Niko's Night and Day connections for learning

Concordia has a preview on their website

Here are some questions that connect with the story.

Here are scriptures that fit the story from Luke 15....and the book theme

This is a great book for young children, families, Sunday School. 

Thankful to read a digital ARC. 

Concordia Publishing Partner Review: Niko's Night and Day by Colleen Oakes, Illustrated by Erin Chan

I'm an elementary educator by training and children's ministry passionate director, so a picture book that focuses on God's creation, but is a traditional story of a child's adventure- is so me!!

I have to start with the illustrator's work- as it makes or breaks most books.  This illustrator I love for children and adults.  I can't wait to see a physical book!  The artwork in this book is the first standout point.  I read an e-version so I can't common on the feel of the book. But the images are texture rich, vibrant colors, a contrast that makes the story look almost 3 d on my screen, and warmth endearing animals, home, and nature.

The author's writing style is child friendly.  It has vivid descriptive words to hear and help imagine the tale, uses an adult friendly writing style, with sophisticated sentence structure, yet not too complex for a child to comprehend. The night 'was deep'.  is an example of descriptive words chosen.  It really makes the story come alive as you hear in the language chosen Niko's full experience- as he kisses his cat goodbye when he heads back to the woods.  There are bold words that connect to character, colors, common emotions, sounds of birds, numbers, excitement, and questions, etc.

The story is of opposites, you see images of day and night in his woods, complete with trees, day and night birds, lake, grassy hollow , field, great grandfather rock,  farthest fence post, etc.  You hear Niko's knowledge that God is big, with him, created his woods as well as the difference between day and night, etc.

It's a rich realistic story that could happen to a child, and if you were to read it aloud and not let your audience see the pictures, you could do a lesson on descriptive words, by having them draw each page as you read, and compare how similar they are to each other's because the author used concrete words.  And clearly painted a mental picture.  For a younger crowd, you could use this book to teach adjectives, compare/contrast, mediums of art, as well as the rich biblical lessons that the author clarifies and shares with the reader before the book is over.  Luke 15 lessons on the parables of the lost fits, as well as making notes about how to think about God in life situations, as Niko recognizes he feels small, but His God is bigger, etc.  And pointing out attributes of God.  You could extend the learning by writing a further Niko adventure if the train hadn't been found, what he does in the morning, or adventures with a specific animal or plant/tree, etc.

I'm not sure about the size of the font, it seems small on my screen, and I've had kids with wavy letter fonts not recognize words the same or think they can't read it like it's cursive.  The print a is a typed a, not the normal learning a, and some children's books are written for early readers with large print and matching handwriting a bit more.  Not a pro/con, just something to consider when you choose a book, this isn't one for the little's to read by themselves early on.

I partnered with Concordia to review a e-copy of the book.  As an educator, parent, and kidmin person, this book has great value and if I had kids at this stage of life/learning, would be worthy of my purchasing for my home library.  I love with an author integrates the walking and talking about Who God is-into a traditional book and does it well with fluent style, great transitions, imagery, and images.  It's a quality product.  I will likely give it as a gift.  

Waterbrook Multnomah Book Partner: Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn

As we whisper the Word to our children, one way I've found to be walking and talking the Word is to read books that show me how the characters think about God throughout their lives, and this book is a great example and shows thinking that women can identify with about how God is with us.

We are living in a time where we need a haven in life. This is book #1 in the haven makers series. I can't wait for the next one. I've always enjoyed Robin Jones Gunn's story crafting ability, and I love that she writes stories for women across different life seasons.  This story involves Christy and Todd of her well known series- but Christy is not the main character but one of the circle of friends.  

 I found this book to be a place of safety and refuge. It’s a well crafted story told from Emily’s point of view about finding your self, your strength, style, and stronghold in the storms and joys of life. In true Robin Jones Gunn style there were tears of joy and laughter, as well as grief and struggle. This book wove faith and God being present and real in our lives as a theme underlying the characters growth, but not in an overpowering way. 

Other themes were motherhood, female friends, marriage, secondary infertility, finding yourself, relationships with your Mom, and art. This is a great example of why I read, it soothes my soul, and inspires me with new ideas, like a blessing of another as a celebration of a new season of life. Thankful to partner with Multnomah and read an ARC of an author whose Sisterchicks and Glenbrooke Series I had previously read.

Here is a video link of Robin Jones Gunn talking about her inspiration to write this series. 

Harvest House Partner Book Review; An Unexpected Hero

Called and Courageous Girls Book Series, new book releasing May

A Bible Story about Rahab, An Unexpected Hero by Rachel Spier Weaver&  Anna Haggard
Illustrated by Eric Elwell

Especially with Children's books- we often judge a book by the cover-- so here is the front and the back.   This hardbound book, has glossy story pages, that are a thick quality,and will be durable for young children's hands. 

Here's a video intro to give you a feel for the artist's style and tone.

Things I liked about the book:

• Before the story began, the scripture references were shared that mention Rahab.  And it explains that Rahab is a heroine of the Old Testament, and this is the author imagining how the events of the biblical narrative occurred.  
• Illustration seem realistic and narrate a different time and culture for our current generation who may not be able to imagine a world without technology! The illustrations also help bring the story to life.  
• Way Rahab's career is explained--"Rahab began spending time with people who didn't really love her and who treated her poorly. She made a lot of bad choices."  Child sensitive but honest. 
• Rahab's wonders that reveal her thinking-- Could the God of the Israelites love me too?, Would God listen to Rahab? 
• The way the dialogue and story is told with Rahab having many choices, and processing how her choice could impact her.  As well as the Israelites' God's role in her life.  
• The story concludes with Rahab discovering that God loved her too, and that she became a part of the greatest Story on Earth- connected to Jesus.  
• Reflection Questions at the end. Great higher level thinking questions to help children comprehend and apply the knowledge of God in their lives.  
• Author/Illustrator note at the end of the book- how we celebrate Rahab's courage.  
• Well written and true to the Biblical narrative, yet embellished to bring it to life.  

Wonders:

• illustrations are layered and have a 3D element- I like them, but sometimes the faces might be creepy to children, and other pages they are clear and full of emotions. 
• How the illustrator created them- with digital and traditional mediums.  I wish it told us more about it.  
• This is my first called and courageous girls book- are the others this good? and well done? I think I may need to find out!
• Could some of the verses be quoted about Rahab in the text to connect it better? 

I'll leave you with some sample page spreads from the book.