Whimsical and faciful adult coloring

I'm a fan of anything and everything Disney.  While Alice in Wonderland wasn't created by Disney himself, he/they did take Lewis Carroll's book and put it on the screen so when I saw this adult coloring book, I was immediately intrigued.

Each page has been inspired by Carroll's beloved young adult novel.  Some pages are quite intricate while others aren't as detailed and some even issue the invitation to add more of your own drawings in the blank white space to the pen and ink drawings displayed on the medium card stock paper.  While one can't have a full understanding of the entire story from this adult coloring book, enough words are included that will provide the "artist" enough to trigger their memory should they be familiar with the story.  However, the text is quite small so it doesn't distract from the art when included on the coloring page. The "book" is broken into nine chapters, each beginning with a plate which may just be what tea was served on for the Mad Tea Party in the story. (smile)

Just like in the book and movie, you will follow the white rabbit throughout the book but the Cheshire Cat takes more of a back seat than what I remember. If you are a fan of the movie, you might not be ready for the girl portrayed throughout this book as she looks nothing like the Disney Alice.  One unique attribute to this volume is the removable dust cover so that your coloring book can look good as new on your shelf or table.

Overall, I think this is perfect for fans of Alice or children's stories. It is far more engaging than some of the lesser expensive adult coloring books and offers a variety throughout of both coloring and activities.  I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Fun journal for ice cream sandwich lovers

Nothing says vacation in my family more than a box of ice cream sandwiches in the freezer wherever we are staying.  It is my Dad's only request at the grocery story so this new journal from Random House will be the perfect place to record those vacation memories and special moments.  Designed to look just like an ice cream sandwich with Neapolitan ice cream layered between the two chocolate cookie outsides, each page is waiting for your thoughts.  Even the pages themselves carry the Neapolitan theme with the top chocolate third being lined in brown and then bottom strawberry third being lined in pink.  The middle vanilla layer is blank encouraging you to draw a small sketch or be creative.

Just in time for summer, the softly padded cover journal is perfect for anyone who loves ice cream or is simply fanciful and enjoys a less serious looking place to record their thoughts.  The volume contains 368 pages so you have more than enough for a year with a few to spare or perhaps you're like me and more of a sporadic journalist and this volume will last you several years.  Whichever the case, I think this will be a big hit in spite of it's relatively small size of about a 4x6 photo. Journalists will like the fact that, when open, it lies flat unlike many other journals on the market today.

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

New Chronological Study Bible

While we typically do topical or book studies from the Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers have provided us with a chronological means to read through the Bible from Creation to A.D. 100.  Written in the New King James version, I find the text easier to understand than I expected having been exposed primarily the KJV as a child.  Until recently, I must admit I hadn't thought a lot about the typical Genesis through Revelation not being chronological so I look forward to using this in a daily reading.  Somewhat challenging I would think to use in a group setting unless everyone has such a text or you use the scripture passage index in the back but you may find yourself needing to bookmark those pages if the pastor is covering a lengthy passage.

Thomas Nelson released the NKJV of this Bible years ago but in hardback format.  This newly released version comes in an imitation leather version with several color choices.  I personally prefer this binding because it is easier to handle. 

The features of the Bible are its selling points though.  From charts and graphs to transition comments that help you understand how the passage you are reading relate to other Biblical passages to background notes and Daily life allowing us to understand what was going on in the world around the Biblical characters to the 195 page concordance and more....all helpful pieces that will allow the reader a greater understanding of the Bible.  This volume also contains a one year and a two year reading plan for anyone who wants to set that as a goal.

Some of the pages are a bit difficult to get apart.  The golden gilding, I suppose, makes them stick together when new.  Jesus' words are pretty easy to discern but this is not a red letter edition.  Overall, I am excited to own this Bible and am looking forward to seeing how God may use it to further my understanding of Him.

I did receive this volume free from the publisher and am in no way obligated to write a positive review.

Bible stories for little hands

Forty-two of the best loved and most recognized Bible stories from both the New and Old Testaments are retold by Mary Hollingsworth, each taking up no more than a page and consisting of four or five sentences to hold even the youngest child's attention.  All have an illustration chosen just for that story and created by Diane LeFeyer.  Each story is followed by a simple question or request such as "how many lions are there?", "point to the crown", and "what can you share?" and the Biblical reference that the summary is taken from so that older readers can dig a bit deeper into the story.

There are perhaps hundreds of children's Bible story books so what exactly makes this one unique?  Many are board books which are perfect for little hands to turn the pages.  Some have only about a dozen stories to this volume's 42.  I think the thing I like best about this particular book is its size and weight. Even the smallest of children could hold on and carry their own little Bible.  Even I was surprise by how small it was when it came but it was well thought out by the publisher and perfect for preschoolers and toddlers.  Very affordably priced as well.

