What's in the Bible? "Israel Gets a King" **GIVEAWAY**

In What’s in the Bible? volume 5, Buck Denver and cast take us through 1 and 2 Samuel. The two episodes focus on three of the most influential kings of Israel (Saul, David, and Solomon). And the Tricky Bits section explains the Trinity (after we learn that the Spirit of the Lord fell upon David). The DVD highlights God’s promise to David and how the promise impacts the salvation story. We also see what happens when David (and the other kings) sin against God. Kids learn that there are consequences for sin! 

From the man who made vegetables talk (and sing, dance, and tell Bible stories) comes an engaging new series that walks kids through the entire Bible! Each DVD is filled with an entertaining cast of characters that bring the most powerful Bible stories to life using humor, animation, creative storytelling, and fun songs. Join VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer on a wild and zany journey and see the world’s most amazing book come to life for a new generation.






My Review:  Another fantastic video by the WITB team!  We own all of the other four videos in this series already so our entire family was excited to watch the 5th one in the series too.  Our kids stay engaged for the duration of the 50-60 minute video, but it is also broken up into two smaller segments for active kids who can't still for such a long period of time at once.

As a parent, I highly value the educational aspects of the video series.  The kids learn some big words such as "apostasy" and "redemption"from the previous videos, and some new words such as the "trinity", but it is done in such a simple and fun manner that these words become easy to understand.  The girls are learning about God's "rescue plan" and how this plays out throughout the entire bible, but more importantly, how this affects their own lives.

The best part is that it is fun!  We all laugh throughout the video, and had a special surprise to see Darth Vadar (or a look alike) make an appearance in "Israel Gets a King".

This 5th video teaches the kids about obedience through the kings of the old testament.  Just as kids often disobey, so did the kings of Israel, so we also learned about the consequences of our sin when we don't do what God wants us to do.  I thought it was explained sufficiently, with the added bonus of learning of God's great forgiveness even though there will still be earthly consequences for our actions.

I love the WITB series and can't wait for more videos to come out yet!

For more information visit What's In The Bible or Tyndale. 


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You have until May 31st to enter.

***I received a copy of this DVD from the Tyndale Media Centre in exchange for my opinions.  I was not required to post a positive review***




This giveaway is now CLOSED.  Congratulations to Freeshopper!!

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That's When I Talk to God

When do you talk to God?

New release teaches children that they can pray any time, any place, and about anything.

Every night at bedtime, Mom helps me put on my favorite monkey pajamas, gives me a drink of water, and tells me a story. Then we snuggle close and she says a prayer before we go to sleep. So begins the story of a girl who thinks praying is just a bedtime activity, until her mother points out that we can talk to God any time, any place, and about anything!

In That’s When I Talk to God, the husband and wife writing team of Dan and Ali Morrow tells the story of a child learning more about prayer. From thanking God for best friends and the flowers in the garden to praying for hurting people and the courage to do things that scare her, she comes to discover over the course of one sunny Saturday that we can talk to God about everything. And at the end of the book, when she asks if God ever talks to us, both she and young readers will learn about all the ways God does in fact speak to us, including one big way—through His Word.

Targeted to children four to eight, That’s When I Talk to God mirrors the day of the typical child, creating an opportunity for readers to put the practices in the story to use in their own lives. Through beautiful illustrations and an engaging, familiar character, readers can relate to That’s When I Talk to God. Children will learn to go to God with their fears, their joys, their questions, and their desires. They will also learn the hows, whens, and whys of praying to the Lord in a way they can easily apply to their own experiences. And adults will be reminded to communicate the benefit, simplicity, and beauty of prayer.

That’s When I Talk to God takes a different approach than many other children’s books by showing prayer in context, through a child living her life and learning through it all the ways and times that she can talk to her Lord. Touching on the concept of God talking back to us makes it even more unique. This book is the second the Morrows have written on spiritual formation for young children. Releasing in time for Easter, this book makes the perfect gift for parents to buy their children.

Also included in the back of the book is a letter from Lee Strobel, Ali Morrow’s father, encouraging the parents and grandparents who read That’s When I Talk to God to their children.

That’s When I Talk to God by Dan and Ali Morrow

David C Cook/April 2011

ISBN: 978-1434-70018-6/36 pages/hardcover/$10.99

www.davidccook.com

My Review:  My girls enjoyed reading this story.  It is a great reminder to them that praying is simply talking to God.  They can talk to Him whenever and wherever they are throughout each day.  It helps them to realize that God cares about all the details of their life and that we can approach Him in every and any situation.  This would make a great gift for any child.

