The Bible for Kids Podcast

This week Mike and Sarah talk with author Laura Smith about her new book 5-Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health. 5-Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health removes the stigma on mental health and advises Christian teens what they can do when they are depressed and anxious. Scattered throughout the book are tips to help teens maintain good mental health practices such as meditation, disconnecting from social media and technology, saying affirmations, and much more. Each day includes a Scripture verse, short devotional, and a prayer or prompt. This 100-day devotional will help teens 13 to 17 years old: deal with mental health issues, depression, and/or anxiety. re-enter normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic. develop an authentic relationship with God and deepen their faith. Laura Smith is a popular speaker and best-selling author who has written nonfiction books for adults, pre-teens, and kids, as well as the popular Status Updates fiction series for young adults. 5 Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health is her twelfth book. Most recently she is known for Restore My Soul: The Power and Promise of 30 Psalms and How Sweet the Sound: The Power and Promise of 30 Beloved Hymns, which has sold more than 130,000 copies.

This week Mike and Sarah catch up with returning guest Eric Schrotenboer to discuss two new books that he co-wrote with his wife Meredith. The Youngest Disciple:   You are never too young to be a disciple. Join John, the youngest disciple, as he responds to Jesus’ call and follows in His footsteps. From the shores along the Sea of Galilee to the empty tomb in Jerusalem, The Youngest Disciple takes children of all ages on a journey to discover how they are called to be disciples too. Walk with John as he learns how to be like Jesus.   The Mouse in the Manger:   Little Mouse feels small and insignificant, especially compared to all the other animals in the Bethlehem house where he lives. He wishes he had a special talent to share or an important purpose to fulfill. Then one night, a couple named Mary and Joseph arrive looking for somewhere to stay after a long journey. The usual guest room is full, but the family members offer radical hospitality and make space for Joseph and Mary to be comfortable and warm. That same night, Mary gives birth to a baby boy named Jesus. Little Mouse wants to do something special for the new baby, but feels like he has nothing to offer. Will Little Mouse think of a way to give Jesus a special gift?   Eric and Meredith Schrotenboer are both storytellers at heart. Eric is an award-winning filmmaker and music composer. Meredith is an award-winning journalist and news anchor. Eric has his Masters of Divinity and leads biblical study trips to Israel and Jordan through his ministry The Acacia Project. Meredith is a certified Enneagram Coach and facilitator. Together they created Fresh Wind Studios where they create resources that help children and families better understand the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the Bible. They are the creators of the award-winning Christmas resource, “The Wandering Wise Men” and authors of “Hear, O Little One: In the Morning and in the Evening,” “The Youngest Disciple,” and “The Mouse in the Manger.” Eric and Meredith live in Grand Rapids, MI with their two children, Meryn and Judah.     

This week Mike and Sarah talk with Brock Starnes and Garrett Taylor about the new animated series, Andrew Peterson's The Wingfeather Saga which debuts on December 2nd. Once, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog Nugget. Janner Igiby, his brother Tink, and his sister Leeli are gifted children as all children are. Together they discover the secret of the Jewels of the Shining Isle. They will need their special gifts and all the love of their noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather to survive the venomous Fangs, sea dragons, flabbits, and (gulp) toothy cows! Learn more at https://www.wingfeathersaga.com

This week Mike and Sarah talk with singer, songwriter, and author Ellie Holcomb about her new Christmas book, Sounding Joy. Does it sound like falling snow, or a kiss on your cheek? Award-winning recording artist Ellie Holcomb explores this question through a delightful collection of Christmastime scenes, leading up to the discovery that joy sounds like the angels singing that Jesus had been born. Ellie will be releasing children’s music as a companion to this board book. Her sweet and lovely celebration of Christmas encourages each reader, young and old, to lift up their voice and repeat sounding joy! Award-winning singer/songwriter and author Ellie Holcomb began her musical career by touring the country with her husband in the Americana band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. Her honest voice and rich lyrics shined on her first solo album and deemed her the Best New Artist at the 2014 Dove Awards, followed by the hope-inducing Red Sea Road (2017) album and the critically acclaimed album Canyon (2021). In 2018, she created a new generation of little fans with her first children’s book and album: Who Sang the First Song? and Don't Forget to Remember, each with companion children's music. Ellie, her husband, Drew, and their three children live and make music in Nashville, TN

This week Mike and Sarah speak with author Abbey Feldkamp about her new board book, Wonderful Marvelous Magnificent You. Wonderful, Marvelous, Magnificent You offers young children an engaging and colorful tool for teaching them about Jesus in a relatable way. It was crafted as a rhyming story with vivid imaginative and playful scenes to captivate the reader’s attention. This book beautifully illustrates just how special God made children of every culture and ability. It is diverse, inclusive, and wholesome. Children need to hear the simple message that Jesus loves them, just as they are. It's an offset lithography printed book with durable, hard pages. The illustrations and text are all hand drawn. Encourage your little one's faith in themselves and in Jesus through this sweet, vintage-inspired story! This resource is a perfect companion to your daily children’s bible—the reader will see themselves reflected in the story with Jesus. It also encourages the reader to use their imagination and understand Jesus in a modern way. Perfect for gifting and reading at home, this will become an heirloom storybook to enjoy, handed down from generation to generation. Abbey has a deep affection for her home state of Minnesota where she lives with her high school sweetheart and three sweet babies. She lives at Sunny Hill Flower Farm on acres of sun-drenched barley fields. When she's not chasing children on the farm or writing books, she tends to her English roses and peonies. She has two rescued pups, chickens, and is a beekeeper. She lives to create beauty in this world with the talents that God has graciously given her. www.abbeycreativeco.com

