"Thank You, School" by Louise Borden & illustrated by Paige Keiser from Holiday House Publishing

Thank You, School by Louise Borden & illustrated by Paige Keiser 

ISBN: 9780823455690
Holiday House Publishing
Hardcover $18.99 USD

About the book: How many people make the school day possible? Let's say thank you to every single one, in this picture book of thank you poems from kids to their school community helpers.

THANK YOU

to our custodians

who care for our school

and fix everything.

Join kids across the country as they go to school and thank each person that helps them during their day. Each page of this collection features a poem from a child to someone who helps them during their day. From bus drivers to custodians to librarians to teachers of all kinds, everyone's job is important.

Perfect for back to school or end-of-year gifts, Thank You School celebrates the unsung heroes in children's lives. And for young readers it is perfect for starting conversations about gratitude and focusing on positivity of even the smallest things in their day.

"... The hum of our thinking...."

My thoughts:  After having worked on the administrative team of private schools for over 35 years, it is a joy to see a children's book devoted to thanking all the people in the school that do so much to make schools wonderful educational facilities and experiences. This children's book looks at the many faces in the school that do the work of running the school. Children see that it isn't just the teachers (the face they  most see) that make the school work. It is the janitor, maintenance crew, secretaries, principals, bus drivers, etc. Parents and PTAs need to see and recognize this about schools. It takes a lot of people to bring an education to a child. 

This sweet book is illustrated with watercolor washes of scenes throughout the school. The turn of each page has a different child named and saying his or her "Thank You" for a specific person for which they are thankful. Such charm. Such joyful and delightful illustrations!

I love this sweet book.

"...our custodians...who fix everything"

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

CSB Teen Study Bible - Christian Standard Bible [Review & Giveaway]

When my five children were growing up we only had available a standard edition (with a few maps and tiny concordance) KJV of the Bible for them to use. It was also the version required in their Christian school. Today, parents and teens have a wonderful opportunity to have a Teen Study Bible that aids the young person in their study, their engagement with Biblical truths, and their growth in loving Jesus their Savior and realizing what a wonderful God we have!

Real Questions. Real Answers. Real Faith.

About the CSB Teen Study Bible: This Bible equips students to connect Scripture to their everyday life. It features a unique Q&A style study approach, devotionals for personal growth, and topical articles on complex faith questions.

$34.99 Hardcover

CSB Bibles by Holman - Buy Here

The CSB* Teen Study Bible is an engaging, intentionally crafted study Bible for teens designed to ask and answer the tough questions they have about God, the Bible, and the world.

Featuring book introductions connecting Christ to every book of the Bible, concise Q&A style study notes, topical articles tackling more complex faith questions, “Learn, Love, Live” focused Q&A callouts, devotionals to help foster personal growth, and charts, maps, and other helpful study tools placed throughout, this Bible is the ideal resource for teens who are ready for a deeper, more engaging study experience that will foster lifelong faith and discipleship. It is also a great resource for youth pastors, ministry leaders, and parents to help guide teens as they take the next steps in their faith journey.

FEATURES:

• Convenient, portable trim size
• Book introductions connecting Christ to every book of the Bible
• Concise Q&A style study notes on every page
• Topical articles tackling more complex faith questions
• Devotionals to help foster personal growth
• “Learn, Love, Live” focused Q&A callouts
• Helpful charts, maps, images, and illustrations
• Durable Smyth-sewn, lay-flat binding
• Two-column text format
• Topical subject headings
• Black-letter text
• 8.5-point type size
• Concordance
• Bible Dictionary
• Presentation page for gift giving
• Full-color maps
• 5.375” x 8.5” page size

The CSB Teen Study Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

Where to buy your teen a copy of this study Bible: click here

My thoughts: The copy of the CSB Teen Study Bible that Lifeway/Holman Bibles sent to me is the blue hard cover edition. It has a beautiful solid blue cover that is youthful but not gaudy. The Bible text itself is the Christian Standard Bible version and is a widely accepted version. The font is smaller than I personally like but is totally readable. The paper is typical of Bibles with very slight shadowing of prior page typeset peeking through. The Bible is not heavy or cumbersome. It lays nicely flat when opened which is very appealing for desk or lap placement and ease of handling.

Versions: While the Christian Standard Bible is widely acceptable and yes, some in my own family prefer it, I am very "old school" and still prefer the old reliable King James Version.

This is a "study" Bible. The interpretive writings interspersed throughout are presented as questions with answers. Study aids at the back of the book include a short Concordance, small dictionary, and a selection of color maps. I have always personally enjoyed the Bible maps in my personal Bibles as they aid in visualization of the text for me.

