Friday, February 28, 2020

It's A Great, Big Colorful World & The Seedling That Didn't Want to Grow from Prestel Publishing

It's a Great, Big Colorful World by Tom Schamp 

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ISBN: 9783791374246
Hardcover | Ages 2-5
My thoughts:  This is a different type of kiddie book. Obviously, it is a children's book and yet the adults guiding the reading and education of children will see much more tucked away within its pages.

True, there is a diversity of colors in the world in which we live. The sun is yellow, a rose is red, the sky is blue - except when it is grey. Lots of colors in this world.

The story, if one can actually call it a story, is that of a cat who awakes to a day that is so very grey. And a chameleon joins him as they traipse through the colorful world discovering just what is grey, what is black, what is pink, red, green, brown, etc.

But tucked away within the pages of jumbled images sketched randomly about the pages and colored with the color-of-the-day are statements that polarize into a very different world from that of a child.....

The cat pondering a grey world..... is told by the chameleon that the sky is always blue above the clouds.

"The truth is never black or white."

Respect for age..... "With time comes wisdom," "Respect my gray hair!"

"Religions tend to see the world in black and white." "We mustn't see things too black and white."

 "Ebony and Ivory live together in harmony." (i.e. a piano)

Just a lot of images, a lot of statements, some satire, some wisdom, some silliness. And then at the end after all these colors have paraded through the book they all come together to show how it all blended beautifully to become our beautiful, colorful world.

There are hours of pondering and laughter packed on these pages. And all in all a nice book. Not a highly educational book, not a story book in the true sense of the word, and truly a lot of nonsensical stuff. A good choice to bring home from the library to ponder and chuckle through.

Personally, I think this book while cute is quite over-the-heads of ages 2-5 as intended.

About the book: One winter morning, Otto the cat looks out the window and sighs, "Why is everything so gray today?" Luckily his friend Leon the chameleon is around to show him just how many colors there are in the world. In these exciting and funny spreads filled to the brim with brilliantly illustrated objects, Leon and Otto identify people, places, and things of every hue. On pages dedicated to infinite shades of a single color, Tom Schamp's brilliant drawings play with perspective and unexpected pairings. An enormous Bengal tiger lords over an orange-tinted world, while a giant blue whale dwarfs elephants, pairs of jeans, and police officers. Throughout, cleverly inserted puns and allusions will elicit plenty of laughs from parents and children alike. Parents will enjoy the numerous ways color is depicted and kids will spend hours looking for their friends Otto and Leon as they traverse the busy pages. Best of all, this delightful adventure comes to a perfect end when all the colors come together in one beautiful, joyful rainbow of fun.


The Seedling That Didn’t Want to Grow by Britta Teckentrup


ISBN: 9783791374291
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
My thoughts:  Love this book for the gentle way it "reads" to the soft watercolors of the illustrations. Love the potential of the seedling's growth process being likened to that of each developing at his or her own rate - some are early bloomers and some late comers.

The presentation of a seed's life cycle is gentle yet final in its beginning and its end. Yet the potential of being worth living is gently portrayed in the abundance of seeds the lone seedling produced. The stark reality of the life-cycle's winter and finality is beautifully portrayed in a whiteness, yet the air is filled with white "flakes" and you can ponder if that is snow in the air or is that future life compacted in the airborne seeds.

A story about a reluctant seedling packs a powerful message about the benefits of being different and having worth. Lovely.

About the book: It's early spring and below the earth's surface seeds are just starting to sprout. One by one they stretch through the dirt and towards the sun, extending their shoots and leaves and growing tall. All except for one seedling, who isn't quite ready.

Each page of this gentle but powerfully evocative book demonstrates how some of us are different. As most of the seeds transform into strong flowers, they block out the sun from the one left behind. But the little seedling persists, twisting and turning until, with the help of bird and insect friends, it finds its own place to grow and blossom. In the end, this little seed turns into a flower that's just as beautiful and healthy as all the others. Hailed by Publishers Weekly as "delicate, complex, extravagant, beautiful and strong," Teckentrup's inviting and softly colored illustrations provide the perfect backdrop for this moving tale about being unique while subtly teaching kids about the life cycle of plants.

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary books to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and are freely given.

Monday, February 24, 2020

LILY ORGANICS SEAWEED BALANCING FACIAL CLEANSER [Review & Giveaway]

Celebrating 10 Years of providing an assortment of natural, organic, and often vegan skin care and beauty products, GOOD EARTH BEAUTY is focusing on some of the brands they carry as well as their own "Exclusives."

