Book Club: Book Review of The Beginner's Bible Craft and Activity Book

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

The Beginner's Bible Craft and Activity Book is a good resource for families, Christian schools, and Sunday Schools. It is full of 30 fun projects based on Bible stories. The paperback book published by Zonderkidz features color photographs and illustrations. 

About the Book 

Everyday objects can be easily made to help bring your Bible time to life. There are 30 projects that align with stories in both the Old and New Testaments found in The Beginner's Bible. However, I do not think you need to have The Beginner's Bible in order to use this book in your home. You can easily seek out the stories referenced in the Bible translation of your choice. 

Some of the crafts include: 

• Snake sock puppet
• Decorating a t-shirt 
• Friendship bracelet 
• Paper plate crown 

Some of the activities include: 

• Making a banana boat dessert
• Baking bread 
• Creating a blanket tent 

Some of the Bible stories include: 

• Creation 
• Joseph 
• David and Goliath 
• Jonah
• John the Baptist 
• Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) 

Our Thoughts 

This is a great resource for homeschooling families and children's church leaders who need help making connections to the Bible fun and relatable. I found quite a few crafts and activities that would I like to do with our children. For example, I would like to make the three crafts connected with the flood and Noah, the Ten Commandments, and Psalm 23. Our son and daughter are looking forward to building a tent under our dining room table. And our daughter is eager to help me bake bread.

We made one craft so far (the handprint dove) and read through a few of the stories shared before the craft instructions. The only recommendation I would have for the book is to include step-by-step instructions for parents (and children) who need extra help to complete projects. If that can't be included in the book, perhaps a website could have the images as additional content. 

Looking for More Crafts? 

• Crafts: Noah's Ark Paper Plate Craft 
• Crafts: Purposeful Living – Bring a Light into Your Home
• Crafts: Wisdom Keepsake

Book Club: Book Review of The Berenstain Bears Let's Go Play Collection

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

The Berenstain Bears series has always been a favorite in our house. So, I was delighted to read and review The Berenstain Bears Let's Go Play Collection. The Let's Go Play Collection contains six books in one and includes ten outdoor activities. It is published by Zonderkidz and is part of The Berenstain Bears Living Lights series.

About the Collection 

Each story presents a problem or event that upsets Brother and Sister. We see how they or others react to it and resolve it. The stories include: 

• The Berenstain Bears Faithful Friends
• Sister makes a new friend—a new cub in town. Eventually all the girls become friends. 
• The Berenstain Bears God Made You Special
• Brother and Sister knew God loved them. They could see it in the sunshine and the world around them. When the Bruins visit, they bring Tommy, who is special. The cubs all learn how to play together. 
• The Berenstain Bears Why Do Good Bears Have Bad Days?
• While trying to spend a pleasant day fishing, Brother and Sister have a very bad day. The story helps children see how God watches over them but does not stop rain storms or broken fishing rods.  
• The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts 
• At the yearly Chapel in the Woods' cub campout, the cubs prepare to win the race down the rapids. 
• The Berenstain Bears Play a Good Game
• Papa Bear coaches Brother and Sister in a difficult soccer game. Both teams learn the importance of fair play. 
• The Berenstain Bears God's Wonderful Game (previously titled All Things Bright and Beautiful) 
• Missus Ursula takes the children on a nature walk to see the beauty of God's world. 

Favorite Return and New Characters Join the Stories 

• The entire Bear Family including Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, and Honey 
• The Bruin Family, including Lizzy 
• Suzy MacGrizzie 
• Cousin Fred
• Preacher Brown
• Too-Tall Grizzly
• Missus Ursula
• And other bears

My Thoughts 

The stories are easy to read aloud, which make them easy for bedtime stories. Each page is beautifully illustrated. One could flip through the pages and look for new details each time. A blue bird, a purple butterfly, or new bears in the soccer stands are all waiting to be spied. 

