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
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.
Sunday: A little Poetry . . . read 1 chapter in Psalms
Monday: A little Poetry . . . read 1 chapter in Psalms
Tuesday: A little Wisdom . . . read 1 chapter in Proverbs
Wednesday: Learn about Jesus . . . read 1 chapter In John
Thursday: Learn about Jesus . . . read 1 chapter In John
Friday: Learn about Jesus . . . read 1 chapter In John
Saturday: Learn about Jesus . . . read 1 chapter In John