Monday, March 28, 2022

Candlewick picture books with social impact [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell


My thoughts:
  This is a beautifully compassionate book telling the story of a depression era child who in adult life made it a mission to care for the homeless. Specifically the women of the homeless population. Seeing the dire need of homeless people in the US moved Kip's grandmother to be a person who fed those who came to her doorstep during the depression. A beautiful action that kind individuals did for the wandering homeless during the depression era. Seeing this kindness in action as a child and then later seeing the need of the 1960's and 1970's homeless population of drug addicted and war weary men faced moved Kip to action.

As she acted upon her desire to help she saw the bewildering need of women to have a place for just women to be sheltered and helped. So again she acted and she moved others to act.

A moving story and one that needs repeating across the world.

About the book: Before Kip Tiernan came along, the US had no shelters for women. Here is the inspirational story of a singular woman and what her vision and compassion have brought to life.

"Justice is not three hots and a cot. Justice is having your own key." --Kip Tiernan

When Kip Tiernan was growing up during the Great Depression, she'd help her granny feed the men who came to their door asking for help. As Kip grew older, and as she continued to serve food to hungry people, she noticed something peculiar: huddled at the back of serving lines were women dressed as men. At the time, it was believed that there were no women experiencing homelessness. And yet Kip would see women sleeping on park benches and searching for food in trash cans. Kip decided to open the first shelter for women--a shelter with no questions asked, no required chores, just good meals and warm beds. With persistence, Kip took on the city of Boston in her quest to open Rosie's Place, our nation's first shelter for women.

Christine McDonnell, a former educator at Rosie's Place, and illustrator Victoria Tentler-Krylov bring warmth to Kip Tiernan's story of humanity and tenacity, showing readers how one person's dream can make a huge difference, and small acts of kindness can lead to great things.


Carrimebac: The Town that Walked by David Barclay Moore


ISBN: 978-1536213690
Hardcover $18.99

My thoughts:
 Great illustrations in this children's picture book featuring a new folktale about a small, post-slavery black community. The characters are delightfully drawn and the story flows very well. The story presents a dark period in history when men-in-white-sheets threaten and try to scare residents of the black community. The story also weaves through a bit of supernatural or unreal situations that also cause those outside of the black community to be scared and then to threaten the small community.

As with most folklore, there is a mixture of the real and the not-so-real happening. And as with most folklore or fairytales, there is a lot of fun reading and enjoyment. 

About the book: A stunning feat of original storytelling from the recipient of the 2018 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award.

In a boldly transportive original tale, David Barclay Moore infuses history with wry folk wisdom, metaphorical power, and a splash of magic. The Civil War may be over, but times are not substantially improved for the freed Black citizens of Walkerton, Georgia, who are shunned by the white folks of the surrounding towns. One day, though, ol' Rootilla Redgums and her grandson, Julius Jefferson, arrive. Rootilla teaches the citizens of Walkerton how to make all sorts of beautiful things, and the white people can't get enough. But some aren't so happy. When a hooded mob threatens to burn down the town, Julius and Rootilla must work wonders to protect Walkerton and its people—even if it means moving heaven and earth itself. With exquisite cinematic illustrations by John Holyfield and a generous trim size, this portrait of Black endurance draws on the rhythms and traditions of African American storytelling to open a powerful window into the past.
Sanctuary

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall


ISBN: 9781536204308
Hardcover $18.99

My thoughts:
  This is a sweet story about a young adult couple in a desperate, unusual, and scary situation and how they found love even under these circumstances. Romance is an unusual story line for a child's picture book - I speak of romantic love as contrasted to the love of others as a general attitude or behavior. 

The illustrations capture the essence of the story showing these two Japanese-Americans behind barbed wire, under armed guard, and in minimal housing. A dark period in the world's history and certainly in American history. And while I truly did enjoy the book and the illustrations and the realistic capturing of circumstances and Japanese-Americans, I would not select this as a book for children under my care.

The subject is presented in the story and in the end notes as a unreal, brutal, racist treatment of Japanese-Americans and I truly think that this subject matter is best left for older children and adult discussion. 

I hope this type situation never again occurs on American soil and believe that knowledge of the past can and should prevent repeating previous wrongs. 