My favorite story of the six is Faithful Friends. My daughter's favorite two are Honesty Counts and Play a Good Game. 

I like that reading these stories is like returning to a simpler time. Brother and Sister are friends from my own childhood, so it is nice to share them with my own children. 

Looking for Some Fun Crafts 

• Crafts: Bear Figure 
• Crafts: Bear Collage
• Crafts: Bear Painting

Book Club: Book Review of Kit and the Missing Notebook

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you. 

Do you have a child who gets worried? Feels anxious? Kit and the Missing Notebook: A Book About Calming Anxiety by Chris and Lindsey Wheeler and illustrated by Carmen Saldaña is a children's book that teaches how to calm worries. It can help kids discover, through a charming story, how they can deal with their own fears and anxieties. 

About the Book 

Kit and the Missing Notebook is a 32-page hardcover book for ages 4-8. Kit is a young kangaroo who just moved to a new town with her family. The story starts with Kit wondering where her belongings are, as she is surrounded by boxes. She goes through the boxes, looking for her notebook. As she takes things out, like bubble gum and an extra pair of socks, she puts them in her pouch. 

After she finally finds it, she goes outside and makes a list of the pros and cons of her new home. She meets two bouncing hamsters—Buddy and Bella—and promptly loses her notebook. If your children look closely while you are reading the story, they will even see when the notebook bounces out of her pouch. 

Kit discovers the missing notebook and begins to panic. Buddy and Bella help her look, but they can't find it. Mrs. G, her neighbor, arrives and suggests soup. Mrs. G asks Buddy, Bella, and Kit to help make the soup. Kit hears the rice, feels a squishy tomato, smells the yummy aroma of the soup, and tastes its deliciousness. By the time she has had a bowl, she doesn't feel so anxious anymore. 

Our Thoughts 

I love the illustrations in Kit and the Missing Notebook. The colors are just bright enough to make the story pop. The text was easy to read, and the story was easy to read aloud. One of my favorite pages was where Kit is holding the tomato and cloud bubbles surround Kit with "chop chop chop" and "sizzle sizzle." 

At first, I was concerned that the story would put the idea of anxiety into our children's heads. There are some children who hear of a problem and then suffer from it themselves. But the story is told in a way that really puts the anxiety on the character of Kit and not the reader or listener. But yet, a child could relate to Kit if the parent brings the idea to them. 

I would have preferred to see both Kit's mom and dad. The book says she moved with her family, but it is not clear who that family is. I think it is very important to share with children stories where mom and dad are the parents, when so many stories, television shows, and movies depict single-parent homes. I understand single-parent homes exist, I came from one myself, but I also want my children to see families that look like their own. 

I liked the authors' note at the back that explained how preparing Mrs. G's soup was actually one that helps those with anxiety. It's a great sensory activity that allows Kit to identify a sound, scent, tight, taste, and touch combined with a breathing exercise. And there is even a recipe for Mrs. G's Magic Soup! 

I would recommend this book to families with children ages 6-9 who suffer from worry or anxiety. The only thing that would make this book perfect would be the inclusion of asking God for help when dealing with the worry. 

Read More Reviews 

• Book Club: Book Review of Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt
• Book Club: Book Review of Operation: Happy
• Book Club: Book Review of I'm So Glad You Were Born

Book Club: Book Review of I'm So Glad You Were Born

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Buying books for baby showers and young children's birthdays can be difficult if you wish to purchase ones that direct the children (and parents) towards God. I'm So Glad You Were Born: Celebrating Who You Are, written by Ainsley Earhardt and illustrated by Kim Barnes, provides us with an excellent choice for those occasions. This lovely hardcover book experiences the love of a child and ties in our connection with the Lord.

About I'm So Glad You Were Born 

The hardcover book starts and ends with the story. If you are looking for publication information, that is discreetly provided on the back of the book. The start of the story shows a celebration. Boys and girls of varying ages, ethnicities, and abilities are shown in a party atmosphere. As we progress through the book, readers are reminded of how celebrated they were when they were born. 

