Toddler Trouble? Keep Them Entertained With LDS Books for Kids

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May 8, 2001

Does this scene sound familiar? You slip into Sacrament Meeting with minutes to spare, dragging a string of children behind you. Before the opening hymn has ended, the baby's screaming and someone else needs to go to the bathroom. When you finally resettle into your pew, your 2-year-old begs for his sippy cup only to launch it halfway across the room 30 seconds later. With his siblings erupting into giggles, you desperately pass out color crayons and pencils, praying that you can make it through the meeting without screaming. If this describes your typical Sunday, take heart: with the increasing number of LDS children's books on the shelves, you may be able to attract their attention . . . at least for a few minutes.

For many years, the Church has published a set of children's books containing illustrated stories from the scriptures. These popular volumes give chapter-by-chapter summaries of the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. They can be purchased online at the Church's distribution center (see link at right).

Young readers will also enjoy Deanna Draper Buck's series of "My First Stories." The beautifully-illustrated board books discuss Church history, the Articles of Faith and the Book of Mormon. The pictures and text are more suited for older children (3-5 years), but even toddlers can point out drawings of temples, Jesus, scriptures, etc. Buck's books can be purchased at www.deseretbook.com .

LDS cartoonist Val Chadwick Bagley has written and illustrated several books for children, including My Little Book About Jesus, My Book of Mormon ABC's and My Gospel ABC's. These board books, perfect for little hands and minds, can be found at www.seagullbook.com .

For the holidays, try two books by Timothy Robinson and Jim Madsen: Three Days Without LIght: A Nephite Easter Story and A Night Without Darkness: A Nephite Christmas Story. While the text to these stories may be a bit advanced for the typical toddler, they can still enjoy the bright pictures. Older kids will be enchanted by the engaging stories.

With more and more LDS children's books being published all the time, parents can utter a sigh of relief . . . at least for a few minutes.

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The copyright of the article Toddler Trouble? Keep Them Entertained With LDS Books for Kids in Mormon (LDS) Literature is owned by Susan Jensen. Permission to republish Toddler Trouble? Keep Them Entertained With LDS Books for Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.