tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33641189176658194612024-03-12T19:49:10.755-05:00Whispering the WordA blog dedicated to encouraging children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind by keeping them in the Word of God. (Deuteronomy 6 & Mark 12:30) The concept of whispering truths is important to impress them on our children without forcing it on them. God's Word is active, alive, and sharper than a two edge sword and can transform those who hear it all on its own! (Hebrews 4:12)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.comBlogger328125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-10090578326103082752023-02-22T14:31:00.002-06:002023-02-22T14:31:44.312-06:00Bethany Partner Review: The Gift of the Unexpected by Jillian Benfield<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4TrAst9rtqz7zsqN5-xr98UolEcA4jLxGBM8Y_f9yGUseMCQziyb4MTfPp7lAbOlbnVRyChMG4ttPh2CragFuBI7ekHCXLVnJ_sY5Gr55zt7xbVtZUymGCk9xYqGS-jwEdvZzXioiFURLFKn3pe99h7TZvgy-JaMbHAXRBC-zOqbaGRMl-XpBWN3_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4TrAst9rtqz7zsqN5-xr98UolEcA4jLxGBM8Y_f9yGUseMCQziyb4MTfPp7lAbOlbnVRyChMG4ttPh2CragFuBI7ekHCXLVnJ_sY5Gr55zt7xbVtZUymGCk9xYqGS-jwEdvZzXioiFURLFKn3pe99h7TZvgy-JaMbHAXRBC-zOqbaGRMl-XpBWN3_" width="155" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'm not reviewing as many books these days, I'm enjoying many, many books a year, but with the Hoopla app through the Library, I can access many brand new books as soon as they are released, and I'm loving audiobooks in this season of my life. So it takes something special to get me to choose to launch a book officially. This book made the cut (even though it's on Hoopla even before my review copy arrived!). </p><p>I've started following Jillian Benfield on social media as her perspective on raising a child who has a disability is encouraging, gospel-focused, and refreshing. I've read a few of her free e-books, but haven't followed her blog, or gotten to know much about her until I read this book. But one thing I'd noticed is that even those who are not believers have liked and shared her posts, as her voice is relevant and needed, so I wondered about how the book would be geared. </p><p>Jillian attended college and has a degree and experience as a journalist/TV anchor. Her husband was in the military for 8 years, and she's learned the life of being a military wife with moves to many states in not a lot of time. </p><p>I knew from reading her memes that she has faith, so I was intrigued to read her book about her Unexpected Gift. The subtitle is Discovering Who You Were Meant To Be When Live Goes Off Plan. </p><p><b>Book's Intended Audience: </b>Anyone who is struggling with an unexpected gift, taking life off plan. Her story is related to having a child with down's syndrome, but she does a great job making it relatable to any personal struggle that stops you in your tracks and causes you pain. </p><p><b>Strengths of the Book: </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The author's examples of her own pain, struggle, and lament/grief are relatable to anyone in their own struggle, even if it's a different struggle. </li><li>The book is patterned, something many busy readers will appreciate, after the introduction, each chapter is divided into Jillian's Story, The Gift (in that story), and the Gift of You (with journaling questions.) The Book is divided into three parts: The Gift of Returning to Yourself, The Gift of Unexpected Transformation, and The Gift of Unexpected Purpose. </li><li>The lens of seeing the unexpected gift being something wonderful is led by learning your identity from God and learning to see your life as a life God planned to make you who you are. </li><li>Jillian's discovery of the history of how people with Down's Syndrome have treated those with a disability, and recognizing that when she opened her eyes and saw that she had lacked awareness of the world around her, and discovered that she was not seeing life through the eyes of others and that she needs to look at how this gives her purpose and desire to use her experiences and knowledge to change the world around her. </li><li><br /></li></ul><b>Wonders: </b><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How readers will accept and apply her push that your experience has brought you a new language and experience, and will you use that language to help the other ones who are unseen as you have felt in your struggle, to help others with your growth and experience. </li><li>Is there too much of a blend of modern concepts/terms that you could read the book and miss that the author's real intention is for the reader to be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit in your life hearing Him remind you are chosen by God, loved, created for your life?</li><li>Is the author intending that we deconstruct our faith as she has?</li><li>Are some of her repeated and intentional phrases packed with more meaning than I might know since they blend more into what seems to be beyond what the Bible teaches about living life. </li><li>I wish she had chosen to talk about the Holy Spirit, not just transformation and God. </li><li>I wish she had shared more of her seminary story/experience, as she quotes well-known theologians as well as psychology people throughout the book. </li></ul><div>Overall impression:</div><div>I give this book 3 stars. I am bothered by some of the phrases, concepts, and terms used as faith experiences but also in our world having a secular definition outside of a biblical worldview. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thankful to partner with Bethany Publisher and read a physical book, as well as to Hoopla the library app where I was able to listen as well when pondering my review. </div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-30854516916014200472022-09-13T11:49:00.002-05:002022-09-13T11:49:24.943-05:00Netgalley Partner; Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, Renew Your Soul by Jennifer Tucker<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMlVW0EKFd1Z472nTp45bXPBjwa6lqPyLKZpBOpFuZXiHoVCtgSK6EpXLaJSyLb1KgvkHyiWx72lVmkUktsykwxn6I_YgEwQ58IZbhvQYKfDB4Rx20DV6_Ey4ByKhb-EqNlLZ7SxhAiCuwRdUlfBYWQey3XXXDFL19xcVXRilgIQ30WoFEMQihDn4Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="293" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMlVW0EKFd1Z472nTp45bXPBjwa6lqPyLKZpBOpFuZXiHoVCtgSK6EpXLaJSyLb1KgvkHyiWx72lVmkUktsykwxn6I_YgEwQ58IZbhvQYKfDB4Rx20DV6_Ey4ByKhb-EqNlLZ7SxhAiCuwRdUlfBYWQey3XXXDFL19xcVXRilgIQ30WoFEMQihDn4Y" width="176" /></a></div><p></p><p>I am giving this book 5 stars. Likely for some of the reasons that others gave it fewer stars. I learned of this book because I follow <a href="https://littlehousestudio.net/" target="_blank">this blogger </a>for her strategies (and since she openly admits that she has mental health struggles) on anxiety and stress overwhelm. I have printed<a href="https://littlehousestudio.net/self-care-freebies" target="_blank"> her free resources, laminated them, and shared them with many people. </a></p><p><br /></p><p>I loved the intro chapters that talked simply and directly about all the brain-based research on mindset, deep breathing, etc. Having been an avid reader of all things mental health, trauma-informed, neurodiversity, and the Bible for many years now, I found her short and informative chapters shared clearly and simply the reasons that these strategies work based on science. She also shared why she prefers to use her breath to calm anxiety, focus her mind, AND renew her soul. So to her, it made it natural to add scripture and shorten phrases from key verses, to help support the rhythm of her intentional calming breath. So if you too seek the Word of God in your life, you know that only focusing on the truth will really set your mind free. </p><p><br /></p><p>Some criticize why she doesn't use the direct quote, her examples, etc. But I think they are missing the point of the book, I believe it is a teaching tool to model how breathing for calming anxiety, focusing, and bringing calm and peace to your inner self, fits naturally as a form of prayer. She refers to the fact that some who practice liturgical strategies have done some of this. But as someone who has not been directly exposed to those practices in my local church, I appreciate the modeling and examples she gives. </p><p><br /></p><p>As a teacher, I recognize that if you want to change the words, or rephrase, feel free. She is doing her thinking aloud (metacognition) for the reader and sharing her story/experience with these phrases and offering that in a written beautiful book since she cannot come to sit next to each of her readers and show them how it works in her life. Her breath prayer examples have been free online as a resource for a few years now, and I believe this work is a response to people wanting more explanation, modeling, and the reasons why this is a healthy restorative practice. </p><p><br /></p><p>I enjoy her examples, I am stalking my mailbox for the physical copy to arrive, and have a visual to keep out and remind me to use my breath and pray when needed, model it, and support my teens and young adult in adopting this practice for themselves as all of my children have very high anxiety naturally. I look forward to giving away copies to those who want to try it and need this tool for support. It's great for visual and experiential learners in the book format! </p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher to review and online advanced copy and share my thoughts.</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-7183584471436027122022-09-06T14:25:00.001-05:002022-09-06T14:25:00.174-05:00Goodreads Partner Review: Draw Near, Your Creative Spiritual Journal by Sophie Killingley <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzpxMB0m9EQOV90nwcnRcnQz_z3UGzxIQJZo4ltRBaQE6sxbTz6d2PDPP9xMThUvh9ur6uv5KBJUfQCkrkRIoh5dnCQ8-evoLzaD7_EK8g5giUZfjTUOgOJBuBrIcxlTzbEsIa9dmzmL4MPc2_8MIwem1-5ECvplf6D7i7VFioBKohJw3bm_efX6nH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzpxMB0m9EQOV90nwcnRcnQz_z3UGzxIQJZo4ltRBaQE6sxbTz6d2PDPP9xMThUvh9ur6uv5KBJUfQCkrkRIoh5dnCQ8-evoLzaD7_EK8g5giUZfjTUOgOJBuBrIcxlTzbEsIa9dmzmL4MPc2_8MIwem1-5ECvplf6D7i7VFioBKohJw3bm_efX6nH" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From the Publisher: </div><p>This 365-day devotional journal brings a unique combination of creativity, reflection, and structure into your daily walk with God.</p><p>Just like a bullet journal, it includes monthly, weekly, and daily sections, creative prompts, space for sermon notes and doodling, habit trackers, and blank dot pages for extra journalling, lists, or notes.</p><p>The first six months of Bible-based creative prompts cover Psalm 103, an amazing psalm full of imagery describing God’s vastness, character, and loving care. The second six months look at Ephesians 1:1-14, which explores what happens to us when we are united to this great, vast, loving God through Jesus. These prompts will help you to meditate and reflect on God’s word and find new delight in Jesus.</p><p>This spiritual journal will also help you to:</p><p>• connect your creativity with your faith </p><p>• maintain consistent habits of Bible-reading and prayer</p><p>• remember what you learned in sermons or quiet times</p><p>• reflect more actively on your personal journey with the Lord</p><p>So use this innovative resource to be creative, organized, and intentional in your spiritual life. Makes a beautiful gift.</p><p><b>My Review: </b></p><p><b>What I like about the book:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>this is an option for those who need ideas on how to creatively document their time with God, or to get them going in a habit, and it also encourages documenting what you learn in your personal walk with God as well as in your local church and bible study. </li><li>It leaves blank dot pages for adding your own notes, doodles, designs, etc. Plenty of room for the individual to take the suggested concepts and add their own structure or format to the book.