Enter a New World – Open a Book

By: Elizabeth Coldren

Listen Now

Elizabeth Coldren shared her recommended reading list with Reach UP. She works with the families of inmates through the ministry of Prison Fellowship. These books have good, moral characters with relevant life lessons.Reading is so important for children because it inspires their imagination, improves their reading scores and helps develop a lifetime enjoyment of reading.

We encourage parents to read to their children because studies show that it benefits them by all of the reasons above and builds the bond between parent and child. Through the world of books children learn to face reality in a safe, positive environment.

So go ahead, have a lazy afternoon and head for the library. It’s a restful place to go and, best of all, it’s free!

Model reading in front of your children, too. One book that inspires moms and children to read is the true story of Dr. Ben Carson in Gifted Hands.

Young Children

All God’s Critters, Bill Staines

Bear Feels Sick, Karma Wilson

David and Goliath, Smart Kids Publishing

For God so Loved the World, Dandi Daley Mackall

Jonah and the Whale, Smart Kids Publishing

Noah and the Ark, Smart Kids Publishing

Sloppy Joe, David Keane

Some Dog, Mary Casanova

Middle School

Best of All, Max Lucado

Crazy Hair Day, Barney Saltzberg

Hall of Champions, Jay Carty

You Are Special, Max Lucado

You Can Do It, Tony Dungy

TEENS

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talkin’ Faith, Jack Canfield

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Real Deal, Jack Canfield

Good and Evil, Michael Pearl

Serenity: Bad Girl in Town, Buzz Dixon

3:16 – The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado

ALL AGES

Blue Day Book, Bradley Trevor Greive

Incredible Animals – Playbac Publishing

Manana Iguana, Ann Whitford Paul

Nathaniel’s Journey, Tom Kelby

Weird but True, National Geographic

Dog Heroes, Karl Meyer

Hello Book!
by N.M. BodeckerHello book!
What are you up to?
Keeping yourself to yourself,
shut in between your covers,
a prisoner high on a shelf.
Come in book!
What is your story?
Haven’t you ever been read?
Did you think
I would just pass by you
And pick me a comic instead?
No way book!
I’m your reader
I open you up.
Set you free.
Listen, I know a secret!
Will you share your secrets with me?

Don’t Forget Your Bible Reading

Cross out the chapters as you finish each one.