Noah board book

From the makers of The Beginner's Bible, Noah and the Noisy Ark board book will delight young readers with the fascinating miracle of God saving Noah's family from the devastating flood that covered the entire earth.  The language is simple and easy to understand for little ones and the brightly colored illustrations are adorable.  The eyes on each animal and on Noah himself are very cute. 



I wish I could find a better picture of this board book but this seems to be about it.  One of the best features is the small cut out area at the top of the book for little hands to tote the book around.  I love the sturdiness of the book and the story of the Ark is one of every child's favorites.  This is an excellent addition to any child's library.  I would recommend this book from birth up to four years of age.  Beginner's Bible has long been a favorite and this smaller board book keeps up the tradition.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  It will definitely go on my baby gift list.

Big Look Bible

Big Look Bible is a compilation of nine well known and dearly loved Bible stories from the time of Adam and Eve through the Resurrection of Jesus. Big print and abbreviated text make it a good starter book for very young children.  They will also enjoy the brightly colored whimsical, over-sized illustrations and the varied shape of each page, a very non-traditional look.

The cover made me feel as if I should be able to do something with the holes in the bottom of the ark and the illustrations within.  I would consider that a missed opportunity by the author.  When I notices the "With shaped pages" on the front when I ordered the book, I thought the book may serve more than one purpose in teaching children their shapes but was wrong about that as well.   However, I do like the non-traditional shape of the pages as I think it will make it easier for little hands to turn the pages because there is something to grasp that is a different shape from the page underneath.  Another thing I would have liked to have seen is the scripture reference included with the stories.  However, since this book is designed for newborns, it isn't essential.  Overall, I think this book a good way to begin to introduce children under the age of 1 to reading and the comfort and joy it can bring.  Perfect selection for a baby or newborn gift.

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

Interactive Bible stories

Another board  book....but not just any board book.  Michael Berghof and Gill Guile have given us what may be one of the best introductory Bible story books for young children.  The book contains thirteen short stories from both the Old and New Testaments that are boldly and colorfully illustrated and will capture the attention of young children.  As children become a bit more able to grasp and refine their fine motor skills, there are dozens of flaps for them to open and discover more of the illustrations.  I love it!

Filled with children's favorites for generations, the sturdy board book contains the following:  Noah and the ark, the Exodus, Daniel and the Lion's Den, Jonah, Jesus' birth, the wedding at Cana, the lame man being healed by Jesus, feeding the five thousand, Jesus walking on water, the Last Supper, the Resurrection, and the big catch of fish when Jesus reveals Himself to his disciples.  Through these stories, young ones will be introduced to Biblical principles such as God's will, His provision, obedience, how God can use any willing soul, and the miracles of Jesus among other things.  And the stories are brief enough for even the youngest to sit still.  Literally, I can read each page in about a minute or less but the scripture reference is included if you want to read the same story to older children of if your child has more questions.  The best fun is opening the flaps to see what awaits.  I think this book a perfect gift for any child ages 3 months through four years of age. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Two thumbs up!!!!

A Love So True--historical fiction in the early 20th c.

All Evelyn Wisely wants to do with her life is make life better for the children at the orphanage where she works and to help give hope of a better life to the children in the red light district of Teaville in the early 20th century.  It's enough.  She has no need for anything else.  The promise of a shelter for the women of the district seems to be a step in the right direction but she must secure additional support if that is to happen.  One such glimmer of hope is David Kingsman who has recently arrived to help out in his father's business.  While the first days in that position aren't encouraging, he quickly is intrigued by Miss Wisely and her cause and the young children he finds at her Saturday morning gathering for food and a Bible story.  At first Evelyn resists David's offer to help in any way but she slowly begins to trust.  Will the circumstances and road blocks get in the way of dreams fulfilled?

I have never read a Melissa Jagears book but love historical fiction so was, at first, drawn to the cover of this book.  However, what I found was an author who immediately drew me into the setting and characters with ease.  A Love So True  appears to be book 3 in the Teaville Moral Society series but I never knew that until examining the book more closely and getting ready to write my review.  In no way did I feel as if I was left out of important details or history which left holes in the story.  My assumption is that perhaps the rest of the series may use some of the same character so I may not go back and pick up books one and two because this title reveals quickly how the first books ended but maybe not.  However, I will be look for additional books in this and other series of Jagears'.  I like how she covers a period of time in American history (early 1900s) not often written about.