</li><li>It is the right size to take with you and seems durable and well made. </li><li>It provides a model in the structure for the first 6 months of studying two specific passages in depth, and it's always good to try a new way to dig into the Word. </li><li>The two passages selected Psalm 103 and Ephesians 1 are appropriate to a new believer or a more mature follower of Christ with rich concepts to reflect on and learn from. </li></ul><div><b>What I wonder about the book:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Is there enough structure for someone to pick it up and meditate on the Word with the tool? Is it too much structure for those who already enjoy dot pages? Will the user expect a completed example to guide the process? </li><li>Would it also be a tool for a group of women to bring to a girl's night out and share something every month or so? Would that improve its accountability and use of it? </li><li>How long someone will stick with the habit trackers? I love the idea of picking it up daily to keep documenting the progress you are making, and that the author included documenting God's love for you, which is unconditional daily. </li></ul><div>I am not a dot journal kind of person, the blank pages and doodles that it inspires and the desire to look at it repeatedly are not my giftings. But in this format, those dot journal pages are set up, and I suspect I will find notes and visuals that help me remember and apply the concepts to use. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Thankful to partner with Goodreads and receive a copy of this new release. </div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-62519319304847610862022-09-03T14:25:00.000-05:002022-09-03T14:25:22.495-05:00Netgalley Partner: Signals <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ7qnfS1AEXgBM9gXODJtyEA8VIocF4lvOpk-q2zHhiI9Cc3aM4qJu0TS8-bUnMgPgG7ZtHn8YNO7UvhdC02DNcVY3yKP5DGvKss013DfILCv0dTC0KUOAQqLZ5L4I2k1lrBNONIAv9QCxOwnBkZ2qTDBSJ1y59y_3Fq_EFHTwVN3hh07UURxXnspg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ7qnfS1AEXgBM9gXODJtyEA8VIocF4lvOpk-q2zHhiI9Cc3aM4qJu0TS8-bUnMgPgG7ZtHn8YNO7UvhdC02DNcVY3yKP5DGvKss013DfILCv0dTC0KUOAQqLZ5L4I2k1lrBNONIAv9QCxOwnBkZ2qTDBSJ1y59y_3Fq_EFHTwVN3hh07UURxXnspg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin2IWqiiaP2JgLjnjhKBbrjPXMP5FCxK0I8jNB4uQRudQJYW_8Qcb90JsGdqk6gjQk5I9L756gsvxQqSjDTNSCYUvazyn1EH_88wYze74Q7kzk1yY9it9-tx_CmOvwKg0lPvzDDf8ydneVWeP_dUS0Dz-79DwemW7Yr6gR97Nff2Gd2zJogdvejgJm" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="277" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin2IWqiiaP2JgLjnjhKBbrjPXMP5FCxK0I8jNB4uQRudQJYW_8Qcb90JsGdqk6gjQk5I9L756gsvxQqSjDTNSCYUvazyn1EH_88wYze74Q7kzk1yY9it9-tx_CmOvwKg0lPvzDDf8ydneVWeP_dUS0Dz-79DwemW7Yr6gR97Nff2Gd2zJogdvejgJm" width="166" /></a></div><br /><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="970" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ7qnfS1AEXgBM9gXODJtyEA8VIocF4lvOpk-q2zHhiI9Cc3aM4qJu0TS8-bUnMgPgG7ZtHn8YNO7UvhdC02DNcVY3yKP5DGvKss013DfILCv0dTC0KUOAQqLZ5L4I2k1lrBNONIAv9QCxOwnBkZ2qTDBSJ1y59y_3Fq_EFHTwVN3hh07UURxXnspg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a trained elementary teacher, I was really curious about a book that was going to use the red, yellow, and green traffic light signals for a new behavior system for parents. Since these colors have become so well known as a behavior management system that does NOT work for many children, especially those from trauma and hard places. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJAAJ5R5WCLrN9LyrP-Sw07rnmzt1adalGKf6xyw6cW4G6b2lSwrvcF8OE66LhGMsBGwj4o_YCBaeTk_lad0PYTgRG1eBinglDHk-juRfniTQezpVxPzC4wLhY3G7x14q9NneX9C7iXtk_AXZ_SzhMZ4iahq8-UPBI3wz8Ll6TrOroXQ44ptR5Kic1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJAAJ5R5WCLrN9LyrP-Sw07rnmzt1adalGKf6xyw6cW4G6b2lSwrvcF8OE66LhGMsBGwj4o_YCBaeTk_lad0PYTgRG1eBinglDHk-juRfniTQezpVxPzC4wLhY3G7x14q9NneX9C7iXtk_AXZ_SzhMZ4iahq8-UPBI3wz8Ll6TrOroXQ44ptR5Kic1" width="240" /></a></div>But to my utter delight, not only has Cherilynn Orr used this long-time behavior management model and color system to redeem that original common classroom strategy. She has really made it work! The goal was always to motivate students to improve, learn, and manage their behavior in a classroom, and yet so many kids were failed by the original levels, since once you moved to yellow or red, you identified to the whole room that you were struggling today, and this often was counterproductive and created shame and stress worsening the behavior. </div><p></p><p>The model that is taught in this book reflects three levels of a person's brain and regulation. It also links the truth of God's Word to the science and research on supporting kids from a hard place, and in reality ALL kids in learning to regulate and strengthen their brain functions to reach their pre-frontal cortex and manage their emotions rather than reacting. The model also expects that the adult embraces new levels of awareness of which mental state the parent is in when interacting with their children. </p><p></p><br /><b>Who is the audience for this book:</b><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSy-zLJ1oGRCtZm7aOypvFc5JN2z2szljqy9p_wWYzZTvNPuMfLGjP2wDxHD9zOIQCJv6KFs5FzgxuUEKu01_2-i1w_HCVUv6jyqBh_rGL2TKJS4vy-Emxkk1LsrFN5hCBTV7vTbreTnCv5R1qJwUlIgK7fFfDVoz-9PvXFX-5XSIvDx3sY5qLGWaz" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSy-zLJ1oGRCtZm7aOypvFc5JN2z2szljqy9p_wWYzZTvNPuMfLGjP2wDxHD9zOIQCJv6KFs5FzgxuUEKu01_2-i1w_HCVUv6jyqBh_rGL2TKJS4vy-Emxkk1LsrFN5hCBTV7vTbreTnCv5R1qJwUlIgK7fFfDVoz-9PvXFX-5XSIvDx3sY5qLGWaz" width="240" /></a></div><li>someone who wants to be given instructions, a mindset change, and techniques for supporting children. The author teaches the regulation system to all people including the adults involved. This tone in the audiobook especially may be misinterpreted by the listener. </li><li>a believer or follower of Christ who not only wants up-to-date brain research but also follows the Word of God as a way of life and for self-reflection and instruction. </li><li>A parent, teacher, or adult who is seeking advice for managing the children in their lives who are struggling without the best techniques to seek love, support, and to function more appropriately with others. </li><li>It is written directly to parents. </li><li>It is labeled a Christian living book but really functions as a 'self-help' book giving the reader a mindset of ideas, strategies, and questions to consider in how the reader manages and processes their interactions with the children in their lives. </li></ul><div>What I like about the book:</div><div><br /></div><div>The content shared, the strategies and ideas offered, and the research explained in this book from my many years of learning brain-based best practice strategies to support children are excellent. As well as the why behind many of the concepts that may be questionable to those new to parenting in this way. Time Ins, offering a treat and beverage, praising and connecting with the child to re-regulate over tackling the problem or inappropriate behavior immediately, which looks like permissive parenting, but is not when done correctly, as a child needs to connect before he or she can be redirected and learn how to resolve the need, problem, or learn the missing skill. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The author is an educator, and the way the book is written in her 'meta cognition' or thinking about her thinking and thinking about what needs the child has that is unmet, by looking at the scenarios as a detective, to identify the why behind the behavior, and a plan to help change the concern immediately and move to a level of thinking where the child can learn a better way.</li><li>Strategies, techniques, and methods to support regulation are fully integrated across the book. </li><li>Images, cartoons, and visuals to support the concepts which make interpretation of the teaching clearer and the tone clear, the goal is just to help the reader grasp what this strategy looks like, sounds like, and how it relates to God's design for humanity and clarifies the tone from advice to content. </li><li>The focus on how much managing and modeling our children's regulation rests on the adult remaining functional, aware that the child is not intentionally creating problems, but that they have unmet needs, unsolved problems, or a lack of skills. </li><li>Recognition that fatigue, hydration, nutrition, hunger, activity, etc all make the above regulation struggles amplified. </li><li>Stoplight Connections: Questions and tasks to complete as you read, that are educationally valuable in applying the concepts to your thinking. </li><li>Prayer: ends each chapter and gives a true glimpse of the author's recognition that parenting is hard, often a struggle, and shows our humanness and flaws regularly keeping us dependent on the support of the Holy Spirit molding us. </li></ul><div>What I wonder about the book:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Would the audiobook version have seemed less cheesy or more authentic if read by the author herself? I'm not sure. </li><li>How many diverse learners may miss the quality instruction, content, and thinking that is so well done in this book because they are triggered by the tone, style, or their misperception of the style of writing?</li><li>If the unique aspects of biblical integration will be appreciated by readers or will create another trigger or struggle in hearing the much-needed message. </li></ul><div>Thankful to partner with Netgalley and Thomas Nelson to read an e-copy of the newly released book, and thankful for Hoopla to have the opportunity to also listen to parts of the book as I wanted to continue to think and process the book before completing my review. </div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-91060311344168935812022-08-17T21:45:00.000-05:002022-08-17T21:45:24.206-05:00Goodbook Partner Review: Board Books with Truth for Toddlers<p>Releasing August 23, 2022 three new board books just for your little ones! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRpOwejd8tR4GhHpawKWyfxqNVbOTb5qwwwpao9OTfXjwNIsTcfZ820Eo8lS5KZ58-dmSH_3ZuqhuRIMASwZSS9cX2zy1UoD_faQYyw-WgSZ95SYBuQAgKlP8NLXFnXuNs1Wrm4ROZ12v_H3OkHLrMOei7Y3iQ5Lyam1eZnCsn9-Cwe_rGOITBmdh9" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRpOwejd8tR4GhHpawKWyfxqNVbOTb5qwwwpao9OTfXjwNIsTcfZ820Eo8lS5KZ58-dmSH_3ZuqhuRIMASwZSS9cX2zy1UoD_faQYyw-WgSZ95SYBuQAgKlP8NLXFnXuNs1Wrm4ROZ12v_H3OkHLrMOei7Y3iQ5Lyam1eZnCsn9-Cwe_rGOITBmdh9" width="245" /></a></div><b>Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa Krueger and illustrated by Isobel Lundie Board Book </b><br /><p></p><p>My thoughts on the <a href="http://whisperingtheword.blogspot.com/2020/08/good-book-partner-book-review-wherever.html" target="_blank">picture book here.</a></p><p></p>I am not often a fan of the board book version of a real children's hardback book, I'd compare it to whether or not you like the movie version of a book, and most of us find that it just doesn't measure up to our own imagination and love of the book. I'm happy to report I LOVE this version of the book. All the important aspects of the love of Jesus are still present. So if you have a board book-age kid, it's a great connection to the bigger version for their older siblings or friends. <p></p><p>I like the picture book version so much that I bought two cases when it came out and continue to give it as a gift. Rhyme, repetition, and the truth of Jesus' love are a total delight! This is simpler but the point is still clear. </p><p><b>The Awesome, Super Fantastic Forever Party by Joni Erickson Tada and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri</b></p><p>My thoughts on the <a href="http://whisperingtheword.blogspot.com/2022/04/goodbook-partner-review-awesome.html" target="_blank">picture book are here</a>. This simplified board book will communicate the truth of God's Word for your toddler and give each listener, including adults, a good view of the Heaven we all await for when Jesus returns, and we start a forever party! