Friday, February 28, 2014

Veggie Tales Book: Pirates, Mess Detectives, and a Superhero

My kids have loved VEGGIE TALES since the 1st episode came out on VHS. So, when I had the chance to review a new Veggie Tales book "PIRATES, MESS DETECTIVES, AND A SUPERHERO," I took it!

Karen Poth is the author of this book. It is a hardback, colorful book that includes three Level 1 readers into one. A fun book for parents to read aloud to their kids; or it can give some fun reading practice to beginning readers as they read on their own. More accomplished readers would enjoy it also!

The first story, "Pirate in Training," shares how Junior Asparagus didn't like school and wanted to play all day long, like a pirate. The pirates explained that it was hard work to be a pirate also, and that school can open up doors you would never be able to walk through without an education.

The next story is "Larry Boy and the Mudslingers." It's a creative story about anger and forgiveness.

Then, "Listen up, Larry" is a detective story that explains the importance of listening when someone is talking to you.

I give the book a thumbs up. All three stories have good moral standards shared in a fun, simple way; and the illustrations are nicely done. So, if you and your kids enjoy Veggie Tales, this would be a good book to pick up.

NOTE: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Thrive

Are you thriving?

My favorite contemporary Christian artist is CASTING CROWNS.  I've been listening to their newest album THRIVE over the past week and, as always, I am not disappointed in the music or the lyrics. Their albums always bring encouragement to me. Here's a little sample from 3 of their new songs...

From the title song THRIVE:
We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
Its time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive


From the song JUST BE HELD:
So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, its falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held


From the song YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE:
I want to know You more
I want to make You known
I want this world to see
That You're alive in me
Jesus, You're the only One

Who can right every wrong
You are the only One
Who can calm every storm


From the Casting Crowns Website:
God didn’t put you here just so you could survive through hard times. He put you here to thrive, to dig in and to reach out, and this record is an effort to draw a picture of what a believer, a follower of Jesus, would look like if they dug into their roots and understood God and themselves more.” ~Mark Hall

All of the songs are based on Scripture, and the verse chosen for the title song is Jeremiah 17:7-8, which says: Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.

Are you trusting in the Lord?
Are you planted by the Living Water?
Are you continuing to thrive, even when the heat tries to destroy you? 



 

Friday, February 7, 2014

BOOK REVIEW: Bible Stories for His Beautiful Princess

What a sweet book! BIBLE STORIES FOR HIS BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS is written by bestselling author Sheri Rose Shepherd, and adorably illustrated by Shelley Dieterichs. The book is medium-sized, easy to handle, and uses lots of little girly colors like pinks and purples to make it appealing to all little princesses. 

There are 37 short chapters, so that’s enough for more than a month’s worth of devotionals. Each devotional starts with a verse from God’s Word; then the main text has a couple of short, easy to read paragraphs that coincide with the verse; then there is a short prayer; and, finally, a "Princess Jewel" which is a simple truth/summary of what was just read.

At the end of the book, there is a "letter from God" that shares what a special treasure your little girl is - a beautiful princess in God’s eyes. Then, the final section is a salvation prayer that can be used if needed.

I can see that the main purpose of this book is to share how much God loves and cares for His children and how He wants them to know Him better. It’s a special book written for the special little girls in your life. It would make an excellent Easter gift!

Disclaimer: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I have shared my own opinion.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

BOOK REVIEW: Let There Be Light

The Biblical creation of the world is presented in a unique way in LET THERE BE LIGHT, written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and illustrated by Nancy Tillman.

Each of the pages in this children’s book include original illustrations which are accompanied by a few words of text. With those words, the author describes what God (our Creator) made on each of the 6 days of creation. Then, he also shares how God rested on day 7, and how He was very pleased with his work.

The illustrations are beautifully done, and have little surprises interspersed throughout the pages. For example, a vague figure can be seen among the clouds or in the center of the sun on some pages, representing the Creator no doubt. It was fun to look at the pages and try to uncover the hidden pictures.

I would say the book is good to share with the little ones in your life. The only criticism I have is something my husband pointed out to me:  The end of the book has the potential to cause confusion regarding the creation of Adam and Eve, the first people. While the text speaks of the creation of man, the illustration shows several children rather than an adult male and female couple. So, this would need to be discussed with your children as you read it to them. Also, the book does not include any Scripture references.

It is probably best suited for ages 4-8, but kids of various other ages could enjoy it also. It can bring about interaction, discussion, a time of learning about the days of Creation, and a time of togetherness.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program (previously known as Book Sneeze). I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

I review for BookLook Bloggers