The Bible Explorer’s Guide

The Bible Explorer’s Guide
Published at ZonderKids

About the book

The Bible Explorer’s Guide lets children come up close and personal with everyday life during Bible times through photos, maps, and illustrations illuminating, people, places, objects, and buildings of the Bible. What did Noah’s Ark really look like? Who was David and whom did he fight? How did 1st century citizens of Jerusalem live? Each two-page spread is filled with images that bring history alive and drawings that help bring life to people and places that we can only read about. With fascinating, brief text and full-color captivating images, this is a reference that kids will come back to again and again. A great addition to any home or school library.

My Thoughts

It is always nice to find a book that will help your kids to visualize the Bible from cover to cover.  The Bible Explorer’s Guide is exactly that book… With over 1000 facts and photos within the pages of this book, your kids can visit and explore the history written in the Bible from the comfort of your home.  At the end of the book you will also find a timeline as well as a glossary of who’s who in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The pages are packed with information on various time during the historical events mentioned in the Bible.   It is refreshing to see images of the area today mixed with maps, painting, drawing as well as models of what places looked like during the biblical times.

The book is definitively a great resource to own in your personal library where you can use it for research, reading or to supplement your Bible curriculum.   Churches could also use it for Sunday school or Awana program.      Personally, it makes me want to go on one of those trips where you go visit biblical places with a group.  Maybe one day I will be able to do so… in the meantime, I will enjoy explore history through the pages of this book.

The Bible Explorer’s Guide is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Prayers that Changed History

Prayers that Changed History
Written by Tricia Goyer
Published at Zondervan

About the book

Twenty-five stories of historical figures who prayed to God and as a result, history was changed.

One prayer can change everything.

Martin Luther. Sojourner Truth. Helen Keller. St. Patrick. We read their stories, and of other people like them, in history books, and hear about the amazing things they did to change the world. But one part of the story is often left out: Each one of them wouldn’t have accomplished what they did without prayer.

In this book from bestselling author Tricia Goyer, the stories of twenty-five notable people are presented along with the major prayer that changed their lives and changed history. Following each historical example is a biblical story that ties to that person’s life and actions, as well as ways you can use the power of prayer in your life as well. Because God isn’t done changing the world yet, and he would love to use you to make history.

My Thoughts

As soon as I saw this book promoted on facebook, I thought it would be great as a homeschool resource.   I wasn’t mistaken.  The book is packed with interesting stories about prayer but it doesn’t stop there.   Following the historical example of prayers you will also find a section of the chapter that will find a biblical story that ties to the person’s life and actions, learn how that person changed history, and finally how you can apply the lesson learned in your own life.

There are over 25 stories of notable people presented through the pages of this book; Polycarp, Constantine, St. Patrick of Ireland, Oswald King of Northhumbria, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, Governor William Bradford, John Eliot, Susanna Wesley, John Newton, Robert Raikes, Mary Jones, Sojourner Truth, Catherine Booth, David Livingstone, Florence Nightingale, George Müller, Billy Sunday, Helen Keller, Amy Carmichael, John Hyde, Mother Teresa, The British People of WWII, Corrie ten Boom, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Each of these people is chronologically presented in the book.  

As much as this book is originally intended for kids, I think it is a great read for parents as well.  It could be used as part of your homeschool as a read-aloud or as part of family devotion in reading and discussing a specific person.  The book can complete a study on prayer or be used as part of your history lessons.   We recently studied the explorers as part of our homeschool coop and right inside this book I could use Christopher Columbus and David Livingstone for read-aloud with my kids.  One of my boys did a presentation on Christopher Columbus and we made sure to read the chapter on his prayer before the presentation.  No matter how you plan to use the book, it is definitively a fabulous addition to your personal library whether you read it aloud or you assign the book as a personal reading for a child.  It is a great resource to teach about prayer.

Prayers that Changed History is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

The book is also available for Kindle or Kindle app.

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Dare U 2 Open This Book

Dare U 2 Open This Book – Draw It, Write It, Dare 2 Live It
Written by Carol McAdams Moore
Published at ZonderKids

About the Book

D-I-R-T. What kind of dirt are you? Eyeballs are on U. U know it. What kind of light R U?

Dare U 2 Open this Book is not your typical 90-day devotional for guys. It’s an all-out open space for you to explore and learn more about yourself and your faith. With prompts to get your mind thinking and your creative ideas flowing, turn your thoughts and emotions into dynamic doodles, fill in the prayer blanks, solve puzzles, and more.