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwb3_G0up9_UP3wyE0TITwRW51zeDOtqYY3nHKJkqPkhAcS6TUAooBVJI3Mr_CHw9lG7poVo27LJg25lJSMxNPnpembV8hemlMoUKFiPyBd6pZD5ahFZE6ID7idaxafKNN6MC7Xo5suj_XYfxw9EdgBy-brAAKqXqxkkJ_CAj86FJcSlDoZn6wRD81" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwb3_G0up9_UP3wyE0TITwRW51zeDOtqYY3nHKJkqPkhAcS6TUAooBVJI3Mr_CHw9lG7poVo27LJg25lJSMxNPnpembV8hemlMoUKFiPyBd6pZD5ahFZE6ID7idaxafKNN6MC7Xo5suj_XYfxw9EdgBy-brAAKqXqxkkJ_CAj86FJcSlDoZn6wRD81" width="245" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglyGQrZQ6dYh5-rfnniQR-g9pmv-w7ohK2Vr011X3zkwtLliDW95YyN3sledpBQNx0UpyBEhYhdIZEgbdgzWFoBxPEDZ9COAndGbcLt5YFpO8TWsWrrYoFnEcvxPa0MtRXFmXcCkmsjej6SAl90enXd54FLX07KKb3IQi4PQpYRWITfNVnPG_a60_-" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglyGQrZQ6dYh5-rfnniQR-g9pmv-w7ohK2Vr011X3zkwtLliDW95YyN3sledpBQNx0UpyBEhYhdIZEgbdgzWFoBxPEDZ9COAndGbcLt5YFpO8TWsWrrYoFnEcvxPa0MtRXFmXcCkmsjej6SAl90enXd54FLX07KKb3IQi4PQpYRWITfNVnPG_a60_-" width="245" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglyGQrZQ6dYh5-rfnniQR-g9pmv-w7ohK2Vr011X3zkwtLliDW95YyN3sledpBQNx0UpyBEhYhdIZEgbdgzWFoBxPEDZ9COAndGbcLt5YFpO8TWsWrrYoFnEcvxPa0MtRXFmXcCkmsjej6SAl90enXd54FLX07KKb3IQi4PQpYRWITfNVnPG_a60_-" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><b>Any time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler and Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri</b></p><p>My thoughts on the <a href="http://whisperingtheword.blogspot.com/2021/08/goodbook-partner-review-pre-order-any.html" target="_blank">picture book are here.</a> <br /></p><p>This book simplifies the original book into clear, understandable language for the little ones, and does not disappoint. It clearly defines prayer and simplifies the original book without losing its purpose. I love the speech bubbles with real-life models of prayer.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw12E9i3yO4yPgyRgdfVTs5Dqkb3pweZSTXfGnYBrCZdJMngIRj5ijBKgCOPSuYhQfPFdpbVgDYnrXf8ziIH9CI_TrFNf7diTGsbVDj1qNpvezhXtmMdLz_2_zUC3egoPAYgq6fDlU_-LHgUgRbsaxifUipuxIzJ5HNwz_uqc9hj5MQQt6ayEpovaL" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw12E9i3yO4yPgyRgdfVTs5Dqkb3pweZSTXfGnYBrCZdJMngIRj5ijBKgCOPSuYhQfPFdpbVgDYnrXf8ziIH9CI_TrFNf7diTGsbVDj1qNpvezhXtmMdLz_2_zUC3egoPAYgq6fDlU_-LHgUgRbsaxifUipuxIzJ5HNwz_uqc9hj5MQQt6ayEpovaL" width="245" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-QCGN_GQbuUxlTcYsngtIGBGSmcUlR3cL_qMz-QIxf4DSPGgYRnYjzy6-tyE0jW0kxZPiBjPfMm8PwxN4lV2_dr6GqvTyK5zFnnPh7hs4sd2tx1g71FibMjYXx5pynQnykMqszhij9gzEXAURXl1EuOrIl0cf4EIIA8aFDfMIy_aV5xdIvpUl3gyD" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-QCGN_GQbuUxlTcYsngtIGBGSmcUlR3cL_qMz-QIxf4DSPGgYRnYjzy6-tyE0jW0kxZPiBjPfMm8PwxN4lV2_dr6GqvTyK5zFnnPh7hs4sd2tx1g71FibMjYXx5pynQnykMqszhij9gzEXAURXl1EuOrIl0cf4EIIA8aFDfMIy_aV5xdIvpUl3gyD" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankful to partner with the goodbook company and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">review early copies of these soon-to-be available board books!</div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-1818794647786542692022-07-19T16:14:00.002-05:002022-07-19T16:14:37.027-05:00Waterbrook Partner Review: The Stories of God (and Kiki) by Dave Connis and Art by Amy Domingo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwic9su1d0jL_B4UrwcgtCxnBJMJa_f9zS7DnzxwtH6YTVa3aKw-ZB-TPwSQ9arGfxodqynwYkj3cMKVEbsZ3-z3oKFJjpQcsH1o5k8AV0ZV3o_AS8uaOMd4fEgEf2ZrwMO9qLTFGo-VrKt4WkmzsuSQ-RskcJ9unLySJYAgG_T6TOc_1AEbUvjuE4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjON9rjYpSBzqDknx2LqvpeutvDaCww6WM9iTGiU61nLW0BRUIAng5_sRYcNrefoosPfLpZ-cwyPBCXq-f485bYrz-OFVQ1pvOinuofv8BGXkU-var9m4_YN0ZrlDfLkpUj-3Mk09naTKbZ8zeVxnhLYw4D3pKK_zf2OdIw4uI4i0XO7wpz4R3f7nXq" width="240" /></span> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwic9su1d0jL_B4UrwcgtCxnBJMJa_f9zS7DnzxwtH6YTVa3aKw-ZB-TPwSQ9arGfxodqynwYkj3cMKVEbsZ3-z3oKFJjpQcsH1o5k8AV0ZV3o_AS8uaOMd4fEgEf2ZrwMO9qLTFGo-VrKt4WkmzsuSQ-RskcJ9unLySJYAgG_T6TOc_1AEbUvjuE4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwic9su1d0jL_B4UrwcgtCxnBJMJa_f9zS7DnzxwtH6YTVa3aKw-ZB-TPwSQ9arGfxodqynwYkj3cMKVEbsZ3-z3oKFJjpQcsH1o5k8AV0ZV3o_AS8uaOMd4fEgEf2ZrwMO9qLTFGo-VrKt4WkmzsuSQ-RskcJ9unLySJYAgG_T6TOc_1AEbUvjuE4" width="240" /></a></div></div><br />The second book from a new series, each book is a Story of God, and a young girl. <br /><div><br /></div><div><p>What I Like About the Book:</p><p></p><ul><li>These characters are young girls and different ethnicities, so more children can read books that have people that resemble them. </li><li>The concept is that God and Kiki are like each other because God made it that way and the comparison threads throughout the book in delightful ways sharing truth from God's Word. </li><li>The Artwork has personality, style, and life, and definitely builds style in the text and concepts of the book. </li><li>The author's perspective and tone share Kiki's perspective (a very imaginative kid). </li><li>The concepts communicated through the book are that there are differences between Kiki and God, and the book communicates the truth about who God is, as well as how God thinks Kiki is awesome and Kiki thinks God is awesome</li></ul><div>What I Wonder About the Book: </div><ul><li>The art on some pages is so bright and busy, it distracts me, will it distract the littles who are the intended audience? I think the style of the book will encourage re-reads, and noticing the details, so I'm not sure. </li><li>The connection is that God writes 'stories' like Kiki when her stories are obviously fiction and not quite true, but God's writing shares the joy, light, and a new heaven and earth. So not all adults will appreciate this element, as the growing awareness in children's ministry is that the bible is a book of historical events that really occurred and that show us who God is. This aspect is leaned into in this book, but the word 'stories' bothers some as a child thinks of stories as fiction and not true. </li></ul><div>Thankful to partner with Waterbrook and read a pdf copy of the book. </div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-36181529561534275422022-06-03T08:17:00.003-05:002022-06-03T08:18:53.078-05:00Goodbook Partner Review: He Will Be Enough: How God Takes You by the Hand Through Your Hardest Days by Katie Faris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0FdOBKOixakhYqVUmsMpXHEseKljRaf-yyxRH4WUNI-dh1McxM3b1YYhiXg_wv_0_sknjaLJUu6niebvUp-OG57s0tIuCN_N9GnhoxdsJDOoNNvu6pI0qXTI3YMgl4K0A1bqDxA8Du3YPZCTE_ZQ7eHbSnRMPPkDyP54vW-qHysw2iQ6E3BrU0O6/s1080/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0FdOBKOixakhYqVUmsMpXHEseKljRaf-yyxRH4WUNI-dh1McxM3b1YYhiXg_wv_0_sknjaLJUu6niebvUp-OG57s0tIuCN_N9GnhoxdsJDOoNNvu6pI0qXTI3YMgl4K0A1bqDxA8Du3YPZCTE_ZQ7eHbSnRMPPkDyP54vW-qHysw2iQ6E3BrU0O6/s320/cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><p>From the introduction: "The question I was faced with on that day, and on many days since, was this: Will Jesus be enough, even now? Even when I don't understand? Even when the future I mapped out has been upended? Even ... In the years since that day, I've discovered that the answer to those questions is Yes, Jesus is enough." </p><p><br /></p><p>We are living in hard days, and this book is an excellent tool for whatever hard situation you are facing, it will draw you in, you will relate to the anecdotes of the author's life, and others that she knows, and it is a huge blessing, as each of the 20 readings points you to a new way that God is present in all of life, and especially the angles of hard. </p><p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd_YuqPbiEVjv0Ta6Gmy6ojHxHY7XgcT43mdvWOhTWmAqok36lPUPBv2b72pd81x68m5VkZB8X5uiejcAGL295lufqMxQGNMLo8dqw-k3rL8tUadiHtL5GM8vLPcEdgScHZLix7CtT9CqQHV3_yUC_FlV9S-YFLomfV3D4Kx72UcPqrci5Ku-inwl/s2048/he%20is%20enough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd_YuqPbiEVjv0Ta6Gmy6ojHxHY7XgcT43mdvWOhTWmAqok36lPUPBv2b72pd81x68m5VkZB8X5uiejcAGL295lufqMxQGNMLo8dqw-k3rL8tUadiHtL5GM8vLPcEdgScHZLix7CtT9CqQHV3_yUC_FlV9S-YFLomfV3D4Kx72UcPqrci5Ku-inwl/s320/he%20is%20enough.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>Each of the chapters focus on who God is in a different relatable aspect. The author shares truth from the Word of God, examples in life, and a sample prayer, and ends each reflection with questions to answer, and a scripture to read and consider this aspect of who God is to YOU! </p><p>This book is directed to believers, who use the Bible, as a lens of how to see God in all of life, and as our life. If that perspective, isn't one you can embrace or be challenged with this book isn't for you. But for anyone willing to recognize that God is present even today and who needs reminders in those 'soul amnesia' moments we all have, it is for you. Thankful to partner with the Goodbook company and read an early release. It's a book worth owning and sharing with others. </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-16245917514045604372022-05-09T09:28:00.001-05:002022-05-09T09:28:46.835-05:00Bethany House Partner Review: Trusting God in All the Things by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk (90 Devotions)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn377SnmSU4CBMP6H3v2ncGPzI70QA19Jsw-KyLCXKO2us1gY4BwHu-9DvzqfT-TO7jy5X-d3Ga1ksIn3BNKmCBafN7w_KhNp7raapS3pDkOqh2xWhraiSOR5MpGbcEdcELArlAtiLQunSj1uAQE4blQwVrn8oq3umRgodsBfHH3BYmszdsGB1ywe/s383/trust%20god%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn377SnmSU4CBMP6H3v2ncGPzI70QA19Jsw-KyLCXKO2us1gY4BwHu-9DvzqfT-TO7jy5X-d3Ga1ksIn3BNKmCBafN7w_KhNp7raapS3pDkOqh2xWhraiSOR5MpGbcEdcELArlAtiLQunSj1uAQE4blQwVrn8oq3umRgodsBfHH3BYmszdsGB1ywe/s320/trust%20god%20cover.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><p>90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day Life is the subtitle of the book. </p><p>The book description reminds us: <b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When Life is Filled with All the Things,</span></b></p><b style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Begin Your Days with the Most Important Thing of All</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrbiF6IuMtpikR3coLP-RiFUVzI8Z0n9Y5cjzlnBzKp3O4t70SknAsl5O0Vfr-ZCPhWeh7bOezfMFb4wkjJhLFbbFvcrkO-vdLhU3BxZ-91RAMBDsA8wUHgf0kjRuhbUdpLYDTR_89wqwKfW2LysEWWC_-iw6nE4ZutpfSjs47tvlJ_7M6njfLFOc/s1080/trusting%20god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrbiF6IuMtpikR3coLP-RiFUVzI8Z0n9Y5cjzlnBzKp3O4t70SknAsl5O0Vfr-ZCPhWeh7bOezfMFb4wkjJhLFbbFvcrkO-vdLhU3BxZ-91RAMBDsA8wUHgf0kjRuhbUdpLYDTR_89wqwKfW2LysEWWC_-iw6nE4ZutpfSjs47tvlJ_7M6njfLFOc/s320/trusting%20god.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This devotional in physical book form, is interactive, write and respond, hardback book with gold accents on the navy/chalk white pages to appeal to women. Each of the devotions has a title, and the book begins with a table of contents of all the engaging titles. The authors took turns writing the devotions based on one or two simple verses to study for the day, then the author shares a personal connection, and helps the reader think aloud, reflect and apply possible responses to this biblical truth. The author also helps focus the reader on the achievable and beneficial application of the thoughts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's not a devotional for someone who is looking to be drawn into a deep scriptural study, think about greek or Hebrew words, or have a passage or other connected references to consider how God is present. It's meant to be a simple, mindset, life-giving focus on God's presence in the seasons of life when it's easy to lose that focus. