We haven’t shared a post recently about children’s books, so I thought this would be the week! I was thinking and praying, and of course, reading as usual. Since our younger children get read to every day before bed (and before naps, for our youngest!), we end up reading quite a few children’s books. Especially considering how long we’ve been doing this (23 years and counting), we’ve read quite a few books. And some over and over and over again (can I get a witness?).
Helen Lester
We’ve loved Helen Lester for years. We’ve had her books in our home library for literally decades (that’s a scary thought, but true). But I wanted to highlight one title in particular – A Porcupine Named Fluffy. It’s such a cute and entertaining book, and when we had first purchased it, all of our kids loved it and wanted us to read it again and again. At the time, we all would just chuckle about it and move on to the next book in the nightly routine.
It was particularly funny because the porcupine named Fluffy wanted to live up to his name. But whatever he did, he realized he couldn’t do it. He tried to make himself fluffier in a variety of different ways, “…but the fact remained. Fluffy definitely wasn’t.”
How true that no matter how hard we try to change some things, it’s as if we keep running into walls. And that’s because there are just some things we can not change, no matter what we do. God created a lot of different things that have hard wired characteristics.
After meeting a fellow animal in a similar situation, Fluffy finally chooses to be content with the fact that he wasn’t fluffy. And that’s how the story ends.
We can’t change some things
Fast forward to 2026, and now this book is a great springboard to talk about the reality of how we can’t change how the LORD has created us. Specifically with respect to our gender. Now, I realize this book is for younger children, so this conversation needs to be modified depending on the ages and maturity of your children. However, subtly emphasizing the fact that no matter what the porcupine does won’t change who he is, is clearly very important to highlight right now.
We have other books that speak more directly about gender and the possibility of gender confusion (God Made Boys and Girls is great!). But since Lester’s book is a sweet story with animals in it, it may be easier for children to understand and apply in their own worlds.
I’m a frog
Another book that is similar is Mo Willems’s book, “I’m a Frog.” Willems is incredibly creative, and kids love his books. In this story, Piggie pretended to be a frog. But Gerald thought at first, that he really WAS a frog. Which definitely freaked Gerald out. Piggie had to explain that it was only a game of pretend. Whew!
Their friendship is sweet, and here again, the lesson is clear. It was probably not the author’s intention to be a Biblical Worldview apologist for the immutable characteristics of gender, but oh well. In this book, he did just that.
Truth
The truth of God surrounds us all the time. We can’t get away from it. Stories often work best to explain these basic truths more readily to your child/children. Other times, a textbook approach is preferable to clarify the situation. But however you go about it, the bottom line is just addressing these issues, before anyone else does.
I wish we didn’t have to, especially at these younger ages. However, it’s not an option. If we don’t, others who do not have our worldview, will. Whether that’s a teacher or a show or a movie or a friend, there are people that really want to influence our children. And if they don’t love Jesus, it won’t go well for our children. We must be sure to be the first ones to talk about these issues with our kids. As I’ve heard it said before, “Parents who lead the conversation control the narrative.”
I’m sure there are lots of other books that demonstrate great truths inadvertently, but these happen to be my favorite! Pick these up today!
Click on the images below to purchase A Porcupine Named Fluffy or I’m a Frog!
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The Family Book Savings Club REBOOT!
On a completely different note, I wanted to let everyone know we’ve updated the Family Book Savings Club! We think it’s going to work much better than before.
We are offering discounts now based on the billing cycle. The Monthly Book Club offers flexibility, the 6 Month Book Club offers stability (7% discount), and the 1 Year Book Club offers the largest discount (12% discount). For more information, click HERE!
You can also adjust your membership based on the number of people in your household. We will communicate with you via email to assure you have fantastic books that are curated specifically for your family every month!
Still not sure? You can cancel any time!
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