Each of the short, single-page devotions includes a topic, quote, Scripture summary, plus doodles, journal prompts, lists, puzzles, quizzes, fill-in-the-blank prayers, and unique activities that explore Bible truths and ways to apply them—everyday. —Dare U 2 Open this Book challenges guys to follow Jesus. Best. Idea. Ever.

My Thoughts

This devotional book is not your regular type of devotional.   Primarily geared for boys it is specifically designed to be straight to the point and direct all the while given the boy in your life plenty of room to doodle, write thoughts and so on.   The book contains over 90 devotions that will encourage your son – or the boy in your life – to deepen his understanding of the bible, discover how to apply the Scripture in his life and have fun while doing it.

Check out some of the pages found in this devotional book!

Aren’t they amazing?   I seriously wish that some devotional books for adults who have a thing for art could have one similar to this.  And I am pretty sure that girls would enjoy it too!  Nevertheless, this book is simply very artistic and if your son has no incline in drawing well I would suggest that you check out other types of devotional for him.   This particular book will get him engage and will encourage his creativity at 110% and more.

Each devotion is spread on a two page concept which will encourage your boy to think and ask him to interact in the book.  However, a two page concept might be not enough.   Knowing that our boys also read their Bible on a daily basis and learn Scripture with Awana, I think that the devotional book would be more than enough for them.    But if you want your child to grow spiritually, I would also incorporate Bible reading on a regular basis.

I would recommend this book for a grades 3-6 boy.   It is a great stepping stone to encourage him to do devotions on a regular basis.  After the 90 days spent in this book you could easily transition in a devotion that require more reading.

Dare U 2 Open This Book is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Zondervan for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NIV Faithgirlz! Bible

NIV Faithgirlz! Bible
Published at Zondervan

About the Bible

Packed with exciting features that help tween girls better understand themselves and Scripture, the Faithgirlz Bible teaches girls that the Bible is real, relevant, and, best of all, that the story of God and his people is also their story. With in-text features written by tween expert Nancy Rue, the Faithgirlz Bible uses the bestselling New International Version (NIV).

Every girl wants to know she’s totally unique and special. This Bible says that with Faithgirlz! sparkle. Through the many in-text features found only in the Faithgirlz! Bible, girls will grow closer to God as they discover the journey of a lifetime.

Features include:

• Book introductions—Read about the who, when, where, and what of each book.
• Dream Girl—Use your imagination to put yourself in the story.
• Bring It On!—Take quizzes to really get to know yourself.
• Is There a Little (Eve, Ruth, Isaiah) in You?—See for yourself what you have in common.
• Words to Live By—Check out these Bible verses that are great for memorizing.
• What Happens Next?—Create a list of events to tell a Bible story in your own words.
• Oh, I Get It!—Find answers to Bible questions you've wondered about.
• The complete NIV translation
• Features written by bestselling author Nancy Rue

My Thoughts

My daughter is still a bit young to have a complete Bible in her hands but I know that she will delights in discovering this one when she is old enough to read by herself.    Not only will it guide her to discover her Father in Heaven and how she can become a princess of the true King but she will enjoy having a Bible that has frilly designs in it.  

Each book in this Bible starts with a full introduction of what your daughter could find in it.   She will learn more of when the story took place, who are the characters in it, the main point of the story, how it connect with the Bible in general as well as who wrote it and when it was written.    The Bible also features  that will highlight special messages or important scriptures.

• Dream Girl will help your daughter to imagine by herself some of the Bible stories.   In a way it is a little devotional that will get the imagination of your daughter runs free.
• Bring It On! is similar as if you would take a quiz.   These circles are always in pairs.   In the first one you will have a situation with three choices.   Each choice is link to a scripture reference in the second circle.   For example if she read “Whe I fee; frustrated and jealous, I…  A. Keep it to myself – and maybe pout.   B. Vent to somebody – or at somebody.  C. Try to get back at someone.”   The second circle will guide her depending of what she answered to go to a specific scripture.  In our example, she would have to go to Ephesians 4:25-27 if she answered A, James 3:3-6 if her answer is B and Luke 6:27-31 is the answer is C.    Very interesting I find!
• Oh, I Get It! will provide answers to your daughter on questions like “How did God create the world?”, “Who is a direct descendant of Ruth?” and “What kind of freaky stuff happened to Ezekiel?”.
• Treasure This! are verses that will help your daughter to store God’s word in her heart. 
• Is There a Little _____ in You? will highlights in your daughter how special she is in God’s eyes and how she also has a little bit of the traits found throughout the Bible.
• In Your Own Words is a special section that will encourage your daughter to recapitulate the information she read in a specific passage of the Bible. I particularly like the fact that the girl can writes her own recap for the verses she read even though I found the space a little bit small…

I find it interesting that this Bible is completely different than the NIV Boys Bible.   The Faithgirlz! Bible is more geared toward relationships I find and help your daughter to develop a feminine way of discovering God’s Word.    I really like the cover of it.

