I just finished and loved (surely, it will show up in a post here soon) called “Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings.” A nonfiction exposition about that inspiring and fun collaboration of writers that contributed to such wonders as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Your girls may be too young to grasp or appreciate it, but you may love it… if you enjoy nonfiction and “reading for ideas” like I do. It was right up my alley.
I’ll keep my eye open for Wounded Tiger. It sounds extremely powerful.
What a lovely idea! I have a little one, and sometimes it’s difficult to find creative gifts that he will truly enjoy…. I’m so happy I found your blog! I think I will check Usborne Trucks out. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’m so glad, Sandra. I hope you’re pleased! 🙂