Zoe's Hiding Place: When You Are Anxious

Practical help for my 4 year old who has a lot of fears! Highly recommend!

This book is awesome and I’m hoping helpful for my 7 year old granddaughter who suffers from anxiety. I love that it is filled with Scripture.,

In seasons of chaos, fears, anxieties, and uncertainties, our sovereign God is ever-present even if it does not feel so. This is a comfort that all who implicitly trust in Him hold onto. Zoë’s hiding place is a lovely book and an amazing tool for parents to help children deal with anxieties and fears. I like that the book gives a biblical perspective, and points the reader to Christ. I love books that help open conversations about the gospel and the comfort that God’s word gives to His children. While the author does not directly address this in this book, I was able to talk about the gospel briefly to miss N. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging. I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to buying the other titles in this series.

With two kids that have been afraid of the dark - this was a great help to the boys. God will always calm our fears with his perfect love. God is love.

With two kids that have been afraid of the dark - this was a great help to the boys. God will always calm our fears with his perfect love. God is love.

I’m striving hard to make my conversations around moral issues gospel-fluent and biblically faithful. Some of these stories, in needing to be simple enough to be grasped by the very young, can come across as “just pray, and you won’t be afraid anymore!” (I think what is intended is “when you are afraid, you should pray!”) Dealing with worry, fear, and anxiety. Part of a new series of illustrated hardbacks from CCEF. New Growth Press has recently published a variety of really good options along this line. They are delightfully illustrated, cleverly told, engaging books that my youngest daughter asks for repeatedly, and my second youngest now picks off the shelf to read on her own (she’s a beginning reader.) These books provide great source material for dealing with hard topics (failure, anger, fear, ethnic diversity, and marveling at God’s creativity!) and provides parents with guides for discussion along these topics. My girls also love the tear-out pocket bible verses included in each. The best part about these stories, is that they aim at pointing a child to Christ in faith, rather than simple behavior modification and moralism, in accessible ways. Oh, and the messages of the books are good reminders and encouragement for me, the parent, as well. :)

As the father of two young children, I am constantly on the lookout for good children’s books to teach the truths of the Gospel, the Bible, theology, and so forth to my children. Though my children are both under 4 and not yet reading, I am continuing to gather excellent resources to use with them now and in the years to come. Time and time again, I have been impressed with and thankful for the books that New Growth Press is putting out, not only for adults, but for children as well. And their newest series — Good News for Little Hearts — is no exception. This new series consists of 3 books, two written by David Powlison and one by Ed Welch. The series is intended for children three to eight years old. Each book centers on an animal family and brings Gospel help and biblical counsel to children and families. Whether the topic is failure, anger, or anxiety, or the animal is a rabbit, a squirrel, or a mouse, each of these books does an incredible job at combining biblical help and hope to issues that every child and family faces with excellent, brightly colored and fun illustrations and engaging prose and story telling. In each story, children are not offered mere moralism and rules to obey, but are offered practical ways to follow Jesus through difficult situations that they face. In this story we are introduced to a mouse named Zoe who’s class is going on a field trip to an Art Museum. While her friend is excited, Zoe is not, because last time they went to this museum Zoe got caught up in some of the exhibits, lost track of time, and was left by the class all alone at the museum. When thinking about going back, she is filled with worry, anxiety, and fear. The night before the class leaves on the field trip, Zoe’s mom listens to her fears and offers her biblical wisdom and encouragement: “Worry wants you to believe that you are all alone and God isn’t with you to protect you. But that’s not true. Jesus is with you. He cares for you. I had lots of fears and worries when I was a young mouse. Your Grandpa used to read to me from the Great Book. There is a verse in that book that says, ‘God is your refuge — a safe place from trouble and fear.'” Zoe was able to take the reminders from her parents and approach the field trip with trust in the Lord rather than the fear of what may go wrong. Again, every child, no matter the age, deals with fear, anxiety, insecurity, and worry. Through this story of Zoe’s Hiding Place, parents are able to help their children address their own fears and worries and come face to face with the biblical truth that God cares for us and we have every reason to trust in Him. In each of these stories, parents are given the opportunity to have meaningful, important Gospel conversations about important issues in their children’s lives through the help of a fun and engaging story about animals. At the end of the each story is a guide for parents to help your child with the topic at hand. While the story is the engaging part for the child, this guide at the end of each book may be the most helpful part about these resources, as they offer short, helpful recommendations and encouragement to assist parents in engaging in biblical counseling with their children. I would wholeheartedly recommend every Christian parent get a copy of each of these three books. There is not a parent out there whose children has not or is not struggling with anger, fear, or failure. These book will be a great help to all parents seeking to help their children deal with these common issues in a Biblical, Christ-centered, Gospel-focused way. In accordance with FTC regulations, I would like to thank New Growth Press for providing me a review copy of these books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

ZOE'S HIDING PLACE is a great book for children who have trouble paying attention and have anxiety issues. Zoe is lost in a world of fairy tales and tends to daydream instead of paying attention to her teacher and then she gets lost! Her safe place is in her bed under the covers, hiding from the world. Her parents try to encourage her and assure her that even if she gets lost God is still with her and will never leave her. They also encourage her to pay attention to her teacher on the field trip so she doesn't get lost. Zoe doesn't pay attention and does get lost but then she remembers the entrance and was able to find her class in time for lunch. I did have issues with the teacher's reaction -- but that was the only issue I had with the book. It had a great message and speaks truth, and will be great for parents or grandchildren or for Christian preschools or daycares. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

While I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, it is one I would’ve gladly purchased. Here’s why: The Good News for Little Hearts series is one of my favorite collections on my son’s bookshelves. I currently have the three books in the series: Zoe’s Hiding Place by David Powlison #childrensbook Buster’s Ears Trip Him Up by Edward T. Welch #childrensbook Jax’s Tail Twitches by David Powlison #childrensbook Zoey’s story is lengthy, but I kept my son’s attention by taking short breaks. We discussed all he saw in the vivid illustrations and remembered from the story up to that point. Zoey’s story is based on a real life issue: being anxious. The story will encourage your child (and mine, as well) toward a growing relationship with Jesus as he or she faces his or her anxiety. I love that the book encourages children to seek out Jesus in prayer for help! The book provides ways for you, the parent, to have meaning, yet age appropriate, conversations with your child. Tear out Bible verses related to anxiety are included in the back of the book. The book includes Scripture references of various translations.

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. 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. Zoe's Hiding Place: When You Are Anxious begins in a mouse house and contains some of my favorite illustrations. The mouse house contains all kinds of treasures lending itself well to an "I Spy" game. Unfortunately, content-wise, it was my least favorite. It reminded me of the type of moralistic Christian books with which I grew up. While Jesus was mentioned by name, the Gospel wasn't clearly proclaimed. This book makes it seem as if God is with everyone for good all of the time and doesn't make any distinction between those who are His people and those who are not. However, that being said, the book does lend itself well to a Gospel presentation. You'll just want to continue the story by explaining to your kids that the reason why a holy God never leaves or forsakes His children in spite of their sin is because Jesus was forsaken in place of all who would believe and bore the penalty for their sins when He died on the cross and that Jesus didn't remain forsaken but was raised from the dead on the third day and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God the Father making intercession for us and that He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within all who trust in Him. All in all, Zoe's Hiding Place is an okay title but not my favorite of the bundle. Altogether, the three titles in this series 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!