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review on behalf of TBB Media and David C Cook***  

In Grandma's Attic

Playing in Grandma’s Attic

Arleta Richardson’s classic stories reach a new generation of readers

Ever wonder what it was like when your grandmother was a little girl? I did. And I was lucky enough to have a grandma who never forgot the fun and laughter of her childhood years. My trips to Grandma’s old house were my favorite times. I explored the attic and the root cellar, the barn, and the meadow brook—all the places a little girl named Mabel, my grandma, knew and loved. And those stories became mine as Grandma told them to me. From my grandma I learned the meaning of kindness and compassion. I learned how important prayer is, and how rewarding life can be when it is lived for the Lord. All of this was possible because I loved to hear stories as much as Grandma loved to tell them.

Remember when you were a child, when the entire world was new, and the smallest object a thing of wonder? Arleta Richardson remembered: the funny wearable wire contraption hidden in the dusty attic, the century-old schoolchild’s slate that belonged to Grandma, an ancient trunk filled with quilt pieces—each with its own special story—and the button basket, a miracle of mysteries. But best of all she remembered her remarkable grandmother who made magic of all she touched, bringing the past alive as only a born storyteller could.

So step inside the attic of Richardson’s grandmother. These stories will keep you laughing while teaching you valuable lessons. These marvelous tales faithfully recalled for the delight of young and old alike are a touchstone to another day when life was simpler, perhaps richer, and when the treasures of family life and love were passed from generation to generation by a child’s questions and the legends that followed enlarged our faith. These timeless stories were originally released in 1974 and then revised in 1999. They are being re-released with new artwork that will appeal to a new generation of girls. Enjoy all the books in Richardson’s series, starting with these spring releases:

·          In Grandma’s Attic (ISBN: 978-0-7814-0379-5/paperback/144 pages/ $6.99/April 2011)

·          More Stories from Grandma’s Attic (ISBN: 978-0-7814-0380-1/paperback/144 pages/$6.99/April 2011)

So if you are young enough to appreciate a story—and just about everyone is—come along with Richardson and her grandmother Mabel to a little farm in Michigan and enjoy the laughter and tears that old farmhouse saw so many years ago.

My Review:  I enjoyed the concept of these collection of stories from yesteryear.  I think it is important for our kids to understand what it was like to grow up in a different generation so that they don't become so consumed with their own generation which tends to revolve around "me".  While we haven't read all of the stories in these collections, I think they will provide some valuable lessons for our girls while addressing it in a fun manner.

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review on behalf of TBB Media and David C Cook***

The Deepest Waters

The Deepest Waters

by:  Dan Walsh

For John and Laura Foster, what began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 aboard the steamship SS Vandervere soon becomes a nightmare. A terrible hurricane strikes and the grand ship is lost in the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself rescued with the other women and children, but how can she feel anything but despondent without her groom? Suspecting her John is gone but still daring to hope for a miracle, Laura must face the possibility of life alone.

Talented author Dan Walsh skillfully tells an epic story of hope, faith, and love through an intimate lens. Inspired by real events, this emotional and honest story will capture your heart as you sail through its pages.


My Review:  I have always been a fan of Dan Walsh's books.  He captures the emotions of the characters in a very appealing manner.  I appreciated the historical aspects of this story, particularly the factual details that he tries to mirror in this work of fiction.  I found those details to be very fascinating as it proves that sometimes life is stranger than fiction.   This was another good read!

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Stars Collide

Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?


From the soundstage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes you on a roller-coaster tour of Hollywood, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson affords an inside look at TV land, drawing on her experiences as a screenwriter. She is the author of the Weddings by Bella series and lives in Texas.

My Review:  This was a fun book to read since it was lighthearted and entertaining.  The characters were very likeable, especially the quirky grandmother.  The storyline was full of comedy and romance.  It was easy to read and was definitely enjoyable.

Angel Sister

It is 1936 and Kate Merritt is trying hard to keep her family together. Her father has slipped into alcoholism, her mother tries to come to grips with their dire financial situation, and her sisters seem to remain blissfully oblivious to all of it. Kate could never have imagined that a dirty, abandoned little girl named Lorena Birdsong would be just what her family needs.

In this richly textured novel, award-winning author Ann H. Gabhart reveals the power of true love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the strength to persevere through troubled times, all against the backdrop of a sultry Kentucky summer.






Living just thirty miles from a restored Shaker village in Kentucky, Ann H. Gabhart has walked the same paths that her characters might have walked in generations past. Her thorough research provides a convincing and colorful backdrop for her Shaker novels. Gabhart is the author of several bestselling novels, including The Outsider, The Believer,The Seeker, and Angel Sister.




My Review:  I enjoyed the way that this book transported me back into the middle of the "dirty thirties".  It was full of hard times and despair, but it also captured many beautiful moments along the way.  I really liked that the heroine in this story was a young girl.  She is full of energy and makes several attempts to preserve the relationships around her.

