ECPA's 2018 Christian Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature
The Radical Book for Kids is a fun-filled explorer's guide to the Bible, church history, and life for boys and girls ages eight and up. Vibrantly illustrated and chock-full of fun facts and ideas, this interactive book competes with screen time by stimulating children's natural curiosity and sense of adventure!
Get your kids reading again while communicating big truths about life with this one-of-a-kind resource for elementary- and middle-school aged kids.
While providing engaging biblical content in simple, three- to five-page chapters, The Radical Book for Kids will capture the interest of children. The power-packed book takes children on a journey into the ancient church, which is actually fascinating, funny, and fun to read.
Kids learn about ancient weapons (and how to make one), create pottery, discover ancient languages, use secret codes, locate stars, tell time using the sun, play a board game that's three thousand years old and more. They'll also learn about the "radical" men and women who have gone before them and trusted Jesus in the face of great odds.
This remarkable book is a fun, informative, and spiritually edifying resource. Along with the many fun and exciting stories of historical figures, young and old readers alike will learn about the roots of our faith and the importance of the gospel in our lives.
Check out the table of contents, skip around, or read straight through. However a child chooses to explore it, The Radical Book for Kids will open new vistas for their imagination and help to make straight paths for their feet.
*Note: Please enjoy a complimentary PDF of The Radical Book for Kids Family Study Guide, also by Champ Thornton.
"As the father of four teens, I found this a fun, informative, and spiritually edifying resource. Alongside telling us where weapons came from, young readers (and older ones) learn how to spend daily time with the Lord. It's not just about fun facts; it is a spark for discovery of God, his world, and our place in it."
Michael Horton, Professor, Westminster Seminary California; author of Core Christianity; host of the White Horse Inn broadcast
"I was only a dozen pages into this book before I found myself thinking, 'I wish I'd had this book when I was a kid' and 'I've got to get this book for my kids!' Highly recommended!"
Timothy Paul Jones, C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"I don't know how he does it, but in The Radical Book for Kids Champ Thornton seems to have mastered the art of communicating with kids, without talking down to them. Lots of topics are immensely important, like God's attributes and our salvation; others just fun. I wish I had this book during my own childrearing years and when I myself was a teenager."
John Frame, Professor of Systematic Theology & Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary; author of History of Western Philosophy
"The Radical Book for Kids is like an encyclopedia of Truth. Thornton has done something magical here. He's taken every aspect of the Christian faith, the Word we love, and the character of God and made it accessible to children. It's everything you'd hope to know and teach in one place, even including stories of historical figures. I'm thankful my kids are still young, so I can use this book to teach them about the roots of our faith. The Radical Book for Kids is radical indeed radically helpful, radically good."
Trillia Newbell, Author of Enjoy (forthcoming, 2017), Fear and Faith, and United
"My wife and I only wish that this book had been available for our children and our grandchildren. It's difficult in a few words to express my appreciation for the attractive and absorbing way it engages the young readers it has in view by highlighting Scripture's pervasive focus on Christ and by showing the importance of the gospel and its implications for their lives. I commend it most highly."
Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary
"Champ gives children and their parents a gift in this book that is fun, practical, and theologically rich. It is a necessary explorer's guide to the Bible, theology, biblical and church history, and life for boys and girls. It's a tool for children to learn about God, His Word, His world, and themselves."
Justin S. Holcomb, Seminary professor; minister; author of God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies
"The Radical Book for Kids is like packaging that awesome Sunday school teacher you remember in a book. You know, she was the amazing mom who made learning about God a ton of fun but did it with gospel truth that transformed lives. Every family should have a copy of The Radical Book for Kids on their bookshelf better yet, put it out like a plate of cookies on the coffee table and watch your kids devour it. The most exciting part of all will be seeing your children grow in their passion for God and his Word."