Study Bibles have basically two portions.... 1) The Biblical text or "The Bible," and 2) The study aids including cross referenced Bible verses, essays, commentary on specific subjects or verses, and maps. The most important of the two is the Biblical text or holy scriptures. While I prefer the King James Version, I understand today's readers often prefer a version such as the Christian Standard Version of the Bible for its readability. Scholars conclude that the CSB stays true to the original. I leave that interpretation and evaluation to scholars. For a modern version, the CSB is probably top ranked. 

Pros:

• CSB Translation is very readable.  Flows well.  
• CSB Translation and publishing company are very reliable and true to scripture.
• Maps are in color and easy to understand. 

Cons:

• I wish this edition had red lettering for the words of Christ.
• I wish the typeset was larger. 

Some well-known verses comparing CSB and KJV
(borrowed from https://www.eden.co.uk/blog/csb-side-by-side-comparison-p128899)

John 3:16

[CSB] “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

[KJV] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jeremiah 29:11

[CSB] “For I know the plans I have for you” ?— ?this is the Lord’s declaration ?— ?“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

[KJV] “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Psalm 23:1-2

[CSB] “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures”

[KJV] “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

Romans 12:12

[CSB] “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”

[KJV] “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

Genesis 1:1

[CSB] “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

[KJV] “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Check out this up to 50% discount for tenn ministries! Click Here
Endorsed by Shane Pruitt: the CSB Teen Study Bible is an ideal study Bible for Student Ministries to purchase in bulk!

GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Teen Study Bible product-based bundle

Qualifications: Giveaway winners must be a US resident. 

Entrants must fill out THIS FORM by 10/20). 

Prize Bundle Contents:

1 CSB Teen Study Bible (Blue Hardcover), CSB Backpack, CSB Sweatshirt, Yeti, Journal, & Pen.  

$149.99 Value

Giveaway is run through Lifeway
Prize provided and sent directly to winner by Lifeway 

Click Here for Entry Form

*Christian Standard Bible (CSB) - The CSB translation is an optimal blend of accuracy and readability translated straight from the Biblical languages.Developed by 100 scholars from 17 denominations, the Christian Standard Bible faithfully and accurately captures the Bible's original meaning without compromising readability.

DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and also a small compensation. Opinions expressed are mine, alone and are given without coercion. Lifeway Publishing will provide winner's grand prize and send it directly to the winner. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. #TeenStudyBibleMIN

Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings by Mitali Perkins [Review & Giveaway]

Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings

$18.99, 32 pages, 9x9 hardcover - Details
Ages 4–8 - InterVarsity Press

Jesus, now I come to you,
at the start of something new . . .

Children all encounter change differently. And whether a new year, a new school, a new neighborhood, or a new team, change can be hard.

Through Doing Something New, award-winning author Mitali Perkins reminds kids that wherever they go and whatever they do, in all of these changes they are not alone: Jesus is with them. And not only is Jesus with them, but he also understands and empathizes with them because he, too, has experienced new and difficult things.

In Doing Something New, you'll find

• a heartfelt prayer kids can lift to God during times of newness and change,
• a charming story brought to life through Andrés Landazábal’s vibrant illustrations of children in new everyday situations, and
• a note from the author to encourage further conversation about trusting Jesus in the midst of hard things.

Doing Something New is a prayer that offers children―and the adults who read with them―language to pray in times of change or stress. Rooted in the promises of the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-10, this book provides comfort and reassurance that everything matters to Jesus.

My thoughts:  In this sweet children's picture book based on the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, the author instructs the young school age child who has moved into a new school area (or is beginning school for the first time) to face the unknown that awaits him by relating to Jesus' own experiences and how to find peace within and guidance for actions based on the Biblical text. (Scripture used is the Holy Bible New Living Translation)

These gentle teachings are wonderfully executed for the child as he faces these life changes and challenges. They help him with his choices to "join the crowd," "protect the mistreated by a bully," "find friendship," etc. 

The basic teaching is simply to trust Jesus and hold on to him for all of life's needs. This is sweetly taught in illustrations and text.

Share Doing Something New with the children in your life and help them see how Jesus is with them in every moment of their lives.

Click here to purchase at IVP

GIVEAWAY

Begins September 30

Ends October 30 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT

Open to USA residents/addresses only.

Doing Something New: A Prayer for Beginnings by Mitali Perkins

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from InterVarsity Press to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided by and mailed directly to the winner by IVP or their publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Winner will be notified via email to the address used in the Gleam.io entry platform. They will have 48 hours to respond with requested information. 

