Book Review - I Can Read! Double Trouble

Double Trouble by Dandi Daley Mackall might grab your attention because of the cute horse on the cover.  This I Can Read book published by Zonderkidz has an important message about the truth and taking responsibilities for your actions.

Jen loved riding her horse, Bob.  One day, she rides Bob into a Mrs. Gray's flower garden.  It was not on purpose, but the flowers are ruined. She decides not to tell Mrs. Gray.   "It was such a little thing" so why not keep quiet.

Later, her horse starts to have a problem while walking.  The vet figures out the little thing that is causing a big problem.

Children can learn that not admitting when you are wrong is no small matter.   It affects you and the person you hurt.   

Young children and parents will enjoy this short story and beautiful illustrations.  

Rating: 4 stars

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Book Review - Teaching Christ's Children About Feeling Angry

Anger is a normal feeling.   What happens after we get angry can get us in trouble.   Teaching Christ's Children About Feeling Angry by Corine Hyman uses beautiful illustrations and the Word of God to help kids know the best way to respond to anger.

The story is told by a young girl, Tayniesha, who tells us about the times she gets mad.  Her brother teases her or she is told to stop something she wants to do are some reasons why she gets so upset.

Tayniesha does not handle her anger in the best way.   Her mom makes a wise choice and shows her daughter scriptures so she can learn how to handle her anger.   Her mom lets her daughter know that feeling angry is okay, but we must not sin.

This book is right on time for my family.  I have 10 year old boy/girl twins and a 6 year old daughter.  We are dealing with how to handle our anger.  I want my kids to know that anger is normal and okay. God shows us the best way to deal with such a powerful emotion.   I believe most children can relate to the girl in this book.  The situations she talks about are real and it's just enough to get your child to open up about their angry feelings.  This book will help me reinforce what my family has been discussing recently.   God's Word is powerful and this book uses scripture references and a short story to help our little ones to be their best.

You can read more about the author and her books on her website - http://www.booksbycorine.com/

Rating: 4 stars

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Book Review - God's Calling for Kids

God’s Calling for Kids by Phil A. Smouse is just right to begin or end the day with your child. This is a year long children’s devotional. This book is perfect for my five year old daughter and me to focus on God.  The devotions are short and written in a very personal way.  A scripture is included with each day’s devotional.  

Some of the devotionals are relevant to the season because it does follow the calendar. The illustrations are cute, but are not included for each day.  There are at least two illustrations for each month.   

I would recommend this book to parents with young children 3 to 7 years old. Wake up or wind down with your little one while reading God’s Calling for Kids.

This ebook was provided to me by NetGalley.

Rating: 4 stars

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Introduce Little House at a Younger Age

Going to Town (My First Little House):Amazon:Books

Going to Town was my bedtime story with my daughter. The My First Little House book series is a wonderful way to introduce Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie to children at a younger age.

Book Review - Otter and Owl Set Sail

I was not expecting to find a lesson for me when I picked up Otter and Owl Set Sail by Crystal Bowman from the library for my 5 year old daughter.   I usually leave the library with 30 books mostly for my kids.  The lessons are meant for my children, but sometimes I am the one who is taught.

Owl had an idea to build a sailboat.  His friend, Otter helps him to make it.  When the boat is complete, it's ready to sail.  Well, at least that was what Owl and Otter hoped for.  Nothing happened when they first got in the boat.  After a few tries, the boat did not budge.   Owl was very disappointed.  He thought that his sailboat was not good.  Otter being a good friend reassured Owl that his boat was very good.   The boat just needs something that only God can provide - wind!   The sailboat finally takes off and Owl and Otter were finally able to make it to the other side of the pond.

This book made me think of things that I am working on that I am sure God wants me to do.   The problem is nothing seems to be happening.   Frustration comes and I think that maybe I'm not good enough.   Then I remember to trust in the Lord and not to depend on my understanding because He is leading.   God will send what is needed at the right time.  He did it for Owl and He will do it for me, too.