We are presenting the Lily Organics Skincare line in this post and specifically their "Seaweed Balancing Facial Cleanser." (Lily Organics) Be sure you check out my previous review of the Lily Organics Rejuvenating Enzyme Mask carried by Good Earth Beauty. Click here


LILY ORGANICS SEAWEED BALANCING FACIAL CLEANSER




The Lily Organics Seaweed Balancing Facial Cleanser is a lovely product. It has a nice herbal type scent, though it is not a "fragrance." The scent is naturally derived from the plants and essential oils. Lovely!


This is light, refreshing liquid is slightly opaque. You simply pump a little into the palm of your hand and gently massage all over your face and neck. (A little goes a long way!) Then you rinse it off and pat your skin dry. My face felt so clean and refreshed and did not have that tight, dried-out feel to it that soaps and some other cleansers cause. This seaweed cleanser left my skin feeling clean and soft. Very pleasant! Do avoid getting it in your eyes just as you would any other product not intended for eyes. 




As I said..... lovely! I can highly recommend this. My skin is "old" but it is pretty normal. This facial cleanser product is designed to be good for all types of skin, and the ingredients should be helpful if you are plagued with acne or other issues. 

Product information: (find it at GoodEarthBeauty.com/LilyOrganics)  
A balancing, nourishing, cleanser comprised of Seaweed and Essential Oils. This formula produces extraordinary results on oily, combination, or normal skin. Dry skin types also love the hydrating effect of Seaweed. The antibacterial properties of Tea Tree Oil and Rosemary also make it ideal for acne and infected skin. Made by Lily Organics Skin Care Price: $24.00,  3.4 oz *USDA certified organic


Ingredients: Purified water, Lily’s homemade almond oil soap, natural grain alcohol, vegetable glycerin, symphytum officinale (comfrey*), chondrus crispus (irish moss), hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel*), citrus limon (lemon juice*), xanthomonas campestris (xanthan gum), hectorite mineral, citrus grandis (citrus seed extract), essential oils of lavandula angustifolia (lavender), salvia officinalis (sage), melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), cinnamomum camphora (camphor), and tocopherol (vitamin E oil)



You can order your own product at  GoodEarthBeauty.com 
Use DISCOUNT  CODE - VERA10 for 10% discount. 
And as always, FREE SHIPPING in USA.

Find it here
$24.00 & Free Shipping USA


GIVEAWAY
1 Full Size Lily Organics Seaweed Balancing Facial Cleanser
Begins February 24
Ends March 20 at 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary product to use, evaluate, and review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

She Believed: 12 Stories of Courageous Women of Faith Who Changed the World by Shiloh Kidz an imprint of Barbour Publishing

ISBN: 9781643522739
Hardcover $9.99 ~ Ages 5+
Shiloh Kidz-Imprint of Barbour Publishing
My thoughts:  This is a very nice collection of short biographies of courageous women. Written with the young child or young reader to understand, it of necessity focuses on the barest of details of the women.

The collection of women is "Hall of Fame" quality and readers should be encouraged as they grow older to read more about these women.

Included are missionaries, nurses, abolitionists,  musicians, and holocaust survivor.  Knowing that they lived during a time when historically women were relegated to the background and a mundane life, their accomplishments should empower today's young girls and women to believe as did these women that they, too, can do important work for society and for God.

I highly recommend this book for home libraries a well as school and public libraries.




About the Book: Girls are world-changers! . . . And this delightful storybook proves it!

Just for the girls in your life, ages 5 and up, this collection of twelve extraordinary stories of women of faith will empower girls to know and understand how women have made a difference in the world and how much smaller our faith would be without them. Colorful illustrations complement the true stories of these twelve amazing women:

  • Gladys Aylward, missionary to China
  • ​Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross
  • Catherine Booth, cofounder of The Salvation Army
  • Amy Carmichael, missionary to India
  • Fanny Crosby, blind hymn-writer
  • Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing
  • Edith Schaeffer, cofounder of L’Abri ministry in Switzerland
  • Mary Slessor, missionary to Africa
  • Corrie ten Boom, Dutch watchmaker who helped many escape the Nazi Holocaust of WWII
  • Mother Teresa, Catholic nun and missionary
  • Sojourner Truth, Civil Rights leader
  • Harriet Tubman, leader of the Underground Railroad

The stories of these courageous women will encourage and inspire young girls to become the world-changers God created them to be!

