Christian mom launching Bible basics for babies & toddlers

Frustration at the lack of teaching resources drove a mother of two to start a book company aimed at imparting Christian values to children.

Danielle Hitchen launched Catechesis Books last February to teach basic Christian principles for babies and toddlers. Scheduled for release in December is the first book titled "Bible Basics: A Baby Believer Counting Primer." It was illustrated by Jessica Blanchard.

Hitchen said in a phone interview with the Christian Post, "One of the things that makes 'Bible Basics' unique is that it goes beyond Bible stories to actual theology."

"My experience is that Bible story books are ubiquitous for children, especially for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, but there's pretty much nothing out there to teach them actual theology or more abstract biblical content like the fruits of the Spirit," she added.

Hitchen got started with the project when someone asked her what spiritual formation she does for her 1-year-old daughter. This sparked ideas to teach her baby foundational principles of the Christian faith that she would easily understand because storybook Bibles were too advanced for her age.

To obtain the funds needed to get project underway, Hitchen started a fund-raising campaign on Kickstarter where she pointed out the challenge of teaching young children the basics.

In the video promo for her book, Hitchen shared, "We desire to give our children all good things, including the gift of faith. We hope that they never know a day apart from the Lord, but I have often wondered through these first exhausting years of motherhood, how do I even begin to teach my babies to know and love God?"

Hitchen already raised more than 90 percent of the funds needed to print the first book in the series. There are six to seven more books underway.