The writing in this Bible is purple for the text and pink for the title and the highlights.    Personally, I am uncertain of the colors as I don’t know if this could be annoying or not.  But I have a little girl who will more than likely adore the colors included in this Bible as she loves both of them!   I only wish that there was dedication page at the beginning of the Bible so we can personalize it for our daughter.     Also Zondervan indicates clearly the size of Bible covers behind this Bible.  I find this quite useful as it is sometimes difficult to figure out which one will fit the Bible you have in your hands.   

To introduce your girl in reading regularly in her Bible, I suggest that you consider the Faithgirlz! Bible which is packed with interesting tidbits of information about God and the main characters in it.    While using this Bible she will have a great foundation on how to spend time daily with the One who cares so much about her.  

The NIV Faithgirlz! Bible is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Zondervan and B&B Media for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NIV Boys Bible

NIV Boys Bible
Published at Zondervan

About the product

The NIV Boys Bible was created especially for boys ages 9 to 12 and helps them grow into the young men God wants them to be. Fun in-text features help boys dig deep into the Word and learn about amazing people, facts, and stories of the Bible.

Grow into the young man God wants you to be Dig deep into God’s Word and learn amazing new facts, discover inspiring people and stories, and uncover all kinds of stuff that you never ever imagined was in the Bible. Helpful, fun, and often downright astonishing, the NIV Boys Bible features unique and meaningful content.

Features include:

• What’s the Big Deal?—Need-to-know biblical stories and people
• Check It Out—Interesting and funny facts about Bible times and characters
• Grossology—Gross and gory stuff you never knew was in the Bible
• Makin’ It Real—Help for applying Bible stories to your everyday life
• Hundreds of highlighted verses worth memorizing
• Introductions to each book of the Bible
• Presentation page
• Complete NIV text

My Thoughts

Many publishers are coming out with new Bibles every year.    Zondervan is well known for the Bibles that it publishes.    It is no surprise to see a new NIV Bible specially created for boys ages 9 to 12.   This hardcover Bible is designed to encourage your boy to dig into the Word of God so that he can discover who He is and how He can impact his life.

Each book of the Bible is introduced with background information which will help your son to understand the characters and stories.   Then there are also little boxes of information throughout the Bible like the following ones:

• What’s the Big Deal? will help your son to discover who is involved in the chapter, what happened and how everything connects with God.
• Makin’ It Real is a small devotional within the Bible which will help your child to discover what he can learn from the Bible even though he lives in the 21st century.   Yes  the Bible still makes sense today and these boxes will help your son to discover how what he read can apply in his daily life.
• The Check It Out boxes will provide facts and trivia about the Old and New Testaments.   It’s a great way to develop his knowledge on fascinating information found in the Bible.
• The Grossology will concentrate on the messy parts every one has to go through in life – especially the ones of the characters found in the Bible.   God is always present no matter what happen in your life.   This is a great way to see God in action in the lives of the people involved in the Bible.
• Finally but not the least, the Words to Live By will  highlight verses to help your son to keep God’s Word in his heart.   I found that memorization is a great way to learn the Scriptures and these highlights will identify which verses are perfect to learn by heart.    Not everyone takes the habit to learn a new Bible verse by heart and I found that if we want to really study the Word of God, memorization is essential to store the Scriptures in our hearts.   

With this Bible, your son will have all the tools necessary to learn more about the God of the Universe as well as develop skills that will be present the rest of his life – like memorization for example.     Having a Bible is also a great way to encourage him to read regularly in it which is a good life skill to develop.

We have a tradition in our house, when the child is able to read independently, we give them a Bible and guide them to read daily in it.   My two oldest sons read daily in their Bibles whether it is a whole chapter or just a few verses.    Already, I know we will have another child who will get his own Bible soon while my little girl will follow in a couple of years.     I’m delighted to see them enjoying spending time with God on a daily basis.   A good habit takes over 30 days to be engrained in your lifestyle.    Reading the Bible daily is a skill that I haven’t learned until I was older – in my adulthood.    There are days where I am struggling with it.  I pray that my kids will develop and keep this skill and continue to learn about God every single day of their lives.  

