Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.

Reading can be one of the sweetest parts of family life, and I’m here to help you make it happen.

I’m Leah, a Christian mom of four boys, a former teacher, and a longtime lover of children’s books. Over the years, reading aloud has become the heartbeat of our home. It shows up in bedtime routines, quiet mornings, and noisy afternoons. But I also know how hard it can be to find books that are both wholesome and worthwhile.

When I was a young mom, I realized I wasn’t the kind of parent who naturally jumped into imaginative play or made every moment feel magical. But I could curl up with a stack of books and read aloud. Storytime became our favorite way to connect, and it still is. (Well, that and board games!) Those shared stories, snuggled on the couch or gathered around the dinner table, have become some of our most meaningful family memories.

That’s why I started Family Book Nook. I want to help busy moms discover books they can trust and treasure. Whether you’re looking for board books for toddlers, chapter books for early readers, or middle grade adventures your whole family will love, I’m here to make the search easier and more joyful.

“What we read with our children today builds their hearts, minds, and character for tomorrow.”
— Sarah Mackenzie, The Read-Aloud Family

What You’ll Find Here

My goal is to support you in creating a strong, life-giving reading culture at home without the overwhelm.

Here, I share:

  • Thoughtfully curated book lists for every stage and season
  • Monthly Family Reading Guides (book recs for every age and stage!) with a free printable for your library trips
  • Honest reviews of picture books, chapter books, and more so that you can make informed decisions about your family’s reading choices
  • Gentle encouragement for building meaningful reading rhythms
  • Real-life glimpses of our home reading culture

Every book I recommend is one I would happily read with my own kids. I care about finding stories that are wholesome, engaging, and aligned with biblical values because what we read shapes how we think, what we love, and who we become.

What Do I Mean By “Wholesome?”

As a Christian mom, I’m deeply intentional about what I bring into our home. When I describe a book as wholesome, I mean it’s one I’ve personally vetted, believe is age-appropriate, and feel confident handing to my own kids.

Wholesome books, in this space, are:

  • Morally grounded (even if subtly so)
  • Free from vulgarity, agenda-pushing, or disrespect
  • Engaging, imaginative, and well-written
  • Respectful of childhood and family life
  • Spiritually safe (even if not explicitly Christian)
  • Appropriate in language, themes, and content for the intended age
  • Honoring to life, family, and moral values
  • Not glorifying sin, rebellion, or darkness
  • Celebrating beauty, goodness, creativity, and truth
  • Free from sexual content, graphic violence, or crude humor (age-dependent)

What “Wholesome” Doesn’t Always Mean

  • Some books may explore hard topics (grief, loss, danger) but do so with sensitivity and redemption
  • Not every book will reflect a Christian worldview, but none will directly undermine the values I hold
  • Occasionally, older age-level books may include mild language or complex themes; if so, I’ll note that in my reviews

I aim to strike a balance between protecting young hearts and preparing them for the real world, without compromising on what is good, true, and beautiful.

Every family is different, and what’s right for one child may not be right for another. As parents, we are each the gatekeepers of our own homes. My goal is to come alongside you with trusted, thoughtful recommendations, but ultimately, you know your family best. Please use your own wisdom and discernment to decide what’s appropriate for your children.

Here is a summary of the biblical beliefs that shape everything I share here, from books and family life to conversations about faith.

1. The Bible is God’s Word
The Bible is God’s inspired, infallible Word. It is our final authority for what we believe, how we live, and how we know God.

2. There is One True God
God is the eternal Creator, the great I AM. He has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons, one God.

3. Jesus Christ is Lord
Jesus is fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, sinless, and our only Savior. He died for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, and now reigns at the right hand of God. One day He will return again.

4. Salvation is by Grace through Faith
Because of sin, all people are separated from God. Salvation is a free gift, made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection. We receive it by repenting and trusting in Him. The evidence of true salvation is a changed life that grows in holiness.

5. The Holy Spirit is Active and Present
God fills believers with His Spirit to empower them to live for Christ, bear fruit, and boldly share the gospel. We are called to walk in step with the Spirit daily.

6. We are Called to a Holy Life
Sanctification means being set apart for God. By His grace, we grow in obedience and holiness, becoming more like Christ.

7. The Church is God’s Design
The Church is the Body of Christ on earth. Every believer has a role to play in encouraging one another, building up the body, and reaching the world with the gospel.

8. God Still Heals
Divine Healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the redemptive work of Christ and is the privilege of all believers.

9. Jesus is Coming Again
We look forward to the return of Christ and the resurrection of those who belong to Him. He will reign forever, judge sin, and make all things new.

A Little More About Me:

  • I’ve been married to my best friend for 11 years, and together we’re raising four wild and wonderful boys: ages 10, 8, 6, and 4.
  • I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I especially enjoyed series like Nancy Drew, The American Girls, Dear America, and Mandie. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a teacher, and I’ve always loved helping kids fall in love with reading.
  • This site is a creative outlet for me. I share book lists, reading guides, and helpful ideas whenever I find a spare moment.
  • In real life, I enjoy quiet hobbies like cross-stitching, as well as more active ones like hiking and playing board games with my boys.
  • I share daily over on Instagram and keep track of our reading in real-time on Goodreads.
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