Reading specialists and enthusiasts are one in noting that building a reading culture at home is essential in helping children become better readers and writers. At Casa Ruffolo, we are reading loyalists. We read all kinds of genre. We invest in books. We love to review books and share our thoughts about them. Precious Moments’ 5-minute Bedtime Treasury joins our list of child-friendly bedtime treasure featuring Bible stories, paraphrased in a manner that can easily read and understood by children.
Jeff and I realized something while we were eating dinner: our children are more familiar with Winnie the Pooh and his friends than Jesus and his apostles. At the dining table, we made a commitment to be better storytellers of Jesus’ life and ministry; we pledged that we will spend more time sharing and reading to our children more stories that will guide them in establishing their personal relationships with God. Five-Minute Bedtime Treasury arrived in our mailbox at the perfect time.
While our children are only two years old and are not yet able to read every single text from this book, we can always start by reading aloud to them. One of the necessary steps in teaching literacy is to make children appreciate literature; to make reading a fun activity, not a tedious exercise where they are forced to memorize terms and concepts. This book helps parents in building a reading culture while imparting good moral values to their children.
Two pages of the book invites children to work on their family tree. This is a good exercise in starting your family history (if you haven’t started yet). Family comes first and so we appreciate this part of the book because it emphasizes the importance of knowing your roots. I believe this will help my children as they grow up, as they spread their branches and reach for the sky, their dreams and aspirations.
The book is divided in three sections: Section 1 – God is Trustworthy; Section 2 – God is Good; and Section 3 – God is Love. My favorite Bible stories such as the story of creation, Daniel in the lions’ den, Jesus feeds the 5,000, and Jesus appears to Thomas are included in this book.
Introducing the Bible to children can be tough. There are no pictures and the texts are small. The 5-Minute Bedtime Treasury creates that platform where children are introduced to Jesus, his friends, his works without being intimidated. This book contains illustrations that are too adorable to ignore.
I started reading the story of David and Goliath to my son Nicholas last night. I am looking forward to the day when we can do shared reading and he can read the story to me. I am also excited about the day that he will ask me questions about what he read. It’s going to be tough, I know. But I’m a mother, I will try to answer in the best way I can.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the Booklook Bloggers program in exchange for honest reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