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.

A long awaited for new book from Michael Phillips

"The death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale's Reef into turmoil. Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch's heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David's grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island's land. And while Hardy doesn't enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate's assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island--and its traditional way of life--hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor. . . .

Past and present collide in master storyteller Phillips's dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace, and of the dreams of men and women everywhere."

I wouldn't even begin to try to better the summary on the back of the book so didn't attempt. Michael Phillips is a family favorite, from me to my mother and my aunt.  Filled with romance, suspense, and well thought out and researched history and plot, you can't find better if you are searching for a meaty get-lost-in-the-story kind of read.  Phillips never disappoints and this new title starting the Secrets of the Shetlands series is no exception.  The biggest downfall is having to wait somewhat patiently for Book 2 in the series which, to the best I can find, will be released in the fall of 2016.  In other words, get ready for an ending that isn't tied up with a pretty bow but still has lots to reveal.

I love the setting Phillips chose for this series.  I have never had opportunity to visit Whales or  Scotland and the beautiful countryside portrayed in these pages wants me to visit even more. I wonder if Phillip's slower, easier pace in his writing foreshadows the lifestyle one might find there. While it may take you a bit of time to grasp onto all the characters, I have no doubt you will love them as much as I as Phillips has a knack of developing them in a way that almost makes them part of your life.  Slower start than others of Phillips' but it will grab you and you won't want to put it down.

Good thing I can pass this on to my mother....she might have just already bought it herself!  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.     

 

A must have for gardeners

I must admit that I am a bit undereducated about how all the plant world works but am not new to gardening at all.   Flowers are definitely my forte' as I have failed miserably most times I attempt much in the way of vegetables.  While my soil is mostly to blame, there are various things I can do to increase the likelihood of being able to pick a fresh squash or tomato from my own garden.  One of those contributions I can make to not only help myself but to help other around me is to encourage bees to visit by planting trees, shrubs, vegetables, annuals,  and perennials that attract bees and hummingbirds to our area.

The Bee-friendly Garden by Kate Frey and Gretchen LeBuhn is filled with suggestions on what to (and not to) plant whether you have a tiny little space or a large yard, how to care for those plants to achieve your goal of continuing to attract helpful insects, the dangers of pesticides and herbicides to our bee friends, and suggestions on how to design your own bee friendly garden.  If after reading, you want to extend beyond your own backyard, there is a chapter devoted to how to become an activist.

I found this volume well within my ability to understand all the elements.  The authors make the importance of pollinators clear and I loved the lists of suggested plants to purchase in order to increase my own bee population.  I know that may sound a bit odd to anyone who is allergic to bees or who are fearful of being stung.  But, if you love to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, you better be ready to take care of and encourage pollinators that are already gravitating toward an endangered level with the way our world gardens today. Whether a new or experienced gardener, this book is for everyone.  An added bonus is the beautiful garden photography.  Loved it!

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 one.  This one goes on my gift list for my gardener friends.  First up....my aunt whose husband is a beekeeper.  She is going to love it!

Home cooked but probably not at my home

This new volume of cooking ideas from Anya Fernald contains pasta, vegetables, snacks, fish and meat and desserts. Fernald first introduces the reader to her kitchen and then some of what she calls the "building blocks" of cooking such as broths, lard, sauces and more.  Some great tips and ideas but it just didn't have a lot of the type of cooking I do.  Granted, I grew up with Southern home-cooked meals so perhaps I need to learn a healthier cooking style but doubt that will include such dishes as lamb hearts, pickled grapes, pinquito beans or rabbit and duck.  Many of the recipes had ingredients I am totally unfamiliar with and unlikely to purchase to experiment with a new recipe.

All that to say, the book is nicely illustrated with colorful photos of many of the recipes or raw ingredients.  I do have an appreciation for the fact that the author makes use of the abundance of fruits and vegetables, canning and preserving them to use in her recipes.  That coupled by her suggestions for using leftover bones for broths and using meats that are often passed over for their more tender counterparts gives any cook some money saving tips.  As for me, I am most likely to try her buttermilk biscuit or butter piecrust recipe along with desserts such as buttermilk pie or gingerbread, all of which have ingredients I can both pronounce and find readily in my pantry or local grocery store.

Nicely hard bound so will stand the wear and tear in the kitchen. The binding allows the volume to open out nicely on the kitchen counter, unlike many others I have reviewed.  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.