Teaching your little one about angels

God Gave Us Angels by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a sweet way to teach your child about angels and the role God gave them.  Little Cub opens the story up in a tree looking for angels which presents the opportunity for Papa to explain that they are in their midst but not necessarily visible.  Papa explains that angels were created to serve God in whatever way He pleases--carrying messages, guarding over us, fighting for us, worshipping--and that they can take the form of us so we need to be cautious how we treat everyone because it could be an angel in disguise.  For me, the  most important element of the book is when Little Cub asks if he will become an angel when he dies and Papa explains that he won't, that angels were created with the earth which dispels the common belief present in today's society that people become angels.

The illustrations are beautiful and the book a wonderful addition to the series which includes God Gave Us You, God Gave Us Two, and God Gave Us Heaven among others.  I did receive this book free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review. 

Gluten free dessert fun

With the gluten-free craze at its height, I guess it is timely to publish a dessert cookbook to meet those needs.   Personally, give me the wheat and all the trimmings but there are a select few (10% or less of the population is the current number) who are sensitive to gluten and need to make adjustments to their diet.  Catherine Ruehle and Sarah Scheffel have produced such a tool for those folks who love cake but not the way their body reacts to flour.

From coffeecakes to layer cakes to cupcakes and special occasion cakes, this little book is filled with many recipes sure to please the gluten-free sweet tooth. What is a bit unique about this particular volume is that about 20% of it is devoted to tips, tricks, and decorating techniques so that you know what to do with those decorating tips, good baking substitutions, and sources to stock your pantry with all your baking needs.  The book also includes colorful illustrations of many of the desserts to tempt your palette even more and give you a good idea what your final product should look like. The book, even though not spiral bound, easily opens flat for the majority of the recipes. Let Us All Eat Cake would make a thoughtful gift for any of your gluten free friends who love baking and are tired of purchasing the over-priced store mixes.

The cons?  The paper is a matte finish making cleanup of spills a bit difficult.  Ask me how I know.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review. 

940 Saturdays

When my children were born, I had the highest expectations of journaling their lives.  Needless to say, life got busy and that just didn't happen.  Even the most important moments of their lives are limited to memory and sometimes photos.  940 Saturdays  by Harley A Rotbart just may have gotten the job done better, making the task a little more manageable.

Did you realize there are 940 Saturdays from birth to age 18?  Why not make them all count and commit to sitting down once a week so each of those weeks are preserved?  940 Saturdays is a journal and family activity book in one.  Each week of the journal has a half page for you to write (very manageable) about what you and your child saw, did, or felt that week. Also included is a removable booklet which contains a thousand family activity ideas perfect for jumpstarting those days where you wonder "What can I do today with my child?" (besides laundry, cleaning house, cooking....).

The hardback volume will last for generations and I think would make the perfect baby gift.  I know it will be the next one I give.  Five stars!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

Personal notes from God

From Adam and Eve to the Resurrection, Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist is one of the most unique children's Bible story books I have ever seen and I LOVE it!  Each story begins with a Biblical reference, tells the story in easy to understand language and ends with a scriptural promise.  What is so unique is that each story includes a flip up "letter from God" that can be addressed to your child, making it personal.  The book closes with an "invitation from God" to become a member of his team followed by a blank letter your child can write to God.  Children will enjoy the colorful yet simple illustration and parents will love the tangible keepsake of their children accepting Christ into their lives.  I wish there had been a tool like this when my children were little or I had had the wisdom to record what was going on in their minds and hearts when they first came to Christ.

I love Bible story books.  I can remember my mother reading them to my younger sister every night before bed.  I hate to say it, but sometimes our minds can grow dull to the stories we heard as children, almost reading the like rote memory.   This book will change that.   While written for children ages 4-8, I think this book will be enjoyed by both the reader and the child being read to.  It far exceeded my expectations and I would like to share a copy with many children in my life.  Two thumbs up!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.