"The world JUMPED FOR JOY at God's big plans for you." 

While direct Bible quotes are not shared, we can see the Word of God in the text here: "God made you SPECTACULAR—one of a kind—Creatively crafted. Divinely designed." This reminds me of Psalm 139:14. 

As we continue to read I'm So Glad You Were Born, we see children completing fun activities and tasks such as dancing with their mom, building dragon wings, and star gazing. Careers and jobs are mentioned as "you can be anything you want to be," such as an electric car maker, a loving caretaker, a preacher, or a mom or dad. 

Character traits that we want to see displayed in our children are shared, such as compassion and honesty, as well as feelings that our children may have, such as anger. These are handled in a simple way, emphasizing that parents (and others) are always so glad their children were born. 

And finally, the book comes full circle, back to the celebration of our children's special day. 

"Celebrate all the wonderful, incredible things that make your little one so spectacular and one of a kind—and share all the reasons you were so glad they were born." 

My Thoughts 

I really appreciate the fact that God is woven lightly throughout the book. If you are seeking to purchase a book for a family new to the faith or even one that does not practice Christianity, this is a good choice. It is not an overly religious book, where God's hand in creating our children is mentioned on every page. Instead, it is a natural way to include his relationship with our families and children. 

In addition to the inclusion of God as our Father, I am also happy that a variety of jobs are included in the text. The emphasis placed on a mom or dad is also particularly important. With changes in society, the position of a mom or dad is not always seen as a calling so I love the pages devoted to this choice. 

Finally, I also appreciate that the book isn't focusing on a birthday as a celebration. This makes the book perfect for gifting and reading at any time of the year. The child is being celebrated because they were made. They are part of God's creation and should be celebrated. 

While there are a few parts that Christian parents may object to (such as "you can be anything you want to be"), I would recommend this book for young children ages 0 to six for parents to read. And children six to nine would probably enjoy reading it on their own. Our nine-year-old daughter enjoyed my reading it to her. 

Interested in More Book Reviews? 

• Book Club: Book Review of Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional
• Book Club: Book Review of The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find
• Book Club: Book Review of Easter Love Letters from God, Updated Edition

Book Club: Book Review of Operation: Happy

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review or be compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Finding good, clean books for children ages 8-12 has become a real struggle. We have some favorite authors, but I am always looking to add more books to our shelves because our children love to read. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review Operation: Happy by Jenni L. Walsh. 

Operation: Happy is a hardcover, 230-page book geared towards children ages 8-12 published by Zonderkiz. It is "a World War II story of courage, resilience, and an unbreakable bond" between a young girl and her dog, Happy. Over the course of 40 chapters, we see the main characters move from one difficult situation to another and persevere. 

About Operation: Happy 

The main characters of this historical fiction are Jody, her dog Happy (who is a fictional addition), her sister Peggy, her mom, and her dad (who all play prominent parts in the book). Jody is inspired by a real-life Pearl Harbor survivor named Joan Zuber Earle. Jody also has several friends in the different locations in which she lives. And while the work is fiction, Walsh borrowed from real people, places, and events. This helps bring the book to life.

We start the novel in 1938 at Christmas when Jody receives Happy as a gift. He is a retired sentry dog for a military base whose eyesight is going and is aging. Happy is quite content to be back on duty as he 'shares' in one of the chapters told partially from his perspective. He loves Jody and his new family and sets out to take care of her and – in turn – them.

The plot starts to take shape when Jody's father is sent a telegram to report to Ford Island at Pearl to assume command of the Marine Barracks. Her mother is not very happy. She does not want to go, but they are "Team Zuber" and always move together. Her mom's feeling of unease continues after the move and through the rest of the book in varying degrees. 

