Prepare for Easter

If you have been in church for your whole life as I am blessed to have been, you have heard the stories of Mary (sister of Martha), Mary (mother of Jesus) and Mary Magdalene.  All three of their lives were changed because of Jesus and were never the same after having known him.  What is unique about this book is Higgs' talent of taking their stories and weaving her own making them seem as if they could be somewhat of the girl next door and allow us to learn and apply their experience so well to our own lives.  Another eye opening focus of this writing is how Jesus treated these three women at a time when women weren't esteemed as they are now.  While I knew women of Biblical times were treated somewhat as a lesser human, I hadn't made the connection that these women, and others, sort of "made the cut" when God inspired the Bible and He obviously doesn't see any of them as lesser than the men of the Bible.

I have always appreciated Liz Curtis Higgs' humor.  Few people can consistently make me laugh out loud as she can.  Another aspect that drew me to her in the beginning is that she too is a Louisville girl.   Several years ago, I read The Women of Christmas and even picked it up again this holiday season.  The real life connections found in that book didn't make me question at all that The Women of Easter would be equally good.  I wasn't disappointed. Higgs' writing style is easy for me to read and doesn't feel preachy at all.  Curl up with your copy and a cup of tea.  The timing of the paperback volume release is perfect as we all look to the Easter season.  I know it has helped prepare my heart for the celebration and trust it will do the same for you. 

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

Bill Martin does it again!

Who doesn't love Bill Martin's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  I must have read it so many times to my children that I can almost say it by memory.   Well, he has taken that same lyrical language and created a similar book around Biblical characters all the way through the Bible from Adam and Eve to Paul.  For example, you may enjoy "Joseph, Joseph, what do you see?  I see a father with a coat for me".  Or perhaps your child may by comforted by "Little child, little child, what do you see? I see Jesus watching over me".   What better way to introduce your young child to the Bible than through an author he/she already loves and the sing-song writing that Martin is known for?  Each page also includes the Biblical reference to the story so you can read the entire piece to your child as he/she grows a bit older.

Melissa Iwai provides the perfect child-like illustrations to compliment Martin's writing.   This particular volume is a board book which I love in case you haven't noticed my thoughts on them in other reviews.  As a previous school librarian, there is nothing sweeter than a child cherishing a book he can hold onto and call his/her own so I love the durability and stability that board books provide to little hands.

Two thumbs up to Mr. Martin for giving us another children's book destined to be read over and over again and helps parents introduce even their youngest to God's love and protection.  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.  The thoughts and  comments are my own.

Baa! Oink! Moo!

From sheep that go baa to cows that moo to bunnies that go hippity-hop, only God can make each one. Baa! Oink! Moo! is a sweet conversation between a little boy and his mother as the child notices each animal and asks who made them that way.  As the mother responds, she says that only God can make them and the moon in sky and crickets that sing a lullaby as the little boy drifts off to sleep. 

The watercolor illustrations by David Walker are precious.  The lyrical verse is perfect for teaching your little one about God and how much He cares for us as well as the sounds the animal makes.  After a reading or two, I am confident your little one will be helping you along with those animal sounds.

The book is a sturdy board book making it nice for smaller children to hold and look at without fear of tearing.  The cover itself is a bit padded.   The overall size is a generous 8.5"x 8.5" , with rounded corners, making it a bit larger than many board books.

This book definitely goes on my list of baby gift books.  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.  Thank you Zonderkidz for another sweet story to introduce young children to God's love and provision.

Max Lucado's wisdom on God's Grace

Max Lucado is no stranger to God's grace and has shared personal stories and wisdom he has gained through a number of writings since 1990.  His name and writings are sprinkled throughout every Christian and some secular bookstores in America.  This imitation leather bound volume contains snippets from eighteen of his published works, all dealing with the subject of God's grace.  There is one reading for every day of the year coupled with a scripture verse pertaining to that day's devotion.

