As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books (Children's Book Review)

As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books

I don't write a whole lot about controversial topics on this blog.  I prefer to write more about the things we have in common regarding faith, family, food, and fun.  I like to think of my blog as my fun little place in cyberspace.  With a few exceptions, I try to save controversial topics for a place where discussions are much more constructive - in person with an open Bible in front of me.  When it comes to controversial topics, I'm less concerned about whether or not people share my opinion and more concerned about whether or not people know and understand Biblical truths.  It doesn't matter what I think.  What matters is what God says.  We know what God says about controversial topics by reading His Word.  When my children were growing up, we started them out on children's Bibles and Bible storybooks written for children so they could better understand the true historical events recorded in the Bible and what they mean.  We also read a lot of other children's books.  As a teacher, I knew the importance of reading and the positive impact that reading has on a child's life.  As our culture becomes more and more controversial, it becomes more challenging to write about abundant family living without addressing cultural concerns, especially those that negatively impact children.  One of my HUGE concerns is the direction our culture is going regarding children's books.  Children need to be children.  They don't need to be concerned about sexuality or any other adult topic.  They'll get there soon enough.  This brings me to today's post, a book review of As You Grow by Kirk Cameron.

You might have seen the videos on your social media feed, or perhaps you've seen a commercial on television about Kirk Cameron's book, As You Grow, and his affiliation with Brave Books.  When I saw Kirk's video, I became interested in Brave Books.  I used to promote another line of children's books, but I became concerned about some of the teachings in some of the books.  After considering the impact those books would likely have on a child's worldview, I decided to drop the company.  After looking into Brave Books, I decided that this is a book company I can support.  Brave Books are Pro-God and Pro-America.  Brave Books are faith-based children's books that teach traditional conservative values.  

About Brave Books

Meet Trent Talbot, founder of Brave Books.

I liked what I saw and what I learned about this publisher, so I ordered As You Grow by Kirk Cameron.

As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books

When I ordered As You Grow, I didn't realize the book is actually book 8 in Saga 2 of a series.  I thought I might miss a lot in the story since I've not read the books in the series prior to this one.  I was happy to find out that this book can be read as a stand-alone book.  The story is about a tree called Sky Tree,  Sky Tree is located on Freedom Island.  Starting as a seed, Sky Tree grows into a big tree, a tree that grew through trials and triumphs.  Humans grow through trials and triumphs as well.  

As you read this book with your child, you will read words of wisdom about love, joy, and gentleness.  

As You Grow, Page Image 1

As You Grow teaches children that as seasons change, they will grow and change.  Through all these changes and growth, their fruit (the way they live their lives and point to Jesus) should be sweet.

As You Grow, Page Image 2

Children process emotional hurt differently than adults because they don't always understand what is happening.  They need to know that sometimes love does hurt but love is always worth it.  This might be challenging for kids to understand.  This is a good time for parents to discuss situations with their children when love hurt them, but it was worth it.  Obviously, children need to understand that some people have a different definition or view of what love is and sometimes those views are distorted.  Those views are not real love.  Help your children understand the difference.  Abuse is never OK.  

As You Grow, Page Image 3

I wish we could create a world for our kids where they know no sorrow, but this is not possible.  Sadly, kids experience sorrow.  Children don't have a good sense of the passage of time.  To a child who is experiencing sorrow, he or she might think their sadness will last forever.  Help your child realize that our greatest sorrows can lead to our greatest joys.  We have to trust God through the process.

As You Grow, Page Image 4

Strength and gentleness are not just for adults. Children can learn to radiate strength and gentleness, too, and realize that others will be drawn to them through their strength and gentleness.  

At the end of the book, Kirk offers a challenge.  In this particular challenge, the child's mission is to save Sky Tree from Black Heart, the evil Tiger.

As You Grow, Page Image 5

After the challenge, kids are offered three games.  The first game focuses on love.  The second game focuses on joy.  The third game focuses on gentleness.

As You Grow, Page Image 6

As You Grow is recommended for children between the ages of 4 and 12.  You might notice that some of the other reviews on Amazon point out that this book is better for older children.  They also point out that the illustrations are too busy for younger children.  On the one hand, I agree with those statements, but on the other hand, I don't.  Children grow, learn, and mature at different rates so it really depends on the child.  I suggest that parents read this book with their children, no matter their ages.  Parents can offer a wealth of insight about the truths on the pages of this book.  As far as the illustrations go, they are a little busy, but they are also beautiful.  As the book's author, Kirk Cameron demonstrates in the following two videos, the illustrations offer many things parents can discuss with their children as they read with them.

Kirk Cameron reads As You Grow at the Indianapolis Public Library (Part 1)

Kirk Cameron reads As You Grow at the Indianapolis Public Library (Part 2)

 

If you are a parent who is concerned about inappropriate topics your child might find in a children's book, you should check out Brave Books. After reading As You Grow, I subscribed to their Freedom Island Book Club. I look forward to reading these books with my granddaughter (and future grandchildren) and to sharing many more books from Brave Books with you. Be sure to subscribe here so you won't miss my next post.  

May you live abundantly in Him,

Tina

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As You Grow by Kirk Cameron and Brave Books

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