Partner Review: Prevail by Susie Larson

 

This 365-day devotional is unique in some fabulous ways.  

Physical Book:  The first surprise is the table of contents is topical so that you can find encouragement for specific situations.  The book is well-sized and feels good, the pages are thick and durable, and the whole book has color on every page with the waves/water theme similar to the cover.  This is a detail that makes a visual learner connect even better. Pages that I could write notes, comments on, and the notes would not bleed through.  Plus a white satin ribbon to hold your place. See for yourself -Read and see an excerpt from this book here. 

Content:  

• The 365 days are chronological reading from Old Testament to New Testament.
• Each day has a number, a verse written out, an explanation/connection to the biblical text, and personal connections, with a question.  Then a Learn- scripture to read, Flourish-mindset idea, habit, way to pray, Pray-Simple summary statement. 
• Carefully focused themes, relatable, needed, and some hard to swallow, some comforting.  
• Solid biblical connections and teaching.  
• Short and sweet.  I could do this daily.  

Whispering the Word

I believe that this book will help parents have a God mindset and draw near to Him.  But I also believe that the topics would be appropriate for many children to share over breakfast or dinner, and ask them to wonder and search their hearts with you for how to draw closer to God. 

Disclaimer: I have not read all 365 pages, if I tried to read it like a regular book, it's so rich that I would lose the content and just be putting words through my eyes.  But I read many pages in preparing this review.  

Partner Review: Slaying the Giant of Fear by Krissy Nelson

Lots of scripture.  Excellent points mentioned.  Lots and lots of biblical connections.  

Short review: I was hoping for more practical steps for slaying fear.  Scripture rich resource sharing about overcoming fear with obedience, stewardship, and faithfulness and looking to Christ.  I was hoping that this book would help me help my adult child cope with fear.  I think if I was new to dealing with fear it would have been more appropriate.  For my son, I think he’d get lost in this style.  

Goodbook company partner review: Deeper Still by Linda Allcock

 

A short, refreshing book with ideas for the busy woman who wants to meditate on the Word more completely.  The author teaches us why we need to meditate, but basically, the book is full of practical aspects and strategies to meditate.  

What I enjoyed most about this book is how practical it is, complete with questions to guide, examples of using those questions with two passages, and ideas to ponder so that you can set your mind on God, His son's redemptive plan, and the impact the Holy Spirit has in our hearts and minds when we CHOOSE to invite Him in.   

It really covered many things I have been taught from childhood at camp, to being trained as a camp leader, in Bible college courses, and in the rare message on how to focus our minds on the Lord.  I loved that the teaching on how to meditate chapters ended with bullet points, examples, and routines that you could follow to structure your time with the Lord. 

It's a great teaching tool for an individual, a parent, or a small group to navigate through and improve or learn how to focus on God's Word.  I highly recommend it.  

Good Book Partner Book Review: Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know....

 

This book might just be my current favorite children's book!  And if you know me, that's a big deal! In my attempt to showcase children's books fairly, I'm sharing my what I like, educational connections, and what I wonder or would change or add... and if I write a book, editors I know make you pick and choose, but I have high standards!  

What I like about the book:

• appealing rhyme and the rhythm it develops, making it appealing to ALL ages.  
• Hardcover book in the style of the "I can Read books" of my childhood like Sammy the Seal, Danny and the Dinosaur, and more modern Dr. Seuss Hardback books.  Thick nice pages inside, make it a book that will endure a family with many children.  It feels good.  Right sized as well.  
• Illustrations- the pages are fun, busy, and the characters and items are a bit silly or quirky, but it adds to the appeal. 
• Multi-ethnic people throughout the book, children need to see people who look like they do. 
• Formatting, the text is different sizes emphasizing key words, alliterations, descriptive words. 
• The theme of the book, a BIG DREAM, is delivered by the Narrator of the book (hint, the one who reads it aloud- me or you!) has a BIG DREAM for YOU!  
• The book brings in a mindset discussion with admitting we might win or loose, and suggesting we all have different feelings.  
• Spoiler alert: The books purpose is that the audience/child "will love Jesus with all of your heart."
• Message of who Jesus is, tells us who He is, and what He has done for us, and what He is doing for us. That represents the full gospel according to Titus 2:11-13, and I love the fun way this is the clear message. 
• Loving Jesus with all of your Heart- brings in a God mindset discussion.  Deuteronomy 6:5