Also included in the back of this Bible are the following; table of weights and measures, the ABCs of becoming a Christian, through the Bible in a year which is a reading schedule, promises from the Bible on touchy subjects (guilt, despair, depression, persecution, anxiety, and more), perspective from the Bible (ambition, compassion, giving, hospitality and more) and journaling pages to jolt down your thoughts, prayers and/or ways that God spoke to the boy during devotions (thought I would have liked more pages for the journaling).   The main colors included in this Bible is blue for the text and orange for the titles and highlights.   There is no red lettering when Jesus speaks – something that is more frequent in an adult Bible.   Also at the back of this Bible I discovered that it would fit most Bible covers of size medium.   Having this information helps to find a Bible cover for it if you choose to get one.  

If you are looking for a fun Bible for your son so he can learn more about God, I would like to suggest the NIV Boys Bible.   It is a great launch pad for a regular reading practice and eventually your son can decide to get a NIV Study Bible to deepen his daily devotions with God.

THE NIV Boys Bible is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Zondervan and B&B Media for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Jackson Jones Book 2

Jackson Jones Book 2 – The Tale of a Boy, a Troll, and a Rather Large Chicken
Written by Jenn Kelly
Publised at Zondervan

About the book

You never know just where your story will take you. All Jackson had to do was clean the pool. Just that one simple task. It would have been simple, anyway, if that freak storm hadn’t come and carried him away. Now Jackson is trapped in the branches of a massive tree and he can’t seem to find a way out. While he wanders, he meets a flesh-eating hound named Muffy, a hen who wears too much makeup, a million angry squirrels, and a troll with nose hair down to there. Before Jackson can go home, he’ll have to discover the great task the Author has planned for him and learn what it really means to put down roots.

Who is Jenn Kelly?

Jenn Kelly lives in Ottawa, Canada, but her heart lives in Paris. Or Hawaii. She hasn’t decided yet. She is an undercover garden guru, painter, and chef, which has absolutely nothing to do with this book. She won a writing award in grade 4, failed English Lit in university, spent many years writing bad poetry, and then decided to write a book. This is it. She is married to her best friend, Danny, and is mom to a five-year-old boy and a dog who worries too much. She embraces the ridiculousness and disorganization of life.
Author Website: http://www.jennkelly.com

Our Thoughts

I am not a stranger to Jackson Jones as I had the opportunity to review the first book last year.    However, this time I have a story of my own concerning this review.   Let me tell it to you!

On a nice Friday afternoon, the author of this blog, aka Canadianladybug, got into her car and drove to meet up with her sister-in-law as we were going to a women’s retreat.   Unbeknown to her a delivery truck was schedule to arrive later that day… with a delivery containing the latest book of an author living in her city.    While I was having a good time with connecting with God – and some wonderful women, my oldest son, Alexandre, decided to read the book.   Within a day’s worth he had read through it!   So when I arrived back at home on Sunday he proudly announced that he had read the latest Jackson Jones!

REALLY?   You are kidding me…   Nope he wasn’t.    He literally devoured the book in almost one sitting.   Impressive coming from a boy who I usually have to push to read anything except his Bible and reference books – OH and comics as well.  

Here’s what he wrote about the book.

I like Jackson Jones 2 because it has a bit of action, thrills and script that you’ll want to keep on reading.  Believe it or not I read it before my mom and I LOVED it!  I enjoy these books very much and it also teaches me some things.  For example, it taught me to face my fears, not to fall into temptation and not to do things without asking.   I really hope there will be a third book!

As for me, it took me about a week after the retreat I attended to complete my reading.   I enjoyed the book as well though it is written for a younger audience.    I delight in the creativity of Jenn and how she introduces each single chapter in the book.    Sometimes the chapter will be a few pages long while other times it can be only a paragraph or so.   You never know what to expect when you turn the page.  Each chapter has a title which will be funny and make you wonder what she will write in it.   Jenn has a special gift in writing and I hope she will come up with other books in the future.    She has created a fun series for children to read and I am pleased to see my 2nd son wanting to read her first book now.   

Having drawing accompanying the story is fabulous has it help the child to stay in touch with the story.    Alexandre has no problems reading but Dominic had struggled with it last year.  He is more comfortable with reading now and I know that he will enjoy the Jackson Jones books as much as his older brother and I.

