Book reviews

For over two decades, I have had the honor of partnering with congregations across the country and in many denominations, helping them discern what they are called to be doing in ministry with youth. The conversation about confirmation always features strongly. There...

One of the greatest honors of my life is being able to live among and learn from youth. Their clarity, their energy, and their strength regularly help me see the world through better lenses. I truly appreciate their questions and their low tolerance for garbage. If...

As you would expect in a place that houses 7 children and 2 adults, my home is strewn with papers, pencils, crayons, and markers. Under the table, under the couch, between the cushions, shoved into drawers, even in the refrigerator (not sure why, but it happens)....

Eight years ago, my family and I moved from the New York City suburbs to a city in Pennsylvania. New Yorkers have a reputation for being loud, brash, and sometimes rude. My experience with them has been more about being helpful, community minded, but in loud and...

Last year, Picture The Bible by Stacy Johnson Myers landed on my desk and I was instantly enchanted by it. I have enjoyed it alongside many children, used it as inspiration for projects with families, and have snuggled up with it with my own babes for a...

This resource bridges two giant roles in my life; parenting my crew of seven and serving in the field of children’s and family ministries. It’s too hard to choose which perspective to use for this review, so I’m deviating from my usual form and offering you two...

Except for one brief year when I had a class composed only of boys, I have found my life to hold a fairly even mix of the traditional gender identities. It would make sense that the world would hold an equally even mix of stories and traditions featuring male and...

Everyday, around 1 pm, you’ll find me cuddled up on my bed with my toddler, reading some books and getting him down for a nap. Everyday, at multiple points in the day, you’ll find me negotiating some sort of sibling squabble that centers around why someone should be...

One of the best pieces of advice I received as a new parent was, when a child was out of sorts, take them outside or pop them in water. Both environments have proven their magical effects time and again as I parent my crew, and I often think of that advice at...

There are floor to ceiling bookshelves in every room of my home and they are all filled with books that we love. We read a LOT and we quote a LOT and we dramatize scenes from our favorite fiction a LOT. In the mid-aughts of 2000, my three oldest children made their...