Marty Machowski, Family pastor; author of The Ology, The Gospel Story Bible, Long Story Short, and other gospel-rich resources for families
"I do not as a habit read books for children, at least I haven't for several years now. However, I found Champ Thornton's The Radical Book for Kids to live up to its name. It is unlike anything I remember reading to my children. The scope and content are indeed radically different than the normal storytelling style of so many others. Champ is able to communicate important and sometimes complicated matters in simple and attention-grabbing ways. I would be happy if my graduate students would come to me with the foundational knowledge of some of the issues addressed."
Michael Barrett, Vice President for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean and Professor of Old Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
"The Radical Book for Kids is one book that every family should have in their library. I cannot wait to read it with my children and learn more from it myself. Champ Thornton masterfully weaves together theology, biography, biblical truths, practical application, and interesting activities all in a book that is visual appealing and easy to read. I recommend this book for youth, parents, and new believers of all ages it is a treasure trove of biblical insight and understanding."
Melissa Kruger, Women's Ministry Coordinator at Uptown Church PCA; author of The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World and Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood
"Intriguing + edifying = the kind of book I want my kids reading. This is one of them."
Andy Naselli, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Bethlehem College & Seminary
"As I paged through this book, I kept finding assorted facts and tips that never manage to make it into my Sunday school lessons or family devotions but should! This is a wonder-filled book for kids to explore. They will learn, have fun, and be challenged to grow deeper in faith."
Jack Klumpenhower, Author of Show Them Jesus; coauthor of The Gospel-Centered Parent and What's Up?
"I have three daughters and I'm always on the lookout for solid books. Champ Thornton's Radical Book fits the bill. It was an instant hit with my kids! It's got great design, rich theology, and is written in language that kids get. It's a book you should have in your home."
Mathew B. Sims, Writer and Freelance Editor; author of A Household Gospel; blogger at Grace for Sinners
"Superheroes, beasts, enemies, a (not so) secret mission, the greatest love story! This book will shape for youth a big-God worldview and nurture Christ-exalting living. It's filled with fascinating nuggets, memorable bites, rich theology, clear wisdom, and fun ideas. The pictures and topics are varied and engaging and will both draw your child into God's world and Word and propel him or her toward maturity, responsibility, and godliness."
Jason S. DeRouchie, Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology, Bethlehem College & Seminary
"Champ Thornton's book shows families how to grow a root system in the Christian faith. It offers a broad base of rich content in meal-sized portions readily accessible to families. The content ranges from an introduction to Scripture, to biblical theology, to historical theology. The elephant jokes and knot tying lessons are a nice bonus. I am putting this on a short list of books I recommend that all our church families own."
Chris Brauns, Pastor; author of Unpacking Forgiveness
"The Radical Book for Kids is a book that every Christian child should own. Full of great insights, fun facts, and great activities, it is the perfect companion to help children unpack the Bible and their faith at a deeper level. We need to encourage our children to develop a love for the Bible that will help them to stand for the Lord in every area of their lives through the years. The Radical Book for Kids will help them to do just that!"
Olly Goldenberg, CHILDREN CAN, www.childrencan.co.uk
"Champ Thornton's The Radical Book for Kids is a wonderful presentation of core Christian truth and practice that stands out in both style and substance. I can immediately see many possible uses for this book, but I particularly commend it to parents as a fun way to talk about the faith with their kids. There is a feel of randomness in the selections of the topics, but I think that adds to the attractiveness of the book. Highly recommended."
Stephen Smallman, Author of The Walk-Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus
"The Radical Book for Kids is deceptively fun! While preteens are utterly enjoying themselves with the creative games, hands-on projects, laugh-out-loud jokes, and cool stories, Champ Thornton is radically discipling them with a crash course on Bible study methods, hermeneutics, church history, biblical theology, and Christian life and ethics. This is the kind of book that stealthily helps parents, pastors, and teachers make young followers for Jesus Christ."
