Since becoming a mom, I have been on a steep learning curve when it comes to raising boys. I was surprised by my son’s early interest in all things involving war and battles. Even though he didn’t have any toy guns to play with, when my son was a preschooler he managed to make them for himself out of tinker toys, legos, and PVC pipe. He constructed swords out of wrapping paper tubes and discarded cardboard pieces. I once showed a psychologist friend of mine my son’s drawings of battle scenes because I was a bit concerned about the violent content. He laughed and said, “He’s just being a boy.”
As time has gone on in my life as a mom of two boys, I’ve discovered that they have what seems to be an inherent interest in things that just don’t interest me: war, weapons, good guys vs. bad guys, cars, planes, bugs and super heroes. I’ve also come to terms with the fact that they are a bit wild, loud, and always on the go.
One thing that has been obvious to me from the very beginning-boys and girls are different. While they often enjoy the same sports, toys, games, and activities, there are also many differences. No matter how society might like to think otherwise, God made men and women different, and for a reason.
It is important that we as parents help our children learn about God’s wonderful design for His creation. If we don’t teach them, they will most certainly learn it from the world.
One of my favorite children’s book authors has a new book coming out May 1st, titled Cassie & Caleb Discover God’s Wonderful Design
. I have nearly all of Susan Hunt’s children’s books and am excited to share about this new one.
The characters, Cassie and Caleb, are siblings that have appeared in several of her other books. In this book, there are twenty wonderfully illustrated short stories about the siblings and the lessons they learn about God’s design for men and women, the Biblical standard for truth, and centrality of Jesus in Scripture. They learn from the book of Genesis how God created men and women in His image, equal and yet different. They learn about the similarities the genders have in their relationship with God as well as their unique roles. And just in case you were wondering, the book does not provide a list of things that girls do and don’t do or a list of things that boys do and don’t do, rather the intention is to guide children in developing a Biblical framework for understanding God’s design for the genders.
In one lesson, they learn that the members of the Trinity have unique and different roles in our salvation. God the Father chose us, God the Son saved us, and God the Holy Spirit helps us to obey and grow in our faith. Each role is distinct, yet not one is more important than the other. The Trinitarian relationship is then compared to the equal-yet-different roles in the genders.
One verse that is focused on in the book is this one from Psalm 144:
“Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.” Psalm 144:12
Rich in theological truth, this book is written in a devotional format which includes memory verses, catechism questions, and discussion questions. Though written for children ages 5-8, younger children can benefit from the book as well as those a little older.
My kids loved this book and often asked me to read more than one story. It encouraged a number of enlightening discussions. Today, I am excited to give away one copy of this book. To automatically enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below. Random.org will select a winner on Saturday, April 27 at 8:00pm EST. This giveaway is available to US residents only. *Update* 4/27 The winner of the book is Jody. Congratulations!
Sounds like a great book! Thanks, Christina!
This looks like a great book! Thanks for the insight.
Hi there! This book, “Cassie and Caleb. Discover God’s Wonderful Design.” by Susan Hunt, seems wonderful! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy to share with my 5 and 7 year old…
This will be great for my oldest daughter and my middle child who is a boy. The oldest has a hard time understanding her brother and since she is woman understanding is important! lol,
Oh I love Susan Hunt’s kids books! Sammy and the Shepherd is (still) the current favorite read-aloud for my 6 year old boy! Would love this one for both my kids. And just want to tell you-God led me to your blog moths ago and it HAS DAILY blessed me. Oh how He is using you-thankful for your faithful, transparent heart.
Thanks, Lizzy! I’ve had a hard week and your words brought a light of encouragement to me. Thanks for this blessing!
writing a “c” on my hand-will continue to lift you up today~
This would be perfect. I am just learning the differences between my 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter, boys oh my
I’m definitely going to buy this book for my kiddos! Thanks for the recommendation!
I would love to share this with my grand kids. I love Susan Hunts books!
Will be a great book for grandbaby!
This book sounds like a great one for my 3 little girls. It is sometimes hard to understand boys since we have only been blessed with little girls. Sounds like this book will help explain the difference and even embrace those differences. I think I will have to hunt out some other books from this author too. I am not even sure how I stumbled onto your blog but I am sure glad I did!
I’d love to check it out!
I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks!
Looks like a great book! I’d love to win it.
Looks like a great book my kiddos would enjoy! Thanks!
This book seems wonderful…thank you for sharing!
I will definitely add this to our book list! I love Susan Hunt.
Love Susan Hunt!
Looking forward to reading it!
Sounds like a great book. I’m sure my Caleb would love it!
Can’t wait to read this!
We have read Big Truths for Little Kids several times, and I would love to read through this one with my kids, too.
Always looking for books that my kids will love and honor The Lord.
Sounds like a wonderful aid to all the confusion out there. We love their other books and appreciate their focus on Scripture rather than just morals.
These are new news to me! Excited for a new author!
Sounds like something I need with 3 boys! Thanks for posting!
I’ve only just come to know about Susan Hunt. Our lives are now more enriched by gospel-centered childrens’ books- thank you!
I have a son and a daughter; this book sounds like a good one to read with both of them.
Sounds like a wonderful book, my children are grown up now, with my youngest being 13, but my niece had twins (boy & girl), this would be a wonderful gift for her to read and be able to enrich her babies lives with books centered on the word of God.
Sounds like a great book for my 4 kids. Thanks!
This looks like a wonderful book! I have 3 boys and could use something like this! Thank you, Christina!
Awesome Giveaway. Would love to add to our library. Thank you!
I have a son and a daughter so this would be wonderful!
I would love this book!
I look forward to reading the book! Thanks for the chance to win!
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I would love this book for my grandkids.
I would love reading this with my boys! Thanks for the information!!
I’m always looking for great Christian books. I’d love to win. Thanks for this giveaway.
One of the things that I enjoy most is getting a new book in the mail and then snuggling up to read it with my little ones!
I actually just found your blog through The Gospel Coalition website, but I definitely would love to get this book!
this sounds amazing!!
Looks like an awesome book!
Would love to win this book. My 8 year old Son loves to read.
So glad to have stumbled across your blog today via the gospel coalition. I’ve added you to my bookmarks. And thanks for the book recommendation!!!
First time reading your blog, so encouraging! Thank you! Looking forward to ordering this book
I’m thankful to have stumbled across your blog!
sounds great so glad i found this post!!
I am reading the blog from a Kirk Cameron email. I am also a homeschool mom of 4 from South Florida. Thank you for the encouraging words. It is hard sometimes when I see my failures in regard to my children. I would love to read the Hunt books. We need more lessons like that:). God bless.
So excited about this book! I have a son and daughter and would love to read this to them.
I love Susan’s books too! This looks great!
First time reading your blog. Thanks for your posts! Book sounds great!
I’ve been looking for a book like this to read with my 3 little ones for family bible time. I would love to win it! I love your blog too!
Sounds delightful! We are always looking for good reading material for young hearts!:)
Thank you for sharing your life and faith in God with others.
A true blessing indeed.
Great post! I would love to have this book for my OWN two boys.
Thank you!
What a great focus for a children’s book! We love every Susan Hunt book we have, I am sure this one will become a favorite too!
Your experience sounds so much like mine. Growing up with only sisters, I was completely baffled when my firstborn, then a year and a half old, started making “L ” shapes out of duplo and shooting exploding noises to go with them.Steep learning curve, as you said
Thank you so much, Christina!