Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible By Joanna Rivard and Tim Penner

It's hard to capture an active three year old's attention. However, through a combination of engaging pictures, conversational dialogue, and timeless truth The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible  had my little one begging for "just one more story" (and another and another).

My kids both give "lotsa thumbs up" to the pictures which they loved! Aside from cute and kid-friendly, they helped maintain interest when my three year old struggles with lingering speech issues. They complement and enrich the story from cover to cover.

The story itself was perfect for our three year old and, I believe, the preschool through kindergarten age really is the perfect focus range for this edition.
This is an age.range we haven't  really found well covered in the past. While we love The Jesus Storybook Bible it's still a little too advanced for our youngest but he's also informed us  he's too big for the ultra simplified infant one. Relying more on paraphrase and a story-telling emphasis, Tiny Truths uses conversational language that is familiar to convey  the stories and truth so familiar to the church.  Even my oldest was drawn in by the way each story was phrased with little questions here and there to encourage thoughtfulness and engagement.

Physically, I appreciated the book's break down. The index is a great addition and I love how the Old to New Testament transition gets it's own page in the text for easier referencing.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Duck Commander Happy, Happy, Happy Stories for Kids Fun and Faith-Filled Stories By Korie Robertson and Chrys Howard

My only exposure to Duck Dynasty comes from Korie Robertson's earlier book Strong and Kind. That said, I like stories, my boys learn well through stories and I was curious where Happy, Happy, Happy Stories for Kids  falls into the ever growing spectrum of spiritual growth/life lessons for kids that is available.

Overall, the format is familiar. Each of the fourteen chapters begins with a relatively short story(the last chapter we read falling around 8 pages) brought to life with every day vernacular and bright engaging images. The story is then reinforced with a page dedicated to a scripture verse, a page of reflective questions, and two pages dedicated  to practical application. The minor format tweak with the practical application section proved a huge success with our boys who loved taping into visual, audio, and hands on learning making for some great engagement and reflection from both kids.

I also appreciated how biblical and moral truths were reinforced through everyday stories with everyday kids. My boys are really enthralled with John Luke's adventures and I can see them being disappointed when we finish the  book in its entirety together. The fact that we don't know much about the Duck Dynasty family hasn't made any difference to their enjoyment as we're reading about kids in relatable situations and learning foundational truths(although I'm pretty sure the 5 year old now wants to build his own tree house which was not the moral of that particular chapter.)

I could see kids in the 5-9 year old range connecting most easily with this material and thanks to the supplementary pages it is a great resource for parents wanting to start conversations with their kids.

4 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Little Critter Little Blessings Collection by Mercer Mayer

Some stories, some characters are so familiar you cannot wait to introduce them to your children. In our home, Little Critter is just such a character. I have so many memories of snuggling up with these books as a child it just made sense to share them with my boys. Sadly, our oldest is getting to the  stage where he wants a little more story development, which is why I loved the idea of the Little Blessing Collection.

These stories are filled with the same characters I love but still have a story that keeps my oldest engaged and learning solid lessons.

Overall, I was impressed with this collection. The characters brought about enough nostalgia for  this Mama while still appearing fresh and relatable enough for my children. The stories varied in their topics covering the importance of telling the  truth, thankfulness, letting others go first, and forgiveness.

I was impressed at how Mayer's laying out of Little Critter's dilemmas naturally prompted my kiddo to ask questions and think through how he would feel in similar situations. I love a book that inspires good dialogue and these stories certainly delivered on that front.

I also felt that the variety of topics still flowed well with one another. Thankfulness could easily be linked  to letting others go first. Telling the  truth tied to thankfulness. This allowed us to really build onto topics and the concepts of building a strong foundation with our kids, rather than bouncing around through unrelated issues.

My only downfall was the story on forgiveness. While the other stories were age appropriate, well-rounded stories, the forgiveness story is very self-centered with  no mention of making amends (despite the story  allowing for such a conversation), a limited talking about reconciliation (which felt minimized), and no broaching of the  scope of issues which may need forgiveness and the importance of acknowledging the damage. My little guy was so confused by this story and was really concerned that "forgiveness" was just a free pass to getting away with things.

4 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 

Indescribable 100 devotions about God and Science by Louie Giglio

Discover the Wonders of the Universe with the Creator

It’s impossible to out-imagine God. He orchestrates time, creates light, and speaks things into existence—from the largest stars to the smallest starfish. God is a powerful, purposeful, personal, unparalleled Creator.