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Turn it Up!: A Pitch-Perfect History of Music that Rocked the World - National Geographic [Review & Giveaway]


Click here to find it
Hardcover $19.99
My thoughts: Historians tell us that man has created "music" since earlier times. We have no written history to facilitate this. However, we do have archaeological indicators of some earlier music instruments and we know that cultures each present music in various ways and means.

The National Geographic Kids Turn It Up!: A Pitch-Perfect History of Music that Rocked the World takes young readers, and "their adults," back in history and up to modern day. We see an evolution of man's creation of sounds and instruments on which to produce those sounds. And as we continue through this evolutionary history, we see that to some degree man remains in his historic past with explosive sounds that rock their world.



My personal choice of music leans toward orchestral or symphonic renderings of glorious melodies and lovely chamber ensembles of violins and their cousins. I enjoy a good mellow sound of "easy listening" with strings, mellow brass horns of various types, and reed instruments.




My choice doesn't include the raucous rap, or bams, or booms and off beat cadences of modern music. But music was evolved or perhaps de-volved to such.

This book simply presents the musical evolution and those creators of each genre. I like that listings of performers and songs that enable readers to access each of the types.  I do think that there is too much focus given in this book to the loud, strident sounds that comprise today's musical choices and the performers. 
  


This is an interesting book and would be a good choice for libraries and personal libraries. I strongly encourage homeschoolers to avail themselves of books of this type even if I can't endorse or say I enjoy every tidbit of information. 


About the book: From classical to country, blues to rock, hip-hop to pop, crank up the volume and get ready to rock out with a comprehensive record of music through the ages.

The high notes and biggest moments in music history are covered in this fun compendium. You'll learn about the world's most famous musicians through the eras, from Bach to the Beatles to Beyonce -- and beyond. Many major music genres are playfully explained, from tribal, classical, jazz, folk, rock ... all the way to today's modern forms, such as k-pop, hip-hop, and rap. Instruments and sounds are explored, along with places and events in history that inspired the evolution of music. Kids will also get a sense of music theory, instrumentation, and the artistry of distinctive musical styles. Song recommendations help readers open their ears to what they've learned. Add to that amazing images, a rockin' glossary of musical terms, and a timeline that plots each genre on its path from ancient history to today, and this book is bound to top the charts!

GIVEAWAY
Begins February 20
Ends March 17 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies from MMPublicity on behalf of National Geographic to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publicist or publisher.

OFF THE HOOK: How Forgiving You Frees Me by Dana Tibbeits & Patti Goldbergand

ISBN-13: 978-0985097837
Whitestone Publishing

SO YOU THINK YOU'VE FORGIVEN? THINK AGAIN.


Is there something you’ve inadvertently picked up along the way that’s sucking the life out of you? Stealing your peace? Has you stuck? Stuck happens. Much as we think we’ve moved on, hard things have a way of taking root in the heartscape of our lives. Off the Hook shares real life stories of real people who had no idea they were still captive to past hurts—until they walked through deep forgiveness! This way of forgiveness offers healing and freedom you never thought possible. It’s about the power of truly letting go—taking old pain patterns and people off your hook, for your sake, not theirs. No longer hemmed in by the burden of deep hurt, loss and offense, you are free at last to soar above it. Discover what no one has told you about the forgiveness power tool—what it is, what it is not, and how to do it. Rewrite the ending to your true story by retrieving the well being and destiny God has for you.




SPECIAL OFF THE HOOK DEALS

The Off The Hook Kindle Countdown has begun! Just $0.99 today! Get it today, February 20, on Amazon! 
Deals all week on this title (February 20-27), starting at $0.99 1st day. (Regular price $5.99) CLICK HERE TO ORDER 

CLICK HERE TO ENTER https://www.blessedfreebies.com/off-the-hook.html



DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy. I was not compensated to share this information.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Fabulous Tenth & Pine baby and toddler organic tee shirts - Made in USA (#sensitiveskin #eczema #organiccotton)



Today folks are thinking seriously about the environment and that includes manufacturers. So when I received my package containing the exceptionally fine Tenth & Pine toddler T-shirt,  I was quite impressed. The package did include some plastic, but not over-much. The shirt was encased in a simple, brown kraft paper bag imprinted with the logo. It looked great and I could see they value the environment just from their packaging.

Then when I removed the gem of an organic cotton T-shirt, I was simply amazed at the softness, quality weave, and structure. Believe me, as a grandmother of 13 and mother of 5, I've handled quite a few T-shirts and other items of clothing. This Tenth & Pine product is top quality.