About the book: Set in an internment camp where the United States cruelly detained Japanese Americans during WWII and based on true events, this moving love story finds hope in heartbreak.
To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human—that was miraculous.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert. All Japanese Americans from the West Coast—elderly people, children, babies—now live in prison camps like Minidoka. To be who she is has become a crime, it seems, and Tama doesn’t know when or if she will ever leave. Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp’s tiny library, taking solace in pages bursting with color and light, love and fairness. And she isn’t the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before. As their friendship grows, Tama wonders: Can anyone possibly read so much? Is she the reason George comes to the library every day? Beautifully illustrated and complete with an afterword, back matter, and a photo of the real Tama and George—the author’s grandparents—Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s elegant love story for readers of all ages sheds light on a shameful chapter of American history.
GIVEAWAY
2 Winners Each Receive 3 Books
Begins March 28
Ends April 26 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA & CANADA addresses
NO P. O. Boxes
Canadian phone required for winner
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate reviews. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winners' prizes are provided and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its representative.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

I, Vivaldi by Janice Shefelman & illustrated by Tom Shefelman


My thoughts:
I just read a delightful children’s book about composer Vivaldi. My children played some of his piano compositions as they advanced in their piano studies. I love this book and I found some of Vivaldi's music YouTube. (Published by Eerdmans Books for Young readers ISBN:9780802855862)

The story is well written and tells of young Vivaldi's physical limitations that prevented his ability to run and play like other boys. It also told of the influence his father's musical career had on young Vivaldi. 

Growing up in a musical family, Vivaldi's love for music, its composition and performance, and above all, its absorption into Vivaldi's life was shown throughout the book. His mother's insistence on his studying to be a priest, and how even though he complied, his music still became his primary focus.

I totally enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. (Turn your sound on for the short video clip.)
 



About the book: In this picture book inspired by the life of Antonio Vivaldi, the composer himself narrates how a creative, determined boy grew up to create masterpieces like “The Four Seasons.”

Despite his mother's vow for him to become a priest, young Vivaldi is only interested in music. He soon grows from a feisty, violin-obsessed boy into a stubborn young man who puts his musical training ahead of his studies for priesthood. Beautiful, ornate artwork portrays the spirit and splendor of Vivaldi's hometown of Venice. A historical note, musical score, and glossary will help readers more fully appreciate the composer’s Baroque context and his enduring genius. 

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

The Element of Love (The Lumber Baron's Daughters #1) by Mary Connealy


My thoughts: 
Another delightful read from author Mary Connealy. This one was typical "Connealy style" writing and story, but it had a darker element. And, no, it isn't the "element of love" as the title might indicate.

Set during the gold rush days, the lives of three young sisters who are of an age to marry are at stake as is the wealth left to them by their biological father who created his own lumber empire.

Their father was truly ahead of his time in that he valued his daughters greatly and prepared them to handle his affairs at their own maturity. He made certain they were educated in areas that would enable them to each have a critical role to play in their future as lumber heiresses. 

Though society's dark side is exposed for what it was during this era in The Element of Love, it will behoove readers to acknowledge that this same darkness resides amongst us today as well. As in this story, strong individuals acted to right bad situations, today's strong individuals should act to right the wrong in society today. The care and protection of the weak and innocent should always be a priority.

Highly recommend! Another good read from Mary Connealy. 

About the book: With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother's unfortunate choice in husband, until they discover his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away--far and fast--to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father's lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.

When Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California during their escape, she quickly volunteers herself and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the local minister, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb's past and in the land around them come to light, it'll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

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

Saturday, March 19, 2022

I LOVE Strawberries 🍓🍓 by Shannon Anderson (Author), Emma D. Dryden (Editor), Jaclyn Sinquett (Illustrator) [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

PERFECT FOR SPRING PLANTING, SUMMER EATING & ALL-YEAR READING… I LOVE STRAWBERRIES! Publication date: April 5, 2022



My thoughts:
 This sweet story about an absolutely delightful little girl who is quite precocious will charm any reader. Directed to the wholesomeness of eating a very-good-for-you-food, strawberries, and the ambition of growing some in their own backyard garden, the story entertains thoroughly as it educates.