Educational Connections

• Career choices
• Travel--wherever you go... brings so many possibilities- missionaries, multi-ethnicity, geography, even  methods of travel, places we live and visit illustrations suggest farms, cities, museums, ...  
• Rhyming Words/Poetry 
• Adjectives, Adverbs, verbs
• Science, Culture, Celebrations: Floating sky lanterns (traditionally Chinese, but modern America has events with these) 
• Growth Mindset- Emotions, Adventures
• Gospel message- past, present, future aspects- what God has done, is doing, and will do for those who believe.  
• Walking and talking with Jesus- the Way, Truth, and Life.  Can easily teach about the Holy Spirit and God, full trinity.  Prayer. Following Jesus. King Jesus, His Word- the Bible, characteristics of God- faithful and true.  Sanctification- making things new.  

Here it is:  

Wonders or changes I might make to add value to the book:  

For the parents, teachers, camp counselors, grandparents who use this book...

• Bible verses and references at the end or near the words/illustrations for the gospel message. 
• How to lead a child to Christ
• Key gospel points

Minor Wonders in illustrations:

• a corded phone vs. chatting face to face, I suppose this is generic conversation, but this generation of parents have not all seen a corded phone!
• Adults reading a red book with a cross on it- representing a Bible, but I wish it said BIBLE. 

I will be looking for more children's books by Melissa Kruger, who by the way has some other books for adults she's written, that intrigue me  As well as Isobel Lundie's illustrations.  

And if my thoughts were not enough, here is a review from Ann Voskamp, one of the authors/blogs that I follow. 

I've ordered 40 copies of the book so I don't need a disclaimer at the end of my review, and one via amazon for a baby shower already... but Westminster Bookstore (wtsbooks.com). My go to source for great deals on books I love that are well vetted.  Has it as a current special-- just a couple more days in August 2020.

Also the GoodBook website has coloring pages, free pdf of the gospel, and a contest going on right now as well.  So much goodness should brighten your day!  Now we just need to meet with all our beloved kids in person and share this message eye to eye!  

One last goodie...

  Submit your photo here: 

thegoodbook Partner review: Beautifully Distinct edited by Trillia Newbell

Rarely do I give a five star rating, and this book has earned it through the great discomfort and response of my own heart, soul, and mind. It took me longer to read than most books of it's length, as I found myself having to reflect after a chapter, maybe two before I could move on.  Now that I'm finished, as I ponder the 11 themes covered (side note: by different women to show other women what a beautifully distinct believer might think, read, wonder, pursue, and focus on as she seeks to bring glory to God) this book makes me wriggle in my seat.  It produces just a bit of discomfort as each chapter examines an area of life, faith, and culture, and even more as the book is split into three parts: being thoughtful, listening well, and speaking well.  Yep, wriggle-- wriggle is a little different than wiggle.  Wriggle is more of a 3-d response or discomfort, while wiggling is just back and forth.  

I do recommend this book, wriggling in my thinking and choosing, is an appropriate place to be as I contemplate hospitality to believers, to believers with different theology, to non-believers in my home (really in my life).  As I contemplate my job as a believer to be wise biblically led advocate for all races of people by God's design, and Jesus modeling.  As I think about what story I share to other believers and non-believers alike- does my heart that shows in my thoughts, words, and deeds show the godly woman living with the Holy Spirit leading me? or does my story show more of me and less of my love and awe for God?  

It's a hard read, if you think and reflect your way through the book.  But now I have 11 wider and godly perspectives to discuss with my girlfriends, my new acquaintances, and my own children.  

Blessed to be a partner of thegoodbook company.  

If you want to whisper the Word to your children, this book will give you references and perspectives connected to each of the 11 themes to pray through, process, and determine how to apply these truths in your heart, soul, and mind so that you bring glory to God.

