Tori Comes Out of Her Shell helps children remember that Jesus is always our greatest friend and sees us when we feel all alone.
Tori the turtle feels all alone. She has just moved to a new pond with her family and it seems like everyone has a friend at her new school except for her. When her teacher, Miss Minnick, notices Tori feels alone, she helps her remember Jesus is always her friend and encourages her not to be scared about meeting new people. When Tori finds another lonely classmate on the playground, she feels brave enough to come out of her shell and make a new friend.
Edited by counselor Jayne V. Clark, Tori Comes Out of Her Shell offers concrete, grace-based help for overcoming loneliness 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, (1949Ð2019) 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
"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
"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
"Kids struggle with loneliness, just like adults. Tori Comes Out of Her Shell teaches us how God cares for us. The cure for our loneliness starts with a new relationship with God through his Son, Jesus. That's a message every kid (and parent) needs to hear!"
Deepak Reju, Author of On Guard and Preparing for Fatherhood
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Tori Comes Out of Her Shell is a relatable story for children who are experiencing loneliness. For parents who are struggling what to say or how to help their kids through such a time, the section in the back of the book entitled “Helping Your Child with Loneliness” will give them great counsel. The Back Pocket Bible Verses in the very back of the book can be cut-out and given to the children who need that reminder from the story. If you know or parent a child dealing with feelings of loneliness, especially facing this issue at school, then offer them the encouragement by reading them Tori Comes Out of Her Shell: When You Are Lonely.
Tori Comes Out of Her Shell is a relatable story for children who are experiencing loneliness. For parents who are struggling what to say or how to help their kids through such a time, the section in the back of the book entitled “Helping Your Child with Loneliness” will give them great counsel. The Back Pocket Bible Verses in the very back of the book can be cut-out and given to the children who need that reminder from the story. If you know or parent a child dealing with feelings of loneliness, especially facing this issue at school, then offer them the encouragement by reading them Tori Comes Out of Her Shell: When You Are Lonely.
Who hasn't felt lonely, scared, and left out a time or two in their lives? Especially children who have moved and are going to a new school. Tori's family has moved to a nice new home and everybody else in her family seems like they are fitting in, but Tori. Some of the problem is that she is holding on to old fears and she is also shy. In this story my son and I watched how Tori learns a valuable lesson and comes out of her shell like the title suggests. She sees how sometimes she is viewed very differently- looked up and admired by someone else who is maybe a little bit more timid than she. And of course the adults are always great helps and teachers as they relate similar circumstances from their pasts. Her teacher's story was quite embarrassing! My son and I have been enjoying this line of storybooks. The illustrations are just fun to look at and find the everyday objects and inventive ways the animals use them. I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
Who hasn't felt lonely, scared, and left out a time or two in their lives? Especially children who have moved and are going to a new school. Tori's family has moved to a nice new home and everybody else in her family seems like they are fitting in, but Tori. Some of the problem is that she is holding on to old fears and she is also shy. In this story my son and I watched how Tori learns a valuable lesson and comes out of her shell like the title suggests. She sees how sometimes she is viewed very differently- looked up and admired by someone else who is maybe a little bit more timid than she. And of course the adults are always great helps and teachers as they relate similar circumstances from their pasts. Her teacher's story was quite embarrassing! My son and I have been enjoying this line of storybooks. The illustrations are just fun to look at and find the everyday objects and inventive ways the animals use them.
Who hasn't felt lonely, scared, and left out a time or two in their lives? Especially children who have moved and are going to a new school. Tori's family has moved to a nice new home and everybody else in her family seems like they are fitting in, but Tori. Some of the problem is that she is holding on to old fears and she is also shy. In this story my son and I watched how Tori learns a valuable lesson and comes out of her shell like the title suggests. She sees how sometimes she is viewed very differently- looked up and admired by someone else who is maybe a little bit more timid than she. And of course the adults are always great helps and teachers as they relate similar circumstances from their pasts. Her teacher's story was quite embarrassing! My son and I have been enjoying this line of storybooks. The illustrations are just fun to look at and find the everyday objects and inventive ways the animals use them.
In this book, Tori the Turtle moves to a new pond with her family. She meets her new teacher and a sweet new friend, plus learns that Jesus is always her friend. The illustrations are easy to follow, and I love that there is a variety of animal characters. The Bible is referred to as “the Great Book” in the story, so you may need to clarify that for young readers. Be sure to check out the final page in the book. It contains tear-out verse cards just like the one in the story! This doesn’t have to be a book about moving. It would be perfect for the first day of school or visiting a new church.
In this book, Tori the Turtle moves to a new pond with her family. She meets her new teacher and a sweet new friend, plus learns that Jesus is always her friend. The illustrations are easy to follow, and I love that there is a variety of animal characters. The Bible is referred to as “the Great Book” in the story, so you may need to clarify that for young readers. Be sure to check out the final page in the book. It contains tear-out verse cards just like the one in the story! This doesn’t have to be a book about moving. It would be perfect for the first day of school or visiting a new church.
The Good News For Little Hearts is a series of children’s books written by members of CCEF (Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation). Most of you know that I majored in counseling so that was the first thing that caught my eye about this series. I’ve also been teaching Awana at my church so I’ve been looking at different books that I can use in large group lesson time or as a filler activity if we finish verse time early. Today I’m excited to share with you about Tori Comes Out of Her Shell by Jayne V. Clark. Tori is has just moved to a new town and school so she’s felling very lonely. Tori is a character that the children can relate to and makes talking about the topic of loneliness easy. What I loved most is that this isn’t just a fun story with a good moral message. It has a message that teaches children about the Gospel and reminds children that Jesus Christ is always with them. I had the opportunity to use this book in one of my lessons during large group time. The children loved the illustrations and we were able to use the seven pointers for discussion at the back of the book. Their favorite part was how the teacher allowed Tori to keep the treasured verse card. The book includes verse cards that children can keep for their own, but since it was for Awana, I made my own for the kids. I also made banner like the one Tori sees at her church just to add to the fun. This is an excellent book to use as a teacher, parent, or counselor. Highly recommended! Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Shyness is hard at anytime and produces anxiety on a variety of levels to those shy individuals coping with it. Tori the turtle was not different from the shy child or introvert adult. Both face their personal fears. Sure enough, going to her new school brought out the shyness and fear of the new people and place. Her teacher came to the rescue an shared how she, too, had overcome a similar problem. The story has a strong Christian message about God being your friend and sticking with you at all times. Terrific illustrations from Joe Hox that bring out the story in vivid scenes of woodland critters as Tori and friends live the story.
Shyness is hard at anytime and produces anxiety on a variety of levels to those shy individuals coping with it. Tori the turtle was not different from the shy child or introvert adult. Both face their personal fears. Sure enough, going to her new school brought out the shyness and fear of the new people and place. Her teacher came to the rescue an shared how she, too, had overcome a similar problem. The story has a strong Christian message about God being your friend and sticking with you at all times. Terrific illustrations from Joe Hox that bring out the story in vivid scenes of woodland critters as Tori and friends live the story.