The premise is that the little girl needs to demonstrate her maturity before undertaking the responsibility of gardening. She goes about her task in a logical, carefully planned manner to progress toward a point where she is considered mature enough to handle the day-to-day, down-in-the-dirt responsibilities of growing berries.

So her parents in their wisdom concede to her request to purchase the plants after she has shown maturity. This helps assure that her project will not fail.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the back matter on the final pages provides on point information that is gleaned from responsible sources. I highly endorse this book and other informative children's projects from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

Hardcover Price: $17.99 -  Ages: 5-8 - ISBN: 9781948898065

About the book: Jolie LOVES strawberries - and she’s on an unstoppable (and hilarious) mission to grow her own food from seedling to table in this colorful introduction to the joy of growing the popular perennial.

Through Jolie’s comical scrapbook-style journal entries, young readers will learn how she convinces the “old people” (aka her parents) to let her grow her own strawberries. Growing strawberries is a lot of work and responsibility, but Jolie is ready with the help of her faithful rabbit Munchy! Together they find out just how delicious, rewarding, and sometimes complicated it can be to grow your own food.

Creating a garden calendar and notebook, how strawberries grow, what pests to look out for in a garden, why ladybugs are helpful, and how a good gardener takes care of strawberry plants are all explained in this fun and educational story. Informational backmatter includes tips on growing strawberries, an explanation of integrated pest management for greener, safer gardening - and even tips for how to find a pick your own strawberry patch near you.

This story makes a great read before a family trip to a strawberry patch, a garden store, or in a classroom talking about healthy eating and growing your own food.

About the publisher: Feeding Minds Press is a project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture whose mission is to build awareness and understanding of agriculture through education. We focus on helping young readers understand where their food comes from, who grows it, and how it gets to them and believe in cultivating curiosity about food and farming and how agriculture plays a role in our daily lives. All books from Feeding Minds Press have accompanying lessons, activities, and videos to further learning available on their website, Feedingmindspress.com.


GIVEAWAY
🍓🍓3 Winners🍓🍓
Begins March 20
Ends April 14  @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA & CANADA
DISCLOSURE: I received the pictured samples to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and given after actively using the items. I received no compensation for this review. Prize will be sent directly to the winner by publisher or publicist.

Sunday, March 13, 2022

GOLDEN CHAI TEA SHAMPOO from Good Earth Beauty Exclusives: A Moisturizing, Spicy Shampoo [Review & Giveaway]

Golden Chai Tea Shampoo 


I previously introduced Chat With Vera readers to the lovely Good Earth Beauty online company that produces natural and organic products one small batch at a time and with love. You've read about their "Exclusives" Good Earth Beauty items I've used and reviewed as well as a plethora of other grand natural and organic products from other brands that they sell online at GoodEarthBeauty.com. 

I've featured their beauty boxes which are delightful treats packaged with a variety of products and themed in various manners. I've told you about their delightful pumpkin soap, toner, moisturizer, and skin cleanser and lastly, the wonderful fragrances.

Now, today,  I want to share with you a new-to-me shampoo product - the "Good Earth Beauty Exclusives" Golden Chai Tea Shampoo. All I can say is ----- WOW! They have bottled the essence of a lovely cup of Chai Tea that will provide the user with lovely hair and a wafting of gentle spicy fragrance to engulf them as they shampoo their hair.

Lovely. The fragrance is subtle and so very pleasant. The way my hair shines after using it is absolutely gorgeous. And my hair is so manageable.

All I can say is, "This is another good, all natural and organic product."

Now as my readers know, I'm particularly fond of the products that Good Earth Beauty Exclusives produces and this shampoo was simply wonderful! I love the scent plus the shine and the feel of my hair after using it.

GOLDEN CHAI TEA SHAMPOO

$16.00 | 8 oz.

A Good Earth Beauty Exclusive! A moisturizing, spicy shampoo with a hint of sweetness.  Moisturizing, calming, and aromatic. It's like sipping a warm cup of chai tea!