Now to conclude this post I need to tell the beloved author of the Jackson Jones series that she has an incredible gift and that we are going to be patient while waiting for her next book.   *grin*   What can I say, Jenn Kelly has capture the heart of my kids with her writings and they adore the books.    Way to go capture the interest of my kids! 

Seriously, if you are looking for good books to give away this Christmas to your own kids or for nephews/nieces, I strongly suggest that you consider the two books of Jackson Jones.  

Jackson Jones Book 2 is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: I received the book for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

The Aedyn Chronicles–Chosen Book

The Aedyn Chronicles – Chosen Ones
Written by Alister McGrath
Published at Zonderkids

About the book

The land of Aedyn is a paradise beyond all imagining. But when this paradise falls, strangers from another world must be called to fight for the truth. Peter and Julia never suspected that a trip to their grandparents’ home in Oxford would contain anything out of the ordinary. But that was before Julia stumbled upon a mysterious garden that shone on moonless nights. It was no accident that she fell into the pool, pulling her brother along with her, but now they’re lost in a strange new world and they don’t know whom they can trust. Should they believe the mysterious, hooded lords? The ancient monk who appears only when least expected? Or the silent slaves who have a dark secret of their own? In a world inhabited by strange beasts and magical whisperings, two children called from another world will have to discover who they truly are, fighting desperate battles within themselves before they can lead the great revolution.

Who is Alister McGrath?

Alister E. McGrath is a historian, biochemist, and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. McGrath, a longtime professor at Oxford University, now holds the Chair in theology, ministry, and education at the University of London. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including Christianity’s Dangerous Idea; In the Beginning, and The Twilight of Atheism. He lives in Oxford, England and lectures regularly in the United States.

My Thoughts

This book will transport you in the land of Aedyn and will bring you in a fantasy world where the slaves are looking forward to the days where they will be freed from the evil rulers.   Two children from our world will help them to overthrown the current ruling and find peace after more than 500 years of oppression.    The book is interesting but not as captivating as I would have thought.   It is a creative allegory of the message in the Bible and the deliverance from evil.    But somehow my interest got lost in the pages of this book.    I am not sure what is missing for me to had enjoyed it more.   I am guessing that I am not the type of person who enjoys fantasy books as much as I thought I would have.

I thought this book would grasp the interest of my almost 10 years old son.   But after he read a few chapters somehow, he doesn’t seem to be interested enough to pick it up and pursue the reading.    Maybe he is more like me.    I find that if I enjoy a book very much more than likely he would as well.  

The drawings included in the book are beautiful but part of me would have preferred coloured drawings.   I guess I have to use my imagination in a way.

Even though this book wasn’t a hit for my son and I, I think it is a well written story and is worth discovering if you are the type of person who enjoys fantasy novels.

The Aedyn Chronicles – Chosen Ones is available at your favourite bookstore, even at amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Zondervan for sending me the book for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Jackson Jones

Jackson Jones: The Tales of a Boy, an Elf, and a Very Stinky Fish
Written by Jennifer Kelly
Published at ZonderKids

About the Book
When Jackson climbs into his great aunt's hair, untold adventures await!
Sometimes you have to get lost to figure out where you're going.

All Jackson wants is to be the hero, just for once in his life. The hero who steps in at the last minute to save the universe. The hero who saves the entire village from a raging fire. Great Aunt Harriett is always telling him find his own story, but so far his story doesn't seem very exciting.

Until he falls into Great Aunt Harriett's hair, that is. There Jackson will encounter a world of elves, trap doors, bubblegum-blowing birds, hairy-backed spiders, kangaroo meat, and perilous danger which requires … a hero.

Who is Jenn Kelly?
Jenn Kelly lives in Ottawa, Canada, but her heart lives in Paris. Or Hawaii. She hasn’t decided yet. She is an undercover garden guru, painter, and chef, which has absolutely nothing to do with this book. She won a writing award in grade 4, failed English Lit in university, spent many years writing bad poetry, and then decided to write a book. This is it. She is married to her best friend, Danny, and is mom to a five-year-old boy and a dog who worries too much. She embraces the ridiculousness and disorganization of life.

She blogs at http://www.jennkelly.com/.

Our Thoughts
Different.  Innovative.  Out-of-the-ordinary.   These are the words that came to my mind when I was reading the book.   It has humour and a wonderful teaching moment in it.   It would be a great read-along with the whole family.  