Field Day Frenzy: A Christian Chapter Book Packed with Furry Friends, Funny Adventures, & Life Lessons on Teamwork (Book #14) by Mike Nawrocki

One of the most exciting days in the school year is Field Day. It means no classwork. It means fun, activity, competition, out-of-doors events, and usually some good food. So let's go on an adventure with The Dead Sea Squirrels on "Field Day Frenzy"!

About the book:  A Christian Chapter Book Packed with Furry Friends, Funny Adventures, and Life Lessons on Teamwork

The Dead Sea Squirrels action-packed adventure series continues with the ultimate teamwork test—Field Day!

Go, Team, Go!

It’s Field Day at Walnut Creek Elementary School and Michael is named Team Captain. But his greed for victory makes him overlook his classmates whose unique strengths could be the key to beating the fourth-grade team, specifically Edgar. Merle and Pearl Squirrel need to speak some sense into Michael, but they’re too busy escaping from the family cat and avoiding the school reporter, Sanjay. Will Michael listen to what they have to say about leadership in time to win?

Book #14 in the popular Christian kids’ series packed with adventure and family-friendly humor from the co-creator of VeggieTales

• Cute and funny illustrations that will appeal to even the most reluctant readers
• Positive messages that promote biblical values
• Young readers will learn about working together in the same way as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12)
• Enjoy the animated series streaming on Minno!

My thoughts:  This is a lively, engaging series for young readers around fourth and fifth grade. It will make a good read-aloud series for younger children - at parents discretion. The premise of finding deceased squirrels from 1,000 years ago during an archeological dig at the time of the discover of the real Dead Sea Scrolls (look it up, it's fascinating Biblical find) then those long dead squirrels becoming alive and involved in the kid's lives is a plot that kids will find fun to read about.

As the story progresses, the field day participants learn about teamwork and participate in a variety of field day activities. The squirrels have their difficulties with trying to avoid the school newspaper reporter. All-in-all a fun read for adventurous kids. Readers will relate to their own school's field day games and activities.

Here's where you can buy it! ➡️Click Me ⬅️

🐿️DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. #thedeadseasquirrels #TyndaleKids #TyndaleHouse #sponsored #PaidPromotion 

David's Diary series chapter books provides good faith-forward reading for kids [Giveaway]

USA Today bestselling author Bunmi Laditan writes David's Diary #1: The Summer Camp Disaster, David's Diary #2: The Science Fair Sabotage, and David's Diary #3: The Big Bully. 

Don't miss these for kids ages 6 to 10!

David's Diary #1: The Summer Camp Disaster

We meet David Jesse King, a precocious nine-year-old whose first time at church camp is turning out to be not-so-fun. David is absolutely thrilled to be at a real, honest-to-goodness, actual sleepaway camp! He can’t wait to jump into the lake, climb an oak tree, see a brown bear, fly down the mountain on the zipline—it’s going to be the best week of David’s life! 

But when another kid dumps a huge bowl of chocolate pudding on him, David’s first time at church camp is ruined. Can he fix things by getting revenge? Or is there another way for David to still have a fun week?

 

David's Diary #2: The Science Fair Sabotage

Incorrigible and precocious David Jesse King has high hopes of winning the Faith & Fun Science Fair—until someone sabotages his chances! 

David loves school - especially since he just won third place in in his school's science fair AND his class has entered the regional Faith & Fun Science Fair! It’ll cost $500 for their class to go to regionals, and David is ready to be the top fundraiser and make it happen. 

The only thing standing in his way is Abby, the new girl who seems to be good at everything and keeps stealing David's thunder. Can David stop Abby from sabotaging his chances of being discovered as a scientific genius? And when someone steals their fundraising money, can he figure out who's sabotaging his entire class?
 

David's Diary #3: The Big Bully

David Jesse King confronts a new kid in school who turns out to be a bully. David can't wait to show everyone at school what he got for Christmas! But things take a turn when the new kid, Greg Putnam, sets his eyes on David’s cherished gift. 

Will David find a way to deal with Greg's bullying on his own? Or will being Greg's number-one target keep David trembling in fear? 

With its engaging narrative, The Big Bully explores ways young readers can stand up against bullying with courage while leaving room for forgiveness.

My thoughts on the series: I think this is a delightful series. It includes the bad side of growing kids' characters and helps them overcome their faults. It isn't real "preachy" but it is definitely Christian. The kids are in a Christian Academy and face their school-day challenges. They attend a Christian sleepover camp with their church group. They learn faith based ways of changing their behavior and learning to forgive. A good series written as a boy's diary in his own quirky "kid-voice." 