While on the island, Jody and her sister Peggy make friends, enjoy their new school, and push through their relationship as sisters. Air raid drills and blackouts on the island become another big part of their lives. Eventually, the drills stopped because December 7, 1941 occurred: Pearl Harbor and their small island were attacked. That leads to more changes in which Mom, Jody, and Peggy leave Ford Island and end up in San Francisco.

The events in San Francisco demonstrate the courage and resiliency of Jody in a different way. Jody's mom is very distraught and depressed about being away from her husband. So, while Jody does her best to lead Team Zuber at the request of her father, things start to fall apart. Jody's mom stays on the couch most days, sleeping. Jody and Peggy have to fend for themselves in regards to laundering their clothes, reheating meals that their mom cooks once or twice a week, and getting to and from school. 

In the end, everything works out, but there are some bumps on the road to happiness for Team Zuber. Jody must find a way to trick others into believing her mom is well and taking care of them. And Peggy suffers a trauma that changes her. Through it all, Happy remains a constant and loyal companion to the entire family. 

My Thoughts 

One of the things I enjoyed about Operation: Happy is the lists that Jody creates when they move to a new place. As a military family, they move often. So, in each new location, Jody makes a top ten list of the best things. For example, on Ford Island, she adds: 

4. It's still 80 degrees in January. 

5. The other kids here are nifty. 

I think this is a wonderful thing to encourage in children. Have them look for the positive things in life, especially during difficult times such as moving. 

Even in the midst of danger and tension, there are funny moments. One such event occurs when Jody, Peggy, and their friends have a mango war. And while the children have fun in this adventure, we see consequences happen for the main characters. A valuable lesson is learned in some respect (they continue to lie to their mom about what happened).

While I really enjoyed this book, I do have a few concerns before handing it off to our children. The trauma that changes Peggy is quite dramatic. She is cornered by a strange man in their first apartment building lobby in San Francisco. Happy knows something is up and gets Jody to bring him downstairs, where he rescues Peggy. As a mom, I do not think this exact situation was necessary to demonstrate Happy's courage and bond with the family or change Peggy. I would much rather have seen Peggy facing bullies or something that would fit into the normal scope of an 8- to 12-year-old rather than a potential assault of this type. 

And of course, parents would need to consider the fact that this book is providing a first-hand account of the events at Pearl Harbor. If your children enjoy learning about history, and in particular, World War II, this might not cause any problems for you. As long as you are there to talk about the events and your children's feelings, then it should be okay.

Even with my reservations, I would recommend this book. Every parent can make their own decisions about the book. If one has concerns, then read it aloud together. Then, you can edit what you feel is necessary until a time when your children are older.

I am looking forward to seeking more books by Jenni L. Walsh. I enjoyed her writing style. The characters really come to life through the actions and dialogue. Overall, Operation: Happy is a good book. 

Other Reviews of Zonderkidz and Zondervan Books 

• Book Club: Book Review of Sunny Days Ahead
• Book Club: Book Review of 'Twas the Season of Lent
• Book Club: Book Review of Kiki Finds Her Voice

Book Club: Book Review of Kiki Finds Her Voice

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Finding inspirational books for children can be daunting. There may be a lot of children's books available, but do they all align with your worldview? It's not easy to find ones that align with our Christian worldview, so I am always happy to see children's books published by Zonderkidz™. We were lucky enough to receive Kiki Finds Her Voice: Be True to You and Embrace Your God-Given Gifts to read and review. 

I am not too familiar with music after the late 1990s. The little that I do know tends to be what is in pop culture on social media, as I don't listen to the radio or watch a lot of television anymore. So, I will admit to not knowing Kierra Sheard-Kelly before taking a look at Kiki Finds Her Voice. 

About the Book 

This hardcover book is geared towards ages 4-8. In the story, we meet Kiki and her "kinda-sorta" friend, Brittany, and her friends, Sophia and Ashley. The four girls are preparing to audition for the Bates Elementary Talent Show. 