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens tell the glory of God. And the skies announce what his hands have made.”

Indescribable displays the majesty of creation with scientific findings, photography, and original illustrations. These 100 devotions encourage awe at God’s creativity with an in-depth look at

• Space, Galaxies, Planets, and Stars

• Earth, Geology, Oceans, and Weather

• Animals—from Hummingbirds to Dinosaurs

• Our Minds, Bodies, and Imaginations

(excerpt from back of book)

As a fair warning, I did not run this book by my kids, so this review is all from my perspective this time. Not that they won't love this book. Giglio has done a wonderful job which I'll explain as we go on, but, this book is probably most strongly suited for kiddos in grades 1-4 (with obvious wiggle room given your own kids interests and abilities). Since our oldest is just old enough to start homeschooling it's still a little too advanced for now.

When he is old enough I can see this being  a great  part of our morning routine as Giglio works to inspire a child's interest in both creation and creator. The pages themselves are laid out with bright, engaging colours, pictures, and page inserts full of fun facts for kids. The content is equally well balance with each devotional beginning with a verse, ending with a prayer, and featuring a 2 page devotional that presents a point of scientific interest before bringing it back to a scriptural truth.

For those of us with kids who just love reading the same thing over and over, there is a useful table of contents at the beginning for quick referencing.

My kids are busy kids, they love exploration and adventure. As a mom, I'm thrilled to find a devotional that taps into that aspect of childhood while pointing them back to the one who inspires that love and passion and the world that they explore.

4 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Really Woolly Christmas Blessing by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

As those of us in Canada are getting ready for Thanksgiving this weekend, it seems the perfect time to start exploring this year's Christmas books. In all honesty, Christmas is my favourite holiday so it doesn't take much  encouragement for me to start breaking out the music and books, especially now that my kids are 2 and 4. I'm excited for a chance to talk about book content with our oldest instead of explaining why his younger brother was trying to eat the book ;)

That said, Really Woolly Christmas Blessings is a great book for all  the younger kids  in your family. Each set of pages focuses on a different blessing associated with the holiday season. This is achieved with a thematic picture, bible verse paraphrase, rhyming verse regarding the blessing, and suggested prayer. This two page  format is one that will be familiar to anyone with small children but is a great length for younger family members  while still functioning as a conversation starter for slightly older ones (I would say preschool through kindergarten).
As a mama, I appreciated that the topics ranged from the familiar elements of the Christmas story straight through to Christmas traditions our kids encounter including trees,  songs, and even snow for those of us  who get  that element of winter.

As  far as  the illustrations go, Donna Chapman has  done an excellent job capturing the engaging characters on paper while still keeping a style that is both memorable and soft enough to be appropriate  for pre-bedtime quieting routines.

4.5/5 stars


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Night Night, Train by Amy Parker

Night Night, Train is a unique children's tale following a family of dogs taking a trip to Sleepytown and all the things they see and do along the way.

At first, I was a little confused by the structure of the page. Each set of pages has two sections of text. One is in simple rhyming pairs of to the side of the  page. The other is a large block of text giving a more detail account of the dog's train based adventures. I was a little confused as the differing structures and rhyme schemes do not lend themselves to easily move from one segment to the next. However, separately they are brilliant. The easier rhyming section is perfect for my two year old's love of rhythm and shorter attention span while the larger story section fits my older child's skill and interest. While I'm not sure if that was the intended purpose it makes this book far more interesting for our whole family (especially as Mama and Daddy aren't reading the identical text every time, hurrah for variety)

The pictures really set the stage no matter how the story is read. With bright, inviting colours Night Night, Train welcomes kids into the story. I especially enjoyed how there were multiple pictures highlighting the exterior and showing kids exactly how the train looks. As Mom to a train obsessed kiddo it's surprising how often train books don't include good pictures of the train itself and as my 4 year old will tell you that's kind of the point.

For readers looking for a strong biblical lesson, this won't be your book.  Although a Tommy Nelson book, Biblical matters are mentioned in only two places choosing to focus more on the train adventure than anything more consequential.

That said, once you get over the differing structure schemes of the text Night Night Train proves to be a charming bedtime adventure that will help your kids get ready for bed.

