Anglican Youthworks has published two of the books that have been shortlisted for the Australian Christian Book of the Year.

The list, which was announced on June 22, also includes one book published by Matthias Media

The rag doll, by Stephanie Carmichael and Jessica Green, was published by Matthias Media. It is part of a series of children’s books which have been written to fill a gap in the market.

“When I looked for Christian books for young children, I got frustrated at the lack that were available,” Mrs Carmichael said. “Kids are concrete, literal thinkers, they don’t get symbolism so they need books which explain things in a way they understand.”

Mrs Carmichael also hopes that the books will help parents as well as children.

“[I want to] speak to parents, to show them how they can turn an everyday conversation into one about God,” she said.

Bible bites: 365 devotions for Aussie families, published by Anglican Youthworks, is also designed for children and their parents.

Author Ladeane Lindsay, who worked as a children’s worker at Kellyville Anglican Church, wanted to write a book that would help families in their relationships with God.

“[At a conference] I was challenged to think about how children’s work encourages parents to be the primary spiritual carers of their children,” she said. “Generally there are two things stopping them: a lack of confidence and a lack of resources that they can use. So I started writing fortnightly devotions based on the sermon series to help parents, and the book evolved from there.”

Each devotion in Bible bites contains a variety of sections which aim to help families engage with the Bible in an interesting and informative way.

“I really wanted to encourage families to spend meaningful time together,” Mrs Lindsay said.

Isaiah: Surprising salvation was also published by Anglican Youthworks.

Author Kirk Patston wrote the book as part of Reading the Bible Today; a series of Bible commentaries designed for preachers and Bible study leaders.

“The book looks at the historical layers of meaning in Isaiah,” Mr Patston, a lecturer at Sydney Missionary and Bible College, said. “It helps people to consider what it would have meant in 8BC, 6BC, 1BC and today.”

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in Melbourne on August 18.

Full shortlist:

Bible bites: 365 devotions for Aussie families,
Ladeane Lindsay

Christianity alongside Islam,
John Wilson

Economics for life: An economist reflects on the meaning of life, money and what really matters,
Ian Harper

Hot rock dreaming: A Johnny Ravine Mystery,
Martin Roth

Isaiah: Surprising salvation,
Kirk Patston

Judgment day: The struggle for life on earth,
Paul Collins

The rag doll,
Stephanie Carmichael & Jessica Green