When the girls audition, everyone is very happy except for Kiki's mom. Her mom feels that she is not old enough to be singing a song with those lyrics. Kiki shares that the song is everywhere, but her mom reminds her that they follow Jesus and not everyone else. Her parents remind her that she needs to do her own thing and not worry about fitting in. 

The book continues with the rest of Kiki's story and closes with an author's note. The story is based on a real-life event of the author. She wanted to share her story "because I want you to always remember God gave you your passions and your purpose for a reason. You were not made to be everyone else." 

Our Thoughts 

From the cover of the book to the colorful illustrations inside, Kiki Finds Her Voice is a warm and inviting book. And even though the book is written for ages 4-8, I think any child who is familiar with the Grammy Award-nominated gospel singer would enjoy the story. 

I love that the book allows Kiki to be upset, but her parents help her understand why she doesn't need to fit in with the rest of the world. It is her chance to lead – even if the other girls aren't happy with the song change. It is very encouraging and refreshing to read a book where a character is different because they are following God.

Our daughter really enjoyed Kiki Finds Her Voice. I think it is a great addition to our bookshelves! 

Interested in more from Zonderkidz™? 

Book Club: Book Review of The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find

Book Club: Book Review of Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional

Book Club: Book Review of Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt

Book Club: Book Review of 'Twas the Season of Lent

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

How do you and your children prepare for Easter? Next year, you can prepare with 'Twas the Season of Lent: Devotions and Stories for the Lenten and Easter Season. This beautiful hardcover book is written by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Elena Selivanova. 

With 'Twas the Season of Lent, your family can start a new Lenten tradition. Over the course of forty days, you will share "the powerful meaning of Lent through prose and poetry, Scripture and prayer" (book jacket). Each day provides a specific message from the Bible, and most include a prayer. 

Woven through the book is a poem similar to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. If your children are familiar with that poem, they will definitely enjoy the reading of this book each day. 

The topics and messages shared are those familiar to Christian families. On day one, children learn about Lent and then move on to read or hear about: 

• Four fishermen who join Jesus 
• Jesus as a teacher
• Nicodemus and his questions 
• How to pray and what to pray
• Parables
• And more. 

And the book closes with the poem on day forty. 

Our Thoughts 

I think this is a lovely book. The content opens up the room for a lot of good conversations with children. Before or after reading the day's entry, you could read the actual verses in the Bible. These are listed where applicable. For example, on day twenty-nine, when you read about love for everyone, Matthew 8:1-3 is listed. 

"Jesus reached out to heal, hold, and bring hope to everyone" (36). 

My daughter was very happy with the arrival of 'Twas the Season of Lent. She is quite happy to sit with me as I read each day's entry. 

I would recommend 'Twas the Season of Lent to families wanting to start new traditions. It will be a beautiful addition to your bookshelves. 

Interested in Other Book Reviews? 

Book Club: Book Review of The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find

Book Club: Book Review of Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional

Book Club: Book Review of Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt

Book Club: Book Review of Easter Love Letters from God, Updated Edition

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Are you looking for a book to read this Holy Week? Easter Love Letters from God (Updated Edition) is a lovely hardcover children's book that tells the story of Jesus' last week on Earth before his crucifixion and resurrection. The stories from the Bible are shared by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Sophie Allsopp. 

The contents of Easter Love Letters from God contain the following stories: 

• King of Kings (Ride in Jerusalem) 
• What Love Looks Like (Washing Feet) 
• The Secret Supper (Last Supper) 
• The Gloomy Garden (Gethsemane) 
• The Darkest Day (Crucifixion) 
• The Quiet Cave (Burial) 
• The Super Surprise (Resurrection) 

Each of these stories indicates where specifically in the Bible you can find the story. For example, if you want to read about the Last Supper in the Bible, Easter Love Letters from God directs you to Luke 22:14-20 and John 14:1-6. 