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win 2 books

Begins September 21

Ends October 22 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

DAVID'S DIARY #1 Summer Camp Disaster + DAVID'S DIARY #2 Science Fair Sabotage

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is books #1 and #2. Prize will be provided by and sent directly to the winner by publicist or publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Autumn's Abundance: An Indigenous Celebration of Nature by Kaitlin B. Curtice & illustrated by Eduardo Marticorena

Autumn's Abundance: An Indigenous Celebration of Nature  

About the book: In this joyous celebration of autumn, a young Indigenous boy learns how to receive love from Creator and Mother Earth—and how to share that love with others.

Bo, a proud Potawatomi boy, loves the coming of autumn—the turning of the leaves, the cooling weather, the last harvests from his garden. All around him he can see the love and abundance that Creator and  Mother Earth give to all living creatures. But Bo knows that not everyone feels abundance in their lives. What can Bo and his friends do to share love and abundance with those around them?

My thoughts:  This is a really cute book and story about children learning to appreciate the beauty of Autumn and to be thankful for the abundance of the Autumn harvest of good things to eat. It is illustrated joyfully and with really cute scenes and activities. Pictured, too, is a  mix of ethnic backgrounds. So from this standpoint, this is a lovely book.

However, when I agreed to review this title, I missed seeing that the story involved teachings about the Earth's abundance and beauty coming from "Creator" and "Mother Earth." Even the Sun and Moon have names - Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon. I do think that at some point in our children's lives we need to introduce them to varied belief systems and help them see the differences in those and our own. In our home, that belief system is Christian; and we believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In Christianity that is the Trinity and it is a monotheistic belief. Therefore, this really cute, sweet, idea-positive picture book basically is about a belief system contrary to that which I promote.

The publisher is Random House Publishing and their Convergent imprint which is an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group headquartered in New York, Convergent publishes in the categories of spiritual practice, personal growth, self-help, relationships, memoir, etc. 

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. 

Grow Wild My Child by Ainsley Arment [Review & Giveaway]

 Grow Wild My Child

My thoughts:  This is a lovely book about a child, or children, who live in a location and have the opportunity to wander the out-of-doors where they live and explore, investigate, handle, see, create, utilize, and just generally make the out-of-doors their world of play and intellectual growth. It is a dying existence. And that is a true shame.

Unstructured play and time to explore the world around them is the best way for a child to grow and develop their minds and bodies. It doesn't replace intellectual stimulation that comes from books, creative art and music, and education or educational play. But it is a vital aspect of humanity and the growth of the human mind and experience.

That being said, in Grow Wild My Child the author takes the reader on a meandering journey through the seasons as children - specifically a young boy - explore and play with the world outside. I love the story and the parent's recognition that her child's interest in the outside world is good for him. The illustrations beautifully follow the child on his explorations. 

The rhyming text is not the best "poetry," but it has a certain aspect that enhances the reading. 

Now a little down side to the story and title..... the use of the word "Wild." No parent wants a truly wild child, untamed, uncivilized, untrained, uneducated. So implanting the idea in the mind of a young child that behavior that is "wild" is o.k. is treading on thin ice. I see the intent of the author, but just have that slight concern that it could be misinterpreted.

All-in-all I think this is a very good book and I recommend it.

About the book:Wander through the world's classroom to learn, play, discover, and make the most of childhood. In this lyrical picture book from Wild + Free homeschool-community founder and bestselling author Ainsley Arment, your family will be inspired to make every day a growing experience through wonder, curiosity, adventure, and connection.

In this poetic adventure, you will discover the delight of education through experience--exploring nature, reading great books, and pursuing new interests; that childhood is sacred, and children should be given the freedom to grow up slowly; and that alongside loving guidance, the wider world offers children room to grow, learn, and become who they were meant to be.

Grow Wild, My Child is perfect for . . .

• boys and girls, ages 4 to 8;
• families who enjoy nature and art, value giving their children safe spaces to make their own discoveries, and for those families who have chosen to homeschool; and
• gifts for birthdays, grade-school graduations, Christmas, and Mother's Day.

Inspire your family to get dirt between their toes, reach for the sky, welcome exploration, and follow where adventure leads.

🌳🐿️GIVEAWAY🐿️🌳

Begins Sept. 13

Ends October 14 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

Grow Wild My Child

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize copy is provided by and mailed/shipped to winner by publisher or publisher's publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.