Reader Interview #4: Michelle always judges books by their covers!

You'll love this interview with Michelle.
How do I know? Because she's honest enough to admit to something we all do: we judge books by their covers! And, here's the thing. I agree with her. Especially when it comes to children's books. When adults are choosing books to share with children - whether it's for bedtime stories, or in a classroom or library setting - covers are hugely important invitations. But that's not all Michelle looks out for when selecting books...

​Penny: Tell my readers a little about yourself and how you use books in your relationships with children. 
Michelle: I’m a mum to three, a pastors wife, teacher librarian and absolute kids book lover!! Professionally, I use books all the time to teach, have fun and engage with my students. However, personally it’s much deeper for me. With my own kids I use books as a way to open up tricky conversations (like bullying or body safety) as well as connection and bonding time as we journey through magic faraway lands together or race around a volcanic hot wheels track waiting to see who will win as we turn the pages!! With other young people in my life, I always use books as a way to build rapport with them by asking what they’re currently reading, do they like it, a favourite author or genre they’re enjoying at the moment. I always see a smile as they either want to hide from the librarian (because they haven’t read anything lately!!) or share the joy with me on their current adventure!

Penny: When you are looking for Christian children's books, whether to give as gifts or for your own family/classroom, what is important to you?
Michelle: I’m not sorry in saying that the cover of a book is so vital to a child (or adult!) picking up and reading that book. I always judge a book by its cover 🫣 It could be the most wonderful story, but the cover has to engage the child otherwise they’ll never be interested to even give it a go. Beautiful illustrations, a simple cover that isn’t too ‘busy’ with other things, a title that grabs - all plays into a good cover and a good chance I’ll pick it up and read it or buy it!
I also look at the author and content and what I know about them, especially for a Christian title. Is the author known? Reputable? Do they have theological training? What opinions are expressed in the book vs what the Bible says? If I’m choosing for an Australian school, I also look at the language and setting and make sure the content isn’t too contextualised to an American audience so that Aussie kids wouldn’t get lost in the vocabulary and miss enjoying the story!

"I always judge a book by its cover 🫣 It could be the most wonderful story, but the cover has to engage the child otherwise they’ll never be interested to even give it a go."
- Michelle.

​Penny: What are some of your favourite books to share with your children and why (they don't have to be specifically Christian)?
Michelle: I love sharing classic stories with my children. These book often have beautiful language that encourages children to stretch their vocabulary, but we also just love the imagination, cheekiness and adventures the characters go on. We’ve read so many from the works of Enid Blyton, Beatrix Potter and now we have just met a certain Mr Tumnus as we visit Narnia!
I enjoy sharing these stories as it reminds me of my childhood and discovering these for the first time myself. I’m taken back to where I was when I first read these books and I love seeing my daughter’s eyes wide open at a plot twist or, more often, desperately asking me to tell her what happens because she can’t wait!

"I love seeing my daughter’s eyes wide open at a plot twist or, more often, desperately asking me to tell her what happens because she can’t wait!"
- Michelle.

​Penny: Do you get much time to read in your everyday life? Tell us what you are reading at the moment.
Michelle: I definitely don’t get to read as much as I used to or would like! However I always commit to read over the holidays and recently read for the first time ‘The Hiding Place’ by Corrie Ten Boom. It was a challenging read - her story of faith and commitment to helping those around her was inspiring. I appreciated how open and real she was about her faith and what she called her own lack there of in certain situations, including when she was in a concentration camp during World War Two. As inspiring as the read was and her story during the war period, the last few pages was a timeline of her life and how she committed her life to travelling the world to share her story and the gospel with anyone that would hear. This was probably the most impactful part of the book and reminded me that God has a plan for me, can use me for His work and will continue to use me until I’m 99 if I choose to follow and serve Him.