Rating: 4 stars

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Book Review - You Are Special

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  (Psalm 139:14)

Psalm 139:14 came to my mind while I was reading You Are Special by Max Lucado.  You are  invited to a land of wooden people called The Wemmicks.   Every Wemmick was different in some way, but they were all carved by Eli, the woodworker.

The Wemmicks gave each other stickers.  Stickers were nice for some, but not for others.  The stickers separated the "good" from the "bad"; the "talented" from the "not so talented".   Punchinello was considered to be clumsy and without talent.   When anyone would met him, they would know the type of person he was right away.  Why?    It was because of the stickers on him.     

These labels did not make Punchinello feel good about himself.    Fortunately, he met Lucia.   She stood out from everyone because she did not have any stickers!   Lucia told him to go see Eli.  Something wonderful happens when Punchinello mets Eli.

This book is encouragement for children and big people like me to remember "I am special" because of what God thinks!

Rating: 5 stars

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Book Review - Wonderfully Made

Wonderfully Made by Joyce Meyers is a charming story of Hayley the Hippo who wants to be in a talent show. She does not have any idea what to do for the show.   Everyone else she knows has an act ready for the show.  Hayley watches her friends practice, but it does not help her determine what she should do.  Hayley tries to copy others, but she is disappointed with the results.  Hayley can not do anything or so it seems. While Hayley is watching and trying to copy others, we the readers start to see her gift.  Hayley will soon realize that she had a talent all along and that she is “wonderfully made” by God.

This book is a great start to a discussion with kids.  It can be frustrating when you are young and want to stand out.   Everyone else seems so gifted and talented.   We all need to be reminded that God’s has a purpose for each of us.  Our unique talents can be used to carry out His purpose and bless others.  It may take time before you discover what you do best, but be patient.   Your gift will become obvious in time.

Wonderfully Made is a book full of wonderful illustrations and cute characters.  It tells children that they are special in many ways. It is a great addition to a child’s library.

Rating: 4 stars

I received a free copy of this eBook from Netgalley.

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Book Review - Bible Now!

 

Bible Now!: 101 Amazing Stories for Today's Young Readers is a good children's Bible for ages 4-8. Many of the familiar stories from the Old and New Testament are available in this Bible.   Each Bible story starts with a one to two page summary.   It concludes with the key verse in the CEV (Contemporary English Version) and illustrations with simple sentences to describe each animated scene.

This is the Bible I normally use with my twin 7 year olds and my 4 year old on Saturday mornings after breakfast.  The twins read the first part.  Their younger sister gets a chance to "read" it when we review the story again by reading the animated part of the story.  Even after we are finished my 4 year old will especially continue to "read" it by looking at the pictures and trying to retell the story.

I bought 3 so each of my children can have their own book.  I would buy it as a gift for another child.  I recommend this children's Bible to read together or for independent readers.

Rating: 4 stars

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Book Review - The Person I Marry

How soon should you start to talk about marriage with your children?  The conversation can start very early with the book The Person I Marry: Things I'll Think About Long Before Saying "I Do" by Gary & Jan Bower.  It is a wonderful rhyme that gets your child thinking about who to marry.

"It's 'who' not what that makes a great wedding.

The clothing you wear and the flowers you carry

Don't matter as much as the person you marry.

After reading this book your child will know that the person they marry should be kind, courteous,  generous, thoughtful, considerate, steadfast, optimistic, honest, joyful,  able to laugh, forgiving, patient, faithful... Sounds like an impossible list of qualities to have in one person.   This is not so impossible when the one who is a ‘keeper’ serves the Lord.

“This person must be someone who will cherish me as Number Two.

Oh, I’ll be deeply loved, of course.

But I can’t be my partner’s source.

When everything is said and done,

God must be our Number One."

You can read this book all at once or read a few pages at a time to discuss each quality about your child’s future mate in more detail.    Make sure to take time to enjoy the beautiful oil paintings of children having fun.  The illustrations definitely enhance the rhyme.