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I find this book very appropriate for a woman who needs the peace and calm brought to her to focus her day and ultimately mind on who God is in her life moment by moment. It's a book for those seasons, days, and points in life where being able to have a wise older woman share her life story and thinking will help refocus your spirit. This book also can help you know you are not alone, you are loved, seen, and you can let God be your calm and peace in all the things, at all the times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankful to partner with the publisher and review a copy. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CqulL37QcVIaJL3ADJp8oM7tq1m0ywUjosNBtRYUSPNl4_DIyZIB2jPwrJMvhTjwwWZKHIPA_SdwcOO4aDiRoCL2CdL0VBRPuNrg5ItPNdu2aibop7O5a98MYL5zLEQ6DDqzDQ94f8yzBTE39bnWaMag2fwMWl7IUC2kZWX6Jxjg1S4DjY6aikfl/s843/karen%20ehman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CqulL37QcVIaJL3ADJp8oM7tq1m0ywUjosNBtRYUSPNl4_DIyZIB2jPwrJMvhTjwwWZKHIPA_SdwcOO4aDiRoCL2CdL0VBRPuNrg5ItPNdu2aibop7O5a98MYL5zLEQ6DDqzDQ94f8yzBTE39bnWaMag2fwMWl7IUC2kZWX6Jxjg1S4DjY6aikfl/s320/karen%20ehman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-87430174740026796102022-04-20T16:35:00.000-05:002022-04-20T16:35:29.700-05:00Goodbook Partner Review: His Grace is Enough by Melissa Krueger Illustrated by Isobel Lundie<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgM7qCo70oLYTPBWo1mnoPzoZQ_tC0pqcCHnwot_10HExV45QniqHLs-yYOqKgegKrq2Lqnz1sj7MOZt0u_B_N83f1HGDHg8w8Dv4oojFdIWSz-9882zQ9jB62vF2b-D4jRVYpT1ExphO4LOSee3HXn9WR14n1do-vtRG7aCYzmrYy4iUgsCRtczYU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgM7qCo70oLYTPBWo1mnoPzoZQ_tC0pqcCHnwot_10HExV45QniqHLs-yYOqKgegKrq2Lqnz1sj7MOZt0u_B_N83f1HGDHg8w8Dv4oojFdIWSz-9882zQ9jB62vF2b-D4jRVYpT1ExphO4LOSee3HXn9WR14n1do-vtRG7aCYzmrYy4iUgsCRtczYU=w320-h313" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Alright, Melissa Krueger's <a href="https://whisperingtheword.blogspot.com/2020/08/good-book-partner-book-review-wherever.html" target="_blank">last book made one of my all-time favorite children's book list</a>! (that link is my review in 2020 of Wherever You Go). So I wondered what I would think about her second children's book. </p><p>Things I like about the book:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The words rhyme!! there is a great rhythm to enjoy!</li><li>The truth about God's grace is communicated clearly, addresses common misconceptions, and is repeated throughout the story. </li><li>This is realistic fiction about God's saving grace. It's not boring non-fiction, it's the truth we all need to be communicated to us with these real-life applications applied. </li><li>The illustrations are kid-friendly, represent diversity, and are realistic, yet quirky to draw the reader in. </li><li>The theme that is repeated, which is another reason I love the book, "God's grace is enough, it's so big and so free, His grace is enough both for you and for me!"</li></ul><div>What I wonder:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Why not include a scripture reference? Ephesians 2:8 &9 maybe? </li><li>Will the children reading this book look for one main character throughout the book? or will the illustrator's approach with so many children and experiences that resemble ordinary thoughts mean that the readers don't notice? I didn't. </li><li>How many parents will memorize this book that I hope will become a classic addition to many family libraries? </li></ul><div>Back Cover:</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1FS4z3BbgIR8Rg4BbcysvD-4nXFyyeRdbUXIUsJyREhXqLXSTxZzDHrFCiJwFbjyIX092MBlOKwWkWgldnYxFm3GRJ-yw-5Ar8HOZ3Y2vcqe6EEYZS6qRiPaNM5JnL0wh4MrSd1a9SkcCmfAHqMMcSOSstJNGL8v8NB2mSFLVwvwdetMsfzUIuyxx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1FS4z3BbgIR8Rg4BbcysvD-4nXFyyeRdbUXIUsJyREhXqLXSTxZzDHrFCiJwFbjyIX092MBlOKwWkWgldnYxFm3GRJ-yw-5Ar8HOZ3Y2vcqe6EEYZS6qRiPaNM5JnL0wh4MrSd1a9SkcCmfAHqMMcSOSstJNGL8v8NB2mSFLVwvwdetMsfzUIuyxx=w320-h313" width="320" /></a></div>From the Book Description: </div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This illustrated, rhyming book will help parents explain to children the unique and wonderful Christian message of God’s grace—that Jesus offers forgiveness and allows us to move on from our mistakes.</p><div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It can be used to share the heart of the Christian faith with children or to remind them that Jesus is the person to run to when they mess up.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Children will learn that God’s grace is enough to cleanse and change us every day, as the book itself says...</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My child, here’s the truth:<br />From God, you can’t hide<br />He sees what you’ve done<br />He knows what’s inside</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But please don’t despair<br />There’s good news, I say!<br />Whatever you do<br />God’s grace makes a way</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yes, his grace is enough<br />It’s so big and so free<br />His grace is enough<br />Both for you and for me</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This beautiful hardback book makes a great gift for children ages 3-6 and even beyond.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><marketing>Written by Melissa Kruger: author of Wherever You Go I Want You to Know and Five Things to Pray for Your Kids; Director of Women’s Content at The Gospel Coalition; speaker, blogger, and mother of three.</marketing></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d8e8fb;">Thankful to partner with the goodbook for children publishing and I wonder how many copies I will give away of this new favorite book! This one goes to my favorite children's book list!</span></p></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-90560393505404417392022-04-14T15:40:00.002-05:002022-04-14T15:40:57.424-05:00GoodBook Partner Review: The Awesome Fantastic Forever Party by Joni Eareckson Tada & Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirC3bdI9YgukA1E1BDfLSWdSCX7T8ZCxloO-GUEt_tVvV3nDu52HYhWO3bFCLVK1RcZebxuucmUfNK6vsKIUUH_X1ESgQvgcLpnnsw50Qhn-v_Dj2LHpaMpSbJya7Tvr4Bxsqe7FSdCtm_qQDZ1yepIc9khGSThUiwAFNPnvJu6Io4j7qQMjaRmPLE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirC3bdI9YgukA1E1BDfLSWdSCX7T8ZCxloO-GUEt_tVvV3nDu52HYhWO3bFCLVK1RcZebxuucmUfNK6vsKIUUH_X1ESgQvgcLpnnsw50Qhn-v_Dj2LHpaMpSbJya7Tvr4Bxsqe7FSdCtm_qQDZ1yepIc9khGSThUiwAFNPnvJu6Io4j7qQMjaRmPLE" width="205" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A brand new Tales from the Truth picture book for reading aloud and readers. I have reviewed other books about heaven and never felt like I had one I could embrace well. Well, that has changed!</p><p>Things I liked about the book:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Engaging opening: "Have you ever been invited?" </li><li>Defines the best invitations, "to unforgettable events with amazing people." </li><li>Jesus is connected to this teaching about Heaven so intimately, and who He is as our King and Rescuer is established clearly. </li><li>John 3:16 paraphrased as the invitation. </li><li>In true fashion for this series, myths of heaven are addressed and the Truth of the Bible is taught.</li><li>The illustrations enhance the descriptive language, and the celebratory tone of the book, and build connections for the reader. </li><li>Heaven is described well and with the Truth from the Bible- a place of no more sin as well as splendor and glory. </li><li><br /></li></ul>Things I wonder about the story:<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Could there have been bible references on the footers or headers of pages that connected to the truth shared? (The author's letter at the end shares verses). </li><li>Is the connection between sin and eternal life clear enough? it's so well written with Truth, and I trust that those who will choose to share this book will also know the Truth. </li><li>I'm reviewing a pdf and I wonder if the little picture envelope at the end of the book is just an image or if it is an envelope that opens? </li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j7ua2OTJvE" target="_blank">Joni reading part of </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j7ua2OTJvE" target="_blank"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1j7ua2OTJvE" width="320" youtube-src-id="1j7ua2OTJvE"></iframe></a></div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j7ua2OTJvE" target="_blank"><br /> the book....</a><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The Goodbook company really wants those who are in children's ministry to be able to use their products to teach. They provide the book illustrations to share on a screen, and often related handouts, and this time it's a whole party pack! <a href="https://www.thegoodbook.com/foreverparty" target="_blank">https://www.thegoodbook.com/foreverparty</a> If you pre-order the book you can even get extra bonus goodies when you submit your info. </p><p>The book launches to the world- May 1st so order before then to get the pre-order bonuses. You won't be disappointed! </p><p>Thankful to partner with the goodbook company and read an early release, I'll update my review when my physical copy arrives. </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-63325023064467961862022-04-12T20:39:00.001-05:002022-04-12T20:39:52.839-05:00Bethany House Partner Review: May His Face Shine Upon You 90 Biblical Blessings for Mother and Child by Susie Larson<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitn1arAeC_bDI14c_6EoD02vzRfKiSpF0RdNTqWfw-LlBR6FTfSoJ9Ct6wmTZBz7Hid9-sBdpoSRhLebNeEOpAn6UEjo3HKX3LhwQ0Syq_1PRwPdzaiKOmi_dMR119TmTZSIAZ6we0AD0WJqhlHlBi7kJ3VNXCr4FcZcG62NHAdIlepr9yLB0DCf5X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="286" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitn1arAeC_bDI14c_6EoD02vzRfKiSpF0RdNTqWfw-LlBR6FTfSoJ9Ct6wmTZBz7Hid9-sBdpoSRhLebNeEOpAn6UEjo3HKX3LhwQ0Syq_1PRwPdzaiKOmi_dMR119TmTZSIAZ6we0AD0WJqhlHlBi7kJ3VNXCr4FcZcG62NHAdIlepr9yLB0DCf5X" width="172" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Susie Larson as an author is a blessing. This book pairs a blessing for the Mom with a blessing to share or pray for her child and a scripture verse.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I like books written by this author because they are founded and communicate well a real authentic relationship with God. She communicates effortlessly natural attributes and aspects of God's character and how those fit into a human's daily life- in this case, Moms and children. She does a great job modeling for the reader ways to think about God in a lot of different scenarios in life. I highly recommend it as a great resource.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Thankful to partner with Bethany House and review the book.</span><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-54262035501839710452022-03-26T16:59:00.001-05:002022-03-26T16:59:20.472-05:00Goodbook Partner Review: Welcome to Bible World by Mike Nappa and illustrated by Emiliano Migliardo<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrS5m-oOZfrGxrSFKWqb8KAmquggM0CLj3ubbGlbWvFvi1K-UKW2BUtB3qUmqZ3h6QyxbVGsTpRHwCEKGdYgetL6hxGWwupaPegykd75NdprZDNfGFWHdKbZYlCw9Kw6HbFsR67iWov0RRAeE-JhNbm1ZGwYpA4qq0uenWh8lShnrdhRmEXjaH_Ywz/s1055/pictureworld_original.a2dcb91e66f330fff1c6fafb530e1ebf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrS5m-oOZfrGxrSFKWqb8KAmquggM0CLj3ubbGlbWvFvi1K-UKW2BUtB3qUmqZ3h6QyxbVGsTpRHwCEKGdYgetL6hxGWwupaPegykd75NdprZDNfGFWHdKbZYlCw9Kw6HbFsR67iWov0RRAeE-JhNbm1ZGwYpA4qq0uenWh8lShnrdhRmEXjaH_Ywz/s320/pictureworld_original.a2dcb91e66f330fff1c6fafb530e1ebf.