February 24, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS – Augsburg Books is happy to announce the release of two new books sure to delight children and families, youth and family ministers, and church librarians.

In These Are Friends of Jesus author Shirley Neitzel introduces young readers ages 4-8 to the friends of Jesus in a clever repeated rhyming style based on "This Is the House That Jack Built." Children will hear about shepherds and disciples, people who needed help, and the women who met Jesus when he rose from the dead. God sent Jesus to be a friend to them and to us. The volume includes beautiful illustrations by Benrei Huang.

Shirley Neitzel, a former elementary school teacher, is the author of several children's books including This Is the Ark That Noah Built.

Benrei Huang has illustrated more than twenty-five books for children, including Augsburg's This Is the Ark That Noah Built. Her books have been listed among "best children's books" by the Los Angeles Times Book Review and have been included on the "American Booksellers' Pick of the List."

Also featured this season is Sing Praise by Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by Janet Broxon. In this joyous celebration of God's creation based on Psalm 148 and Psalm 150, animals, nature and people praise God. Aimed at children ages 0-5, the clever rhyming text literally sings, and the art draws in readers both young and old.

Rhonda Gowler Greene is the author of many award-winning books for children, including The Beautiful World That God Made and The Stable Where Jesus Was Born. Her books have won awards from the Children's Book Council and have been selections of the Scholastic Book Club.

Janet Broxon has illustrated many children's books and lives in Brunswick, Maine.

These Are Friends of Jesus, By Shirley Neitzel, Illustrated by Benrei Huang, ISBN: 0-8066-5119-9, Price: $9.99, Format: 8" x 10," paperback, 32 pages.

Sing Praise, By Rhonda Gowler Green, Illustrated by Janet Broxon, ISBN: 0-8066-5120-2, Price: $16.99, Format: 805" x 11," jacketed hardcover, 32 pages.

To order these wonderful new volumes please call Augsburg Books at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the web site at http://www.augsburgbooks.com.

Augsburg Books