I’ll add this: Great books for children are well-written, age-appropriate, and relevant to kids’ experiences. They are not “heavy-handed” in their messages, but inspire their readers.
t’s becoming increasingly difficult to find books that are both wholesome and engaging, ones that inspire and teach. Books that get kids excited about reading. We find plenty of great books written decades ago, and they remain relevant because that’s another characteristic of a great book—they have a lasting impact. But kids also need modern books to relate to as well. Their world looks very different than ours did as children.
Bakken sent me some chapter books to enjoy. Even though neither of my sons has children at this point, I’m blessed to be “Mama Kay” to some of the most precious children ever. I opened the box of books while they were visiting, and one of the girls excitedly exclaimed, “They have MATH CHAPTER BOOKS!” Her eyes lit up, and I would never have guessed someone would be that excited about a book that incorporates math.