Mama gives 3.5 stars while my little one gives it 4.5 stars out of 5 because, well, trains :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thank You God for Grandpa by Amy Parker

In our house we talk a lot about family and for good reason. 

1. Family is important to us.

2. Our family is very spread out so it's  harder to reinforce this importance  through getting together.

That's why I'm always on the lookout for solid books about family to help our two little ones better understand such a big topic. Since we had already fallen in love with Amy's Night Night Daddy and were facing an extended absence from our own Papa due to a health concern, now seemed the perfect time to check out Thank You, God, for Grandpa.

First off, hats off to Rosalinda Kightley. Her illustrations of the gorilla family in their many adventures  were gorgeous and full of life. The use of colour and detail really help the characters jump off the page and engage little ones with short attention spans (not to mention entice other little ones who are too busy for story time ;) ) The book would just not hit the same level of excellence without Kightley's skill.

Even so, this book is a team effort and Parker comes through again with her customary charm and easy to read aloud style that continues to captivate my little audience.While I recognize not everyone has a positive memory with their grandparents both myself and my kids have known our  grandpas (or Papa in our house) as well as a Great Papa. Thanks to Parker's ability to hit general events and spin them into special moments for her characters, most people  with special memories of their grandparents will find something relatable in these pages.

Amy Parker excels at delivering sweet, simple stories  that remind readers of the best in family relationships and is definitely a go-to author in our library.

5 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Jesus Storybook Bible Gift Edition By Sally Lloyd-Jones

As hard as it is to admit, babies grow up. In our house, we're always on the hunt for books that will educate, entertain, and challenge our little ones as they grow. While we love our  Words to Dream On by Diane Stortz, our oldest kiddo has reached the point where he's ready to listen to longer and more complex stories. 

This is where  The Jesus Storybook by Sally Lloyd-Jones come in. Now, I confess, I'm not sure what the regular edition features but I'll be focusing on the 10th anniversary one as that's what we have (and are loving).

First off, the construction. With longer stories this book is meant for slightly older kids (I'm guessing 4 would be a safe lower age) this book still has a solid cover to help protect it's softer paper pages when not being read. The built in bookmark is a wonderful feature as is the blue colouring to help this Mama figure out where  the book was moved last.

Second, the pictures  are perfect. The bright, action filled images are colourful and captivating meaning that although our younger son doesn't have the language skills to understand the story he is focused during story time, drawn in by the bright images he can process. I love book with awesome imagery having kids with speech delays and this one certainly delivers.

Third, the stories. Sally Lloyd Jones has done a wonderful job. The stories are 4-8 pages long making them a perfect length for helping young children stretch their listening skills. The added length also allows for more complexity in the stories. Lloyd Jones keeps each story with a definite "story book" feel but adding in more detail from original, formal translations letting parents ask more intentional questions and engage with their children on a different level than books aimed at the 2-5 age group. The stories cover a wide variety of both old and new testaments and I was  excited to see less covered stories (like the prophets) showing up between these covers.
4.5 out of 5 stars 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett

Some songs really click with their audience and in 2016, Chris Tomlin's "Good, Good Father" did just that reaching number 1 on the charts. However, the song spends the majority of the song affirming God's role as a good father rather than explaining the aspects that make this true.

In the book Good, Good Father Tomlin and Barrett  use dreamy illustrations, strong rhyming sentence structure, and a wonderfully age appropriate story to help teach our little ones what aspects truly make God a good father.

Overall, I was really pleased with the construction of the book. It's durable  board book pages are perfect for its intended audience to hold, turn, and interact with. The story itself is easy to  read with a strong rhyming structure that helps make children's stories so much easier to read (be it the first, third, or tenth time in a row). The narrative also was intentional in its drawing on a wide variety of examples to help children start to see just how vast the nature of this good father is.

My only concern is that some younger children may be  confused as to why their own fathers don't live up to the image formed by the book as it not explicitly stated that the book is talking about God and that no human father can be all these things all the time. My own son was a bit confused due to his age and comprehension.

4 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

God Made You Nose to Toes by Leslie Parrott

Help little ones understand that God created each part of their bodies so they can enjoy life and everything in it. In this delightful padded cover board book by well-known author and family therapist Leslie Parrott, children can follow along with Toucan––with a great big nose––as he helps them learn God loves each one of them completely.

