Jax’s Tail Twitches helps families learn to turn to God when something important goes wrong and frustration turns to anger.
It’s a big day for the Squirrel family—the acorns are finally ripe, and it’s time to collect them for the winter. Papa, Mama, Jax, and Caspian all work together until the two brothers start picking on each other. Then another family comes along and starts picking nuts from their tree, contrary to the Squirrel Handbook. One thing leads to another, and that’s when everyone’s tails start to twitch in anger! But Papa Squirrel remembers God’s kindness to those who break the rules, and together, they ask forgiveness, making room for love and restored relationships.
Edited by counselor David Powlison, Jax’s Tail Twitches offers concrete, grace-based help for dealing with anger and is part of the Good News for Little Hearts series, which brings gospel wisdom and biblical counsel to families. Based on CCEF’s model of hope and help, each story focuses on an animal family’s real-life issues, encouraging young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus during challenging circumstances.
"These books are a uniquely different genre from classic children's bedtime reading. They are counseling books to help children. They provide a creative avenue for children to consider how their faith is intimately relevant to their struggles. This is what makes this series of books so significant."
David Powlison, (1949–2019) was Executive Director of CCEF and editor of the Good News for Little Hearts series
"When our children were little, we read to them constantly—and had these books been available, they would have been among the favorites. With the simplicity and engaging charm of the Peter Rabbit stories, yet with the quiet grace of Christian insight, these stories stamp themselves on young minds. Text and pictures support each other tellingly. These books are destined to become favorites for young families."
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical School, Deerfield, IL; cofounder of The Gospel Coalition
"I love these books. My daughter Kim who struggles with a disability loves these books. She giggles all the way through them—catching all the subtle humor. I read them to my grandkids. We especially love the drawings. I buy copies for all my grandchildren. What more can I say? They are fun!"
Paul E. Miller, Director of seeJesus; author of A Praying Life and J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life
"So many Christian parents are looking for engaging, age-appropriate ways to help their young children learn what the Bible teaches about everyday struggles and challenging situations. This new book series edited by David Powlison and Ed Welch fits the bill! In the Good News for Little Hearts series, kids will be enthralled by relatable characters, charming illustrations, and gospel-centered lessons. These volumes would make a valuable addition to any family's library."
Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family
"Failure, anger, anxiety—for too long we have thought that addressing these typical life experiences is only for the 'teenage' or 'adult' years. How refreshing—and wise—to see them being addressed from a gospel-centered perspective for little children. This series, Good News for Little Hearts, has the potential to produce godly perspectives and habits from the earliest years of our children's lives."
Jonny Gibson, Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
"For years I wished there were resources that would help equip children to face the many trials and temptations that come in this life rather than waiting till they are neck-deep in the mire before throwing them the lifeline of biblical truth. The Good News for Little Hearts series is an answer to my longing. These books communicate life-changing biblical truths through beautiful illustrations and stories that connect with young hearts in meaningful ways."
Curtis Solomon, Executive Director, Biblical Counseling Coalition
"Jax's Tail Twitches is a tremendous resource for children and parents who struggle with anger. The endearing illustrations draw children in to a storyline that uncovers both the sin of anger, and our need for forgiveness and reconciliation. The story walks us through what a right response to our anger looks like and provides a great starting point for discussions with your children. Definitely a must-read in our family!"
Deepak and Sarah Reju, Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Washington, DC), Authors of Great Kings of the Bible and God Is Better Than Trucks
"Wow, what a series! Within these books you meet wonderfully relatable characters with feelings and experiences readily identifiable to children of all ages, clever and creative illustrations, excellent questions that will spark meaningful conversations with your child or grandchild, and simple scriptural connections that are easily understood. Can't wait to recommend them to our kids and read them to our grandkids!"
Dave Harvey, President of Great Commission Collective; founder of RevDaveHarvey.com; author of When Sinners Say I Do and I Still Do: Growing Closer and Stronger Through Life's Defining Moment
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One of three in an excellent series of books for 5-10 years olds that deal with the heart issues that affect us all: anger, pride and fear. They are beautifully illustrated by Joe Hox, who brings animals engagingly to life with captivating touches. Buster learns literally that pride goes before a fall, when he trips in the big running race he was sure he would win. Zoe’s worries keep her from trusting that God cares for her and will take care of her. Jax’s family learn how anger can affect them all, and that they need to turn to God, apologise and forgive. One great feature of these books is the strong parental figures. They guide their children in the truth, acknowledge their own faults and listen well (Zoe’s mama “had good listening ears”). They bring their children back to God’s word as they guide and instruct, and are corrected by it themselves. Each book contains notes and guidance to help parents as they teach children about managing fear, failure and anger, which many parents will appreciate and hopefully realise to apply to themselves as well. There are also tear out bible verses for kids to keep in their pocket to remember God’s truths.
