Word Count: 456/488
Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Volume One, by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada, Illustrations by Sergio Martinez, Includes music CD, Crossway Books, 2004, Hardcover,
Ages 4-8, 96 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1581345827, $21.99
Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada collaborated to write the two-volume series, Hymns for a Kid’s Heart. The books are illustrated by Sergio Martinez. Each hymn includes a short story about the song’s author, and a full rendition of lyrical verses and music notes for piano or guitar accompaniment. A twelve track full-length CD of inspirational hymns, sung by a children’s choir with orchestra accompaniment, is included to sing-a-long with.
Each song segment includes “From My Heart to You” written by Joni Eareckson Tada. She shares how particular hymns and singing have impacted her life. Sections conclude with Scripture to memorize in, A Verse for my Heart, and prayer, A Prayer for my Heart.
Volume one features twelve classic hymns that teach tenets of Christian faith, unlike much of contemporary Christian music that focuses on feelings. Fascinating personal stories of hymns’ authors will educate and delight readers, young and old alike.
Wolgemuth believes there is a strong correlation between stories, music, and memory-making—
particularly for children. She uses what she calls “teachable moments,” to teach hymns to her children and grandchildren. Moments found when a child is bored, or when the family works together in the kitchen, or nearly anywhere, because sing-a-longs are memorable and fun.
Four sections feature hymns about God, biblical truth, Christian living, and hymns of prayer for our country. Songs about God include Holy, Holy, Holy, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and This Is My Father’s World. Songs of biblical truth comprise O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, How Firm a Foundation, and Amazing Grace. Hymns for Christian living consist of The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want, Rejoice, Ye Pure I Heart and Take My Life and Let it Be.
Children’s joy-filled voices make each CD hymn my favorite. But, if I had to choose, the last part of the CD is what I played repeatedly. This segment includes hymns of prayer for our country and begins with America, the Beautiful, then Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, Eternal Father, Strong to Save, and Do You Know What it Means.
Wolgemuth, mother of two, and grandmother of five, joined with Eareckson, who she calls “soul sister,” to write this two-volume series. Each author is passionate about hymns and they often encourage each other with hymn-singing by telephone. Since they live on the East and West coasts, they even carol together over the telephone lines at Christmas.
This musical CD and book will point little ones to the Lord and children will feel the love of parents and grandparents who read to and sing-a-long with them. Martinez’ rich colorful illustrations enhance each hymn’s depiction, and inspirational story. A glossary and pages for personal notes complete this classical offering. www.crossway.org/blog
