LHTH Choices

[mom23]

I'm getting ready to order LHTH for my preschooler. He's 4, but will turn 5 in the middle of the guide. I'm looking at all the choices for Bible and devotionals, and was wondering if any of you had a favorite to recommend for us? In the devotionals category, I've been reading reviews and really like the sounds of Big Thoughts for Little Poeple. Although other websites would still include a 4 or 5 yo. in the recommended age group for it, HOD places it for ages 2-3. Is it too simple? It sounds like others liked it for older kids too.

On Bibles, I had decided to just use our own Bible, due to the volumes of childrens' Bibles piling up around our house...however, in reconsidering, I know how much more my 1st grader has gotten out of LHFHG with the Family-Time Bible. He loves to look at the pictures, it presents the truth in an exciting way (he looks forward to that every day), the questions help me to focus his attention effectively...it was through one of our discussions in History that he made the decision to ask Christ into his heart! Don't want to miss those precious moments and the enjoyments with my preschooler, just because I was too cheap to buy yet another children's Bible. So...all of that just to ask for your advice on this? Which one did you like for Little Hearts? Thanks!

[raceNzanesmom]

On Bibles, I had decided to just use our own Bible, due to the volumes of childrens' Bibles piling up around our house...

Do you have a similar one you could use? We're in LHFHG and use the NIV Bible, but also several other children's Bibles we have here.

We didn't use LHTH, so I'm not much help. Sorry.

[Dustybug]

I am in my second year in LHTH and have used both Big THoughts for Little People and My ABC bible verses and BOTH A Child's First Bible and The New Bible in Pictures. My DD is going through her second full year in LHTH and we used the recommended devotional/bible both years. She is 5 now(will be 6 in Feb)and using My ABC verses, and TNBIP and since my DS is going through LHTH for the first time he is using ACFB and BTFL. I do have to say that using the younger option bible and devotional two times and seeing how they work side by side this year, I think the recommendations are well placed. My ABC Bible verses has more story to it to explain the verse and more encouragement to memorize more than just the verse of the week, so it fits better with the older child. Big Thoughts for LIttle people focuses more on an idea/good virtue that matches with a picture and then asks a few short questions related to both. DD loves the New Bible in Pictures because she can read the story on her own, but it is more in depth than the stories in ACFB, so she learns more about the stories she heard last year.

If any of that made sense, lol, I'm just trying to say that I think the age suggestions are well placed for the books.

[KristinBeth]

I have both devotionals for my 4 year old, and I actually prefer Big Thoughts for Little People. It is just short and sweet, and easy to remember the idea with the nice rhymes. It has better, more interesting illustrations. My daughter can easily handle storybooks without pictures but I think that for helping remember the devotional concepts, Big Thoughts is easier and more fun, though both books are good. When my daughter is overreacting about something, I'll jokingly say, "Are you crying? Uh oh, you'd better get the book", and she'll start laughing and say "C is for crying, it hurts when you fall, but please do not cry about nothing at all!". I have the older version of the book, but my kids love finding the 'hidden ladybugs' and things that start with the letter of the week in the illustrations. They ask to read it when it's not school time (not so the ABC Bible verses).

I would suggest the Bible In Pictures. We have the younger Bible (A child's first) because we already had it, and it is a little too young for my 4 year old, though it is perfect for her 2 year old sister. We supplement with The Beginner's Bible (which we already had and is used in the Emerging Readers set) if we can find the same story, and with my bible as well.

The suggestions for each age are appropriate, but thought I'd give my thumbs up to Big Thoughts.

[avbprincess]

The suggestions for each age are appropriate, but thought I'd give my thumbs up to Big Thoughts.

Agreed! I love this devotional for the reasons pp stated. I also have the ABC devo, and it's definitely a step up in conceptual understanding. When my DS, who will be 4 at the time, goes through LHTH for a second time I plan on using the ABC devo, but I will also add in BTFLP just because I like it so much. DS really understands it and loves the detailed pictures. If I had to choose one I'd go with BTFLP, though there's nothing wrong with ABC. It's just personal preference.

I would also recommend getting The New Bible in Pictures even though you already have a lot of children's bibles. Kenneth Taylor (who also wrote BTFLP) has a special way of writing about and presenting material. He summarizes bibles not so much in the usual paraphrase; he retells the stories like a storyteller would, in an engaging and interesting way without talking down to his audience. The stories are written simply, but not childishly. My 3.5 year old is on the younger side of the recommended age, but he really connects to the stories, and I believe that is because of how they are written. The included questions are useful, too. So, I think TNBiP is a worthwhile purchase in itself, but I also like that the activities and key ideas written in the LHTH guide go exactly with what is read in the daily stories. It all ties together so neatly.

[3sweeties]

Just to chime in, too -- I would recommend The New Bible in Pictures for your 4 yo. It has a bit more "story" to it than A Child's First Bible. My DD is 3.5 and I discovered pretty quick that she wanted to hear more of the Bible story than what A Child's First Bible covered. We have also enjoyed Big Thoughts for Little People. Just my two cents!!!

[mom23]

Thanks very much, everyone! That helps.

[my3sons]

Just had to say we loved "The New Bible in Pictures" and "Big Thoughts for Little People! The Bible has beautiful pictures that really help a child be able to visualize the storyline better. The comprehension questions asked at the end of each story really helped my sons learn to listen more carefully to the readings and better prepared them for LHFHG. The prayer at the end I always say in phrases and have my sons repeat them, so they are learning to pray as well. I have noticed my little guy wants to pray at dinner now and does a pretty good job of making sense as he enjoys talking with the Lord. Likewise, the devotional puts things into a perspective a child can truly understand and apply to life. It gives little things a parent can say to jog their memory throughout the day. The artwork in this new edition is vivid and eye catching. It holds even my wiggly little guy's attention. For all of these reasons, I think you will love these excellent resources, and also be preparing your child well for LHFHG!

In Christ,
Julie