Inspiring Words Winner

So we have a winner for my giveaway...

Congratulations Meagan!  I need your address and a copy of Inspiring Words will be shipped to you!

Faith Girlz Glimmer Girls book series

Glimmer Girls
London Art Chase
A Dolphin Wish
Written by Natalie Grant
Illustrated by Cathi Mingus
ZonderKidz Publishing
Ages: 7-12
Cost: $8.99 each


Faith Girlz Glimmer Girls series is aimed at Tween Girls and gives the reader a fun adventure as they stumble upon a mystery!  I will give a summary of each book, but I just want to let you know that London Art Chase is first in the series...so unless you don't mind a spoiler, you might want to read the first one, FIRST!

London Art Chase is set in London, as the Glimmer family travels to London for some concerts that the mother, Gloria Glimmer is giving.  The family sees some of the sites together, but then the nanny, Miss Julia, takes the girls, Maddie, Mia and Lulu to see some other sites, while their parents are busy preparing for the concerts.  That's when all the excitement happens.  I won't give too many details, but Maddie sees a painting being removed from an art museum and the chase is on.  Maddie believes so strongly that a crime is being committed, that she is willing to break the rules to figure it out.  Maddie is frustrated that no one will listen to her.  She does discover that she was in over her head and really put herself in a dangerous situation.  All turns out well in the end and the mystery is solved!  Maddie is told there will be consequences for breaking the rules, and while we don't see that in this book, you do find out about it in A Dolphin Wish.

A Dolphin Wish is set in San Diego and is the next stop on Gloria Glimmer's concert tour.  Most of this book is set at Captain Swashbuckler's Adventure Park, which is part theme park, part aquarium.  In A Dolphin Wish, Mia overhears some teens talking about someone letting animals out and is concerned for their safety.  She feels like she needs to solve this mystery, partly because Maddie solved the one in London, partly because of the concern for the animals.  I won't give too many details, so the story isn't spoiled, but I will say, I did not expect the ending!  

I enjoyed both of these books more than I expected!  They were written well, with some unexpected twists and a good message for the reader.  I think these books would be an excellent addition for tween girls.  The storylines were very engaging and there were some great lessons in both books!  There is another book in this series as well and I hope more are in the works!

*I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and/or opinions may vary.

Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids

Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids
by Whee Winn
Zonderkidz Publishing
Price: $3.99
Ages: 6-10




Ever get one of those books for your child, that you JUST KNOW you are going to regret?  This book was DEFINITELY on that list for me...tons of corny jokes that he would repeat over and over...I can feel the shudder coming on.  As I handed my boy the book though, you should have seen the look on his face!  Joy and delight, surprise, unbelief, that I had given him this little book.
As he read through it initially, I could hear his unmistakable laughs...then it began...Knock-Knock...

Seriously though, this is KID FUN in a book!  Tons of jokes, and not all of them are bad, for them to delight on and try to puzzle you with the cleverness of the puns.  While several are groaners, it is worth every penny and MUCH better than some of the jokes my children have shared throughout the years!  Clean jokes too!  Want to be fun mom for at least a day?  Surprise your child with this!  Is it totally worth the groaners to honor my boy in one of his interests!
Want to make it two days?  Add one of these:


Oh, and Knock-Knock...

Just kidding!

* I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and/or opinions may vary.

Inspiring Words Review and Giveaway

Inspiring Words: 30 Verses from the Bible You Can Color
Zonderkidz Publishing
Price: $9.99
Ages: 8 and up

From the back of the book: "Inside these pages, you'll find thirty unique and creative  illustrations focusing on key verses from the Bible, each offering an opportunity to connect with Scripture while exploring your creativity.  Throughout, NIV verses are paired with detailed line art, and each page is printed on high-quality, thick paper stock that won't bleed through.
Relax. Sit back. Meditate on God's Word.  Then remove the completed page to display your work for even more daily inspiration."

Lately, there has been a craze in coloring books being put out for adults.  It is a great way to de-stress and be creative in a smaller chunk of time, without getting out a lot of miscellaneous supplies. There are actually studies that show great benefits to coloring in training the brain to focus, calming fear responses and activating the logic part of your brain.  Whatever your reasons for picking up a coloring book, let me recommend Inspiring Words: 30 Verses from the Bible You Can Color.

First, I will say...It took me a LONG time to be able to even write in this book.  I think the perfectionist in me kept telling me I would mess it up. Then I had my son color one...he did the picture above.  I FINALLY was able to venture into the book with a bit of color and I found it very enjoyable.  I was not able to finish my picture, but will come back to it soon.

I tried out crayon, colored pencil, marker and Sharpie.  As you can see, both markers can be seen from the back, but did not bleed through the paper.  I felt like I had the best control with the colored pencil.  The Sharpie was a close second.  The marker and the crayon had too fat of a tip to get into the all the fine line detailing in the pictures.  It was fun, but very time consuming.  I think I would enjoy this activity in shorter chunks...maybe half an hour or so.