Good Book Partner Book Review: The Prisoners, The Earthquake, and the Midnight Song. By Bob Hartman

A True Story about How God Uses People to Save People.  

Tales that tell the Truth, a series of books from The Good Book company.  This book releasing today June 1st, is another fast favorite for this Mom, kidmin leader, curriculum writer, elementary educator who LOVES any way to whisper or even shout the Word of God to our children.  This book does not disappoint.  So many potential ways to engage your children, even during this pandemic and an upcoming summer of not all our normal activities.  

What I loved about this book:

• This event in history from Acts 16:16-40.  The Philippian Jailer with Paul and Silas in jail accurately told with added themes to engage the readers. 
• Illustrations by Catalina Echeverri, the right amount of reality blended with images to SEE the sounds you also listen for, and to understand what is occurring at this time. People of different skin colors are well represented in the people in the book.  So vital in children's books.  
• Themes:
• Light you see on the cover, coming out of their mouths and all around, is throughout the pages of the book and it represents sounds like praising God.  
• Listen: lots of descriptive language, onomatopoeia:words visualized like earthquake, snoring or sawing a zigzag visual snore, ... and the light you see is really representing the sounds heard.  
• Rich use of language: to represent opposites (up/down, beneath/rising up), to match the sound all can hear with a gray zigzag n the prison,  as well as teaching vocabulary a sword's scabbard,  and the concepts of complaining/grumbling opposite of praising God.  
• Do you hear that? on every few pages. 
• 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).  What a great set of concepts repeated several times in the book, so it will be quickly memorized.  

What I wonder:

• could the Bible reference be part of the subtitle so that in a quick scan, adults see the immediate connection?  
• what age this is intended for?  The books in this series are picture books with a fair amount of text, so I've often used them in the primary ages from Kindergarten to Grade 3.  The amazon description says ages 3-6, but I like to use it with older kids as well, and think it would only work well for young kids if one on one. 

I plan to use this book in our Sunday School lessons from Acts with grades 1 and 2 children.  I would recommend this book for any child who would sit and want to interact with the adult reader from preschool on and I believe all ages will enjoy the book.  

Thankful to have an advanced copy of this book as a partner of The Good Book Company.  

Partner Review: Good Book Company- Seek and Find Old Testament Bible Stories

Happy to introduce a new partner company- The Good Book Company This company happens to have published some of my very favorite children's books in recent years.  I finally looked them up, and discovered a treasure trove of resources from this company.  This is a link to their blog, by the author of the book that I am reviewing today.

Details: Specification

Age range: 2 - 6

Author Sarah Parker  Illustrator Andre Parker 

ISBN 9781784984748

Format Board book

First published May 2020

Dimensions 8.5" x 10.2" x 0.4"

Language English

Pages 18

Publisher The Good Book Company

Other information

Each Bible story is retold in just a few words so as to be understood by the youngest children. But each page also gives the Bible reference so that older children and their families can read the biblical account for themselves.

Things I like about this book

• Theme-the book begins with a welcome from the author and illustrator.  This sets the real theme of the book from the very start:  learning about Our Awesome God and what He is like.  On each page after a brief synopsis of the specific bible event, there is a statement about God.  Examples: 
• God rescues His people. 
• God is the strongest!  
• Content- each bible event is given a title, then the passage in the Bible where it can be found.  It's followed by the synopsis of the event, the statement about God, and then each page has 10 items to seek and find, counting item number 1, you find 1, item number 2, you find 2, etc.  
• Writing-the author uses great descriptive language, not only in her retelling of the events, but in the description of each item to find.  The adjectives animate the events and items, just as the amazing illustrations bring the images to life.  
• Illustrations- as a seek and find book, the pictures make or break it.  These illustrations do not disappoint!  They are engaging, warm, friendly, and best of all, full of expression!  It has an animated quality not found in many books.  
• Physical book- this is a magazine size BOARD book.  The cover is thick and sturdy, it's a non glossy page on the front and back so it will not look dirty after many readings.  Inside the book, the pages are high quality board pages with just a little shine for effect.  The illustrations look life-like, and finding the hidden items is a fun challenge.  
• Options-this book has over 450 items to find. When you see my list of educational connections, it goes on and on.  I completely remember my boys at this age group from 2-6 even through age 9 loving this type of seek and find book reminiscent of Where's Waldo, especially on long summer trips in the car and at our destination.  
• Website Store-the companies sales page has links to two printable coloring pages and will let you see inside three of the events/pages of the book before your purchase it- sort of a test run.  

