Goodbook Partner Review: Board Books with Truth for Toddlers

Releasing August 23, 2022 three new board books just for your little ones!  

Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa Krueger and illustrated by Isobel Lundie Board Book  

My thoughts on the picture book here.

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.  

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.  

The Awesome, Super Fantastic Forever Party by Joni Erickson Tada and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

My thoughts on the picture book are here.  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!  

Any time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler and Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

My thoughts on the picture book are here.  

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.

Thankful to partner with the goodbook company and 

review early copies of these soon-to-be available board books!

Waterbrook Partner Review: The Stories of God (and Kiki) by Dave Connis and Art by Amy Domingo

 

The second book from a new series, each book is a Story of God, and a young girl.  

What I Like About the Book:

• These characters are young girls and different ethnicities, so more children can read books that have people that resemble them.  
• 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.   
• The Artwork has personality, style, and life, and definitely builds style in the text and concepts of the book. 
• The author's perspective and tone share Kiki's perspective (a very imaginative kid). 
• 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

What I Wonder About the Book: 

• 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. 
• 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.   

Thankful to partner with Waterbrook and read a pdf copy of the book.  

Goodbook Partner Review: He Will Be Enough: How God Takes You by the Hand Through Your Hardest Days by Katie Faris

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."  

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.  

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!  

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.  

Bethany House Partner Review: Trusting God in All the Things by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk (90 Devotions)

 

90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day Life is the subtitle of the book.   

The book description reminds us: When Life is Filled with All the Things,

Begin Your Days with the Most Important Thing of All

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.  

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. 

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.  

Thankful to partner with the publisher and review a copy.   

Goodbook Partner Review: His Grace is Enough by Melissa Krueger Illustrated by Isobel Lundie

 

Alright, Melissa Krueger's last book made one of my all-time favorite children's book list!  (that link is my review in 2020 of Wherever You Go).  So I wondered what I would think about her second children's book.  

Things I like about the book:

• The words rhyme!! there is a great rhythm to enjoy!
• The truth about God's grace is communicated clearly, addresses common misconceptions, and is repeated throughout the story.  
• 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.  
• The illustrations are kid-friendly, represent diversity, and are realistic, yet quirky to draw the reader in. 
• 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!"

What I wonder:

• Why not include a scripture reference?  Ephesians 2:8 &9 maybe?  
• 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.  
• How many parents will memorize this book that I hope will become a classic addition to many family libraries?  

Back Cover:

From the Book Description: 

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.

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.

Children will learn that God’s grace is enough to cleanse and change us every day, as the book itself says...

My child, here’s the truth:
From God, you can’t hide
He sees what you’ve done
He knows what’s inside

But please don’t despair
There’s good news, I say!
Whatever you do
God’s grace makes a way

Yes, his grace is enough
It’s so big and so free
His grace is enough
Both for you and for me

This beautiful hardback book makes a great gift for children ages 3-6 and even beyond.

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.

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!

GoodBook Partner Review: The Awesome Fantastic Forever Party by Joni Eareckson Tada & Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

 

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!

Things I liked about the book:

• Engaging opening: "Have you ever been invited?" 
• Defines the best invitations, "to unforgettable events with amazing people."  
• Jesus is connected to this teaching about Heaven so intimately, and who He is as our King and Rescuer is established clearly. 
• John 3:16 paraphrased as the invitation.  
• In true fashion for this series, myths of heaven are addressed and the Truth of the Bible is taught.
• The illustrations enhance the descriptive language, and the celebratory tone of the book, and build connections for the reader. 
• Heaven is described well and with the Truth from the Bible- a place of no more sin as well as splendor and glory.  
• 
  

Things I wonder about the story:

• 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).  
• 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.  
• 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?    

Joni reading part of 

the book....

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!  https://www.thegoodbook.com/foreverparty  If you pre-order the book you can even get extra bonus goodies when you submit your info.  

The book launches to the world- May 1st so order before then to get the pre-order bonuses.  You won't be disappointed!  

Thankful to partner with the goodbook company and read an early release, I'll update my review when my physical copy arrives.  

Bethany House Partner Review: May His Face Shine Upon You 90 Biblical Blessings for Mother and Child by Susie Larson

 

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.

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.

Thankful to partner with Bethany House and review the book.