This week Mike and Sarah talk with author Kathleen Davis about her books Feathers From Above and Brave. A feather may be found by your bed, near the couch, in the car, or even floating in the air. Feathers are often found randomly, but may not be random at all. "Feathers From Above," is a rhyming children's book that discusses how feathers fall directly from the wings of our very own Guardian Angels. These Angels are sent from God to watch over us throughout our lives, and their feathers are reminders that we have nothing to fear. "Feathers From Above," was inspired by Kathleen's children. They would find feathers and tell her that their Guardian Angel must have paid them a visit. She knew right away that this would be the framework for her next book. Kathleen is hoping to encourage children to be brave, know that they are loved, and remember that God is with them through good situations and bad. Kathleen Davis is a retired teacher, wife, and mother of two. She has her masters in Elementary Education and spent her career searching for and reading good children’s books to her students. She believes that books not only provide a fountain of information, but are also a way to enter a new world and completely change a perspective. Plus, books are just good ol’ fun. See her website at kathleendavisbooks.com

This week Mike and Sarah talk with author Mitalia Perkins about her new book The Story of Us. Acclaimed author Mitali Perkins grew up loving nature. As her family moved often, she learned to appreciate the beauty and variety of the natural settings of her homes in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York, and Mexico. It wasn’t until age 12 or 13 that she became aware of natural disasters, and realized that the elements–fire, water, air, and earth, can  also be terrifying.  Decades later, Perkins’ close friend lost her home in the Woolsey/Malibu fire in 2018. The loss brought back her childhood questions. Why are we, as humans, at war with the elements? Why do we neglect the care of them—the very essence of ourselves and the home God created for us? For comfort, Perkins turned to writing.  The result was The Story of Us, a poem-turned-picture-book that tells the biblical redemption story in a new way, by centering the four elements: air, water, earth, and fire. At the beginning of all things, Creator uses the elements to make humans. When creation falls into chaos—resulting in greed, war, and devastation—Redeemer comes as a baby, growing up to use air, water, earth, and fire in seemingly small ways to heal and serve. Next, Restorer arrives, calling us to care for the elements as we wait for the day when lasting peace will come between them and us. Perkins’ lyrical message is brought to life by the luminous art of illustrator team Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell. It’s a thought-provoking work that invites readers young and old to ponder our own relationship to nature and the Divine.

This week Mike and Sarah catch up with author Lauren Chandler to talk bout her book Praise Him! Remember this, a simple song, and lift your voice and praise! In this beautifully illustrated board book, Lauren Chandler’s lyrical lines encourage us that in the day or in the night, wherever we go, we can praise God continually. From page to page, follow a child through her day as she goes from sunny morning to stormy afternoon and then shadowy night. Be reminded that God is always there with us, even when days are hard, and that we need only simple words to praise Him. Lauren Chandler is passionate about writing, music, and leading worship at her home congregation, The Village Church, and across the country. She is the author of two Bible studies, including With Us in the Wilderness, and two other books including one for children: Goodbye to Goodbyes. Lauren and her husband, pastor Matt Chandler, live with their three children in Flower Mound, Texas. 

This week Mike and Sarah talk with Clayton Greene about his company GoodKind and their seasonal resource, Advent Blocks. Advent Blocks is a Scripture based interactive kit for families to celebrate and grow together during the advent season. The kit includes 25 blocks along with a book for the family to read together while they work through the program daily. Clayton is the director of the Summit Collaborative and a co-founder of GoodKind, the maker of Advent Blocks. Clayton is trained as a physical therapist and practiced outpatient orthopedics for 5 years prior to moving to Wilmington, NC where he was the executive pastor of the Bridge Church. Clayton is married to Kristen and they have two daughters, Cara and Susan. 

This week Mike and Sarah spend time talking with author Andrew Wilson about his new book, The Boy from the House of Bread. With lyrical rhyme and quirky illustrations, The Boy from the House of Bread shares the story of Jesus’ ministry in a compelling way, through the eyes and voice of an African boy. Walk with Alex through his bustling first-century world as he watches Jesus multiply bread and hears Him tell stories about loaves and call Himself the life-giving Bread. This recurring symbol fascinates both Alex and the reader, leaving children ages 4 to 8 (and the adults who read with them) thinking differently about not only the bread on their plates but the Man who makes miracles happen. Andrew Wilson is the teaching pastor at King’s Church London and the author of Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat. He has three children named Zeke, Anna, and Sam, and he has written a number of other books—but none of them have pictures.