And some of my Chat With Vera readers have already met my great-grandson who has appeared in several posts and reviews. He is one cute little fella and so lively and so very smart. Yes! I'm a proud Great Grandma.

I passed this shirt along to his mommy and was thrilled to do so. You see, Baby Caleb has had eczema that pops up on his beautiful skin. So sensitive. This organic cotton T-shirt is naturally hypoallergenic and perfect for sensitive skin. Well worth the money!

And it is an USA product. Sourced and produced in America.



What Baby Caleb's mommy is saying about the Tenth & Pine T-shirt.....


I've been blessed with a healthy, thriving son that is always on the go! However, we've been dealing with his sensitive skin and a range of eczema conditions from the day he came home, so we're very careful about his clothes, detergent and anything he touches. I could tell from the moment I picked up this shirt that it was going to be perfect for him, the fabric was so soft, supple and made with good quality materials. This little cutie had free range of motion and was very comfortable while he was wearing it, not to mention the timely message for Valentine's Day. The quality and thickness is of the type that I know it will hold up well over time and whatever he gets into next.
(--Photos by Rebecca Roddenberry-Smith, Baby Caleb's Mommy) 

Find this Tenth & Pine LOVE BUG T-shirt and other superb products - click here. AND they offer an opportunity for a 10% first order discount when you sign up for emails.


Product information - buy here
Tenth & Pine's timeless, gender neutral designs are made to celebrate your special moments and create lasting memories during these special times. Featuring buttery soft and breathable premium organic fabrics. A natural organic cotton t-shirt is the perfect top for every boy or girl and comfortable for every day wear!

The organic fibers used in Tenth & Pine products are certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standards). GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

Benefits to Organic Cotton:
  • Perfect for sensitive skin, all natural fibers.
  • No chemicals, no harsh toxins.
  • Conservation of natural resources, minimize pollution.
  • GOTS Certified workplace, employees are treated fairly.
  • Durability, strong resilient material.
DISCLOSURE: I receive a complimentary product to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine and Baby Caleb's and are freely given.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Premium Natural Pacha Bar Soap lets you bathe in luxury and aid people around the World [Review & Giveaway]

It is such a pleasure to sink into one's bath, pick up a lovely scented bar of soap, and lather up. Enveloping oneself in tantalizing aromas and a rich lather that softens one's skin with natural ingredients.


Relax! Enjoy a simply "delicious" bath with natural oils and scents!





You know when you use Pacha soaps that you are getting a product that is effective, made with natural ingredients, cruelty free, and contains no SLS, parabens, and sulfates. There is no synthetic fragrance in these soaps. Just lovely products merged together here in the USA to bring you wholesome, conscious consumer, products that are good for you and the environment.

I have used several of the Pacha products and loved them. I am using the Pachafetti Bar right now and it has a little bit of everything in it. Previously I've tried the French Lavender, Dirty Hippi (love the patchouli and spicy nutmeg scent), and others.

Since it’s Good Earth Beauty's 10th anniversary this year, we are celebrating with the brands we carry. Pacha is one of their leading brands. So we are offering a discount and a giveaway.

Product information: The Pacha no waste blend! This bar is crafted with scraps from each of our soaps for a colorful and conscious creation. Brightly scented with lemongrass and peppermint essential oils. Made with sustainably produced palm oil, wild harvested unrefined Shea butter and hydrating castor seed oil.

Pacha products spread goodness by supporting radically transparent and ethical sourcing, clean water initiatives, hygiene education and small business opportunities worldwide.

Enter to win one bar (selection is Good Earth Beauty's choice). But don't wait! Shop now! Remember - your USA order SHIPS FREE.
And to sweeten the shopping trip, take 10% off using VERA10 discount code.
Shop - Click Here


GIVEAWAY
1 Full Size Bar of Pacha Soap
Begins February 13
Ends March 12  at 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary bar of Pacha soap from GoodEarthBeauty.com to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by GoodEarthBeauty or publicist.

The Hunter and His Dog (A Fantastical Journey through the World of Bruegel) by Sassafras De Bruyn from Eerdmans Publishing [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  Unless one is schooled to understand and recognize the works of various artists through the centuries, one would likely miss the fun of a book such as The Hunter and His Dog. To begin with, this is a "wordless" book in that the story is told visually alone. The story is that of The Hunter and he leaps from page to page following the black bird. His companion is his dog. The two of them see the black bird soar through a crevasse that appears on the virtually blank page.

Turn the page and you see and "town square" packed full of peasants from long ago engaged in village activities of playing, dancing, and life in general.

