Christian Book Notes

Elwell, Ellen Banks.  Illustrated by Caron Turk.  The Toddler’s Songbook.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2009.  45 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $11.24.

Review

It has been said that I cannot carry the bucket that people carry their tunes in–I can’t sing!  The truth of the matter is, the greatest miracle in my personal life (aside from salvation and getting married) is that my singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs to God is somehow glorifying to Him.  My wife will tell you that she, too, is not much of a singer.  We are thankful for children’s songbooks like The Toddler’s Songbook.

All kidding aside, this little 45 page book is pretty cool.  Each of the seventeen songs comes with a little poem-like narration that points the child toward God through whatever subject is covered by the song.  For example, Old MacDonald points out that God made all the animals.  While most of the songs are Christian in nature, there are some that are not which makes the illustrative stories that much more helpful. It also helps parents to carve out some time with their smaller children as they read to them these narratives.

The CD that is included is great for the kids throughout the day.  They love the music and sing along quite readily.  My wife and I even find ourselves singing with our children though my oldest has asked me numerous times to stop singing!

The final aspect I would like to comment on in this little songbook are the illustrations.  My children are 5, 3, 21 months and 3 months.  My 21 month old is enraptured by the illustrations and will dance around when the CD is playing.  Each illustration is colorful and lively.

The Toddler’s Songbook makes a great Christmas gift this year and would be enjoyed in every home.  As I said earlier, my wife and I are thankful for books like these because singing is certainly not our strength.  Pick up your copy today and watch as your children dance and play and have fun singing and learning about the glory of God.