It would appear this book has been previously published under a different cover.  However, the soft leather-like binding on this volume is beautiful to both touch and look at as well as makes it easy to hold and to lay flat, unlike its hard bound counterpart.  I also love that the pages are a soft ecru color, making thevolume appear timeless.  The print is large, making it easy to read no matter your age.  There is also ample blank space on the page if the reader wishes to make his own notes on his/her journey with grace or how the scripture spoke to him/her when read.

What's not to love about this book?  I have long enjoyed reading and listening to Mr. Lucado and I am grateful for a devotional book by him that is applicable to my daily life, contemporary, and easy to read in just a few minutes yet the message contains enough substance to be pondered throughout the day.  Whether you are looking for a new devotional book to begin the New Year or a gift idea, I would highly recommend Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado.   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.

History of cultural sayings

Ella Frances Sanders has brought us a book of sayings from all around the world and how each originated as well as its meaning.  The only one I was totally familiar with was "Mind your p's and q's" which she says originated around the time of the printing press, warning those who set type to be careful since the letters were so similar.  I have heard another origin so now I don't know which one to believe.  Guess it is time to do my own research.  Some of the other sayings have similar meaning to ones we use in English so it is interesting to see how they originated in what may have been their initial language.

Each saying is illustrated in whimsical ways and has a brief explanation regarding how it originated in its country, some of which are quite humorous.  To be honest, there were languages I was totally unfamiliar with such as Farsi and Ga so the volume allows you to expand more than just your knowledge of the quotes if you want to dig a bit deeper as I did. At approximate 6x8" in size, the hardback book is a really nice gift size or one to place on a small table to pick up and read one or two at a time.  As for me, I will use it in the classroom to introduce students to different cultures and languages.

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.

God's love is evident everywhere

Through nature, small acts of kindness, and scripture, evidence of God's love is everywhere we look if we just have the eyes to see.  Encouraging a young child to truly see what is around him and know that God is the center will follow him into adulthood and create the habit of intentionally looking for evidence of His love.  Through short poems, prayers, and brief scripture, Jean Fischer has published a tool to start using with the smallest of children to develop just such eyes.

I originally chose this book because I have loved Precious Moments since I was a teen, collecting more than my fair share of the figurines and even topping my wedding cake with one.  I love the fact that Fischer used these adorable whimsical children and animals to illustrate the fact that evidence of God's love for us is all around us.  The fact that this volume is in a sturdy board book format makes it perfect for little hands and is light enough in weight for those hands to carry.  The rhythm of the rhyming poems will delight children and the scripture chosen for each poem is short enough that even very young children can memorize and begin to hide God's word in their heart. 

If you are looking for a gift for children ages 2-6, I don't think you can go wrong with Little Book of God's Love by Jean Fischer.  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.  Thank you, Ms. Fischer, for the reminders of how much God loves each of us and renewing my love for Precious Moments.

Bible stories a child can help "read"

I have always had an interest in rebus stories. Perhaps it is something I remember from my childhood or maybe it is the fact that it is interactive rather than just the adult talking.  What a sense a confidence a child can feel when he "reads" with a parent or caregiver.

Look, I'm Reading! Bible Storybook provides just such an opportunity just in time for the holidays.  The volume contains approximately 90 Bible stories from Creation through Revelation.  Most of the stories are the traditionally read ones such as Noah, Jonah, Joshua, Ruth, and the birth of Jesus.  With each one page story is the scripture reference from the Bible (making it easy to follow up with the complete story if you choose to do so), cute whimsical watercolor illustrations by Steve Smallman, and a key to the rebus pictures to help your child learn the words and help you along with telling the story.

The book is a sturdy hard bound volume, well bound so it doesn't fall apart when you read it day after day.  The font is quite large making it easy to read and follow along with little hands and eyes.  In my opinion, this volume of Bible stories will be one a young child ages 2-6 will ask for again and again. 

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.