From Crystal: 

As a grandmother, I remember the days of raising three young children. We spent a lot of time at home, playing and learning. My kids were full of questions: “Why do ducks quack?” “Do worms yawn?” “Can Jesus fly?” “What’s that noise?” I loved being the one to teach my children about the world around them, but to be honest, those never-ending questions occasionally wore me out. I always looked forward to bedtime reading when I could dispense knowledge to my eager children, but my tired brain wasn’t always up to it. That’s why I especially loved reading children’s books that offered questions and answers. It opened conversations in a way that was enjoyable for all of us.

 From Teri: 

As a mother of a toddler, I already feel the urge to prepare my son for school. Because of the Technological Age we live in, our kids are expected to know a lot before they even begin kindergarten. While I want to equip my son for school, I also want him to enjoy learning and embrace the freedom of being a child. I am hungry for resources that can cater to all of these needs. There is something about reading a book with my son in my lap that is beautifully simplistic. It takes the focus off of achievement and places it on connection. And through these special snuggle times, it’s amazing to see the knowledge he gains.

 Our Shared Vision: 

Our latest picture books launch a new series called   “I’ve Got Questions.”   Do Baby Bears Have Mommies? and Does God Take Naps? are picture books created for inquisitive children ages three to seven. The question-and-answer rhyming text is whimsical and delightful to read, yet the books have an educational component that makes learning fun for the child. The questions in each book will stimulate a child’s thought process, while the answers are a “gift” to the adult reader. What’s especially unique about these books is the way they introduce children to basic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) concepts that are pivotal to education.

   Do Baby Bears Have Mommies?    is all about animals that kids love—from monkeys and elephants to skunks and bears and ladybugs. As young children begin to explore the world outside of their home, they naturally engage with animals and nature. They notice birds in trees, bugs on flowers, and worms crawling across the sidewalk. They mimic animal sounds and animal movements. This is the beginning of their experience with the natural sciences. In this book, children will dig deeper into educational aspects of the natural world, such as why cows moo and why ducks quack. Do you know how to tell a boy ladybug from a girl ladybug? You will—after reading this book!

   Does God Take Naps?    builds a bridge between science and faith, helping children understand the character of God in relation to the natural world. They can learn who God is and what he does. Scientific minds will learn that God created the stars and put them in outer space. They will learn that God rules the universe and keeps everything in place. Mathematical minds may try to calculate how old God is, and the answer given in the book keeps the adult from having to say, “I don’t know.” Inquisitive minds might wonder if God eats vegetables or takes naps. Pet lovers will wonder if God has pets. The answers are fun to discover together as you turn the pages. Children will also learn that God is loving and kind: “God cares about your problems. And sees each of your tears. . . . And nothing in the whole wide world is greater than his love.”

As experienced parents and caretakers, we hope you cherish the heart behind the   “I’ve Got Questions”   series. Our desire is for you to connect with the children in your life while teaching them important truths about God and the world around them. With the holidays around the corner it’s a great time to sit down for a good story, a moment of learning, and some one-on-one snuggle time. We hope these books will be a gift that can be enjoyed over and over again!

This Christmas season, teach your children the story of Jesus’ birth with     M is for Manger        by Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley! Beautifully illustrated and written, this rhyming storybook will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas.

 Available in both hardcover and board book format.  

 Crystal Bowman   is a former preschool teacher, award-winning author, national speaker, and Mentor for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). She has written more than 100 books for children, three books for women, numerous magazine articles, and Bible study materials. She also writes stories for   Clubhouse Jr.   magazine and lyrics for children’s piano music.

She has written books for many popular children’s series, such as Little Blessings, BOZ the Bear, and I Can Read! She has co-authored   Our Daily Bread for Kids  ,   My Mama and Me  , and   M is for Manger   with her daughter, Teri McKinley. She and her husband live in Florida.

To learn more about Crystal, head to her    website   , or find her on    Facebook   .

 Teri McKinley   grew up in the world of publishing, attending book signings and book conventions with her mother, Crystal Bowman. She began writing stories in elementary school and her love for writing grew in college. In addition to co-authoring several award-winning books with her mother, Teri has written greeting cards for Discovery House. Teri and her husband live in Texas and serve in several ministries at their church. Above all, Teri’s favorite job is being a mom to their son.

To learn more about Teri, find her on    Facebook    or    Pinterest   .