(excerpt from back of book)

Alright, after lots of heavy reading it's so refreshing to jump back into children's books again and refreshing definitely describes this new offering from author Leslie Parrott.

I adore this book and know my kids will too.

The book itself is a solid board book construction which is perfect for any family with a chewy toddler (please tell me the eating books stage is quick, right?)and filled to the brim with beautifully coloured and vibrant images that are sure to drawn the attention of any little one.

The story itself was wonderful to read out loud with an easy rhyme following a young boy and his toucan friend as they explore their senses and their body from "nose to toes". I really enjoyed how the format is familiar (I've lost count how many times 'head, shoulders, knees, and toes gets sung in a day) but takes it a step further by  connecting these parts with their purpose and the ultimate message that they are good gifts from God.

As  a mom to two littles, I can easily see this book holding their interest until they enter the school system if not a little further.

5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

One Small Donkey by Dandi Daisy Mackall Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens

Christmas stories come in many forms. 

Some follow Mary and Joseph, others look through the eyes of a  human storyteller, while still others explore the animals point of view. 

In One Small Donkey, Dandi Mackall chooses a  humble donkey to be her storyteller. 

I really enjoyed the narrative itself. The nativity story was well portrayed while still weaving in an equally strong message regarding the importance of each person (or in this case, donkey) in God's greater story. 

The story itself would be easily welcomed by kids ages 4-8.

Readers may find (and it was my only complaint) that the actual flow of the story feels choppy and jarring, especially when read aloud. 

While the content is great (and  even taught me something through some quick google confirmation, who knew it snowed in Israel? I definitely need to brush up on my geography) the rhyme and meter fell short. 

On the flip side, the artwork in  this book is some of the most stunning I've seen in a children's book this year. In fact, I found myself needing to reread the story after  I realized  I had become so engrossed in the pictures I had missed  parts of the  narrative.  This artwork is a huge bonus for a family like ours as our pre-verbal kidlet is as equally drawn into the story as his older sibling.

While the rhyme and flow may be a deterrent for some, One Small Donkey still provides a solid Christmas story with  illustrations that go above and beyond in their beauty and attention to details.

4 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Itsy Bitsy Christmas by Max Lucado Illustrated by Bruno Merz

Do you ever feel like you are too small or too ordinary? This is just how Itsy and Bitsy feel. When these two charming little mice hear that a King is coming to Bethlehem, they set off with great enthusiasm to find Him. Along the way, they are met with discouraging words telling them they are too little and unimportant for any king. Just when Itsy and Bitsy begin to believe they really aren't big enough for the new King, they learn that Christ the King has indeed come for everyone.

Crafted by bestselling author and master storyteller Max Lucado, Itsy Bitsy Christmas helps children understand God's great love and know that He sent His Son for all of us--little or big, young or old.

My first introduction to Max Lucado was through his book You are Special. Though a teenager  at the time, I was thoroughly enchanted and, thanks to those awkward teen  years, deeply touched by the simple yet true message. 

Lucado continues his theme of simple and true messages in his latest children's offering Itsy Bitsy Christmas   which is sure to become a Christmas favourite in our house due to a few factors.

First the illustrations. Courtesy of Bruno Merz the illustrations are a wonderful blend of soft, appealing colours which delight my youngest while still maintaining  enough detail and variety to capture my rambunctious older boy. Board books can definitely find it challenging to strike a balance that will appeal to different ages throughout the family but  Merz tackled this with skill.

Another feature I enjoyed with this book was it's construction. Usually with a board book readers  find themselves sacrificing quality or quantity of story.  Board books usually aim for lower word count due to their audience's estimated age. However, Itsy Bitsy Christmas is a full length story book. As a mom to two boys (did I mention they might be rambunctious?) It's  nice to know that my children can still pile up for  story time without  the book becoming an unintentional casualty.

Finally, the story was cute. The message was easy to understand and easy  showed the story's tagline of no one being "too little for God's love," Putting the story's focus on animals is certainly  not a new angle but it is one that is reused because it is so easy for children to identify, empathize, and attach too. Lucado  may use an old plot device to move his story along but the result leans more towards the timeless than the time  worn.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Happy Harvest by Jean Fischer

As a child, I remember being enchanted by the distinct images which summed up Precious Moments in my young mind. The whimsical characters never ceased to bring me delight and any time I stumbled across them I was memorized.