Wonders:

• Will there be more books like this? I sure hope so! 
• Will children over age 6 enjoy this book?  I suspect that anyone who picks it up, will be inspired to read it, find some if not all of the items, and from the front cover the bonus items.  
• Will the author's next book change the language of the title to be Bible Events (instead of Stories)?  I'm still learning to change my language to be even clearer to the children and adults I interact with.  The bible is true, and it contains a review of history, a guide on how to live, and a plan for eternity.  Children often believe stories are made up, and adults often envision a story as fiction or enhanced.  But the bible speaks of real life events and God's work and character are revealed throughout it.  
• Will other authors convince Andre Parker to illustrate their books? He oversees the art work and children's illustrations for the Good Book Company, and I sure hope he continues illustrating children's work directly.  I don't love the illustrations in a picture book easily.  
• Trusting there will be more books by this talented team... what themes will they make fun and thread throughout future books? I sure hope that they have volumes of both OT and NT events, and I'd be happy with a whole series about who God is.  But I'd also like to see them include concepts like sin, repent, eternal, the names of God, a book that shows Jesus throughout the Old and New Testament.  And I can see all these as seek and find, but also timelines, a book of theological vocabulary, explaining the gospel?  anything is possible. 

Educational Connections: 

The 2-6 year old crowd loves to learn, to discover, to test out their understanding of new concepts, and to show how much they have already picked up with life experience.  This book does not disappoint in the rich language choices to discuss as you read, re-read, and perhaps memorize aspects of this fun and enjoyable child friendly book.  Here are some quick suggestions to highlight and make it more engaging for you and your littles. 

• counting: numbers 1-10 are on every events seek 1, then seek 2, ...
• colors:  when you are to seek a watermelon- it's green, poppies are red, blue dragonflies
• concepts like
• sizes: little, tiny, tall, long
• physical attributes: sharp, pointy,  prickly, hard 
• emotional/feeling descriptors: friendly, happy, sleepy, trust, curious
• actions: slithering, laughing, flapping
• physical items: barrell, bundle, sacks, jars
• animals: sloth, hummingbirds, snake, geckos, kiwi bird
• plants: dandelions, lillies, lilypads, wheat
• tools: axe, ladder, sickle, well, wheelbarrow
• Historical items: sickle, spears, jars of spices, wheat bundles, silver cups
• With the concepts ask you child to:
• find the example of that word. 
• compare and explain what a happy vs. sleepy animal is like. 
• research historical items like sickle -even find other biblical event common items. 
• practice observation skills and sharing- why is a waterfall splashy? how else could you describe it. 
• talk about how some descriptive words sound like what you would hear near that animal, person, thing or place. 
• talk about nouns, verbs, and adjectives.  
• talk about how good writers and illustrators use their style to convey a feeling, tone, or mood.  What examples of colors, numbers, dates, places, size, etc are in the book, how do the illustrations and word choices bring this book to life.  
• Add to the events.  Read the bible passages, and ask the children what other items could be pictured? what words could also help set the tone or mood of an event? 
• Draw more of their own seek and find items for this event. 
• Use this as a springboard and have individuals, pairs, or teams create their own seek and find pages by drawing or using clip art and graphics to illustrate and write a God theme, as well as an event synopsis.  (this would be a fun youth group activity even, and would help the teens gain perspective and think critically while laughing and enjoying one another.)  

Thankful to be a new Good Book Company partner and be offered this book to review.  I hope there are many more reviews with this publisher in my future.  Next month, I'll introduce you to a new book from a series of books that I can't resist,  I may just own every one of them.