7
Stories are carriers of meaningful content
When reading becomes a ritual, children begin to associate books with safety, connection and spiritual grounding. Is there a way to encourage daily reading habits— before bed, in the car, after school or first thing in the morning? The ritual will inspire a lifetime of learning. We can suggest titles for those windows of time and give testimony about others who used a particular title in, for example, a bedtime ritual.
Retailers are uniquely positioned to elevate books that are formative and guide parents toward intentional reading choices. When retailers champion books that both captivate and cultivate a growing faith in Jesus, they participate in shaping future adults who think critically and apply truth to real life. That may be the most powerful literacy mission of all. CRA
Beth and her husband, Todd, serve as Co- Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries, an international organization dedicated to serving orphaned and vulnerable children. After graduating from Indiana University, they moved to Monterrey, Mexico, where they lived for 15 years. That season shaped their hearts, their home and their calling. Between biological, adopted and foster children, Beth and Todd have raised eleven children. Her firsthand experiences as a missionary, mother, Bible teacher and nonprofit leader inform every message she delivers. Beth is the author of sixteen books, including adult and children’ s titles. She travels and speaks regularly at conferences, youth gatherings and church services about reckless faith.
www. christianretailassociation. org / CRA today 19