Made in the USA in small batches by Good Earth Beauty - 8 oz bottle Price: $17.00 Click here to purchase

Ingredients: Organic Herbal infusion, Organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe vera), cetearyl alcohol (plant derived), jojoba oil, sesame seed oil, avocado oil, olive fruit oil, evening primrose oil, coconut oil, shea butter, starflower seed oil, polysorbate-60 (plant derived), panthenol (vitamin b5), kosher vegetable glycerin (plant derived), leucidal liquid (plant derived preservative), collodial oatmeal, citric acid

Chat With Vera readers may use the discount code of VERA10 to get a 10% discount on their entire order. And orders for USA addresses ship FREE!
Shop for Mother's Day gifts early & use the 10% discount code!
GIVEAWAY
1 Bottle of Good Earth Beauty Exclusives Shampoo
Begins March 13
Ends April 7 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received the pictured samples to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and given after actively using the items. I received no compensation for this review. Prize will be sent directly to the winner by GoodEarthBeauty.com.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Crosshairs (Natchez Trace Park Rangers #3) Patricia Bradley


My thoughts:
This story is infused with excitement and mysterious shooters. There is the involvement of escaped convicts, marijuana, missing historical diaries, murders past and present, and a whole lot more.

Set in the humid, sweltering heat of Mississippi that only a true southerner can comprehend, the rangers race from one scene to another trying to ferret out the guilty culprits. A bit of past romance that begins to take root again adds a sweetness to the story.

Totally clean Christian read that still stokes the reader's imagination and interest.

About the book: When ISB Ranger Ainsley Beaumont returns to her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a teenage girl, she doesn't suspect she'll become the murderer's next target. Can former a FBI sniper—and Ainsley's former flame—overcome his past mistakes on the job in order to protect her?

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Spring picture books for little one's 'reading' pleasure [Review & Giveaway USA & CANADA]

Chirp! by Mary Murphy

My thoughts:  When I first got hearing aids, I was amazed that I could hear the birds! What a wonderful hearing experience. I now have 3 bird feeders and a couple of suet block perches for the birds and I love to watch and listen to their melodies. Alas, I can not hear well enough to differentiate their individual songs and thus identify them by their chirps. My daughter-in-law also has bird feeders and a wonderful camera to capture their images. She also has a wonderful sense of hearing and can identify them by their individual songs.
In this brightly colored book the child can enjoy how the various birds begin the day with their own chirp, voice, song greeting the day. A nice introduction for a child to enjoy the songs, sounds, and variety of birds in our world.

About the book: Each bird gives voice to its own song in a luminous board book celebrating the turning of a new day.

Chee chee, says the Wren.
Ta-tee-tee, sings the Lark.
Tink-tink, calls the Finch.
Goodbye to the dark.

With the chirp of a sparrow and the warble of a thrush, night turns to morning against a vivid, brightening sky. One by one, each bird wakes up and issues its call, with songs rising into a crescendo until a little bluebird calls for a hush—and finds its own voice. With bold shapes, deeply saturated colors, and simple language, Mary Murphy revels in the joy of sound and offers an ode to individuality sure to enchant the youngest of listeners.

Ear Worms by Jo Knowles & illustrated by Galia Bernstein


My thoughts:  Who hasn't had a song wiggle in their mind from time to time often invoking memories or it might be an unrecognizable tune but one that has "staying power." In Ear Worm! a delightful menagerie of forest critters leap and cavort to the tune that they alone can hear.

The illustrations are delightful and full of charm. The individual critter's tune is given in text format and you can compose your own music for it. I can envision a classroom of youngsters each pretending to be one of the critters and eventually a whole chorus ensues.

A cute book. 

About the book: A musical treat for the ear and eye, this antic tale of a worm on a mission doubles as a cozy bedtime book.

One summer day, as Little Worm heads out to play, he discovers he has a song stuck in his head. “What’s that you’re singing?” Owl asks, but Little Worm can’t say. He wriggles past, determined to learn who filled his head with “Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay.” Owl flaps along with a song of his own, and before long Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox fall in line, each contributing an ear worm to the joyful cacophony. Amid all the singing and dancing, Little Worm forgets his musical mystery until later when—surprise!—Papa Worm tucks him in. Hip, vintage-inspired illustrations and whimsical typesetting meet movement, sound play, and comic, cumulative delights in a picture book that will charm media-savvy children and their parents alike.