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I like about the book:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">This book will build interest in the Books of the Bible, and help create more biblical literate kids. </li><li style="text-align: left;">The pictures and seek and find are super fun and mirror secular books, but the hidden items and the attractions in the amusement park are connected to events in the Bible, and events that engage children in the events of the Bible and wonder if these concepts are really true. </li><li style="text-align: left;">Scripture references with hidden items that connect to a specific passage that will create a more biblically literate person. </li><li style="text-align: left;">The theme park entrances to different areas each lead to a different subset or genre of the Books of the Bible. The titles given are more fun than traditional titles, and also more memorable. </li><li style="text-align: left;">The intro to each park area share the main themes of this section of the Bible, and teach the reader what important concepts connect in each genre.</li><li style="text-align: left;">The author asks questions to the reader to build the interaction with the kids and the book. </li></ul></div><div style="text-align: center;">What I wonder about the book:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">The glossy pages are thick and seem enduring, but I wonder if it will show fingerprints and attract dirt to the pages more than matte format. </li></ul></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Educational Connections:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Teach the books of the Bible, teach the genres, and even the timeline as you build interest with this book. </li><li style="text-align: left;">Have your children create their own hidden items for new pages or add to these pages with the bible references. </li><li style="text-align: left;">Take away- ask the kids to see if other people know what books of the Bible belong in each theme park. (The kids will need to remember the answer to know if adults or others are correct.) </li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful to partner with the Goodbook company and read a review copy of the book. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-52442067846375732272022-03-08T13:02:00.002-06:002022-03-08T13:02:22.113-06:00Netgalley Partner Review: WayMaker: Finding the Way to the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of by Ann Voskamp<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpYi2mRvGqe21stXmgYQ2wLAAjzBcKe1K9so_qnx9yrn9zw9zAmSvcDOHRFU-6ug36sU0APnGNPLvwdTtl74b2c7iAxk-UJ9PW9vFqvhXy5hNIriAtILBqQSzXJHx97I2MVf6o0bcMkVqQmENTtjc5Oy11nNM3jqlfo_RUNUSIjq1cegEKaTPVBpsd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpYi2mRvGqe21stXmgYQ2wLAAjzBcKe1K9so_qnx9yrn9zw9zAmSvcDOHRFU-6ug36sU0APnGNPLvwdTtl74b2c7iAxk-UJ9PW9vFqvhXy5hNIriAtILBqQSzXJHx97I2MVf6o0bcMkVqQmENTtjc5Oy11nNM3jqlfo_RUNUSIjq1cegEKaTPVBpsd=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Ann Voskamp's gift is the ability to share her spiritual growth, grasp of the Word of God, greek/Hebrew words, and their meanings, and her personal story for others to learn from her experiences. This book is her most vulnerable and personal of all her books. Because of this, I suspect it is not as applicable for all readers. It's more complex, more biblically, and theologically in-depth than her previous books. In some ways it builds on some concepts, she's lived out loud for her readers before, but in many, she is sharing her own personal journey and exodus of sin and losing her way, as well as remembering just what truly her life's focus is. </p><p><br /></p><p>As a biblically literate person, about her age, I appreciate her thoughts, her self-discovery of how to focus on God, abide in the Way, focus on stepping into cruciform, and praise, over choosing to curve to your own desires, addictions, and way. She continues with the repetition and building on concepts throughout the book as she has in previous writing, but she has learned through her marriage, adoption, and broken heart, each as their own metaphor and dimension, which I believe is more complex than her other books. As well as the shocking events in her life that many of her readers will not comprehend her experience at all. But we can all choose to learn from her. </p><p><br /></p><p>She continues to share her learning from therapeutic concepts, attachment/adoption with real-life experience, and she is brutally honest about her own experiences. In her poetic way, she reveals how to live a life focused on dying to self, living in Him, and how easy it can be to alter your own course with minor life changes, but how large an impact that has on your soul your people. This book is not as easily replicated in the reader's life, as her daily habits and focus require a lot of commitment to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and personal soul-care/reflection. But for me, they are healthy habits to weave into who I am, and it encourages me to press on and grow in Him.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thankful to read an Advanced Netgalley copy. </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-65168361607517312402022-03-05T17:03:00.001-06:002022-03-05T17:03:20.047-06:00Goodbook Partner Review: The Prisoners, the Earthquake, and the Midnight Song, a True Story about how God uses People to Save People. <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0MSSdnx_j1D5mQKg51_3p9_L3PPjtaxYqmN1p5gLxzwNAauK71d4ejRmCWDt0Z2A_oYXTQLclhsC8ZAg7sZtmGg5H6N2vk6DHlVTHLJl8NoAWVxkG5Ass7VYQRTJIUjPwzNc2yf8kxMrX4w2roLdx6z1uUupfmj6-IJl75MyrvQd71juanaTAjy95=s1013" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0MSSdnx_j1D5mQKg51_3p9_L3PPjtaxYqmN1p5gLxzwNAauK71d4ejRmCWDt0Z2A_oYXTQLclhsC8ZAg7sZtmGg5H6N2vk6DHlVTHLJl8NoAWVxkG5Ass7VYQRTJIUjPwzNc2yf8kxMrX4w2roLdx6z1uUupfmj6-IJl75MyrvQd71juanaTAjy95=s320" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>See my review of the original edition <a href="http://whisperingtheword.blogspot.com/2020/06/good-book-partner-book-review-prisoners.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <p></p><p>What I like about the book:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Listening Theme.</li><li>Shortened version of the full hardback book. </li><li>Still gives the gospel. </li><li>Nice size board book. </li></ul><div>What I wonder about the book:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Why the image is repeated just as in the hardcover book- but the words are not. From my review of the hardback: </li><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Image repeated throughout with the same wording describing the cross, the stone rolled away when Jesus is alive,and the Holy Spirit. (Jesus forgives, lives so we can live forever, and follow Him as Our King). </span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">The cover is a matte finish, and I wish the pages were as well. </span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Thankful to partner with the Goodbook company and review this book, all ideas are my own. </span></span></div></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-61611591345793638152022-02-22T22:55:00.002-06:002022-02-22T22:55:35.459-06:00Waterbrook Partner Review: Hues of You by Lucretia Carter Berry, PhD Illustrated by Adia Carter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinoUYv6Ua9YCr0IZVej3pG6qmGVMT_WZPJ_5rxvOt2ybj-41ScS-jYve-6rhj5DxP1TrYdHfI_CEJdZaFpjGWmMganZGgL51_ggTsZxdpxeZ0-wJfk1Y57kwyXWPJh8ZW8s1gKnZwiAMZYJcV4ZFAj3IeGwcFKwuzOX0VgH6A6bR2LIFQ8KgdCsVk2=s970" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinoUYv6Ua9YCr0IZVej3pG6qmGVMT_WZPJ_5rxvOt2ybj-41ScS-jYve-6rhj5DxP1TrYdHfI_CEJdZaFpjGWmMganZGgL51_ggTsZxdpxeZ0-wJfk1Y57kwyXWPJh8ZW8s1gKnZwiAMZYJcV4ZFAj3IeGwcFKwuzOX0VgH6A6bR2LIFQ8KgdCsVk2=w640-h198" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p><br /></p><p>Hues of You is an activity book for learning all about the skin you are in. This book is very different from a typical Waterbrook kids book. Although Crowned with glory, started to alter my view of the types of books Waterbrook publishes, it was informed with a biblical perspective and foundation. </p><p>Hues of You has no evidence in the entire book that this is from a bible focused book publisher. Perhaps I need to change my thinking to a Christian publisher that is entering the same genre as most other publishers I know of, and their trademark books appeal to the masses, and not a particularly biblically literate audience. I'm disappointed as this book is well written in educating a child on race, ethnicity, culture, etc. But it sticks to just the large concepts and does not take advantage of the truth from the Word of God, that no matter what hue you are, you are an Imager Bearer of God. </p><p>From a teacher's perspective, this book approaches these delicate topics that could lead to upheaval amongst parents and community members, in a very neutral, secular informed way. It speaks of accepting what others believe about themselves. It speaks of recognizing that no two people are the same, but even that I have an issue with, as I am an identical mirror-image twin, and my sister and I share the same DNA. Our kids as babies struggled to tell us apart. So while this book attempts to be structured for anyone to recognize how unique and varied an individual is, twins are not always that unique in skin tone, hair, etc. But it is interesting that when we spend time in the sun, our skin reacts very differently. Likely because my twin has been a lifeguard for 30 years and spent a lot more time in the sun than I ever have. </p><p>If you want to learn how to be open-minded and approach this sensitive topic with a child, this book might be for you. But honestly, my own children, and many whom I have loved and led in my decades of being kid-focused, do not really see the hues of people's skin tone as a deal- it's really not any different than eyes or hair being different. The concepts that I suspect this book is trying to reduce or reframe from remaining commonplace, are often taught or caught, in light of recent events in the US, yes our kids may need tools to understand the ignorance of many grown-ups who judge another person by their skin hue. But I have to wonder if we focus on this celebration of hues, will it help or hurt in the long run if a child hasn't spelled out hues with a connection to one being better or worse than the other. </p><p>Thankful to partner with Waterbrook and get a copy of the book to review. These are my thoughts, and mine alone. </p><p>I did get a physical copy- and must say, the book itself is a lovely size, has thick nice pages, that will endure coloring, sharing, and using this as the activity book it is intended to be. But I did not like all of the print and font selections, finding aspects of the book challenging to read, and not really child-friendly when it is so tiny and fancy at the same time. </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-33313104465554714462022-02-05T22:33:00.002-06:002022-02-05T22:33:36.169-06:00Waterbrook Partner Review: Crowned with Glory by Dorena Williamson Illustrated by Shellene Rodney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5zREwixfDrWfnRHzUqoAepdnTyLJ_v_CuKprv5K7eQ5Z3zv7VqfvHpgz858xxF7xVmACwNUgIYAgOs-4Tnw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR9WAk33Wd0Ir7TxwTBFspWlazBl6Qxw_46sCCxMV60ZR8PQjfkrDezrC5J1u4h_fhAvnpoRl5VbyEQdJurwVT6iCFGqeKYiMY42Pt5LYQ-rGyJJq82m73kPTRnIs2fhjXp0R5TDj5vQBfmkuGn3Mb1YmaPVmTdKaRetCAeHQ8RHH-6uzIzFVvRELP=s1128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1128" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR9WAk33Wd0Ir7TxwTBFspWlazBl6Qxw_46sCCxMV60ZR8PQjfkrDezrC5J1u4h_fhAvnpoRl5VbyEQdJurwVT6iCFGqeKYiMY42Pt5LYQ-rGyJJq82m73kPTRnIs2fhjXp0R5TDj5vQBfmkuGn3Mb1YmaPVmTdKaRetCAeHQ8RHH-6uzIzFVvRELP=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Releasing February 8, 2022 </p><p> What I like about the book: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I am grateful to discover a book that integrates faith into the concept of a child's identity and builds up the beauty of ethnic hair as well as the concept that a girl has so much potential. </li><li>It is good to see a book that will normalize that our 'crowning glory' can be very different from another person, but it still reflects our glory. I Corinthians 11 alive for