I was so excited to see Jean Fischer's new addition to the Precious Moments family but  also had some concerns ho this wonderful part of my own childhood would measure up with my rough and tumble, vehicle-loving, can't stay clean for 5 second boys,

 I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the cover to see an absolutely charming collection of rhyme and verse that even my boys can appreciate, in their quieter moments.

While the pictures have that  dreamy stylized feel that all Precious Moments items share the characters go through  a variety of settings throughout the book allowing children to find different areas that catch their interest. My one little guy loves the image of the children on the hay wagon while his brother likes the animal pictures,

The verses are short and sweet  which does confuse my little ones a bit. They're still at  the age where  they sit down expecting a story or a picture book, The collection of verse style is a middle ground that they're still warming up too  conceptually.

That said the variety of verses were wonderful and I can see this being a book to go back to many times, especially as we start homeschooling in the fall, The hard,padded cover and board  book style also guarantee it will be around for awhile to go back too :)

Honestly, it makes me so happy that something that was dear to my childhood is now able to be passed along and shared with my children while still exposing them to scripture, verse, and poem that are so close to my own heart.

4 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Berenstain Bears' Caring and Sharing Treasury by Jan and Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears are one of those series that brings up happy memories of bedtime stories with my own parents. Adventures with Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister Bear throughout Bear Country was a standard part of my childhood and one I eagerly looked forward too.With that in mind, I was excited to introduce the next generation of our family to these beloved bears. 

The Berenstain Bears Caring and Sharing Treasury. consisting of 5 separate stories: Jobs around town, Gossip Gang, Get Involved, Love Their Neighbors, The Biggest Brag, each focused on a different discipline or moral quality that the family is working on developing.

The stories were all very readable and of a reasonable length seeing as my 3 year old happily sat through a story without getting distracted. The illustrations will quickly bring back memories to those who enjoyed the series as children themselves.

Overall, I enjoyed the series. The Gossip Gang clearly illustrated the need to watch our words in a way children can understand. Get Involved showed some practical ways to help out in your community. Love Their Neighbour brought up images of The Good Samaritan with a bear county twist.

Every story had a clear and undeniable message.

I did have a few things I felt were worth noting about this treasury.

For one, I'm not sure I would be able to give this to any non-Christian friends or family. The scriptural references and Christian themes were very overt and the wording was firmly set in an older evangelical tradition.

My second note was regarding the first story. While my son and I enjoyed the variety of jobs that were explored I wasn't comfortable  with the message at the end. I've seen the damage of believing that there is a perfect job we are each entitled to have, people forget that sometimes in life we need to work and take care of responsibilities that are unpleasant. 

That said, I think for those who are already familiar with The Berenstain Bears and Christianity will find this a nostalgic trip back to their childhood that they get to relieve with the next generation.

4 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Goodnight Manger

Every once in awhile  I stumble across an author who becomes a "go-to" for our family bookshelves.

Most recently, we've fallen in love with the stunning pairing of Laura Sassi and Jane Chapman.

A few weeks ago, I had the joy of reviewing Goodnight Ark which has become a fast favourite in our home, so I was equally excited to have the chance to dive into their newest offering Goodnight Manger.

Goodnight Manger follows the story of Baby Jesus' first night on earth. All snuggled up in the manger it's time to sleep except . . . things are way too noisy. How is anybody supposed to sleep?

First of all, I love Jane Chapman's illustrations. She has a knack for finding a balance between friendly and appealing for children while still be inviting for the parents who get to read their children's books over and over again. I loved how warm and vibrant the images were, leaping off the pages in a way that complements the story perfectly. Chapman also showed some brave creativity by not conforming to norms when it comes for illustrations in a Christmas book. Her lively angels and appropriate ethnicities were a welcome change.

The story itself was exactly what I expected. Geared towards ages 4 through 8 younger siblings will be equally charmed by the fun, rhyming pattern through which the Christmas story is unfolding in a unique way. Much like their earlier Goodnight Ark, Goodnight Manger uses lots of action and movement in its words allowing parents to come up with their own actions to make story time as interactive as they choose (a valuable tool in our house as we work to overcome our son's speech delay and actions are currently our best tool!)

Christmas is one of my favourite times of year but I can easily see Goodnight Manger being requested no matter the month.

5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thank you Lord for Everything by P.J. Lyons

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is only a month away.