But the scene changes just as in the Works of artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder. We see the Tower of Babel, Winter hunting scenes, folks diving into holes in the ground, and a scary figure.

So the "readers" can create their own story but the real fun would be exploration of the multitude of characters revisited from Bruegel's famous works.

A short bio about Bruegel's paintings is at the end of the book. And there are numerous websites where you can find information and images of Brugel's paintings. Here is one: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/bruegel-the-elder-pieter/artworks/

I highly recommend libraries acquire a copy of this fun book and homes where love of art is important would want to add it to their children's libraries.

About the book: Spotting a bird in the distance, the hunter and his dog begin a madcap chase across the world of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. They stumble into some of the artist’s most famous scenes: wedding dances, snowy villages, even the winding stairs of the Tower of Babel. Will they ever find the place where they belong?

This wordless book introduces young readers to the Flemish Renaissance artist and his most beloved works, including The Hunters in the Snow and Children’s Games. Includes informational endnote on Bruegel and an index of the paintings that inspired each illustration.
GIVEAWAY
Begins February 12
Ends March 11 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided by and shipped directly to the winner by Eerdmans Publishing.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

The Blizzard Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #10) by Susanne Dietze


My thoughts:  This series "The Daughters of the Mayflower" has been a joy to read. I think I've only missed one to my despair and shame. Anyway, reading The Blizzard Bride, #11 in the series, has been interesting in that it has a woman (our Blizzard Bride) serving in the US Secret Service to help identify and apprehend a sinister counterfeiter and murderer.

A man who was a childhood friend and sweetheart is also engaged by the Secret Service to bring the culprit to justice. But Abigail's and Dash's unpleasant past experience with each other doesn't make them the best work companions. So that brings a lot of ups and downs in the story.

The blizzard is a Kansas sudden storm and there are children wandering and lost in it. Melodramatic? Perhaps, but it does make for a good read. And true to life happenings such as these occurred in the annuals of history.

You'll meet some delightful and interesting characters drawn in words on the pages of The Blizzard Bride and you'll find yourself rooting for the good guys. The children and their antics and personalities are a delight.

I recommend this book and the entire series.

About the book: A Blizzard Changes Everything

Abigail Bracey arrives in Nebraska in January 1888 to teach school…and to execute a task for the government: to identify a student as the hidden son of a murderous counterfeiter—the man who killed her father.

Agent Dashiell Lassiter doesn’t want his childhood sweetheart Abby on this dangerous job, especially when he learns the counterfeiter is now searching for his son, too, and he’ll destroy anyone in his way. Now Dash must follow Abby to Nebraska to protect her…if she’ll let him within two feet of her. She’s still angry he didn’t fight to marry her six years ago, and he never told her the real reason he left her.

All Dash wants is to protect Abby, but when a horrifying blizzard sweeps over them, can Abby and Dash set aside the pain from their pasts and work together to catch a counterfeiter and protect his son—if they survive the storm?

DISCLOSURE I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. Opinions are mine, alone and freely given.

Monday, February 10, 2020

Pets and Their Famous Humans by Ana Gallo & illustrated by Katherine Quinn [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 9783791374253
Hardcover $17.95
Ages 7-10, 48 pages
Prestel Publishing Ltd.
My thoughts:  Seemingly, the main portion of the title is "Pets" I, however, found this book to interestingly be a sort of biographic sketch of the "humans" relative to their pets. Some of the pets were rather exotic, wild creatures that we are extolled to not ever consider as critters that we should domesticate. However, these various animals, birds, etc. were inspirations to their famous owners, their humans, in their chosen professions.

The easy to read text is geared for middle elementary age students; but as an adult, I, too, found the short biographic sketches interesting. Readers will discover famous individuals and perhaps be encouraged to seek more information about their literature, art, and achievements.

I found the book interesting, informative, entertaining, and one I certainly can recommend for libraries everywhere.

About the book: A charmingly illustrated collection of pet-related stories, children will find out about some of history's most important scientists, artists, writers, and musicians and their beloved animals.