At present, there are three volumes in the "Good News for Little Hearts" series which seeks to help kids and parents face anxiety, failure, and anger in a God-honoring way. While these animal stories don't quite have the enduring charm of classics such as the Beatrix Potter books, Little Bear, or Frog and Toad and some conversations between characters seemed to come off a little unnatural (and maybe even a little "preachy") at times, my little ones enjoyed them nonetheless. The volumes are sturdy and full of creative, vibrantly colored illustrations. Each book concludes with Tips for further helping your child and four "Back Pocket Bible Verses" in the New Living Translation that you can cut out and give to your child. Buster's Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail has the clearest Gospel message of the three books, and both it and Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry mention the need for Jesus' forgiveness. I love that these books clearly point our kids to Christ! As far as articulating biblical counseling material, Jax's Tail Twitches seems to have the most content as it models the proper way to handle conflict: going to God in prayer, taking the log out of one's own eye first, asking forgiveness, and being reconciled. Parents will want to make sure to avail themselves of the parent tips at the end for the clearest Gospel presentation in this work. Buster's Ears Trip Him Up came in close but, in addition to confessing sin to God, parents will likely want to follow the example and parent tips in Jax's Tail Twitches and encourage kids to apologize and reconcile with those who have been hurt by their prideful boasting. Altogether, these titles are useful picture books that will serve adults as they seek to minister to children in their lives and help them to better image and glorify their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many thanks to New Growth Press for sending me complimentary copies! I was not obligated to write a positive review. These words are my honest opinion!
Everybody has been angry at some time or other and I really liked how this book showed that both adults and children can struggle. This is a story about a squirrel family and their neighbors. The pictures are nice and colorful and they went well with the story. My favorite part of the story was its “meat”. At the end there are some helpful notes in discussing anger with children. Some of the things that really stood out and made an impression on me were: -Anger shows that something in our world that matters is not right -We are made in God’s image and like God we experience anger- except when He is angry He doesn’t sin These and other points are clear and introduce great topics to discuss with your children. I read this book with my eight year old son and he really liked it. He liked how the topic was addressed, how God’s anger is different from ours, the different ways people were angry, the storyline was enjoyable, and the pictures were interesting. He also said it was a good book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own. Reviewed by Boo and his Mum
Everybody has been angry at some time or other and I really liked how this book showed that both adults and children can struggle. This is a story about a squirrel family and their neighbors. The pictures are nice and colorful and they went well with the story. My favorite part of the story was its “meat”. At the end there are some helpful notes in discussing anger with children. Some of the things that really stood out and made an impression on me were: -Anger shows that something in our world that matters is not right -We are made in God’s image and like God we experience anger- except when He is angry He doesn’t sin These and other points are clear and introduce great topics to discuss with your children. I read this book with my eight year old son and he really liked it. He liked how the topic was addressed, how God’s anger is different from ours, the different ways people were angry, the storyline was enjoyable, and the pictures were interesting. He also said it was a good book.
Everybody has been angry at some time or other and I really liked how this book showed that both adults and children can struggle. This is a story about a squirrel family and their neighbors. The pictures are nice and colorful and they went well with the story. My favorite part of the story was its “meat”. At the end there are some helpful notes in discussing anger with children. Some of the things that really stood out and made an impression on me were: -Anger shows that something in our world that matters is not right -We are made in God’s image and like God we experience anger- except when He is angry He doesn’t sin These and other points are clear and introduce great topics to discuss with your children. I read this book with my eight year old son and he really liked it. He liked how the topic was addressed, how God’s anger is different from ours, the different ways people were angry, the storyline was enjoyable, and the pictures were interesting. He also said it was a good book.
When I asked my daughter (age 6) what she thought of Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, she said she liked it when the two squirrel siblings got angry with each other. That happens in our house, so she could relate to that part. I thought it was good that the book also addressed adults being angry. The characters dealt with their anger in a healthy way: reflection, verbalization, prayer, and conflict resolution with their squirrel neighbors. It ends with character lessons learned and reconciliation. I recommend this book to all families as we all experience anger at some point and this is a great resource for teaching your child to deal with it in a healthy way.
When I asked my daughter (age 6) what she thought of Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, she said she liked it when the two squirrel siblings got angry with each other. That happens in our house, so she could relate to that part. I thought it was good that the book also addressed adults being angry. The characters dealt with their anger in a healthy way: reflection, verbalization, prayer, and conflict resolution with their squirrel neighbors. It ends with character lessons learned and reconciliation. I recommend this book to all families as we all experience anger at some point and this is a great resource for teaching your child to deal with it in a healthy way.
When I asked my daughter (age 6) what she thought of Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, she said she liked it when the two squirrel siblings got angry with each other. That happens in our house, so she could relate to that part. I thought it was good that the book also addressed adults being angry. The characters dealt with their anger in a healthy way: reflection, verbalization, prayer, and conflict resolution with their squirrel neighbors. It ends with character lessons learned and reconciliation. I recommend this book to all families as we all experience anger at some point and this is a great resource for teaching your child to deal with it in a healthy way.
This book creatively gives biblical counsel to children for when they are angry. If you are a parent who has a child that struggles with anger and you are unsure how to confront this problem, begin the conversation by taking them through Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry today!
This book creatively gives biblical counsel to children for when they are angry. If you are a parent who has a child that struggles with anger and you are unsure how to confront this problem, begin the conversation by taking them through Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry today!
