Clever Cub Trusts God by Bob Hartman

'It is so refreshing to see Biblical material well presented in an age appropriate manner for the young child'

Clever Cub Trusts God; and Clever Cub Learns to Share
By Bob Hartman
David C Cook
ISBN: Clever Cub Trusts God - 9780830782567 / Clever Cub Learns to Share - 9780830782550
Reviewed by Moira Kleissner

 
There are a plethora of Christian books for young children on the market today. Some are badly written and some contain concepts way beyond the development and understanding of the age group they are purported to be for. Some are just downright boring. However you can always depend on Bob Hartman to recount a good story that is age appropriate.
 
Just telling the bare bones of a Bible story can be alienating for a young child. The Biblical world is so different from their daily experiences. I have cringed at the preachy nature of some books written by authors with no idea of the experiences, learning development and thinking patterns of their readers.
 
So I read these two little books with some apprehension – however, that soon morphed into joy.
 
This series starts in the experiential world the child, developing into a suitable Bible story, relevant to their experience. Thus helping them to understand the teaching of the Bible, engaging them in characters and stories that will mean something and not just be “yet another story.”
 
Clever Cub is a little bear who enjoys finding out about life, having adventures, facing problems and cuddling up to mum and listening to Bible stories that teach him something about what has just happened  in his own daily experience. I personally find the name “Clever Cub” a bit smarmy, but that is just me! He is a likable character that young children will be able to easily engage with.
 
In the two books I looked at, one was about having a bad dream; very common with young children. And the other about learning to share; a skill this age range is learning to do. Both are relevant for 4- 7s. In dealing with situations that Clever Cub finds himself in, Mama Bear takes his concerns, deals with them sympathetically, then she tells a Bible story that is topic and age appropriate. At the end of each story, if wanted, are some discussion starters ensuring that the message is applied to the life of the child in a modern context and at their level of understanding. These are helpful, building in the child’s experience of the world and God and yet being an engaging story – ideal as a bedtime book.
 
I liked the clear, colourful illustrations by Steve Brown. They weren’t twee or messy but captivating for the young child. They not only illustrate the stories well but will provide talking points. I would certainly recommend and use these books with 4-7s in the home, children’s corner in church, or even as a basis for an infant Junior Church/Sunday School Class. There are eight books in the series published by David C Cook Org.
 
It is so refreshing to see Biblical material well presented in an age appropriate manner for the young child.

Moira Kleissner is a retired Primary Deputy Head, storyteller, trainer and minister’s wife