Did you know that Mozart's pet starling was the inspiration for his Piano Concerto No. 17? Or that writer Dorothy Parker loved animals so much she let aI  pair of alligators swim in her bathtub? These are just a couple of the stories in this delightful and surprising collection that profiles the strong bond between humans and their pets. Some of these stories are touching: Frida Kahlo memorialized her pet deer Granizo in her painting The Wounded Deer. Some are a little quirky: Albert Einstein, convinced that his parrot, Bibo, was sad, told bad jokes to cheer the bird up. Each of these wonderfully entertaining stories is made even more appealing by Katherine Quinn's captivating illustrations. Rich in detail and reminiscent of folk art, they capture the humor and poignancy of these fascinating pairings. Together these stories and illustrations will create lasting impressions that will help young readers identify historic figures and spark joy in friendships with the animals in their own lives.
💥💥GIVEAWAY💥💥
Begins February 11
Ends March 9 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA & CANADA addresses only
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Unique men's Bible: The Christian Standard Bible® He Reads Truth Bible from Holman Bibles at Lifeway.com [Review & Giveaway]

As Valentine's Day approaches, you may be pondering an appropriate gift for the man in your life. A husband. A boyfriend. Father. Son. Son-in-law. What a grand opportunity to share God's Word with a Bible especially crafted to help men study God's Word!

💝 💝 💝 💝

About the CSB He Reads Truth Men's Bible: This is a unique men's Bible that includes robust, well-crafted theological extras to draw the reader back to Scripture, increase biblical literacy, and foster a growing affection for God and His Word. This Bible is color-coded by genre, and each book of the Bible features detailed book introductions, a reading plan with supplemental passages for deeper understanding, and full-color maps, charts, and timelines by the He Reads Truth team. In addition, the He Reads Truth Bible features 66 key verses, artfully lettered to aid in Scripture memorization. This Bible for men invites every man to count himself as part of the He Reads Truth community of “Men in the Word of God every day.”



The He Reads Truth Bible offers a rare combination of creativity and insight into Scripture for men to explore the beauty, goodness, and truth of God's Word. The result is that whether looking to pair this Bible for men with existing daily devotions or using it as an anchor resource to teach a class, the CSB He Reads Truth Bible could be the perfect option.

Features include 66 hand-lettered key verses, 17 full-color timelines, 21 maps, 122 charts (including infographics and lists), and 4 illustrations, reading plans for every book of the Bible, one-year Bible reading plan, detailed book introductions, key verse list, smyth-sewn binding, two-colored ribbon markers, and wide margins for journaling and note-taking.

The He Reads Truth Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to 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.

My thoughts on this edition (click here to find it): I have a copy of the Evergreen Cloth Over Board edition, ISBN: 9781535935036, which has a strong binding that facilitates the flat layout of the book in one's hands or desktop. This is a hefty, quite heavy, Bible that makes it more effective to use at a desk than a "take to church" Bible. The pages have very wide margins that facilitate personal notations.

The paper is quite thin as is the case in many Bibles. This paper is such that the type or imagery on one side bleeds through to the other side. This is annoying and troublesome when reading. The type face is quite small, too, which for many would create difficulty in reading for any length of time.

As can be seen from the two images below, the study aids "The Book of Nehemiah and the Life of Jesus" and "Read and Study John" provide gems of information to aid in one's study of Scripture. This is typical of the types of aids one can find in the CSB He Reads Truth Men's Bible.


But then you can also see the extent of bleed through or shadowing from reverse pages and the difficulty they might pose.




As can be seen on the Lifeway.com page for the CSB (Christian Study Bible) He Reads Truth Men's Bible, there are a variety of bindings, colors, etc. that can be selected. God's Word is always a 5-Star product and even with some points not being to my personal liking this copy is His Word and will provide guidance, comfort, leading for a man who chooses to read truth as presented in God's Word.

50% OFF CODE = HEREADS50  is valid
February 4-March 1 on
ANY "CSB He Reads Truth Bible" at Lifeway.com


GIVEAWAY
for a copy of Bible
AT BLESSED FREEBIES
ENDS MARCH 1
Winners notified by email

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this Bible to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone. I do not purport to be an authority on Bibles and my review is to promote the use of God's Word and comment on the way it is presented in physically in this publication. Prize is provided by Blessed Freebies, publicist, or publisher and shipped directly to the winner that they choose. #HeReadsTruth #Lifeway

Friday, February 7, 2020

We Love Babies! Yes We Do! by Jill Estaum from National Geographic Kids [Review & Giveaway]


My thoughts:  This is a cute book for young children. Using actual photographs of baby animals to illustrate their cuteness in a charming manner, the book rhythmically rollicks along with a cheerful, gleeful free rhyme that brings joy to the reader.

Cute little cartoonish cheerleaders join in as they chant "We love babies! Yes we do!" encouraging the listening child to cheer and chant along.

At the back of the book, a couple of pages are dedicated to identifying the baby animals.

This a fun book that introduces sweet human babies and toddlers little to critters. I recommend the book. 