Matthew C. Mitchell, Pastor of Lanse Evangelical Free Church; author of Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue; father of four
"In The Radical Book for Kids, Champ Thornton brilliantly combines words, drawing vivid pictures in one's mind to simplify key spiritual truths. Every parent, grandparent, and spiritual influencer of kids will want a copy for themselves due to the depth, insight, and comprehensive knowledge provided all in one convenient book. Kids will totally relate to the cultural relevance, fun facts, historical heroes, clever illustrations, and hands-on applications provided throughout."
Darcy Stelzer, KidzLife Ministry Director, New Life Church, Gahanna, Ohio
"I am always looking for that creative spark that creates conversation and simulates the desire to understand the Bible better. It is critical for this age group to achieve that. I'm convinced that this book will provide an amazing conversation to help young people to go deeper in their faith. It will create vibrant faith with the centrality of scripture, generate an interest in theology and could build a great foundation for disciples in the future and living out Christian faith as a teenager. I strongly endorse this book, I think it is well written, informative, engaging and will result hopefully in changed lives."
Roy Crowne, Executive Director, HOPE
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This is such a unique book for kids. Well, grown-ups, too! I am simply amazed at the amount of information – historical, hands-on, Biblical, fun – this book contains. There is character development and theology, some science and living the Christian life, and some good Bible reading or study skills. A superb mish-mash of stuff to entertain and educate as well as enthrall the kids.
My thoughts, and those of my 10-year old daughter, are that this book is engaging to young minds curious to learn more about God’s love, the Bible, what life was like in Biblical times, and how to apply Biblical principles to modern life. I think this book would be best targeted to 8-12 year old kids. The pages are colorful and full of images that help bring the learning to life.
Out of ALL the kids books I have reviewed, and that would be A LOT of books this by far my favorite book I have reviewed in 2016! I highly recommend this as a FAMILY book, or a GROUP kids book.
The Radical Book for Kids is a colorful, jam-packed, hardcover book that children will love paging through and picking out various things to read about. This is a collection of readings and facts that children will want to delve into and learn about. So many topics are covered including Passover, Martin Luther, star of wonder, just to name a few.
Aside from a few popular stories like Noah’s Ark or David and Goliath, the Bible is a fairly boring book to read. I’m saying that as someone who has actually read it cover to cover more than once (or twice). Genesis and Exodus are okay; Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are a tough slug, and then there’s all the prophets bewailing Israel’s sins… A little background on the people and places of the Bible can help make it more accessible. The Radical Book for Kids provides that background, making the Bible relevant to the child’s world today.
When I saw this book, The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith by Champ Thornton available, I knew it would be perfect for my son! It barely came out of the mailman’s hands and he had open on the floor.
This book is something of a handbook of the Christian faith for 8-14 year-old kids. With its large size and stunning production quality, it looks and feels like a coffee table book. But it’s the type of coffee table book that’s more fun than a homemade catapult. Kids and their parents won’t be able to keep their hands off it, nor would they want to. This book’s 67 short chapters cover a wide, and somewhat random, spectrum of topics ranging from character development to church history to science and theology to practical Christian living to Bible reading skills.
Thoughtful, insightful, and engaging, this book is great for the whole family and would make a starting point for meaningful family discussions. This will stay on my coffee table for years to come.
The format of this book is super fun and colorful. The content is engaging, fun, and totally age-appropriate. I love a lot of things about it, but one of the main ones is that it’s written from a perspective that’s missing from so many books I review for kids. Many of them are focused on good works without sharing the more important bigger picture of God’s love story and rescue plan for all creation! The gospel is not good advice. It’s good news.
Wow! I am so impressed with The Radical Book for Kids. Its subtitle is Exploring The Roots And Shoots of Faith, and it delivers what it promises. Not a stuffy reference book, but an exciting and entertaining look at God, Jesus, the ancient and modern world, and a life lived in faith, this book will keep your kids busy for hours and hours.
