Get creative this month with two new activity books that have just come out from Candle Books, part of SPCK publishers. Both books are packed with fun to while away the hours in a meaningful way. A great alternative gift to Easter chocolate...
‘Wow! Jesus’ By Martha Shrimpton, and illustrated by Sarah Nolloth is part of a new Wow! series of books aimed at providing opportunities to creatively connect with God, family and the wider community.
‘Wow! Jesus’ explores six different stories about Jesus in an immersive way through prayer, pausing, playing, creating, celebrating and communicating. It’s a bright, colourful journey, full of many ideas and experiences which would appeal to different children and make the bible story and characters more relevant and meaningful.
For example, we are encouraged to consider the emotions of Mary when waiting for Jesus to arrive after Lazarus’ death through letter writing. Or to imagine what it was like for the lame man to be transformed into mobility through movement and dance. There are many opportunities to create fun crafts like a storm jar, weaving or a fish garland or to respond to the story with drawing, writing or chat.
Great for the whole family to dip into together. It could also be a useful resource for all age services, intergenerational small groups or church children’s sessions.
The important things is to never stop exploring, to never stop discovering new things and of course to never stop having fun being creative.
Page 48 'Wow! Jesus'
Our second new activity book is the Big Start Annual 1.
Whereas ‘Wow Jesus’ would need an adult supporting children to get the most out of it, 'The Big Start Annual' is perfect for children to explore on their own. It is not new material, but rather draws on many different contributors such as Bob Hartman, Cheeky Pandas, Gemma Hunt and other well known bibles and story books.
In the style of an annual or activity book there are mazes, puzzles, colouring, seek and find pictures and spot the differences plus stories and activities. However there are added opportunities to pray, explore worries and respond to the themes being explored.
I like the way this annual focusses in on what Jesus says in contrast to what the world says such as: The world says “Worry about tomorrow” Jesus says “Trust God today” and has an overarching theme of how Jesus flips everything on its head! Even some of the pages are upside down to add to the fun! And there’s an added theme song too!
Get flipping backwards and forwards, twisting and turning to find out how Jesus’ teaching turned the way we live upside down!
Intro. The Big Start Annual