About the book: A wonderfully playful picture book showcasing adorable baby animals and celebrating their glorious diversity, from "paws and claws and little flippers" to "feet that look like fuzzy slippers!"


This hilarious picture book with rollicking, rhyming text reads like a crowd-pleasing call, pumping up readers' excitement for the cutest baby animals ever. Illustrated with lively National Geographic photography, We Love Babies! presents furred, feathered, and finned baby animals of all shapes and sizes. Whimsical cartoon cheerleaders add to the fun, popping up throughout the book to lead fans in the irresistible refrain: "We love babies, yes we do, we love babies, how about you?"
GIVEAWAY
Begins February 6
Ends March 2 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publisher or publicist.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Operation Blessing presents "Recipes From Around The World Cookbook"

Information on the ministry, cookbook, and offers are below.


Just what is "Operation Blessing"?

With the support of generous partners who make it possible to bring clean water, nourishing food, medical care, and disaster relief to those in desperate need, we are blessed to experience amazing cultures – rich sights, smells, and tastes of those lands - through special recipes gleaned from those who have been impacted by Operation Blessing.

For over four decades, Operation Blessing has shared God’s love by alleviating human suffering in every state and over 90 nations. Our generous partners provide:
  • Clean water to thirsty people in remote villages and disaster zones
  • Food to famine victims, long-term hunger solutions for developing communities, plus groceries and support for struggling families here in America
  • Medical care and life-changing surgeries for men, women, and children in desperately poor regions of the world
  • Disaster relief to those devastated by hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and other catastrophes

You can learn more about our global impact here: Operations Blessings Global Impact

https://www.facebook.com/operationblessing
https://www.pinterest.com/operationbless/
https://twitter.com/operationbless
https://www.youtube.com/user/operationblessing



Using the recipes from the unique Operation Blessing "Recipes From Around The World Cookbook," you can enjoy tasty treats from many countries where Operation Blessing and our partners are changing lives.


The recipes from an assortment of countries and cultures are given in Recipes from Around the World Cookbook. Approximately 5 x 7" and soft cover, this is a small cookbook. The variety is pretty extensive and colorfully displayed.

Special offers from Operations Blessings:


1.Make a donation of any size to Operations Blessings and receive a copy of the "Recipes from Around the Word" cookbook - CLICK HERE

The cookbook is offered as a gift for any dollar amount donation. It has a soft cover with a total of 34 international recipes ranging from breakfast, side & main dishes, breads & desserts and drinks. The recipes originated from 15 countries namely Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Kenya, Israel, Haiti, Guatemala, El Salvador, Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, China, and United States.

2. Operation Blessing Recipe Cards... Get offer here:  CLICK HERE

We are pleased to offer four (4) recipe cards inspired by international recipes from Operation Blessing’s latest cookbook, “Recipes From Around the World.” Anyone can sign up to receive this free gift after which, requests will be processed and delivered straight to their mailbox. 

3. PLUS A GIVEAWAY 

You can enter this giveaway and try to win a copy  of Recipes From Around the World Cookbook for yourself.   CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of the cookbook to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Responsibility of giveaway promotional herein is that of Operation Blessing and/or the publicist.

Saturday, February 1, 2020

National Geographic Celebrates Legendary Women: Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman [Review & Giveaway]

Selections for Women’s History Month for younger readers book picks from National Geographic include two new leveled Readers from Nat Geo celebrate legendary women:  Susan B. Anthony and Harriett Tubman.

These two publications are geared to early readers. L1 is for shared reading where an older reader reads a section and then the young reader reads. What each reads is related. For example, the younger reader's portion is a simplification yet brings forth the main idea of the older reader's portion.

L2 is for the young, independent reader.

National Geographic Readers: Susan B. Anthony (L1/Co-Reader)


My thoughts:  Not all children are going to pick up a biography to read. Children tend to live in a fun filled fantasy world. But it is important to encourage them to read the stories of real people who have achieved great things. Real people who have changed the world.

One of those real people was Susan B. Anthony who worked diligently in the Suffrage movement to obtain the right-to-vote for women.

This book presents the information about Anthony and her work in an easy to read and easy to understand mode with lots of side bars and tidbits of information as well as pretty standard paragraphing.

I think the series of "Super Reader" books from National Geographic Kids Books is a superb addition to libraries everywhere.

About the book: Meet one of the most important figures in women's and U.S. history. Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment giving U.S. women the right to vote, learn about Susan B. Anthony's remarkable life, from her childhood to her groundbreaking work.