girls. </li><li>I love the fact that this is a book about celebrating a girl's full potential that incorporates learning to Worship and the Word. It's a natural aspect not the focus of the book. </li><li>This book builds up girls that have often not been portrayed in picture books. It promotes the concept that different is not bad, it is beautiful and worth celebrating. </li><li>I learned a new word: Melanated. This means highly pigmented. </li><li>I love the spirit and personality that is expressed in the girl's life details. </li></ul><div>What I wonder:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>there are biblical concepts implied in the story, the references at the end would be nice. </li><li>will this be appreciated by those it represents? or will it be seen with a critical lens? </li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Thankful to partner with Waterbrok-Multnomah and review this book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhidx6yeuq28Hgt0gIir3gT_fgWnTa_xZPN_olITGvoN4vZerzjFd5Bjy4CuZx_qF_D2JlHTXu-8XHtyCsgGSvZqweAGE0COnvrJJFzn5JSDGUsilUFj_95sS5umgn2y7R1CsPRhTDqe9p9fR47WbHAvHUHf86XLUsSqWTiVW83Vuef22GR3N70wyGs=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhidx6yeuq28Hgt0gIir3gT_fgWnTa_xZPN_olITGvoN4vZerzjFd5Bjy4CuZx_qF_D2JlHTXu-8XHtyCsgGSvZqweAGE0COnvrJJFzn5JSDGUsilUFj_95sS5umgn2y7R1CsPRhTDqe9p9fR47WbHAvHUHf86XLUsSqWTiVW83Vuef22GR3N70wyGs=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-66919151012704642292021-12-24T21:55:00.003-06:002021-12-24T21:55:51.771-06:00Waterbrook Partner Review: The Inventions of God (and Eva) by Dave Connis Art by: Amy Domingo<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bDxd-04nzJs/YcaSfeTbeLI/AAAAAAAAOj4/uofsuaxYgMY_2Rze3n8cgw16fjBsSdUZgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="318" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bDxd-04nzJs/YcaSfeTbeLI/AAAAAAAAOj4/uofsuaxYgMY_2Rze3n8cgw16fjBsSdUZgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="239" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What I Like About the Book:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The concept- that God invented Eva, and Eva invents things too, I believe an attempt to build STEM education with a biblical worldview perhaps? </li><li>The Artwork has personality, style, life, and definitely builds style in the text and concepts of the book. </li><li>The book connects how God views Eva and the reader/listener. </li><li>The author's perspective and tone to share from Eva's perspective (a creative kid). </li><li>The concepts communicated through the book- God made Eva to be like Him, God makes all things new, even the hint at what makes God happy. </li><li>The book has a good kid perspective with fun words like "whirligig, loofapus, dazzle, pizzazz,...) As well as the character's facial expressions that sell her thoughts. </li></ul><div>What I Wonder About the Book:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The art on some pages is so bright and busy, it distracts me, will it distract the littles who are the intended audience? I think the style of the book will encourage re-reads, and noticing the details, so I'm not sure. </li><li>The 'third' comparison is a bit awkward to me, we hear about God- He's compared to Eva- and Eva's compared to her creations, repeated in what she likes, what God likes, etc. I'm just not sure that it doesn't need a different transition- I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is an element that is a bit awkward to me. </li></ul><div>Thankful to partner with Waterbrook and read a physical copy of the book. It was released in November, but my new job has distracted me a lot from reviewing books. </div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-80317712387025419622021-10-26T23:51:00.000-05:002021-10-26T23:51:14.853-05:00thegoodbook partner review: Two New Books by Steph Williams <div><a href="https://www.thegoodbook.com/children/little-me-big-god/" target="_blank">Little Me Big God Series ...</a>by Steph Williams</div><div><p>These books are 6.7" by 6.7"inch books. Made of thick paper, and the perfect size for little hands.</p><p>What I like about the book:</p><div><ul><li>Physical size, structure, illustrations, limited words per page, illustrations. </li><li>1st page: A story Jesus told or a true story from the Bible.</li><li>well-done illustrations- friendly, warm, unique. The stories have life. </li><li>Note for grownups in the back- so helpful and clear. </li><li>Scripture Text included in full. </li></ul><div>What I wonder about the books:</div></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>how many more will there be? </li><li>how the author makes the concepts so relatable and within a child's grasp and understanding. </li></ul></div><div><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-51000671150806463022021-10-26T23:27:00.004-05:002021-10-26T23:27:50.515-05:00goodbook partner review: New Testament Seek and Find<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B8i4Fq9iXnw/YXjVANyxqDI/AAAAAAAAOdw/kHKtQpfEgYUtN7wjOjMDefOS3sFk6dPEACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="417" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B8i4Fq9iXnw/YXjVANyxqDI/AAAAAAAAOdw/kHKtQpfEgYUtN7wjOjMDefOS3sFk6dPEACLcBGAsYHQ/w333-h400/image.png" width="333" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What I like about the book: </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Great Bible Events Featured </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Baby Jesus is Born.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus in the Temple Court</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Paralysed Man is Healed</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus Calms a Storm</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus Love the Little Children.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Zacheus Meets Jesus</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Special Meal</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus is Alive</span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bible References for each Biblical Event. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">The cover pages feature extra items to hunt for in each event. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Counting up items for each event, 1... 2...</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Each description ends with a clear truth about Jesus. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What I wonder about: </span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">English spellings and language use, may not be recognized in the States. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Educational Connections:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">counting to figure out the 450 items- Math concepts!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">What else could you add to count as items that fit in the event? </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thankful to partner with goodbook company and read an advanced pdf. </span></div></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-14869352881327477522021-10-09T10:49:00.000-05:002021-10-09T10:49:15.549-05:00Netgalley/IVP partner review: A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits by Ashley Hales <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMwPphNGFzQ/YWGuS9RGH-I/AAAAAAAAOWM/QxPj9ebX6Lg3ZGVsaFd1kEdxGhUlWb6xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s550/spacious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="356" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMwPphNGFzQ/YWGuS9RGH-I/AAAAAAAAOWM/QxPj9ebX6Lg3ZGVsaFd1kEdxGhUlWb6xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/spacious.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Oh my, it's not often that you read a book, relate well, and are sad that it ended. This book is that kind of book for me. I will re-read this book. I found it to be biblical, relatable, and created a picture of a gospel-focused life with the beauty and surrender it entails. It challenged me, it resonated with me, and it has me thinking and is pushing me to grow in my own relationship with the Lord. That's a book worthy of high honor in my opinion.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">This book focuses on gospel living. It's focused on life in the limits of Our Good and Gracious God, Jesus' work on the cross for us, His sending of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us, and brings us much space. It's focused on real community, real abiding in Jesus, real life, and a real invitation to live like Jesus models for us. The author shares relatable aspects of learning her limits, with scripture concepts and examples of Jesus living and teaching on earth, and the larger concepts of gospel living in real authentic community, with all the sacrifice that brings.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">At the start of the book-this concept, I identified with: "What I didn’t know, at least not then in a deep-in-your-bones sort of way, was that these limitations on my time, body, and affections were actually an invitation. Instead, I fought them. For years I fought God about the gap between my imagined life and my given one. My crash course in acknowledging my limits was parenthood."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">"We are made by Love for love, and love joyfully accepts constraints in order to love others particularly and fully."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">"The goodness of gathered salt is that it shows us how food works and tastes best. Might the people of God show us how we work best as humans—not overly individualistic, but bearing a communal identity of love? Might we be more concerned about enhancing the flavor of others than enamored with our own saltiness? May the people of God minimize bitterness, temper saccharine sweetness, and heighten the aroma of Christ. What does this look like? Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. To be the gathered salt of God, we must consent to the constraints of community."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">"But to be the gathered salt of God, we must consent to the constraints of community—of being for others instead of using others—often through limiting our time, desires, and even those secondary identities we hold dear."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">"Rich community in the church, that first family that Jesus adopts us into—like a beef bourguignon or homemade pasta—builds and grows in its flavor only through constraints. It happens slowly. To build thicker communities, we’ll have to stick around, live under gracious and loving authority, forgive each other, and choose to spend time together, rather than making the best choice for any one individual."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">"Rich community happens through diverse people, layered and simmering together."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">"We crave the goodness of gathered salt. But to actually be the community we crave, we must limit ourselves. We limit ourselves by choosing to show up when at times we’d rather not. We limit ourselves when we give of our time to listen, talk, and pray. We limit ourselves when we participate in weekly liturgy even when we do not feel like it. "</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">"Part of our work as followers of Jesus is resisting the limit to create our own purpose and instead to receive the one God gives us, even if it doesn’t look like what we imagined. . . Jesus, who limited himself for love, asks us to follow him: to steward our limits for others. Limits create conditions for community."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Thankful to partner with IVP through Netgalley and read an advanced copy of this book. Off to purchase a hard copy!