Thanksgiving is one of those weird little holidays for us that is usually pretty laid back and ends up looking a lot like our regular extended family dinners.However, the central theme of thankfulness is one I certainly appreciate as well as the opportunity to help ingrain a spirit of thankfulness in my kids.

I'm grateful that Zondervan has a wide selection of books on thankfulness that tie in beautifully to this upcoming season and their newest offering from P.J Lyons and Tim Warnes is no exception.

Thank You Lord for Everything follows a young bear throughout his day - from waking up in the morning, to having breakfast, and going out to play with his friends.

I really enjoyed Lyons style in writing this book (and the more I become re-introduced to children's literature the more I'm convinced that good kid's book have their own styles, rhythms, and compositions to separate the good from the bad.) Every page, no matter what topic is being discussed though always presented with a fun rhyme and rhythm, ends with the phrase "Thank you Lord for everything",  The repetition is brilliant for helping little ones remember and definitely fits in with my son's developmental level (we're repeating all sorts of things these days).

The sentences are short - fitting in with an average toddler's attention span and because readers get to follow our main bear throughout his day the story also helps to emphasize just what it means to be thankful in everything.

The illustrations by Warnes are warm and compliment the story  beautifully, giving life and movement to the story. I especially enjoy how the colours are bright and cheerful without being "in your face" as the wrong bedtime story in our house can liven up a certain toddler rather than help him prepare for bed.

Overall I'd give this story 4.5/5 stars.


 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thankful by Eileen Spinellii

One of the issues I spent many hours mulling over when I first became a mom was how to teach the intangibles, things like kindness, respect, patience, and thankfulness. While I recognized the value of making these life long lessons I was at a loss how to intentionally guide when language was a factor (all of my volunteer experience was with extremely chatty pre-teens - what an awesome age).
Now that our son is of an age where he is interacting more with others I'm so grateful for books which explore and illustrates concepts that we're trying to encourage in his everyday like thankfulness and this is where the beauty of Spinelli's book comes in.

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli takes a classic illustration style and walks readers through both mundane and whimsical situations that show people who are happy and a reason for that thankfulness.
The book itself is an easy read with each page holding a short statement centering on a scenario on thankfulness.
While the book doesn't explicitly teach thankfulness I love how each page can be used to tie thankfulness into real life and/or launch a discussion regarding the role of thankfulness in everyday life making it a potentially great learning tool depending on a child's learning strengths.

As far as book construction and illustration goes Thankful has the same quality I've come to expect from Zondervan. A sturdy, hardcover book Thankful offers illustrations that remind me of the classic books I would read at my Grandmother's house growing up adding a nostalgic factor that broadens this books appeal across generations.





4 out of 5 stars


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Goodnight Ark

Instilling a love a reading can be difficult when your family consists of very active little boys. Although we've worked hard to incorporate reading from day one - some days our oldest is content to cuddle and have story time while others he'd prefer to spin around, run, jump, and climb until he crashes in some way.

This is why I'm in love with Goodnight Ark by Laura Sassi and Jane Chapman.
This book has verbal movement and imagery as vibrant as my boys while still being a fun read for my husband and I if our son decides that all three bedtime stories should consist of the same book.

Goodnight Ark follows the story of Noah and his ark full of animals at bedtime. As the storm rages on outside, the animals slowly become frightened and, two by two, make their way to Noah's bed for safety but just how many animals can fit into one little bed?

Sassi has included a lot of verbal tricks and quirks to help keep kids interested while giving parents something fun to read out loud. With pages full of rhymes, alliteration, and active sounds to recite there is plenty to entice kids to keep paying attention. Chapman manages to support the narrative beautifully with colourful and engaging pictures, which was a pleasant surprise given the story was set at night (dark) and in the ark (lots of browns).
The humour Sassi throws into Goodnight Ark adds to its undeniable charm while the ending is sufficiently sweet to help usher my own kids into their nighttime routine.


This is truly a book the whole family can enjoy (my husband even stopped what he was doing to finish listening to the story.) and would make a perfect birthday or Christmas gift (yep, I went there).

5 out of 5 stars


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Say & Pray Bible by Diane Stortz

Finding books for our family is proving to be a bit more of a challenge than I counted on. With a 2 year old who wants to turn the pages himself (and shreds anything that looks shredded, goodbye pop-up books) and a 5 week old who we hope will eventually share the library books needs to be quality in content and construction.This is why we're quickly becoming fans of Diane Stortz in our home and her newest offering we've found the Say & Pray Bible.

