Book Review: Mealtime Devotions The Second Helping

 

Title: Whit's End Mealtime Devotions The Second Helping

Subtitle: 90 More Ideas Your Kids Will Eat Up

Author: John Avery Whittaker

Genre: Children's Devotional

 Children benefit when families eat dinner together.  According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Colombia University: 

10 Benefits of Family Dinners

• Everyone eats healthier meals.
• Kids are less likely to become overweight or obese.
• Kids more likely to stay away from cigarettes.
• They're less likely to drink alcohol.
• They won't likely try marijuana.
• They're less likely to use illicit drugs.
• Friends won't likely abuse prescription drugs.
• School grades will be better.
• You and your kids will talk more.
• You'll be more likely to hear about a serious problem.
• Kids will feel like you're proud of them.
• There will be less stress and tension at home.

 I know how hard it is to get everyone in the kitchen at the same time but it is worth the effort!  So what should you talk about once you have all the kids gathered around? Whit's End Mealtime Devotions are a great way to get the conversation started in the right direction!

This book contains 90 devotionals to read with your family.  Each devotional is broken down into  five-course meal. Each one includes:

• Mealtime Prayer—a fresh way to bless your food
• Appetizer—a fun question or activity
• Main Course—an object lesson or thought to chew on
• Table Talk—questions to spark interesting discussions
• Vitamins and Minerals—a closing scripture

 In my opinion, the book would be most interesting to an elementary aged child.  My daughter, Sydney, is 8 and she loved the book.  My son, Lucas, is 3 and he was not really able to understand the content yet.   Sydney, at 8 years old,  was the perfect age to understand the topics being discussed and she was able to answer the questions that were asked.  

My only recommendation for improvement  would be that the author include a scripture and topical index at the back of the book.  It would be helpful to be able to locate specific devotionals in the book when they are needed. 

You can read the first several pages of the book here:   http://goo.gl/XUVHBs

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Tyndale House Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.