First & Lasts: The Changing Seasons by Leda Schubert & illustrated by Clover Robin


My thoughts:
  Such an interesting concept to explore the seasons. This is also a deeper concept on life and how the first and last experiences as one finds them in the seasons of life are rare and poignant. But this is a children's book, so let's see the delight for children....

We're familiar with seeing the first flower in the warming days of spring or the first snowfall of winter. But the author of First & lasts: The Changing Seasons draws our attention to what ends as the new season begins as well as what first things we see in the new season.

I found it a deeply challenging thought concept. It awakens our senses to our ever changing world in a broader sense than the newness of change. I think it a grand opportunity to explore this sweeping change idea within our adult selves as well as introduce the idea to children.

I highly recommend.

About the book: With evocative words and glorious cut-paper collages, this celebration of the transitions between seasons summons the first—and last—signals of the seasonal cycle.

What is the first sign of spring? And what is the last glimpse of winter? The joy of the changing seasons means saying hello to new but familiar rituals, like spring picnics in the park or homemade lemonade in summer. But there’s also the bittersweet feeling of doing something for the last time, like mowing the lawn one final time on a brown day in autumn, or watching the last of the geese fly south in the early weeks of winter. Whichever way you mark the changing of the seasons, every year feels like an extraordinary miracle! In this jubilant ode to seasonal rituals, Leda Schubert evokes the familiar, enchanting rhythm of the four seasons, while Clover Robin’s bold collages bring warmth and magic to everyday occurrences.


Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech by Ted Kooser & Connie Waner, illustrated by Richard Jones


My thoughts:
  Poetry has changed greatly since I was a child in school. Rarely these days do we see iambic pentameter or words that rhyme in poetry. No longer do we see the movement and flow of words as they magically roll off our tongues.

Instead, we have prose that doesn't rhyme and stanzas that seem to have paragraph breaks and formatting that fails to use "word wrap" creating an appearance of traditional poetry.

That is not to say there is no redemption in today's "poetry" such as is in Marshmallow Clouds. I was delighted with the word pictures poets Kooser and Wanek drew throughout the book. I was also disappointed that yet another book of poems lacked the treasure of poetry of bygone days.

I enjoyed "Gas" with its vision of what gas is and how it powers our cars and also how it pictures "the big oaks and imagine them after another million years, filling someone's gas tank with acorns." Or... "pine pitch, the golden blood of the tree."

Lovely word pictures. 

The book is divided into four sections: Fire, Water, Air, Earth. Each section a collection. Interesting. Lovely. Thoughtful. While this is a picture book, I think the span of reader's appropriate age reaches to the upper grades as well as adults who wish to delve into a rich assortment of lovely words.

About the book: Celebrated poets Ted Kooser along with Connie Wanek, and illustrator Richard Jones, explore figures of speech in a spirited and magical way—and invite our imaginations out to play.

A freewheeling romp through the world of imagery and metaphor, this quietly startling collection of thirty poems, framed by the four elements, is about art and reality, fact and fancy. Look around: what do you see? A clown balancing a pie in a tree, or an empty nest perched on a leafless branch? As poet Connie Wanek alludes to in her afterword—a lively dialogue with former US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser—sometimes the simplest sights and sounds “summon our imaginations” and cry out to be clothed in the alchemical language of poetry. This compendium of the fleeting and unexpected turns the everyday—turtles, trees, and tadpoles; cow pies, lazy afternoons, and pillowy white marshmallows—into poetic gold. A brilliant and timeless collaboration that evokes both the mystery and grandeur of the natural world and the cozy, mundane moments of daily life, this exquisitely illustrated collection is the go-to gift book of the season for poetry fans of all ages.

GIVEAWAY
Begins March 8
Ends April 4 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA & CANADA
No P.O.Boxes
Canadian Winners must provide phone number
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of the books reviewed to faciliate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prizes are provided and shipped directly to the winner by the publisher or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

God & Science Books by Louie Giglio from "Indescribable Kids Books"


Ever wonder how you can lead your child to an understanding of God and the Universe and how the study of science can fit in with God and the Universe? Louie Giglio has prepared a superb set of kid's devotionals that do just that. These STEM driven short devotionals will engage elementary school age kids. All three of the books are great, and I highly recommend parents purchase these for their family's use and enjoyment. 


