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Pip and the Edge of Heaven
By Elizabeth Liddle, illustrated by Lara Jones
(Eerdmans), $8, 48 pages (Ages 3-5).

Each night, little Pip gets tucked into bed by his mother. But for Pip, bedtime isn't complete without a serious question or two—most of which he likes to answer himself. In this tender story, young children follow along with Pip's questions about God and heaven, life and death, love and family to discover that God's love runs through all of us.

Pip's curiosity will ring true to every parent of a preschooler who is eager to understand the world. When Pip asks his mother, "Is heaven invisible?" your child will await the response. Pip's answers to his own questions are born out of the wonder and imagination of a young child: "I think that maybe heaven is hidden behind the things that we can see. Maybe, sometimes, when we look very carefully at things, we can just see heaven shining through." And the simple black-and-white line drawings are the perfect way to show readers Pip's impish charm. Don't be put off by the length of this book; it's a quick read that will delight both parent and child.

The Greatest King
By Jerry Yu Ching and Mike Onghai, illustrated by Jerry Yu Ching
(WebCartoons), $13.99, 52 pages (Ages 6-9).

This book actually came out in 2002, but has recently been rereleased with some minor changes. If you missed it the first time around, you won't want to make the same mistake twice. Ching, a veteran animator, worked on movies such as Mulan and Fantasia 2000. Ching's artwork carries this simple fable of a spoiled young prince who is banished from his kingdom because of his arrogance. The prince then sets out to find the Greatest King. Along the way, he meets the Forest King who has complete control over the flora and fauna, the Pleasure King who can conjure up all the fun and games one can wish for, and the King of Strength whose prowess is pretty self-explanitory.

All three send the boy in search of an even greater king, one to whom even they bow down.

For now, this wonderful book is available only on amazon.com, but it's worth the few clicks it will take to bring the story of the Greatest King alive for you and your children.

Aaron's Way
By Kendra Smiley with Aaron Smiley
(Moody), $12.99, 144 pages (parents).

For the parents of a strong-willed child, there is no greater mystery that trying to figure out what goes on in that kid's head. Usher in Aaron Smiley, a former strong-willed child turned perfectly normal adult. Together with his mom, author Kendra Smiley, Aaron takes readers inside the brain of a strong-willed child to reveal the sometimes-crazy thought processess that pour through the child's mind. Take, for example, Aaron's revelation that a strong-willed child will intentionally choose punishment over obedience just to maintain control of a situation. Or his tales of pushing the buttons of his parents, teachers, brothers, and everyone else who crossed his path. The combination of Aaron's adult perspective on his childhood behavior and Kendra's reflections as his mother makes this book a powerful and encourging resource for families with a strong-willed child. With wit, honesty, and the benefit of time, the Smileys offer a unique look at a not-so-unique challenge.

Days of Whine and Noses
By Lisa Espinoza Johnson
(Jossey-Bass), $12.95, 171 pages (parents).

Our "Mom's Journal" columnist, Lisa Johnson, has always used humor to maintain her balance as a mother. As the mother of three boys and a girl, Lisa has jumped over all kinds of parenting hurdles and still managed to find the funny side of raising children. In her first book, Lisa has compiled a batch of reflections on motherhood—some funny, some sentimental, all of them aimed right at the heart of mothers. Whether she's discussing the "joy" of family road trips or the terrors of colic, Lisa reminds mothers that these moments are often what make parenting worth the work. Lisa's faith shines through each story, but she is also aware that non-Christian moms need to hear these stories as well. So she's resisted making this a devotional that only moms with Bibles can use. Think of this as a collection of essays meant to give you a laugh and boost your spirits as you journey through motherhood.

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