I was excited to have the chance to review another book by Diane Stortz as her Words to Dream On has become a welcome addition to our shelves.

Before I start on this book I have to comment on Sarah Ward's illustrations! Our whole family (we're assuming the lack of crying equals agreement from our youngest) love Sarah's work in the Say &Pray Bible. The contrast on colours makes pointing and naming the pictures a breeze compared to many kid's books which seem content to jam as many images and colours onto a page as possible. Our two year old stayed engaged as we flipped through the pages delighted that Mommy named each item once instead of our usual three tries and we're out approach to figure out what he's pointing too. The pictures struck me as familiar and comforting, honestly they just make me smile with their classic feel.

The book itself has also proven to be a winner with our family. It's easy-to-read pages make it simple to pick up and read a short story when we're under the clock but the variety of stories also make the Say & Pray Bible a suitable longer read when time allows.

The labelled pictures are by far a favourite feature in Stortz's latest offering as our son has a speech delay. Since we spend our days naming and labeling everything anyway, it's an awesome addition to have a book with half the work already accomplished for us. Simple one word labels work at his level and, given his interest, we're hoping he may even pick up some words as we flip through the pages over the next weeks and months.

The content itself is geared towards it's target toddler audience with shortened stories and verses for little minds to pay attention to and (hopefully) retain.
Each story, displayed on two pages, also contains a quick prayer to help familiarize toddlers with the importance of prayer at anytime (because let's face it in most houses story time is anytime the toddler plops a book in your lap). Finally, the print is nice and large to help when reading over a new baby's head or even for helping toddlers point at words and sound them out when learning to read becomes a reality.

Overall, I'm grateful for the material Diane Stortz has added to our family library. I know her books will stand the test of my boys while providing them with fun and educational books.

5 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Words to Dream On by Diane Stortz

I still remember when our son was born and we started to leave the hospital.
There were pamphlets, how-to guides. nurses visits, home visits, everything to help us care for our child's physical and mental well being in those foundational and sleep deprived early days.

Yet, as our little one grew I found it difficult to find a durable, accessible, and child-friendly source to help introduce our son to matters of faith and the heart. Although the market is full of books for bedtime full of familiar Bible stories I struggled to find one that was suitable colourful with age-appropriate story length and durable enough to handle my son's love of books (we're not rough we just love our books).

I was thrilled for the chance to review Words to Dream On and hopeful my hunt may have found a match.

When our new book first arrived I was instantly caught by the beautiful illustrations throughout the book and it's front cover. I love that the pictures reflect the story to help our son engage the story as we still work to help him gain some verbal skills. Pictures can sometimes be overlooked for importance but as I watch our son engage visually I'm beginning to realize how crucial a strong image can be  for our little man.

The second thing I noticed was the binding. Some books you pick up and they go straight on the shelf, they're the type that extra care is required. Words to Dream On, however, has a nice thick cover and binding which I had no problem handing over to my 21 month old to explore and begin discovering right out of the box! I love that this will easily be around for many years of bedtime stories.

The third thing we all noticed were the stories. After years of volunteering and a Bible College degree I often get annoyed by children's stories that paraphrase and "dumb down" to the point that you're left with only moral thoughts and nice feelings (yes, sadly they exist). On the other hand, I'm equally discouraged by children's stories that are so long a child loses interest (training up a child I'm convinced also includes attention spans). Stortz offers a perfect compromise though with a 3-4 page average story that includes pictures, a bedtime prayer, the actual scripture reference (so mom and dad or older siblings can follow along at their own level afterwards) and a short blessing to tie things together. While the stories themselves are somewhat paraphrased, they've been true to the story and child accessible to the point that when #2 arrives this summer I know that the age gap won't be an issue for both of them enjoying this book for at least a few years.

Finally, I really appreciated the order of this book. Chronological in nature, families can choose to read through in order building upon the narrative and seeing how God's story unfolds over time or families can use the handy index to find stories that more closely connect to real life or family devotionals that may already be underway.


Finding a good collection of Bible stories can be difficult in today's market but if you're looking for a book that is durable, engaging, and will appeal to multiple family members I highly recommend giving Words to Dream On  a second look!

5 out of 5 stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”