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few other quotes: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0px 0px !important; background-repeat: repeat !important; border-color: currentcolor !important; border-radius: 0px !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: medium !important; box-sizing: content-box !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; color: #21282d; counter-increment: none !important; counter-reset: none !important; cursor: auto !important; direction: inherit !important; filter: none !important; float: none !important; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant-east-asian: normal !important; font-variant-numeric: normal !important; height: auto !important; inset: auto !important; line-height: inherit !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: inherit !important; margin: 0px 0px 1em !important; max-height: none !important; max-width: none !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; opacity: 1 !important; outline: 0px; overflow: visible !important; padding: 0px !important; position: static !important; quotes: "" "" !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: inherit !important; unicode-bidi: normal !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; visibility: inherit !important; width: auto !important; z-index: auto !important;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idFfGJvFaYs/YWG4bM-l-YI/AAAAAAAAOWg/mcH0naZpApALdzwmP6yHe-XCYXpDiQuZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/Habit-Ashley-Hales-quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idFfGJvFaYs/YWG4bM-l-YI/AAAAAAAAOWg/mcH0naZpApALdzwmP6yHe-XCYXpDiQuZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Habit-Ashley-Hales-quote.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0px 0px !important; background-repeat: repeat !important; border-color: currentcolor !important; border-radius: 0px !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: medium !important; box-sizing: content-box !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; color: #21282d; counter-increment: none !important; counter-reset: none !important; cursor: auto !important; filter: none !important; float: none !important; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant-east-asian: normal !important; font-variant-numeric: normal !important; height: auto !important; inset: auto !important; line-height: inherit !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: inherit !important; margin: 0px 0px 1em !important; max-height: none !important; max-width: none !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; opacity: 1 !important; outline: 0px; overflow: visible !important; padding: 0px !important; position: static !important; quotes: "" "" !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: inherit !important; unicode-bidi: normal !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; visibility: inherit !important; width: auto !important; z-index: auto !important;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: inherit;">“Limits create for us a home; they create the condition for flourishing.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration-line: inherit;">“Limits, given to the world by a loving God, are the conditions for life.”</span></div></h4><p></p><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-69429389699914599432021-09-16T12:11:00.001-05:002021-09-16T12:11:03.723-05:00New Growth Press Partner Review: The Acrostic of God by Jonny Ransom & Timothy Brindle<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yjZmVCpfZJo/YUN6oEM3_AI/AAAAAAAANlw/1kgfOwohsH0CpUMhT70rPDgTTFWh_7LNACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="589" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yjZmVCpfZJo/YUN6oEM3_AI/AAAAAAAANlw/1kgfOwohsH0CpUMhT70rPDgTTFWh_7LNACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="177" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What I like about this book:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Scripture on each page to go with the Letter about God. </li><li>The size of this book is a good size for reading aloud. </li><li>The QR code that links you to a rap to listen to of the whole book!</li><li>The content and the purpose of the acrostic are to help children learn who God is, be better able to pray and talk to God. </li><li>Word Choice- uses accurate and biblical terminology, enhances the main concept well, and defines the concepts. </li><li>Images connect to the concepts and are simple. </li><li>It comes with an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5DmYPNTpEc" target="_blank">audiobook version of the boo</a>k- and it is read with rhythm. </li></ul><div>What I wonder about this book:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Word Choice- the book is for 5-11-year-olds, the vocabulary is complex, and some of the words are defined with words that may still challenge the younger children, but with rap and repetition, it may work! </li><li>what the kids will think of the rap-- I love the minute you hear of the chorus- and it will make it so much easier to learn about God! </li><li>I wonder what the CD or download really consists of- I expected the music I heard in the ad to be what you would hear when you used the QR code, but it's just the book being read aloud, complete with the pages turning heard. </li></ul><div>Thankful to partner with New Growth Press and read a pdf of the book. </div></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-31265146000778825052021-09-12T00:30:00.001-05:002021-09-12T00:30:00.227-05:00The Goodbook Partner Review: Do Great Things for God Gladys Aylward<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_J8c1unMbE/YTz4ti2z44I/AAAAAAAANlU/zSS1Isrkg3ANpVEnRDt1fZc9nZz2eQppQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/gladys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_J8c1unMbE/YTz4ti2z44I/AAAAAAAANlU/zSS1Isrkg3ANpVEnRDt1fZc9nZz2eQppQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/gladys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIBuOdhXfeU/YTz4tgjnq7I/AAAAAAAANlY/1TqNNGeoM5EfK6svq32ezz3RoIpafaF7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/inside%2B2%2Bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIBuOdhXfeU/YTz4tgjnq7I/AAAAAAAANlY/1TqNNGeoM5EfK6svq32ezz3RoIpafaF7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/inside%2B2%2Bg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qB7HjXx_afQ/YTz4tupfO6I/AAAAAAAANlc/oR4bfeWdAKgOU-5oxCF3eMXJ6Ffvqb8gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/inside%2Bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qB7HjXx_afQ/YTz4tupfO6I/AAAAAAAANlc/oR4bfeWdAKgOU-5oxCF3eMXJ6Ffvqb8gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/inside%2Bg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I like about the book: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Another new woman from history with such an interesting life. Now I want to go on and read more about her story since my curiosity has been peaked. </li><li>Gladys decided at a young age, she wanted to be a missionary in China, and she stayed fixed on that goal, despite a struggle to get there. She is a great example of resilience, overcoming several obstacles that got in the way of her goal. This is a socially emotional-appropriate concept for this generation. This would be a great educational connection. </li><li>I love that we know she was a little woman, many girls need to know that size doesn't matter, you can still impact the world in your own way. </li><li>The adventure that Gladys went through to even get to China, sounds completely unreal. But yet it is true. I love that this book will spur discussions about how you can get on a train to China, and it ends in Siberia. So much can be done to extend the learning about what Gladys's experience could have been like. </li><li>Gladys Aylward's story will bring discussions of binding a girl's feet, orphans in a way moving to safety, why Gladys couldn't go back to China, how she ended up in Japan, and it's overshadowed with the constant in her life, reading exciting bible stories wherever she went. </li></ul><div>What I wonder about the book:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Will these short books for littles, spur a series with more details for older readers or even adults? </li><li>How does the author chose these woman? </li></ul></div></div><br /> Thankful to partner with the Goodbook company and read an early copy to review. <p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-54341076226340255082021-09-11T13:37:00.003-05:002021-09-11T13:37:54.166-05:00Good Book Partner Review: Do Great Things for God Betty Greene by Laura Caputo-Wickham Illustrated by Heloise Mab<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFlf38eTQRQ/YTz0L5u-1TI/AAAAAAAANk8/tHYWZXtfcP0C0Yc8z8PH1ipxS31DbBKOACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/betty%2Bgreene%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFlf38eTQRQ/YTz0L5u-1TI/AAAAAAAANk8/tHYWZXtfcP0C0Yc8z8PH1ipxS31DbBKOACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/betty%2Bgreene%2Bcover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mog3tfrXr1o/YTz0L8pK6yI/AAAAAAAANlA/fFWchTKT83YJX4Qh8pSYWcy3hK8yco8JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/betty%2Bgreene%2Binside%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mog3tfrXr1o/YTz0L8pK6yI/AAAAAAAANlA/fFWchTKT83YJX4Qh8pSYWcy3hK8yco8JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/betty%2Bgreene%2Binside%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2UQ52X5kA/YTz0WTYb_YI/AAAAAAAANlE/GLk_HFz_rNwmkgFE-5nqDSdXtQ5WrV_TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/betty%2Bgreene%2Binside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="400" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2UQ52X5kA/YTz0WTYb_YI/AAAAAAAANlE/GLk_HFz_rNwmkgFE-5nqDSdXtQ5WrV_TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/betty%2Bgreene%2Binside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">What I like about the book:</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This biography is of a person whose desire was to become a pilot like her brother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul><li>Is shares her story, flying as a woman in World War 2, helping train pilots, and then becoming the first MAF (Missionary) pilot. </li><li>The illustrations are well done with facial expressions that enhance the biography, engage the reader, and bring it to life. </li><li>I like that this explanation of her life shares that she was brave, calm in stress, and relied on God. </li><li>I liked meeting a new historical figure who lived as the exception for a woman in her lifetime. </li><li>I like the integration in an authentic way of her trust in God, as well as the recognition she got to combine her favorite things flying and love of God. </li><li>I liked the connection that I got after reading Corrie ten Boom, Betsey Stockton, now Betty Greene and knowing that this is a series of stories of women for young children seeing how women have served God in unique ways. </li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What I wonder about the book: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The author English spelling for practice which is practise, so my only concern is that a teacher or parent notices the change and comments that it is still spelled correctly, to our American children. </li></ul></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-54688750539673478622021-09-01T11:46:00.003-05:002021-09-01T18:59:12.597-05:00Partner Review: Trapped in a Hot Air Balloon by Mark Wainwright Abeka publisher<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fhqr_TvbfI4/YS-YIW7DloI/AAAAAAAANjw/Ut3xmXtCM00UlJT4j2j3yZzhn5trtwaXACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fhqr_TvbfI4/YS-YIW7DloI/AAAAAAAANjw/Ut3xmXtCM00UlJT4j2j3yZzhn5trtwaXACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book was sent to me by the author directly. It's such fun to read a book by