Another Dawn

Another Dawn

by:  Kathryn Cushman

When life gets complicated, Grace Graham runs. She's left romantic relationships, friendships, and even her family after the death of her mother. But now her sister, Jana, is giving her once last chance: Come home and help care for their father--whom Grace still blames for her mother's death--or never show her face in Shoal Creek, Tennessee, again. 

With her son, Dylan, in tow, Grace returns home from California. But is she returning for the right reasons? And when costly decisions from the past suddenly put her son's life and the lives of other children in town at risk, will she have the strength to stand strong and await Another Dawn?

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. After practicing as a pharmacist, she left her career to marry and begin a family and has since pursued her dream of writing. Leaving Yesterday is her third novel. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California. Visit Kathryn's Web site at www.kathryncushman.com  

My Review:  This book was emotional and dealt with a very controversial subject in a sensitive manner.  I really appreciated how the author was able to show how there are always two sides to a story.  I definitely enjoyed this story of trust, forgiveness and understanding.

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Promises To Keep

Promises to Keep

by:  Ann Tatlock

Eleven-year-old Roz (Rosalind) Anthony and her family have just moved to Mills River, Illinois, to escape an abusive situation. Only days after settling into their new home, they are surprised to find the previous owner, Tillie Monroe, on their front porch reading the newspaper. Though her sons have sold the house and sent her to a facility for the aged, she is determined to die in the place she lived her life and somehow manages to find her way "home" day after day. Feeling sympathy for the elderly woman, Roz's mother allows Tillie to move back in.

Mara Nightingale becomes Roz's first friend in Mills River. In spite of their many differences, the girls discover they have something in common that binds them together--both are hiding secrets. So they make a promise--"cross my heart and hope to die"--never to tell anyone else.

When danger stalks the Anthonys, Tillie exhibits unimaginable courage and selfless love in her determination to protect the family she has adopted as her own.

Ann Tatlock is the author of the Christy Award-winning novel All the Way Home. She has also won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association "Book of the Year" in fiction for both All the Way Home and I'll Watch the Moon. Her novel Things We Once Held Dear received a starred review fromLibrary Journal and Publishers Weekly calls her "one of Christian fiction's better wordsmiths, and her lovely prose reminds readers why it is a joy to savor her stories." Ann lives with her husband and daughter in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit www.anntatlock.com

My Review:  This was a well-written book.  I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters were well developed.  It was not a easily predicted ending, which I always appreciate.  I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this new author as much as I did and I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Ann Tatlock.

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Picture It Picture Books

The one and only book series that children illustrate themselves. We write the stories and leave out the illustrations, giving children a chance to set their imaginations free. Our books focus on the environment, social responsibility, positive human interaction and creativity.

A Picture Book Without Pictures?

The most important part about Picture It Picture Books is that they don’t have any pictures.  We give our readers the opportunity to illustrate their very own books.  By visualizing the images to a story as it unfolds and then committing those images to paper, readers engage with our texts in a meaningful, physical way.  This increases reading comprehension and encourages readers to apply what they’ve learned to their own lives.

Picture It Picture Books:  Drawing on your imagination.

My Review:  Brianna, age 7, absolutely loves "The Moon Story" book that we were given to try out!  She is definitely a budding artist, and is usually found sitting at the table drawing or painting a picture for someone.  So the concept of her getting to create the pictures for each page of a story is brilliant!  It taps into her creative side and allows her the freedom to make the story her own, as she imagines it in her mind.  When I asked her what she liked best about it she said, "It's fun" and "Drawing is better than words".  Brie has spent quite a bit of time with her book already and I know that this will be a keepsake forever.  These books would make a unique gift for any creative child!  These books are available online at Chapters or through Picture It Picture Books directly.

***I was given a free copy of "The Moon Story" courtesy of Picture It Picture Books and Mom Central Canada in exchange for my review.  The opinions on this blog are my own***

Softly and Tenderly

Softly and Tenderly
by:  Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck

Jade has moved from her past toward a bright future. But then the man she loves most destroys her trust.

Jade Fitzgerald's hope for a perfect marriage shatters when her husband confesses he has an illegitimate son. What’s more, he wants to raise the boy in their home.

Hurting and confused, Jade embarks on a road trip to Iowa to take her sick mother to her childhood home. In the comfort of the old homeplace, Jade struggles with her fears and the tug of her first love. With the help of her family and her faith, she comes to understand her future doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's mercy.

My Review:  I enjoyed this book and I easily read it as a stand-alone book, despite the fact that I have not read the first book in this series.  The main character has a lot of difficult things going on in her life which leads her, at times, to make some bad choices along the way.  Yet through all of the pain she is able to find healing and a fresh start.

***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ***