New curriculum and catechism from Jared Kennedy lay the groundwork for teachingthe fundamentals of faith
Kids know the value of a promise. A parent’s commitment to go out for ice cream inspires hope, but disappointment reigns when the shop closes early. Broken promises can bring tears. Yet unlike human parents, our good and all-powerful God always keeps his word. His fulfillment is better than anyone could have imagined!
The Beginners Gospel Story Curriculum for Toddlers and Preschoolers (New Growth Press/March 2, 2026), written by Jared Kennedy, highlights God’s perfect promises through the stories of the Old and New Testament. Designed for children ages 2–5, each lesson centers around one of the stories from Kennedy’s popular The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible. The curriculum package includes:
- A teacher’s guide with 52 lessons and QR codes for weekly printable handouts,
- One copy of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible which provides the Bible story text,
- One copy of Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots that includes a Bible doctrine question to go along with the lesson.
Each story’s theme is integrated throughout so that the songs, crafts, interactive questions, and games reinforce the story. With a total of 52 lessons, this Sunday school curriculum can be completed in one year and repeated with each new class of toddlers or preschoolers. The curriculum can also be used as a resource for homeschooling families.
Bold, colorful illustrationsby Trish Mahoney that capture and hold young children’s attention fill each component of the curriculum. Each week’s coloring pages correspond with the illustrations from The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible.
“In a joy-filled preschool Sunday school class, we cultivate implicit memories that can help children grow to love and embrace the good news. Toddlers and preschoolers soak up their teacher’s facial expressions and example,” Kennedy explains. “Habits form as they learn the weekly routine of coming to church, listening to God’s word, and responding through hands-on crafts and games. By God’s grace, the love and joy they’re shown in Sunday school will teach their hearts to love the church throughout their lives.”
The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible that the curriculum is based on has been a favorite of parents and preschool teachers for almost a decade, but the other book included in the curriculum, Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots: A Beginner’s Gospel Story Book of Questions and Answers, (also written by Kennedy), is a brand new resource that is also available for purchase on its own. This picture bookintroduces preschoolers to the fundamentals of faith with a series of simple questions and answers right on their level.
Teaching toddlers and preschoolers about the Bible doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. It can be as easy as starting to ask them a few simple questions. Little kids love to ask questions—it’s how they learn! Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots presents sixteen questions and answers in a simple catechism style to introduce children ages 2–5 to the gospel message. Each question and answer is accompanied by a Bible verse to show that what’s being taught is rooted in the Scriptures. For example:
Q) Who made the world?
A) God did. He made everything!
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1 CSB)
Mahoney’s bright illustrations will keep children engaged as they learn. As families read this book together again and again, repetition will instill the message of God’s Word in children’s little hearts and minds for a lifetime.
Jared Kennedy MDiv, ThM, serves as managing editor for books and curriculum at The Gospel Coalition and is the cofounder of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that points the next generation to Jesus. Kennedy is also the author of God Made Me for Worship, The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible, The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible Curriculum for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission, The Story of Martin Luther, the Beginner’s Gospel Story series of board books, and the coauthor of Faith-Builder Catechism.
For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com
Frankfurt am Main / Berlin, March 9, 2026 – Successful completion following antitrust review: Bookwire GmbH acquires 100% of the shares in Zebralution GmbH and its subsidiaries Open Publishing GmbH and EMS GmbH from GEMA.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 30, 2026) HarperCollins Christian Publishing is humbled and grateful to celebrate a remarkable milestone: more than 50 million copies sold worldwide across the Jesus Calling brand, now available in over 35 languages. The devotional series from the late author Sarah Young continues to invite readers into daily moments of stillness, Scripture and deeper connection with God.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 24, 2026) – Tommy Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, announced today a new middle grade fiction series from internet icons and leading sports entertainment company, Dude Perfect, known for their viral trick shots, epic battles, and wide-ranging family entertainment. Aimed at readers ages 8-12, the Dude Perfect + Panda series brings the beloved Dude Perfect personalities to middle school for new adventures featuring tricks, flips, fist bumps, and more. The first book in the series, titled Operation Trick Shot (ISBN: 9781400217106), releases May 12, 2026, with a follow-up planned for September 2026.
Peabody, MA—Hendrickson Publishers is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Christian Kalmbach (PhD, University of St. Andrews) to the position of associate marketing manager. “We are thrilled to have Christian join the Hendrickson team!,” said Hannah Terenzoni, Hendrickson’s publishing director. “We think his creativity, knowledge, and industry experience will be a great contribution to the work we do.”
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH, January 2026 — In a culture where fewer couples are getting married, divorce rates remain steady, and singles navigate complex expectations, Joyce and Steven Dinkins anchor readers to the love of God to help them overcome challenges, strengthen relationships and deepen love connections.
“In this book we describe in detail what happened before our first meeting, long before our promise to one another and God to remain in this marriage,” writes the Dinkins. “We’re sharing with you our upbringing, our twenty-something and thirty-something selves, and how those backstories connect with our decades of devotion to our marriage.”
February 26, 2026 – London, UK and Newburyport, MA — Sister companies Supadu and Firebrand Technologies have launched Radley Books, a ready-to-go, Shopify-led website solution that gives publishers using Firebrand Technologies’ Eloquence on Demand metadata distribution service the ability to sell books directly online while retaining control over their digital presence.
Why Radley Books was created
Parents and caregivers who want to raise kids in the faith often feel ill-equipped, especially when it comes to talking about the Bible. How do they tell the stories in ways their kids can understand? What do they do with the questions (so many questions!) their kids will ask? And how do they make it something their kids actually want to do? Wonder addresses these pain points by combining creative Bible storytelling for kids, fun and engaging conversation prompts for families, and key contextual information for adults.





