Books for builders

Calling all little creators, block builders and construction-lovers. These three reads are for them!

It has taken me all week to put together this week’s newsletter, and not because it’s long or complicated, but because I’m in that slow stage of motherhood when everything simply takes a long time: Getting little ones ready to go somewhere and out the door because they have to put on their shoes themselves—but get distracted 20 times in the process. Starting to prep dinner in the morning and working on it bit by bit all day, because you won’t get 30 uninterrupted minutes at 5 p.m. to do it. Trying to teach skills like sharing and conflict resolution over and over (and over) again, until one day, months later, it finally clicks.

I don’t see any immediate fruits of my labor these days, and you probably don’t, either. So I just want to tell you that, while the work is hard and patience wears thin, you’re doing very important work that matters. You’re building your little ones into wonderful, loving people, and one day—one beautiful, joyful day—you will see all your diligence, attentiveness and perseverance pay off.

And if you’re building something for yourself—a hobby, business or project that helps you feel more like you—I hope that you can still recognize your progress, even if it’s slower than you’d like.

So, in the spirit of building, here are three delightful books for children who love to create (and for their parents/grandparents/caregivers building beautiful things, too)!

“The Creator in You” written by Jordan Raynor, illustrated by Jonathan David

I’m always on the hunt for beautiful religious books, and this one is a winner! Gorgeously written and illustrated, and inspiring for children and adults alike, “The Creator in You” belongs on your bookshelf.

This book briefs the story of creation, explains how God made people to create like Him, and invites children to make the world wonderful by creating, whether it’s lemonade stands, poems and stories or suspension bridges.

“Because when you work or make something new, you are doing what God has made you to do. You are showing the world what your Father is like—a God who creates to bring people delight.”

"The Creator in You"

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

“Billions of Bricks: A Counting Book About Building” written and illustrated by Kurt Cyrus

We’ve borrowed this one from the library twice, my little ones loved it so much. Not only do readers follow along as a construction team builds with bricks, but they see how bricks are made, what they can make and—get ready for it—learn different counting quantities, like counting by twos, fives and tens. The rhymes are fun, the illustrations are intricate and interesting, and budding engineers will love it.

"Billions of Bricks: A Counting Book About Building"

Recommended age: 4 - 7 years

“Blocks” written and illustrated by Irene Dickson

Ruby has red blocks, and Benji has blue. They build happily next to each other, until Benji takes one of Ruby’s red blocks. There’s a big crash, and an important lesson in sharing and working together.

This book is very simple and straightforward, and only a few pages long, but it is a favorite of both of my children! We’ve read this over and over and over again, and the cliffhanger ending never ceases to please. (What will happen when Guy comes with green blocks??) This read is great for tiny builders and those learning how to share.

"Blocks"

Recommended age: 0 - 3 years

“There is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it.” —St. Josemaria Escriva

If you liked this newsletter, you might like these, too:

• Books for construction-loving kids

• Favorite interactive children’s books

• Book study: “Adèle and Simon”