The illustrations are simple, and the colors selected for each scene are perfect. Many of the individual pictures are highlighted in a light yellow, and there are embellishments of what look like photographed pieces, such as scrapbook pieces. 

While the sentences are simple to read, the message is very clear. In The Darkest Day, we read of the despair felt and the sadness of the Earth itself. A very important moment is presented in a way that children will be able to understand. 

"The wind howled. The whole earth trembled. The rocks shattered." 

In addition to engaging stories and beautiful illustrations, there are two other key features in this book. Each section includes a letter to your child from God. You could add your child's name in the space where it says "Dear____________," or just merely read their name aloud. Personally, I feel these letters really help connect the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus with our children's own lives. And the final feature is "God's Wonderful Words to You." Each of these "Words" is a quote from the Bible. The last one reads: "You are all children of God by believing in Christ." Galatians 3:26. 

At the very end of the book, there is a short poem inviting your child to write to God. And with that, this book becomes a beautiful keepsake for you and your children. 

My Thoughts 

I was very pleased with Easter Love Letters from God. This is a wonderful book for children! I also think it would be the perfect gift for inside an Easter Basket. I highly recommend this book. 

Interested in Other Book Reviews? 

Book Club: Book Review of The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find

Book Club: Book Review of Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional

Book Club: Book Review of Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt

Book Club: Book Review of Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

What an adorable book! Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt is one in a series of children's books about a real-life hippopotamus born at the Cincinnati Zoo. In this hardcover book by Richard Cowdrey, children follow Fiona and her prehensile-tailed porcupine friend, Rico, on the journey to create, hide, and find colorful Easter eggs. 

Who is Fiona? 

Fiona was born prematurely on January 24, 2017. She received around-the-clock care from Cincinnati Zoo's animal care staff and even help from nurses at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital to help her during those first years. While the average newborn hippo weighs between 55 and 120 pounds, Fiona weighed only 29 pounds. She is the smallest-born hippo to ever survive. Fiona is now a big sister to Fritz, who was born on August 3, 2022. 

About the Book 

Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt is a fantastical tale of two friends seeking to give their other animal friends a fun spring experience. When Fiona and Rico see that the zoo will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt soon, they decide to create one for their animal friends. 

This dream to create an animal Easter Egg Hunt is the theme of the story. Fiona and Rico both decorate and fill the eggs before they set off to hide them. Fiona, wearing bunny ears and carrying the basket, and Rico hide the eggs in trees.

At one of their first stops, Mrs. Swann requests their help so she can gather grass and leaves to make her nest cozier for her six swan eggs. Both Fiona and Rico agree to watch the eggs. During their time watching the eggs, the basket of eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt get dumped out and must be retrieved. If your child is very observant, they will see that one of the white swan eggs finds its way into the basket of Easter Eggs. 

In the rest of the book, we follow Fiona and Rico as they hide the eggs. And then Mrs. Swan finds one of her eggs missing. Now all the animals help to find her egg. But Fiona is the lucky one who spots it as it is hatching. And the little cygnet thinks Fiona is his mama! 

Our Thoughts 

While it might be helpful to have read others in the series prior to reading this book, I don't think it is necessary. I did explain a bit about Fiona to our children prior to reading the book. I have enjoyed watching videos of her and her brother as they play together and do hippo things. 

This is an adorable children's book. While it focuses more on a secular aspect of Easter, the message of bringing joy to others, helping others, and perseverance is a good one for any children's book. As long as you are okay with Easter Egg Hunts, I think this would be a great book for families with young children. 

I love that it allowed us the opportunity to talk about the different animals in the book, such as the

• prehensile-tailed porcupine 
• swans
• koalas
• polar bear
• tortoises 
• giraffes
• and more! 

And because the baby swan first sees Fiona when it hatches, we discussed baby birds and imprinting, too. 