someone you know. The book is geared toward middle-grade readers, and it's a suspenseful novel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I liked about the book:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Such details, about the characters, hot air balloon facts, and amazing descriptive language. </li><li>Reading the story, made me feel as if I was experiencing being trapped in the balloon flying adrift and lost over the earth. It's believable. </li><li>The characters came to life (and there are moments where you do not like their selfishness and attitude, but it was very relatable and true to their ages/development.) </li><li>One of the reasons the characters came alive was the author did such a good job sharing their metacognition- or the thinking going on in their heads- which made them likable and awful depending on the moment, but this also brought their spiritual lives out and helped the reader process how the Lord Our God is with those who believe in any situation. Jenny's thinking about scripture and God was authentic and realistic. </li><li>The back story is integrated across the timeline of the two lost children floating out away from</li></ul><div>What I wonder about the book: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>could you really float as high up as the kids did and survive? I haven't researched it for myself. </li><li>will this become a series of books? You get to know the characters well and it would be interesting to find them again. </li></ul><div>Teaching Connections:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Research on the atmosphere, oxygen level, temperature, etc. as well as research as to what speed the balloon must have flown and what level of wind you would need to travel up and across the way the kids did. Has this type of accident happened? if so when, where? So many possibilities and so many research or science experiment-type questions to pursue. </li><li>This book would be an excellent writing model for style and using descriptive language in your writing. </li></ul><div>Thankful to read a copy of this book and review it, all thoughts and opinions are my own. </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3364118917665819461.post-39070850000877889932021-08-28T16:14:00.001-05:002021-08-28T16:14:35.169-05:00New Growth Press Partner Review: Jesus is Bigger than Me (A beginner's Gospel Storybook) by Jared Kennedy Illustrated by Trish Mahoney<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Sg4kQzUimM/YSpdosP2xfI/AAAAAAAANjY/8pmuQf3NcsQYwYA_xmbu-6Df3aU9Z5I8ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Sg4kQzUimM/YSpdosP2xfI/AAAAAAAANjY/8pmuQf3NcsQYwYA_xmbu-6Df3aU9Z5I8ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This book by Jared Kennedy is actually a collection of stories that are in his full bible story book called: The Gospel Story Bible. </p><p>I love the bible story book and have used it for our preschool Sunday School program. this is an 8.75 by 8.75 inch board book. So it is the same size as the full storybook bible, but a board book. It is 26 pages, and just under half a pound. </p><p>Jesua is bigger than me contains these stories: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Jesus Goes to a Party from John 2:1-12, </li><li>Jesus Calms the Sea from Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:36-41, Luke 8: 22-25, </li><li>Jesus Heals the Blind Man from Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43, Isaiah 29:18, </li><li>Jesus Wakes Lazurus from Death from John 11:1-44</li></ul><div>thankful to partner with New Growth Press and read a pdf of the book. </div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">What I love about this book:</span></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;" type="disc"><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">designed for preschool ages, but would also be enjoyed by independent readers I think. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the illustrations, simple, realistic, but child
friendly. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">simple print, of different sizes and
colors. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">good size book for reading to a group. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Statements of truth- mostly about God- each story has
ONE! <o:p></o:p></span></li><ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Party: Jesus is good and powerful!</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Storm: Jesus is truly God!</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blind Man:Jesus can heal sick people!</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lazurus:Jesus can bring dead people back to life!</span></li></ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every story ends with a question that applies to the
child: <o:p></o:p></span></li><ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Party: Why do we celebrate and throw parties? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Storm: Who do you call when you are afraid? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blind Man: What do you do when you are sick? </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lazurus:Are you afraid of death? </span>people fear death, but we don't need to because Jesus is stronger than death! </li></ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every story has a learning concept that is age
appropriate to also discuss as you read! </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Party: Empty/Full, count the jars</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Storm: a storm </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Blind Man- blind and needing help</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lazurus: waiting</span></li></ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great teaching- theologically appropriate and
understandable- but real truth for kids who need it about our Savior and
Rescuer- Jesus!!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">What I wonder about this book? </span></span></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Will people purchase these separate books over the full 52 story book? The big difference is the board book pages and the weight, the storybook is 2.65 pounds, and the board book is .45 pounds and has thick pages. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">When will Jared Kennedy expand his very well done children's gospel stories/events? </span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Educational Connections: </span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Jesus turns water into wine (Lesson 32 in BGSB) </span></span></div><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 719px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">32. Jesus Goes to a Party<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jesus is good and
powerful</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why do we celebrate
and throw parties?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">We celebrate Jesus</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">John 2:1-12</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Concepts: Miracle</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"> -a surprise- that
only God can do. It shows His
power. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Celebrate:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"> party- recognize an
accomplishment- a birthday, wedding, Christmas, Easter, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Option:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"> Hang streamers in
class so that when the children return from singing- they ask are we having a
party? Maybe have music playing on the
cd player or your phone- to set the mood. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Links: </span></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://connectusfund.org/jesus-turns-water-into-wine-coloring-pages" target="_blank">Coloring Pages</a></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-turns-water-to-wine-craft/" target="_blank">Craft at ministry to children</a><br /></span></li><li><a href="https://truewaykids.com/jesus-first-miracle/" target="_blank">True-Way Kids</a> even in several different languages!</li><li><a href="https://www.resourcewell.org/children-ministry " target="_blank">Resources Well- The Worship, The Word, The Way </a></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>Jesus Calms the Storm</div><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 719px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">34. Jesus Calms the Sea<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus is truly God</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do you call when you are afraid?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:36-41, Luke 8:22-25</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Visual Storytelling </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">with
props—either a pretend boat, blue sheets as water, streamers, toy boat, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Coloring or Craft Option:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Coloring the storm picture OR make a popsicle
stick boat/wave <b>Ideas in Pouch/Bag</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Links:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For active reading aloud: <a href="http://faithsprouts.blogspot.com/2015/03/jesus-calms-storm.html" target="_blank">FaithSprouts</a></span></b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.teachusthebible.com/Lesson.php?LessonID=93" target="_blank">Teach us the Bible Ideas</a></b></li><li><a href="https://truewaykids.com/jesus-calms-the-storm/" target="_blank">Trueway Kids </a></li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Jesus Heals the Blind Man</div><div></div><p></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 719px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">36. Jesus
Heals the Blind Man<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jesus can heal sick
people</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">what do you do when
you are sick</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mark 10:46-52</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Blindfold the kids so that they can experience blindness. Or use sunglasses with duct tape to experience blindness and color their coloring page. </p></div><p>Links:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://truewaykids.com/blind-man/" target="_blank">Trueway kids</a></li><li><a href="https://sundayschoolzone.com/bible-story/jesus-healed-a-man-born-blind/" target="_blank">Sunday School Zone</a></li></ul><div>Jesus Raises Lazuras from the dead</div><div><br /></div><p></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 719px;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">39. Jesus Wakes Lazarus from Death<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jesus can bring dead
people back to life!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Are you afraid of
death?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jesus is stronger
than death</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">John 11:1-44</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Concepts: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
is powerful, Death- Jesus has power over death—Jesus is God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Act out the story. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Links: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://truewaykids.com/lazarus/" target="_blank">Truewaykids</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.resourcewell.org/children-ministry"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.resourcewell.org/children-ministry</span></a></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976415192708983603noreply@blogger.com0