The way that Jennifer has decided to write this book is very different to what we are used to.   Somehow, she speaks to you throughout the book and interact with the reader.   And if you know Jennifer, you can easily realize that there is a bit of her in the book.   I was trilled to discover a new side of her while reading her book.  I knew she was talented in many things but now I’ve discover a local writer that has a ton of potential as well.   

My son, Alexandre – age 9, grabbed the book while we were on vacations and devoured it.    Every minutes he could take it, he would read.   You could find him laying in his bunk bed in the trailer, the book in his hands and reading avidly.   He read through the book within a week.   Impressive.  Here’s his thoughts about the book…

I really liked the part where Jackson goes to the cafeteria and eats a lot of meat and candies.  Than he became sick.   After he ate vegetables, he felt better!  That part was so good I read it twice!

Alexandre really enjoyed reading the book and he is also looking forward for the 2nd book of the adventures of Jackson Jones.   After he finished it, he passed the book to the next person in line to read it – my husband.    LOL   By the time Christmas arrives, I think the whole family will have read the book as I am planning to sit down with the younger ones to read-along with them.

When I asked Alexandre which character he liked the best he couldn’t answer me.  Why?  Simply because he liked them all.   Each character in the book is unique and different.   Personally I like Jackson a lot as he reminds me of myself a little bit.

The book contains a lesson on how important we all are and how the author made us the way we are for a reason.    In a time and age where bullying is rampant in schools, having a book that remind us that we are special is priceless.   I would recommend this book to any child.    Yes there are elves in the book but I wouldn’t take it too literally.   Jackson Jones is a very good book that has a wonderful lesson in it.   And mind you it is easy to see that the Author is the Creator – God Almighty.   

The book is so different that what we usually find in the bookstore that I wouldn’t be surprise to see this coming as a movie eventually.    So many books are made into movies now and this definitively would make a wonderful little movie for children to watch.    

I know that Jennifer is currently writing the second book of Jackson Jones.   I am waiting patiently (okay not so patiently…) to read it.  I can’t wait to see what other adventures Jackson Jones will have in the future.

This review was possible because I received a free copy of Jackson Jones: The Tales of a Boy, an Elf, and a Very Stinky Fish from ZonderKids.

Jackson Jones: The Tales of a Boy, an Elf, and a Very Stinky Fish is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

The Gardener and the Vine

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Andrew McDonough

and the book:

The Gardener and the Vine

Zondervan (January 15, 2010)

***Special thanks to Pam Mettler of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrew is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded “children’s talk” at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overheard projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. The congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other student, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories.

Product Details:
List Price: $4.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310719461
ISBN-13: 978-0310719465

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My Thoughts 
This book was well received from my kids.   We sat down one morning and read through it.     My 9 year old got an ah-ah moment when he realized that Jesus was the vine.   He had heard the story before but never really understood it.    While reading this book and discussing it with the information found at the end of the book, it was like a light bulb appeared above his head…  
It is so neat to see the understanding come in your kids when it happens.   This time my son realized that to grow we need to be grafted to Christ.    He has accepted Christ as his savior a few years ago but getting a explanation of the vine had made his day.   He had just finished reading the book of John and had came across this specific scripture.  
Cecil explains the meaning of it very well.   It is a beautiful book with plenty of creativity that the kids will enjoy reading with mom and dad.
The Gardener and the Vine is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

Jesus and the Children

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Andrew McDonough

and the book:

Jesus and the Children

Zondervan (January 15, 2010)

***Special thanks to Pam Mettler of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrew is the creator, writer, and illustrator of the Lost Sheep series. Way back in 1989 as a young Bible college student, Andrew was asked to give the dreaded “children’s talk” at a large church. Andrew possessed one talent: he could draw sheep. He bought some overhead projector sheets and drew up the story of Cecil and the Lost Sheep. T he congregation loved it, so Andrew continued to draw stories to use with kids and adults. Other students, pastors, and teachers started borrowing the stories.

Product Details:
List Price: $4.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (January 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071947X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719472

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My Thoughts
This story is based on Mark 10:13-16 but it has a 21st century twist on it.   I was kind of surprised at first to see the disciples like bikers and bouncers but it picture the story very well.
My kids loved it and laugh at seeing the images.   The story reminds them that Jesus is available to everyone even children and that they can come to Him anytime and with any request.
At the end of the book, Cecil the sheep is providing a sort of devotion to do with the children.  There are questions to ask before the story and something to do after the story is read.
This book is fun to read and to watch.   It is different than other children’s books of bible story.   It also contains humor and extreme imagination as it picture a familiar story with a twist.   
However, I think that some parents might be offended by it because of the silliness found in the images and such.   Personally, I think it is a breath of fresh air and is much needed in Christian circles.
Jesus and the Children is available everywhere, even at amazon.ca.

