Oh brother. I found an article on the latest trends in books for kids. And if it’s accurate, and from what I’ve seen it is, Houston, we have a problem (and every other city, town, and village).
Don’t take my word for it. See if you agree with these latest trends:
1. Diversity and Inclusivity:
There’s a significant push towards representation in Christian children’s books. Including characters from various ethnic backgrounds, family structures, and those with disabilities. And the inclusion is more natural and less forced than in previous years, aiming to reflect a diverse Christian community.
2. Emotional Intelligence:
Books that focus on emotional intelligence are on the rise. They address mental health, empathy, and try to understand emotions from a Christian perspective. This trend helps nurture compassionate and emotionally aware young Christians.
3. Interactive Storytelling:
With technology’s influence, interactive elements like Augmented Reality (AR) become more common. And books now often invite participation. They offer choose-your-own-adventure styles or interactive activities that engage readers in the narrative experience.
4. STEM Integration:
Christian children’s books increasingly integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) themes into narratives. This trend aims to insert fun into learning and still align with Christian teachings.
5. Graphic Novels and Comics:
The popularity of graphic novels and comics in children’s literature has spilled over into Christian themes. These formats are used to tell stories of faith through Bible narratives or Christian life lessons to visually engage readers.
6. Focus on Modern Issues:
Books are tackling contemporary issues like environmental stewardship, social justice, and even the implications of technology from a Christian viewpoint. And this reflects a broader societal conversation but through a faith-based lens.
7. Classic Adaptations and New Interpretations:
Timeless Christian stories like “Pilgrim’s Progress” are being adapted for modern audiences, often with updated language or illustrations to connect with today’s children. New interpretations of biblical stories or Christian allegories are also popular.
8. Rhyming and Poetic Styles:
There’s a notable trend for books that use rhyme or poetry to teach theology, moral lessons, or even basic prayers. This approach makes complex ideas more accessible and memorable for young readers.
9. Non-Fiction Growth:
The juvenile non-fiction segment within Christian literature is seeing growth, focusing on educational content that aligns with Christian teachings, like history, science, and biographies of influential Christians.
10. Digital Influence:
The influence of digital media is unmistakable, with books often mimicking digital styles in illustrations or structure, and some even incorporating digital components for an enhanced reading experience.
The article finished off with this summary:
“These trends indicate a dynamic evolution in Christian children’s literature, aiming to resonate with contemporary children while maintaining the core messages of Christian faith. However, individual preferences among Christian families can vary, so these trends might be more pronounced in some communities or regions than others.”
Notice how SO much information and SO many writers and content producers LUV to use some form of evolution? Yeah, it’s ubiquitous. And another awful trend is how many articles use the ing forms of words. I replaced some of them in the article because there were so many. But so many phrases are structured this way:
Books are tackling…
are being adapted…
literature is seeing growth, focusing on (double hit)…
books often mimicking…
aiming to resonate…
while maintaining the core…
So, I’m much more old-fashioned (or should I say olde-fashioned?).
But some of the latest trends are mighty cool, too. I’m a big fan of digital tools like computers, tablets, and smartphones. Because they help you do amazing things our ancestors could only dream about.
But I believe it’s important and crucial to temper the digital tools with wisdom. And that means, we’re doomed. Because I just don’t see wisdom as a principal player in technological development.
That’s why I and (and will be, eternally) grateful to be tapped into the Life of the ultimate source of information. Because that ultimate source is the one who loves me (and you) enough to pay the price for the consequences of our lack of wisdom.
Anyway…
Tell me what you think about the latest trends in books for kids in Christian families.
Also, once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the FunderFlash Journal. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and the power of God’s love.
Stay tuned…
