I’m always grateful when a new children’s book is published that is both beautiful and theologically rich and Canadian author Laura Alary has done it again. Her newest book, Around the Circle: Celebrating the Church Year is exactly that.

This book is a lovely introduction to the seasons and rhythms of the church year, told in a way that is accessible for younger children without ever feeling simplistic. Laura has a gift for helping children engage the Christian story with wonder, depth, and imagination, and this book does that so well. The illustrations are beautiful, and the writing is thoughtful, gentle, and rooted in the life of the church. What I especially appreciate is that this book helps children see that the story of Jesus is not just something we learn once, but something we return to again and again. Through the rhythms of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time, children are invited to notice how the church remembers, celebrates, waits, grieves, hopes, and rejoices together.

As someone serving in a Baptist context, I also appreciate how helpful this book can be for those of us who may not come from strongly liturgical traditions. Many of our churches do not naturally follow the church calendar, but that does not mean the rhythms of the Christian year have nothing to offer us. In fact, I think this book can help families and churches recover some of the richness of walking through the story of Jesus over time.

I can easily see this being used in homes, churches, children’s ministry settings, and Christian education spaces. I would especially recommend it to parents, grandparents, pastors, and ministry leaders who want to help children connect more deeply with the big story of our faith and the rhythms that shape the life of the church.

Find out more about this book and download the free resource guide here.

Contact Bernice at Read On Bookstore to order your copy.