Jess Lester, deputy editor of YCW
What was your favourite book as a kid?
I remember reading the classic book Guess How Much I Love You with my mum most nights during my early childhood. It was gifted to my parents when I was born, and it’s a book that I still very much treasure. While it isn’t particularly thrilling as an adult, it sure is nostalgic. Otherwise, Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden were always a stable favourite of mine from childhood through to my teens (and now!).
What character would you most want to dress up as for World Book Day?
World Book Days of the past saw me dress up as Pippy Longstocking, Little Bo Peep, Matilda and Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web. As an adult, I’d definitely go for something a little less girly – the Hungry Caterpillar screams cool to me.
What book has most impacted you or your ministry?
Two stick out to me immediately. Pete Grieg’s How To Pray was endlessly helpful when I first became a Christian to understanding the power of prayer, and gave me the confidence to start praying boldly. For a while, I was often too afraid to pray out loud, but by following the guide lines in the book, I felt like a pro. Francis Chan’s Crazy Love was equally powerful. It’s a book I’ve passed on to many friends, so much so that it’s rarely on my bookshelf for long.
Alex Taylor, resources editor of YCW
What was your favourite book as a kid?
Charlotte’s Web was my favourite book as a child. The story of friendship, sacrifice and love made me cry – and I’m dead inside, so that’s quite a feat.
What character would you most want to dress up as for World Book Day?
My favourite young adult series is called the Old Kingdom series, by Garth Nix. It’s a bit gruesome – dead coming back to life, evil creatures and necromancy – but the characters are amazing! I think I’d be King Touchstone. If you want something that is more wholesome, I’d go for Arthur Dent from the Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I listened to the radio series and read the books when I was a teenager and the idea of staying in my pyjamas and dressing gown for the rest of time was very appealing…
What book has most impacted you or your ministry?
I’d recommend Children’s Spirituality by Rebecca Nye and Contemplative Youth Ministry by Mark Yaconelli. Both books invite you to go deeper in your theory and practice, reflecting on spirituality and creating space for children and young people to meet with God face to face (rather than standing in the middle as a go-between). They are both quite liberating books, as they remind us that God ‘does the work’ of bringing children and young people close to him, and we act in partnership with him.
John Lloyd, designer of YCW
What was your favourite book as a kid?
Danny, the Champion of the World. I have fond memories of reading it with my mum as a kid and loved reading it all over again with my own kids last year.
What character would you most want to dress up as for World Book Day?
Dick Turpin.
What book has most impacted you or your ministry?
As a designer it's hard not to judge a book by it's cover. I'd go for Francis Chan's Erasing Hell. Simple use of Helvetica and a grid pattern Simple as, erm, hell?
As a family we are reading our way through the How to Train your Dragon book series – we’re currently on book 11 of 12. They touch on themes of calling, forgiveness and sacrifice. The main hero is a would-be-king who appears weak humble and un-warrior like. Sound familiar? They're so good I read them when the kids are asleep.
Ruth Jackson, editor of YCW
What was your favourite book as a kid?
I blooming loved Spot the Dog as a kid. Then as I got older, I read a lot of Enid Blyton, especially her Twins at St Clare’s series – largely coz I was a twin and slightly obsessed with midnight feasts!
What character would you most want to dress up as for World Book Day?
I don fancy dress at any opportunity, so have covered quite a few characters already (Bellatrix Lestrange was a recent highlight), but if I had the opportunity, I’d love to dress as Gandalf coz who doesn’t wana be a kick-ass wizard?!
What book has most impacted you or your ministry?
Archbishop Justin Welby recently told a gathering at Lambeth Palace that Pete Greig’s God on Mute was one of the best Christian books he’d ever read. I agree. I grew up believing that God was good, kind and powerful, but in my late teens a friend tragically died by suicide and my faith slightly fell apart. I read tons of books on suffering, but I found none quite as powerful, yet honest as Pete’s. Regardless of what topic I’m meant to be addressing with young people, we often end up chatting about suffering and unanswered prayer, and God on Mute has helped me frame so many of these discussions. Pete’s honesty and insight also helped inspire some of our March issue – Easter part 1, where we were keen not to rush straight from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, but to help our children and young people wrestle and reflect on the brokenness of Holy Saturday.