Our son and daughter just loved the book! They thought it was very cute. And now our daughter wants all the books in the series. 

Book Club: Book Review of Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional: Shining God's Light in the World by Joanna Rivard and Tim Penner is a very cute hardcover book for children! I was very happy to receive this book from Zonderkidz™ to review on my blog. 

The hardcover book is 155 pages long and printed on shiny paper. When I first opened the book, it had that wonderful new book smell! Each devotion is split between two pages and includes expository text, a Bible quote, and very cute illustrations of children engaging in the light shining described. 

The main focus of Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional is that God gives us his unending love, and we can pass that along to others. Thus, our children can shine their own light and demonstrate God's love in simple ways. They can help share God's message without having to worry about how to do it. 

Some of the examples of how to shine their light include: 

• Being joyful 
• Following the example of Jesus 
• Including those who have been left out 
• Sharing God's love 
• Helping others 

The book also shares many examples of how we see God's love all around us. From the wonder of nature to small acts of love like sharing gentle words, Tiny Truths Little Lights Devotional provides concrete and simple examples for our children. 

My Thoughts 

This would make a great gift for a 5 to 9-year-old child. They could read it with their parent or on their own and start to dig into God's Word. There is even a place in the front of the book to inscribe it to the child with the date it was gifted. 

I really like that you can read two pages a day and focus on the love of God with your children. I started out reading the book by myself so I could review it, but my daughter spotted it and wanted it read aloud. We read several devotions a day because they are short and easy to read. After finishing the book, I have no concerns about giving the book to my children to read on their own.

I would recommend this book to families and churches, as it is a cute book that focuses on the light of God.  

Interested in More Books Published by Zondervan? Check out these reviews! 

• Book Club: Book Review of The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find
• Spending Time with the Bible: A Review of Beloved: 365 Devotions for Young Women from Zondervan
• Book Club: Review of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls
• Book Club: Book Review of Sunny Days Ahead

Book Club: Book Review of Sunny Days Ahead

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Devotionals are a great way to incorporate more Bible reading into your life and the lives of your children. Sunny Days Ahead: 150 Devotions for Health and Happiness by Lindsay A. Franklin is just the devotional to add to your teen or college-aged child's bookshelf. 

"This world we live in is dark, difficult, and painful," starts the introduction (1). This is such a sad and honest truth. Our children, especially our older ones who are on social media and out in the world, face the sin-fallen world. How do we help them when they feel helpless or hopeless? Sunny Days Ahead provides 150 days of Bible quotes, reflections, and questions to help our children get started. 

About the Book 

The 154-page paperback book features one devotion per page. The Bible quotes are NIV, ESV, or NKJV. Through quotes from both the Old and New Testaments, we see how "God breathes hope into his Word" (1). 

The ten-minute devotions focus on some of the following topics: 

• Goals and dreams
• Money
• Talents and skills
• Serving others
• Role models from the Bible
• The different characteristics of God 

Each devotion begins with a Bible quote, moves into two or three paragraphs expounding upon the quote and relating to the reader, and then a reflection section with space for the reader to write down their thoughts and answers.

My Thoughts 

I really enjoyed Sunny Days Ahead. Even though the book is written for our teens or college-aged children, I felt that so much could be applied to my own life. There are parts that focus on things important to our youth. For example, new life skills they are learning and school/college interactions. But I think parents and children could read this together as part of a normal prayer routine.

I really liked that Franklin told the reader to speak with parents first about troubles and then listed others – pastors, trusted adults, etc. So often our children are told to go to a teacher when their parents should be the first ones to hear about troubles and problems. However, Franklin does write that if there are problems at home or elsewhere, the reader should seek appropriate help.

The only thing I had trouble with was the white text on the yellow background for the devotion headings and reflection text. The yellow did not make it easy on the eyes. 

The book points to being positive but finding that hope in Scripture and the Lord. There is no new age happy advice such as "do what makes you happy." Insights point to biblical and scientific truths. What a refreshing devotional for our families. 