The pages have designs only on one side of the paper, and there is a dotted link to cut on, but it does not have perforated edges.  I will probably tear the page out carefully as close to the binding as possible, and then cut on the dotted lines.

It is nice to sit and meditate on the verse you are coloring while you are keeping your fingers busy.  Prayer is a theme for me this year in so many ways...from this page, I can think on it being POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE.  This may also be a way to memorize little bits of Scripture.

I think you will enjoy it!

GIVEAWAY:  Get your own copy of Inspiring Words: 30 Verses From the Bible You Can Color by sharing in the comments why you would like a copy of this coloring book.  One winner will be selected on February 14th.  Comments may be submitted until 11:59 on February 13.  Winner must provide name and street address (can't be delivered to P.O, Boxes.)   The book will be shipped directly from the publisher.  Good Luck!

* I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and/or opinions may vary.  

The Legend of the Easter Robin

The Legend of the Easter Robin: An Easter Story of Compassion and Faith
Written by Dandi Daley Mackall
Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
Zonderkidz Publishing
Price: $16.99
Ages: 4-8 years

From Zonderkidz website: "This newly illustrated edition of The Legend of the Easter Robin renews the wonder and charm of the original and timeless tale written by Dandi Daley Mackall.  With new vibrant artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator Richard Cowdrey, this holiday classic is brought to life for a new generation.  The Legend of the Easter Robin tells the story of Tressa, whose grandmother reveals to her the story of a small robin who saw Jesus struggling and soared to help him.  This Easter tale reminds Christians everywhere how much Jesus sacrificed for us and how much He loves us."

"The legend of the robin's red breast is an old Pennsylvania Dutch tale.  The point of the legend is a celebration of the robin's compassion and of Christ's sacrifice."  

This story chronicles one person's idea of how the robin got it's red breast.  While I enjoy many of these legends for what they are...stories...they often stretch things a wee bit too far for me.  In this legend, the robin get's it's red breast from Jesus' blood.  I don't love that part of the story, but I do think the rest of the book is sweet and enjoyable.  I think it is really fun to learn about making oschter-foggel or Easter birds, which is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition.  I also LOVE how many times throughout the story, Tressa's grandmother reminds Tressa of the importance of trusting in God for those things we can't control and reminds her of God's loving care for us.

I do think it would be fun to make the oschter-foggel...we may try that this year...I DID leave my Christmas tree up...might be a good thing to hang on it for Easter!

*I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and/or opinions may vary.

Little One, God Loves You

Little One, God Loves You
Written by Amy Warren Hilliker
Illustrated by Polona Lovsin
Zonderkidz Publishing
Price: $6.99
Ages: Birth-5

From Zonderkidz website:  "This charming board book expresses the five purposes of the bestselling The Purpose-Driven Life for little ones ages 4 and under."

So, I have never read The Purpose-Driven Life, but looked up the five purposes, just so you have it handy

They are: 

                               

Worship: Love the Lord your God with all your heart

Ministry: Love your neighbor as yourself

Mission: Go and make discciples

Fellowship: Baptizing them

Discipleship:Teaching them to obey

I am not sure that the pages of the book perfectly follow these purposes (I didn't see worship, for example), but if you love The Purpose-Driven Life, this may be a huge bonus for you.

That aside, this is a sweetly illustrated book for little ones.  It is a nice board book, which is sturdy enough for little ones to "read" over and over again.  I still have board books from when my children were little and MOST of them survived all five children and I am HOPING with be loved by any future grandbabies too!  The story is short, written in a rhyme style that children LOVE and remember...just TRY reading it wrong and see what your little ones say, once they are familiar with the story.  The book is very colorful!  I am sure that little ones would love it!

* I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and/or opinions may vary

Blessings,
Carrie

Snuggle Time Prayers

Snuggle Time Prayers
Written by Glenys Nellist
Illustrated by Cee Biscoe
Zonderkidz Publishing
Price: $9.99
Suggested Age: Birth-4

From the Zonderkidz website: "Snuggle Time Prayers... is a perfect bedtime collection of fifteen prayers for young children, intended to help them draw closer to God as they drift off to sleep."

This sweet little book is a wonderful resource for helping quiet your little one down for the night.  I have noticed that my children CRAVE certain bedtime routines, and I think that this will be a great way to snuggle down with your little one at the end of each day.  I LOVE what the Zonderkidz website had for a description: "Help them draw closer to God as they drift off to sleep."  The back of the book adds, " This collection of fifteen prayers will remind children of their blessings as they drift off to sleep."

The book is a board book, so it will be sturdy as it is handled by little hands and loved on often.  Each prayer begins with a short passage of Scripture.  Then, there is a prayer that is related to the verse.  The prayers are written in a rhyme style that will be memorable to all!

The illustrations are just so very sweet, as you can see.

I think this would be a FANTASTIC book to give to new parents!

If you love this book, then also consider Snuggle Time Psalms.  I have not looked at this book personally, but given the nature of the above book, I think this would be a great companion

* I received a copy of the above mentioned product to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Your results and/or opinions may vary.