A Love So True deals with regret from past decisions, friendships, commitment and perseverance, looking past the sin and loving the sinner, and so much more.  If you like historical fiction, definitely pick up a copy of A Love So True but consider getting the whole series and starting at the beginning.  The first in the series include Engaging the Competition and A Heart Most Certain.  You won't be disappointed.

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

Great gift from little one to Grandpa (or the other way around!)

Nothing is the same kind of special as the relationship and bond between a grandfather and his grandchildren.  Whether playing games together, sitting beside a pond waiting for a fish to bite, or being tucked in at night, Grandparents do it best.

Author, Laura Neutzling, has described that special relationship through a rhyming text with sweet watercolor illustrations by Cee Biscoe.  Anyone who regularly reads my blog will know that I am particularly attracted to the lightly padded covered board book because of its durability and ease for little hands to carry and turn the heavy duty pages.  I can just picture a grandfather cuddled up with his grandchild and the two of them reading together.  No better time to begin that special bonding time than when they are small and Neutzling has provided a perfect tool.

I love how each page features a different animal which will delight young children from the time they are able to sit in Grandpa's lap up through pre-school.  The text features are interesting in that they sometimes change color or font for emphasis.  I am excited to be adding this book to our collection for when we have grandchildren of our own.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Why not pick up a copy of this book for your little one to give as a Father's Day gift to his/her grandfather?

A fresh look at life

Do you currently find your life truly fulfilling?  Most days I don't.  I am convinced God didn't intend for us to look as busy as the ants building their mound but that is sort of the way most days feel and yet I don't know how to break the cycle.   It seems never ending and futile.  Don't get me wrong, my life is a good one and I am blessed but taking time to slow down and simply enjoy what God has blesses me with....rarely.
 
Roger Thompson recently published We Stood Upon Stars to help with just such cycles.  Whether you long for a better relationship with your family or God or you simply don't care for the hectic way life seems to be going, Thompson has some suggested sights that you may find yourself wandering toward to take the opportunity to slow down a bit, self-reflect, and re-connect.  The downfall to them all, they aren't a hop, skip and a jump from where I live at all.  Unless flying, they would all have to be two week jaunts for our family since his favorite travel spots are out West where I will assume by this essays that nature is easy to escape to.  However the principles are the same even if you have to select locations much closer to home.

Thompson's writing is definitely not preachy but leaves the reader with no doubt that he believes in God and turns to Him regularly.  I enjoyed Thompson's witty humor and his ability to "show" me places that I may never get to go although a trip out West is definitely on my husband's and my retirement list.

We Stood Upon Stars would make a nice gift book either for those who already love nature or someone you sense might need to take a step back and figure out what is most important in life.  Personally, I have made a vow over and over to let go of  "stuff" and activities that simply add clutter to my life and take away from what is truly important.  It would seem that Thompson has done a much better job at that than I but he has inspired me to want to continue to seek to "simplify" and find ways to remind myself what is valuable and will last long after I am gone. 

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

Life lessons from Berenstain Bears

If you read my blog, you know how I gravitate to any opportunity to review a Berenstain Bear book. I can still see my son (in my mind's eye) curled up with one after school or on the weekends. They were some of his favorites and I certainly didn't mind that since the lesson contained in the stories reinforced the same character expectations we had in our home.  If it wasn't going to stick through me, I hoped God would use these stories to inspire my son to know God and have character beyond compare. 

While already published in individual book form, this hardback collection of twelve favorite stories will certainly last longer than the tattered paperbacks on my shelf and is a much more economical buy.  The collection reminds your child that God loves him, to be a peacemaker, to be courageous, to be a good, faithful friend, and to love their neighbors among other admirable and Biblical traits.  The well known and most beloved bears are simply a tool to use in teaching those traits to your child and aren't preachy at all.  Children today are faced with more challenges and obstacles than I have seen in my lifetime and it is vital that they are deeply rooted in how to handle these temptations and challenges, who to turn to when those temptations arise, and how to treat others before those moments arise.  I can't think of any children's collection I would rather use the Berenstain.  I highly recommend this collection for any library or children's home collection.  I must admit though that with the colorful illustration, you might find five minutes a bit of a stretch.  (It took me a bit longer but still under ten minutes a story as a read-aloud.)

Thank you, Mike Berenstain, for carrying on where your parents left off. 

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 one.