National Geographic Kids Readers have been a hit in the beginning reader category, and this book builds upon that success with a new approach--parents and children reading together. With the same combination of careful text, brilliant photographs, and fun approach to high-interest subjects that has proved to be a winning formula with kids, National Geographic Co-readers provide one page of adult read-aloud and one page of kid read-aloud text on each spread, building toward a collaborative reading experience.


National Geographic Readers: Harriet Tubman (L2)


My thoughts:  As in any war, there are uprisings, secrets, resistance, and underground movements. The Civil War was fought for various reasons - depending on how you look at it. It was political. It was jurisdictional. It was moral. It was about freeing a people. It simply was a dastardly period of history in America.

Harriet Tubman lived was born as a slave around 1822 and escaped slavery in 1844. From that time forth she worked to help other slaves find freedom. She was even a spy and led a revolt for the Union Army.

The book is well written and the illustrations excellent. I highly recommend for home and any other types of libraries.

About the book: Find out about the life of Harriet Tubman and how her brave actions working to "conduct" the Underground Railroad helped the Union Army in the Civil War lead more than 700 slaves to freedom.

Learn about Harriet Tubman's life, achievements, and the challenges she faced along the way. The Level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers.

National Geographic Readers have been a hit in the competitive beginning reader category, and this book builds on that success with the same careful text, brilliant photographs, and fun approach to high-interest biographies of fascinating people such as Harriet Tubman, has proved to be a winning formula with kids.


GIVEAWAY
Begins February 2
Ends February 29 at 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies from MMPublicity on behalf of National Geographic to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publicist or publisher.

Skin Daily Rose Water Toner Spray for Face

Rose Water Hydration or cleansing with a quick mist

Several years ago I discovered rose water and have used a couple different brands. I still don't know the scientific use or benefit of rose infused water, but personally I do know that it is refreshing, enjoyable, and adds another layer of moisture to my thirsty skin.

Simply spritz a bit over face or body for instant hydration that smells really nice.
Or you can spritz/saturate a cotton ball and use as a toner to effectively remove last traces of makeup. 


So how to incorporate it into my daily regime? And just what is Rose Water?.....
ROSE FLOWER WATER: It is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the flowers of Rose
This is a very pleasant, softly scented water that is intended to help cleanse the skin of residual makeup and skin cells after your regular cleansing method. I also love that it is a product that can be misted onto the skin and hair to hydrate at any time.  I  also have used it to set makeup after applying makeup with a light spritz. I used it in each of these manners and it feels quite nice and is certainly pleasant to use.

Do I recommend the Skin Daily Rose Water Pure - Rosewater Toner Spray for Face?

I'd say it makes a nice non-drying toner to use after washing one's face. It is also a very pleasant hydrating mist. And the fragrance is love, soft, non-lingering.

Product information (find it on Amazon - click here

  • HEAVENLY FRESH ROSE SCENT- Skin Daily Pure Rose Water smells just like heaven. As if a fresh bouquet of stunning summer roses has been brought straight in from the garden, then bottled and rushed right to your doorstep. Skin Daily's Rose Water has a light fresh scent that is refreshing and delightful, and will leave your senses uplifted and your skin super soft and smelling delightful and pure.
  • COOLS AND SOOTHES SKIN IRRITATION- Skin Daily Rose Water has natural calming properties that cools red and irritated skin, soothes itchy skin, and hydrates dry skin. Our Rose Water is very refreshing on the face and feels amazing on your skin. Instead of having small bumps and irritations turn into large eruptions, apply Skin Daily Rose Water to calm down the skin and leave it feeling radiant and dewy.
  • PURE, NATURAL, UNCOMPROMISING - This is the real deal...the way Rose Water is suppose to be. 100% all pure and natural Rose Water is made by distilling rose petals in pure spring water. Unlike other brands, nothing else is added to our 100% Pure Rose Water, no alcohol to dry your skin, and no preservatives, only pure rosey goodness.
  • PAMPER YOURSELF- Tone with Skin Daily Pure Rose Water for a pampered sense of cleanness and softness. Tone with Skin Daily Rose Water to eliminate dry spots, take away that tight feeling caused by cleansing, and to make your skin feel soft and dewy. How does skin toned with Rose Water look? Skin will show a brighter more hydrated complexion and radiance and have your friends asking what your doing different with your skin care regimen.
DISCLOSURE: Product reviews may have been provided at a highly discounted or at no charge to facilitate a review of my honest opinion. I was not compensated for this review. Opinions are strictly my own and given after I personally or a family member uses the product.