Former missionary, speaker and radio host Elizabeth Elliot once said you must only read the very best books because there are so many books out there and you don’t have time to waste.
On the radio program, Family Life Today, on last Tuesday the 24th, Mark Hamby was the guest for two days, the 23rd and 24th. He is publisher of Lamplighter Publishing. He publishes books that were written long ago and have a strong moral thread throughout the stories. Many of these books have been long forgotten but were best sellers of their times. The books have been edited somewhat but still keep the strong moral thread throughout the story.
On the program, he catagorized his favorite books he has published. Here is the program from the Family Life Today website. He put them into three groups:

Preschool (Books that are illustrated and can be read aloud.)
Trusty Tried and True
Written in the style of Dr. Seuss, this adorable adventure is bursting with colorful imagery to heighten a child’s imagination and stir creativity. Your children will learn much about selfishness, pride, and vanity through the characters of Brawny, Smarty, and Beauty. But most importantly, they will want to be more like Trusty, our hero, who is so eager to help. With self-sacrifice and courage, Trusty is willing to try. You can be sure you’ll soon know this story by heart, for it will undoubtedly become a family favorite—to be read over and over and over again!
Teddy’s Button – Illustrated (Favorite of Mark Hamby, publisher)
This tale will open a child’s understanding of the spiritual battle within as Teddy learns that he is his own worst enemy! As a stubborn boy and girl refuse to back down from their selfish pride, one of the many lessons they learn is that they cannot win battles by force and hate, but by carrying the banner of love. Through this charming story, Amy LeFeuvre helps children to understand the spiritual battle that rages in their souls, and that parents and children are on the same side! Hardback: 64 pages.
Beggar’s Blessing
Beggar’s Blessing is a true story from the 1800s about a little girl who sacrificed her savings for a starving beggar. Full-color illustrations will capture the hearts of children as they learn that sacrifice is the cornerstone for surprising blessings. This is a story that you will never forget and is sure to become a children’s classic! Hardback.
The Hedge of Thorns
Based on a true story, here is a gripping account of a young boy who learns the hard way that the choices we make can harm those we love the most. Because he desperately wants to know what is on the other side of a hedge of thorns, he puts his little sister in great danger. From his experience, we learn that God places boundaries in our lives because He loves us. Hardback.
Elementary
A Basket of Flowers
James, the king’s gardener, teaches his 15-year-old daughter Mary all the principles of godliness through his flowers. She is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. Mary remembers her father had taught her: that it is better to die for the truth than to live for a lie, and that the worst pillow to sleep on is the pillow of a guilty conscience! This story will change your life forever! Hardback: 168 pages.
Buried in the Snow
Full of twists, turns and unexpected dangers, this book will cause you to see life from a different perspective. You will be blessed by the gentle wisdom of an old grandfather and the unconditional love of his grandson as they come face to face with one of the most difficult decisions of their lives. From the depths of despair to the pinnacle of blessing, this dramatic encounter will surely elicit a full spectrum of emotional responses. Hardback: 116 pages.
Teddy’s Button (Favorite of Mark Hamby, Publisher)
This tale will open a child’s understanding of the spiritual battle within as Teddy learns that he is his own worst enemy! As a stubborn boy and girl refuse to back down from their selfish pride, one of the many lessons they learn is that they cannot win battles by force and hate, but by carrying the banner of love. Through this charming story, Amy LeFeuvre helps children to understand the spiritual battle that rages in their souls, and that parents and children are on the same side! Hardback: 64 pages.
The Giant Killer
The battle continues to rage, day by day and moment by moment. But must we meet the enemy blindfolded? In order to subdue, we must see the real foe; in order to conquer, we must face the true enemy. Through this allegorical tale, we will be better equipped to recognize, then to effectively slay, the many Giants who confront us. The Giant Killer is the tool to reach for if you or your loved ones need encouragement or confidence to enter into the battlefield once again. If you feel that you have nothing firm upon which to lay hold, this book will help you to grasp the strong cord of Love as your means of safety and deliverance. Hardback: 192 pages.
Jessica’s First Prayer
Barefoot little Jessica lives in a home where no one knows about God. She looks forward to spending time once a week with Mr. Dan’el, a miserly old coffee peddler who eases his darkened conscience by giving her stale bread and coffee. Jessica’s prayers and innocent questions go straight to the coffee peddler’s heart. He learns to value the life of a child more than money as he becomes Jessica’s new father. Hardback: 78 pages.
Teenagers
The Hidden Hand (Favorite of Mark Hamby, Publisher)
Strewn with mystery and suspense that never lets up, The Hidden Hand will keep you on the edge of your seat and laughing aloud. But please don’t let the feisty, mischievous character of 17-year-old Capitola and the cantankerous personality of Old Hurricane derail you from seeing the gracious providence of an all-wise God. Hardback: 462 pages.
That Printer of Udell’s
Has someone crossed your path recently that might have needed your help? Were you paying attention closely enough to have noticed? This wonderful book from Harold Bell Wright is just as alive and relevant in this century as it was to those to whom he was writing over 100 years ago. That tramp printer that ends up working for George Udell has so much to teach us about living by an honor code. Hardback.
The Lost Clue
In this intriguing mystery, Captain Fortesque finds himself torn between two loyalties. Having been educated in the finest schools of England, he enjoyed acceptance in high society, but kept his true upbringing a secret. Then the day came that changed the course of his life. It all started with the mysterious note that could only be read after his father’s death. Will he be able to endure the dramatic challenges he will now face? In the meantime, everything in Daisy Bank seemed crooked and out of shape. Across stretches of dark stagnant water, Marjorie wandered over the wilderness of ashes, wondering how anything could grow in such poor and barren soil. But she learns that even in the midst of that bleak, coal-mining region, she can be ‘a tree of the Lord’s planting,’ bringing sunshine and growth to the dark, dreary world in which she finds herself. Hardback: 288 pages.
These books are available at the Family Life Today or you can call 1.800.FLTODAY. Family Life today continues to discuss good trustworthy books during the rest of the week, the 25th through the 27th.