Case for a Creator for Kids

Case For A Creator For Kids
Written by Lee Strobel
Published at ZonderKids

About the book

Answers questions about creation that even adults struggle to answer. You meet skeptics every day. They ask questions like: Are your science teachers wrong? Is the Big Bang theory true? Did God create the universe?

Here’s a book written in kid-friendly language that gives you all the answers. Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions, The Case for the Creator for Kids uses up-to-date scientific research to strengthen your faith in God’s creation.

Who is Lee Strobel?

Lee Strobel (www.LeeStrobel.com), with a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School, was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981. His books include four Gold Medallion winners and the 2005 Christian Book of the Year (coauthored with Garry Poole). He and his wife live in Colorado.

Author Website:
http://www.leestrobel.com

My Thoughts

Creation is all around us.   And I want to make sure my kids know where it all came from – the Creator, i.e. God himself.

This wonderful book will bring the child through a thinking process and present all the objections as well as the evidence of a creator.  The examples are interesting and funny.   How could you explain the appearance of an elephant on the top of a house is one of these examples.   The child will also be introduce to a variety of science terminology like cosmologist, photons, Big Bang, the Kalam argument, DNA and much more.

The explanation of Lee Strobel are simple to understand and easy to digest.    While reading this book, the child will also come upon questions to help his thinking process and guide him to come to a conclusion by himselft/herself.

This new updated and expanded edition contains also a section titled Off My Case which brings four short stories of everyday kids in everyday situations to demonstrate to the reader that everyday he/she can have the opportunity to present the case for a creator.  While reading these stories, I realized that even if the person you are talking to don’t receive it, at least a seed has been planted in their mind. 

If your kids wants to know more about the creator, I would suggest that you get this book.  

This review was possible because I received a copy of Case for a Creator for Kids from ZonderKids.

Case for a Creator for Kids is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

Case for Faith For Kids

Case For Faith For Kids
Written by Lee Strobel
Published at ZonderKids
About the book
Answers questions about faith that even adults struggle to answer. You meet skeptics every day. They ask questions like: Why does God allow bad things to happen? Can you have doubts and still be a Christian?
Here’s a book written in kid-friendly language that gives you all the answers. Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions you have, The Case for Faith for Kids is a must read for kids ready to explore and enrich their faith.
Who is Lee Strobel?
Lee Strobel (www.LeeStrobel.com), with a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School, was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981. His books include four Gold Medallion winners and the 2005 Christian Book of the Year (coauthored with Garry Poole). He and his wife live in Colorado.
Author Website:
http://www.leestrobel.com/
My Thoughts
This is another important book that any children should read.   It will give a clear understanding of faith and how to be able to speak up when necessary.
It will also show the child that it is okay to doubt and investigate so that he/she will be able to understand when he/she believes better.   I particularly liked the explanation the author gave about doubt – it is a muscle that will strengthen your faith.  
I was like that when I became a believer.  I doubted many things and researched.   At first, my future husband would tell me just to believe but he then realized that how I was doing it was healthier in a way.   So I searched and read and discover who God was in my life and how He was working in my life.
At the end of the book, the child will find four stories that applies the lessons learned previously.   These stories will help the child to understand how to apply something you have learned before in real life.
This review was possible because I received a copy of Case for Faith for Kids from ZonderKids.
Case for Faith for Kids is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

Case For Christ For Kids

Case For Christ For Kids
Written by Lee Strobel
Published at ZonderKids

About the book

You meet skeptics every day. They ask questions like: Was Jesus really born in a stable? Did his friends tell the truth? Did he really come back from the dead?
Here’s a book written in kid-friendly language that gives you all the answers.

Packed full of well-researched, reliable, and eye-opening investigations of some of the biggest questions you have, Case for Christ for Kids brings Christ to life by addressing the existence, miracles, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Who is Lee Strobel?

Lee Strobel (www.LeeStrobel.com), with a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School, was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981. His books include four Gold Medallion winners and the 2005 Christian Book of the Year (coauthored with Garry Poole). He and his wife live in Colorado.