This book could be used in your child's Sunday School class, but I see something even greater than just use in a youth class. Why not have a combined family Sunday School class that has the children and parents reading this book together? The adults, teens and children could all benefit by gathering around this book to help build a generation that understands God's design for marriage.

This book is definitely a keeper for my children’s library.  I borrowed it from the library and now I need my own copy.   My family and I will read this book through the years to plant wisdom about marriage. 

“I set my standards long ago

when I was just a little kid.

I set them high: I’m glad I did.

The vows I’ll say I mean to keep,

so I’ll look hard before I leap.”

Please visit the Bower Family Books website for more wonderful books like this one.

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Book Review - What Happens When I Talk To God?

What Happens When I Talk To God?: The Power of Prayer for Boys and Girls by Stormie Omartian is a great prayer starter book for children.  The author tells kids what prayer is, when you can do it and what to talk about.  The author really wants kids to know that God wants to spend time with them.  Prayer is one of the best ways to get to know God in addition to reading and listening to the Bible.


Each page describes different things that a child can talk about with God...His Word, family, food, grass flowers, toys, play time, pets, friends, sad things, bad things, sin, confession, forgiveness, ANYTHING!


There is an "I Say" statement at the end of most pages.  Here are a few that I like:

"Thank you God, for everyone You have put in my life for me to love."

"Thank you, God for giving me healthy food to eat and clean water to drink."

"Thank you for my favorite toys and places I can go to play."

I like books that draw me in with its illustrations.  The cover of this book is beautifully illustrated with children from different backgrounds laying in the grass.  Some are looking up and others have their eyes are closed.  It is an invitation for kids to talk with God.There is a diversity of children represented throughout this book.  My 3-year old likes to look at the "prayer book" often and "read" it.  My 7-year old twins have read it many times before, but they still enjoy reading it.  This book is comforting and invites my kids and me to spend more time with God.

TumbleBooks - eBooks for eKids!

TumbleBooks - eBooks for eKids!


Chester County library's website has a great resource of eBooks for kids. If you go to www.ccls.org and scroll down to find the Tumblebooks icon. Click it and you will find books for free that your child can have read to them. The book can be set to auto-play or your child can click to turn the page at their own pace. Most of the books appear to have a related-game to help reinforce what your child read. Tumblebooks is a very good addition to encourage reading for children.

Blogs I Read - 5 Minutes for books (Berenstain Bears' digital book)

I subscribe to the blog 5 Minutes for Books. I enjoy their book reviews.  Today's post was about the Berenstain Bears' Bedtime Battle digital book. The book is an interactive book that can be read on Apple or Android devices.  


After I read their blog post,  I looked it up in the Android Market and downloaded the free book The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule (Lite Version).  I will probably buy the other books in the future. You can see all the books at Oceanhouse Media. Jasmine read this book on my phone.  She used all three options.  She chose to have the book read to her and she read it on her own.  You swipe the screen to turn the page.   She used the auto play option, but preferred the first two choices.  She liked turning the pages herself.  The options of "auto play" and "read to me" highlight the words as the story is read.

Kids' Educational Websites - sheppardsoftware.com & ixl.com

You might think I make my kids read a lot and I do, but I know they need more.  I like the following websites (www.sheppardsoftware.com and www.ixl.com) for helping me to add to what my kids learn in school.  


This summer, my kids have used the website Sheppard Software to play games to help them with Math, Language Arts and Geography.   If you go to the top of the page, you will see even more subjects than what we used.  The best part is that it is free!


My kids' favorites are Math Fruit Shoot, Math Man and the Parts of Speech Tutorial.

• Math fruit shoot gives you a math problem and you have to shoot the fruit with the right answer to score.
• Math Man looks like Pac-Man except you have to eat the dot with a question mark to get the math problem.  Then you have to eat the ghost with the right answer.  Do not eat the ghost with the wrong answer or else you will lose a turn.
• Parts of Speech tutorial made my kids laugh.  You have to pick a noun, adjective and a verb.  Your choice is animated for you at the end.  For example, you could pick to have an angry cloud sleeping or a sparkly girl flying.   A definition with examples is given each time your child picks their noun, adjective and verb.