THE WONDER OF CREATION! 100 More Devotions About God & Science - ISBN: 9781400230464 (Grades 1-5)


Please visit the IndescribleKids.com and enjoy a download of a resources to use with THE WONDER OF CREATION! Louie Giglio's books are treasures and they touch the spiritual, Biblical, and scientific world in an understandable way for children. In The Wonder of Creation there are 100 devotions about God and science. 

This devotional for children published by Passion Publishing with Tommy Nelson publishing is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) book. Designed for ages 6 to 10, this devotional will engage the child and aid in your helping them to draw close to God and experience Him in their life. 

The Table of Contents in the front and the Index in the back of the book are valuable resources for referencing specifics. 

Each two-page spread is a devotional reading with "Explore the Wonders" sidebar info spot. Bible verses, prayers, fun activities, and great illustrations provide a wealth of educational enjoyment. Each presents God's amazing, wonderful creation.

Find it & purchase here: https://bit.ly/IndescribableKidsBooks


 HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD - ISBN: 9781400215522 (Grades 1-5)

Children's devotionals often are a compilation of Bible stories or portions of Bible stories and the lessons they teach on a level young children can understand. While learning about the key stories in the Bible and how we can learn to live our lives for God is important, it is quite refreshing to have a children's devotional that shows the child how the science of this world in which they are living connects them to the God of the Bible who is the Author and Creator of all things.

From learning how the butterfly is designed with "dust," that is actually scales, on their wings to how there is a design on their wings that tells predators they are poisonous.

Or in the devotional about God being our strong rock and fortress, the focus is on how we think the ground beneath our feet is solid and strong, yet it is constantly changing and can actually fail us in the form of sinkholes and other collapses. God is strong and never fails us.

I think this devotional will draw children to a closer relationship with God and that they will gain an understanding and appreciation for the World and Universe that God has created. I found it nice, too, that an index in the back of the book will help children locate these salient facts for when they wish to refer back to them. The Table of contents has cute, catchy titles.

Find it & purchase here: https://bit.ly/IndescribableKidsBooks


INDESCRIBABLE: 100 Devotions About God & Science - ISBN: 9780718086107 (Grades 1-5)


What a grand opportunity to lead your child to discover the indescribable wonders of the universe made by our wonderful Creator, and this new devotional book for kids will enable families together to embark on this wonderful journey of discovery.

Every day's devotional is packed with wonderful scientific information and a brief scriptural reference that ties it together. The doors for discussion will swing wide open when families use this book for family devotions

But it is not only a book that can be used in a family setting. Kids themselves will wonder at the awesome God that created our world as they read through these 100 devotions on their own. An opportunity to establish a habit of daily time with God.

Seriously, my husband and I (we're grandparents and great-grandparents) enjoyed reading some of these devotionals together and are quite frankly simply amazed at the material. It is so well presented and not too "little-kiddie-themed."

I highly recommend this little book and know it will be a treasured addition to a child's or family's library.

Find it & purchase here: https://bit.ly/IndescribableKidsBooks

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of these books to facilitate reviews. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Age has no hold....

 Age. The cause of death. The cause of waning abilities. The cause of weary weakness. 

Age. The entranceway of disease, infection, susceptibility. 

Age. The hammer of time.

The body is simply a case that holds the soul. The soul is that part of us that engages mentally and spiritually with the human and the divine.

When that case becomes weakened through the ravages of time and the wear and tear of daily abrasions, it begins to crumble. It begins to crack. In those microscopic wear points, the enemy creeps in.

The enemy of the body comes in the form of mental decline. One's lungs cease to gather in the essential air and expell the nonessential gases. One's heart dances to the tune of a weary drummer that misses the beat or gets caught up in a run, trip, fall dance. The blood courses through the body in a river of time that is increasingly thick with the silt of life.

Microscopic beings invade. They ravage. They war. And the armour of youth is so worn that age fails to bar the portals that allow the foe entrance.

The battle is fought sometimes quickly and sometimes it creeps along wearying bystanders who see in the raging war their future.

Age. Takes a final toll. A final thrust. And man is released from that case that held him and that living, breathing, soul soars victorious.

Age and death have no hold over the soul.

--Vera Godley© 3/1/2022