Author Website:
http://www.leestrobel.com

My Thoughts

I personally have read the adult version of this book a long time ago and when I realized that a new updated and expanded edition for Kids was available, I requested it along with the other two books in the series.

I don’t want my kids to just gobble up what we believe.  I want them to be able to make up their own decision and to be able to defend their faith.   Consequently, I am always on the lookout to find books that will help them to do such a thing.

When the books arrived at our house, my 9 year old chose this one to begin with.    And then we left to camp at the trailer and I pursued the reading with the four kids.   It is a bit heavy for a 2 and 4 year olds but my 6 and 9 years old enjoyed it.

At times I stopped the reading and asked them questions.   We talked about the questions asked in the book and it made them think.  

I find it important to find ways for kids to make up their own mind about Jesus, God and the Bible and this series is an absolute must to instill deep thinking and reasoning concerning their faith and what they believe. 

This specific book is about Christ and who he was, what he has done and so on.     The child will investigate (with the help of the author) the claims of who Jesus was, the resurrection , and much more.  

To complete the book, there is also four stories that will help the child to incorporate the information on how to present a case for Christ. 

This book is definetively something that kids should read to help them make their own opinion on Christ.

This review was possible because I received a copy of Case for Christ for Kids from ZonderKids.

Case for Christ for Kids is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

Let's Have a Daddy Day

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Karen Kingsbury

and the book:

Let’s Have a Daddy Day

Zonderkidz (April 13, 2010)

***Special thanks to Pam Mettler of ZonderKidz for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury has written more than forty of her Life-Changing Fiction titles and has nearly sixteen million in print. Dubbed by Time magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction, Karen receives hundreds of letters each week and considers her readers friends. Her fiction has made her one of the country’s favorite storytellers, and one of her novels, Like Dandelion Dust, is under production for an upcoming major motion picture release. Her emotionally gripping titles include the popular Baxter family novels, the 9/11 Series, Even Now, Ever After, and Between Sundays. Karen and her husband, Don, live in the Pacific Northwest with their six children, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. You can find out more about Karen, her books, and her appearance schedule at her website.

Dan Andreasen lives in Medina, Ohio, with his wife and three children. He has illustrated more than thirty picture books. When his daughter was asked by her first grade teacher, “What kind of work does your daddy do?” she replied, “He colors.”





Product Details:

List Price: $15.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (April 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310712157
ISBN-13: 978-0310712152

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Let's Have a Daddy Day

My Thoughts

This book is simply beautiful. The story reminds us of something we have decided to do with our kids. Each child when they arrive to 4 years old, have the possibility to go away with daddy for a period of time and spend time with only him. One on one time – fishing and going things the child wants to do. They go to the RV and eat what the child decides, do things the child wants to do and so on. I would strongly suggest to every family to do this with their kids.

The illustrations are beautiful and flow well with the text of the story. The kids enjoyed looking the frogs and so on. My oldest even commented that it looked like the kind of days they spend with their dad during those one-on-one days.

Let’s Have a Daddy Day is available everywhere, even at amazon.ca.

Just Like You: Beautiful Babies Around the World

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Marla Stewart Konrad

and the book:

Just Like You: Beautiful Babies Around the World

Zonderkidz (March 9, 2010)

***Special thanks to Pam Mettler, Associate Director of Public Relations, ZonderKidz for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marla Stewart Konrad is keenly interested in global issues and has a special concern for the well-being of children. Her career as a speechwriter and communications professional has taken her to numerous countries in Asia and Africa. She lives near Toronto, Canada, with her family, and is the author of several books for children.



Product Details:

List Price: $15.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (March 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310714788
ISBN-13: 978-0310714781

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My Thoughts
Cradle you little one and discover the similarities in births around the world. This beautiful book will bring you to North America, China, the Amazon forest, Russia, the Arctic, Egypt, South Africa, India and Australia for a special trip around the world.


Each set of pages illustrate and present a new baby born on the same day but in various places from around the world. The images illustrate the text and will help your little one to see the difference between the kids born in different countries. Each special child is showed being love by his/her entourage and how special his/her birth was. The illustrations are stunning and will bring smiles in the face of your little one. My sweet little daughter, who is two, kept saying baby every time there was a new baby from a different country. She loves to pick up the book and look at the pictures every time she can put her hands on it.

In celebration of the publication of Just Like You, Zonderkids is donating 10,000$ to World Vision, an organization dedicated to helping children and communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.

Just Like You is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.