Interested in More Books Published by Zondervan? Check out these reviews! 

• Book Club: Book Review of The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find
• Spending Time with the Bible: A Review of Beloved: 365 Devotions for Young Women from Zondervan
• Book Club: Review of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls

Book Club: Children's Winter-Themed Books

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

With our library still only offering curbside pick-up, it was just as challenging to find winter-themed books as it was when I put together a post sharing autumn-themed children's books. I had to use our library's online catalog to search by topic and by age-level to find some books that we could check out and read as we prepare for winter. While our library appointment was made a little early before the Christmas "season" began (our librarian even remarked on the fact that we checked out so many winter and Christmas books before Thanksgiving), putting together a list before the Christmas holidays was very easy and fun for me. So, what would you like to include in your Winter-themed morning basket or reading lists? How will you learn about the seasons?  

Winter on the Farm

Part of the My First Little House Books series, Winter on the Farm, by Laura Ingalls Wilder and illustrated by Jody Wheeler and Renee Graef, is a beautiful book that takes a look at the winter season on a farm in the mid-1860s. Winter on the Farm contains text adapted from Farmer Boy which features Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband, Almanzo Wilder. He lives on a large farm in the New York countryside with his father, mother, big brother, Royal, and his big sisters, Eliza Jane and Alice. In this children's picture book, we see a typical day while Almanzo helps prepare clean beds for the farm animals and milks the cows. At the close of the book, the family eats a wonderful meal of sweet baked beans, salt pork, boiled potatoes, ham, and more! 

Waiting for Winter 

A simple children's book is often the most fun to read aloud – especially during arts and crafts time. I read Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser to our children while they were painting, and the giggles ensued. In the story, Squirrel decides he wants to stay out of his tree to wait for winter and see the first snowflake. He is eventually joined by Hedgehog and Bear, who also want to wait for the first snowflake, but none of them know what a snowflake looks like. This is where the giggling begins as the book shows us what they each think a snowflake is! 

Sleep Tight Farm 

The gentle but educational text by Eugene Doyle and illustrations by Becca Stadtlander make Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter a wonderful children's book to read about the approaching winter season. I found so many wonderful things to talk about with our children as I read through the book with them one day at lunch. As the farming family prepares their farm for the winter weather, we learn about covering crops to protect them from the cold, the varieties of food the farm was harvesting, and the preparation of the raspberry bushes. I think one of my favorite parts to share with them was about the bees and beehives since we had recently watched a video clip about beekeeping.

Snowflakes and Ice Skates: A Winter Counting Book 

Part of the same series of books from which we read Footballs and Falling Leaves, this book introduces key images associated with winter and reinforces counting. How many mittens? How many sleds? It is an easy book for early readers to read aloud with you. 

Why Do Geese Fly South in Winter? A Book About Migration 

For children who are a bit beyond learning to count, you can read this book by Kathy Allen about migration with them. Key vocabulary words include habitats, hibernate, instinct, migrate, and sense. These words are defined in Why Do Geese Fly South in Winter in the glossary and throughout the book. Our son enjoyed reading about the different animals that migrate and applying that knowledge to the other books we read about winter.

Winter's Coming: A Story of Seasonal Change 

One of our favorite books from the library was Winter's Coming by Jan Thornhill and illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. The story traces a young snowshoe hare, Lily, during her first year. She was born in the spring and has never met winter before this one. Just who or what is Winter, she wonders. Throughout the story, there are funny moments as she tries to figure out if she should get ready for winter like other animals are getting ready. In the end, she meets winter and leaps in the air just for fun.

Learning about the seasons can be so much fun when you incorporate books – both picture books and nonfiction – into your homeschool day. Even the smallest of libraries can provide access to a great number of books. These were only a few of the books that our library had available for checkout, so we will be sure to find more in the near future!