I also like IXL website (www.ixl.com).  Children can practice their math skills.  It is for grades pre-K to the 8th grade.   Your child can practice 20 questions for free each day.  If you want more than what is offered for free then you have to pay $9.95 for the month or $79 for the year.   There is also a teachers rate which can be shared with the class or school.    If you or your school is not ready to purchase a membership then I would at least let your children answer 20 questions a day.  It can only help them get better at math.  

I would love to hear of any educational websites that you use with your family.  Let me know.  Thanks.

Love Your Neighbor for Kids...and Me

I read Love Your Neighbor (Just Like Jesus Said Series) to my kids today.  The whole story is a rhyme about a boy who does not like his neighbor, Tim.  He broke his bike and scared his cat.  Everybody should agree that Tim is a pain except for Grandma.  She reminds him to "love your neighbor as you love yourself."


The little boy says he can love anyone else except for Tim.  The little boy's imagination runs wild.  He could live with and be neighborly to a polar bear, elephants and any other animal you could think of except Tim.   By the end of the book, his way of thinking changes and he makes a friend.


My kids gave this book a "thumbs up".  Today was rough between the twins.  Fighting between the two started early this morning. I had to remind them to love each other even when they disagree.  "Don't touch me"..."Get out of my room"...."Stop correcting me" are a few of the phrases shouted back and forth between the two.   After reading this book, things improved for about an hour and then the fight was back on.  Tomorrow I hope they are the best of friends again.


I have had a few "Tims" in my life.  I have felt that there is no way I could love that person, but reading a children's book reminds who I represent and what He expects.

Rhyming Values

I went to the library this afternoon to pick up books that I had on hold.  Of course, I found more books than those to take home with me.  I am glad that I did because I found the most beautiful, touching books about the person you will marry and money management for children.

The books are  The Person I Marry: Things I'll Think about Long Before Saying "I Do" (Bright Future Books) and The Jingle in My Pocket: Sound Money Principals Kids Can Bank on (Bright Future Books)by Gary Bower and oil paintings by Jan Bower.   I could not keep myself from smiling as I rode home in the car reading these books.  Each page has a wonderful painting and a rhyme about values that I want my children to learn and cherish.   My husband is driving and all he can hear from me is “This is so sweet” and “I have to this book in my library”.     This behavior confirms for him that I am Matilda from the 1996 movie titled Matilda.  The girl loved to read and my husband calls me Matilda from time to time when I am engrossed in a book or being overly excited about a book I am reading.  Let’s get back to the reason for my blog today.  These wonderful, exciting, beautifully illustrated books…

The Person I Will Marry helps children think about qualities they should look for in a future spouse.   I will tell my kids to use this checklist of traits to pick their friends as well.    The books sends the message that your future spouse should be gentle, kind, fun, courageous, optimistic, generous, patient, honest, believes in God and looks to Him for guidance.    

The Jingle in my Pocket lets kids know that good, old-fashioned work is necessary if you want to have the jingle in your pocket.    All the money is mine or is it?  The book reminds children and ME that God gave me the ability to work and earn money so I should give some money to Him.  Kids are offered ideas on how to earn money with old-fashioned stuff like wash your parent’s car or walk your neighbor’s dog.   Kids are taught to save and stay out of debt.

Does this sound like too much for young children to learn?  I do not think so.  The author uses rhymes and paintings throughout the book to teach and leaves the rest to the parents to continue the lesson.

We should take these books to the street and teach it to grown folks who did not get the lesson while growing up or forgot that there is a better way.  There is a better way that many have not adhered to for their relationships and money.   Let’s give our children wisdom so they can avoid the mistakes we made so they can truly have a better life rich with values and integrity.