The Red Cottage by Hannah Linder from Barbour Publishing [Review]

My thoughts:  Set in 1818 and peopled with characters from varied walks of life - fishermen, apothecarist, shopkeepers, and Lords and Ladies of the Manor born, the author weaves a tale tightly convoluted and tangled as only a true word smith can do. It is  intriguing how the story begins with the jarring reality of criminal arson and murder, kidnapping of the girl, Meg Foxcroft, and later her being found. 

It is quite unusual how Meg, an ordinary young lady who is educated (she can read) is thrust into the hands and care of the Lord of the Manor who unexpectedly cares for her even though she is most assuredly not of his class and station in life.

Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois by Allie Summers & illustrated by Sian James

Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois 

ISBN: 9781536228977
Hardcover $18.99 US
MIT Kids Press

My thoughts:  This is a picfturebook biographical story of a girl born in 1970 who was inquisitive. She observed, questioned, and had ideas. She, in my opinion, was blessed to have had parents who provided surroundings and activities that encouraged and allowed her curosity to flourish. She is also the fortunate beneficiary of the achievements of women who blazed the way for women's inclusion into scientific fields of study.

Growing up in the alps, she hiked and had trail maps to guide her. She went on to study other maping ways. She found interest in gazing at the moon with her bird watching binoculars. She loved the night sky.

Fortune Cookies for Everyone: The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat by Mia Wenjen [Review & Giveaway]

Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Smithsonian): The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat

🥠🥠🥠🥠

My thoughts:  The author’s own Japanese-Chinese heritage and her love for historical research brings authenticity to her story of the fortune cookie. A sweet multigenerational story tells of the background of the fortune cookie as it is interwoven in the WWII interment camps in America of Japanese-Americans.

I especially loved the sweet family interaction. I can almost taste a fortune cookie as I write this. Mia Wenjen’s books are a real treat.

About the book: An investigative picture book which cracks the cookie open to discover what is known about the origins of everyone's favorite crunchy after-dinner treat - a collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution.

Grandma Miyako hosts her grandchildren for a takeout meal. Of course, at the end of the meal, she hands out the fortune cookies and begins to share the story of this popular treat with the attentive children as they munch on them. She claims she knew the true inventor of the fortune cookie, but the history is not so clear. Using fortunes as headings, each section of the book delivers an episode in the unusual history of the fortune cookie and lays out the great debate about where and when they were first made. California was certainly the location, but in which city was the original baker located? This picture book looks inside these crunchy, biscuity treats to reveal the cultural origins and locations of the creators. Along the way, we discover some surprising history regarding this delicious edible delight, including a rivalry between bakers that remains somewhat unresolved today. Fortune Cookies for All is a compelling mystery containing US history; the good, the bad, and the ugly, in a single bite. But most of all, it celebrates immigrants and their pursuit of the American dream.

GIVEAWAY

1 copy: Fortune Cookies for Everyone

Begins December 14

Ends January 20 @ 11:59 p.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

Fortune Cookies for Everyone: Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat

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

Your Places Box Set: (3 Board Books for Babies & Toddlers About Safe Spaces, Comfort, & Imagination)

Your Island, Your Farm, Your Forest
Jon Klassen, Author & Illustrator
Candlewick Press ~ ISBN: 9781536241853

Your Places Box Set: (3 Board Books for Babies & Toddlers About Safe Spaces, Comfort, & Imagination) by Jon Klassen

My thoughts:  The classic simplicity of Jon Klassen children's book illustrations and sparse text is especially suitable for the very young child. Klassen's illustrations traditionally feature wide-open eyes that peer from various and often unexpected places. 

The Winding Willow by Will Hillenbrand (a fun , sunggle-worthy wintry tale)

 The Winding Willow

Holiday House Publishing

My thoughts:  What a beautifully and artistically executed story! This sweet little mouse is headed out in the midst of a dreadful wintry storm through the countryside, and a kindly gentleman offers Mouse a ride in his carriage. Sadly, the Willow tree blocks their path. They disembark and mouse spots the missing items from the mouse household precariously clinging to the branches - an umbrella, a boot, and even a key.

Winter is Wonderful ❄️ by Emma Dodd

Winter Is Wonderful (Emma Dodd's Love You Books) 

ISBN: 9781536243956
Hardcover $17.99
Templar Books

My thoughts:  Bold, stark drawings of winter wilderness captures a mother Red Fox and her two kits in a variety of scenarios. Each is a glimpse into tender care on behalf of the mother and snuggling sweet cuteness of the kits.

Deep shades of blue and red against the stark white of snow with flakes falling capture the essence of cold and serene winter beauty. The sparse sprinkle of silver metalic sheen is an especially nice touch and lends an icey glitter to multiple pages.

"The Glorious Image of God: How Jesus Reveals Who God Made You to Be" by Rousseaux Brasseur & illustrated by Arief Putra

40 pages, Hardcover
Zonderkidz
ISBN: 9780310167396

About the book: Being made in God’s image can be a hard concept for children to fully grasp, but The Glorious Image of God explains how, through the story of Jesus, we can learn to see God’s reflection within ourselves and foster a deeper sense of spiritual identity and self-worth. From ministry leader and children’s book author Rousseaux Brasseur, this masterfully woven, rhyming text dives into stories from the Bible unpacking what it means to be an image bearer of God, helping us to better understand how we can share God’s love and goodness with others in our lives.

Dr. Fizzlebop's Super Simple Science (4 book set) from Focus on the Family & Tyndale Publishers 🎄

Fun and STEM education taken to a new level for young children to learn about God's Wonderful World with these delightful, insightful, & attention grabbingly illustrated board books.

A joyful gift for little ones to find under the Christmas tree!

Young children are like sponges and soak up facts and learn about their world with amazing speed and skill. Dr. Fizzlebop's Super Simple Science board books introduce core learning concepts to young inquirers. As they learn about the alphabet and animals, colors and counting, weather science, and outer space with these four delightful "Super Simple Science" books, they begin to connect these simple bits of science into their surroundings and their minds take them forward on their beginning journey to further explore God's amazing world.

Your Worth Never Wavers by Laura Wifler 🎄Review & Holly Jolly Giveaway Hop🎄

HOLLY JOLLY GIVEAWAY HOP sponsors: https://mamathefox.com & https://momdoesreviews.com & are not responsible for other blogger's giveaway fulfillment. Scroll below for many opportunities to enter giveaways. Have fun!

My thoughts:  On pages awash with soft pastels, a beautiful mix of mother-daughter duets grace the pages of this lovely book as it explodes with exuberance and truth that God sees our worth and it never wavers. Not intended to teach a selfish sense of importance but to instill a root base of one's individual importance to God in His heart and in His mind, the steadfastness of God's faithfulness is expressed in ingenious terms throughout the book.

Absolutely perfect young child's gift - The Jesus Storybook Bible" by Sally Lloyd Jones - is a proven winner! 🎁

An absolutely perfect Christmas gift for young child!

🌟Colorful

🌟Attention getting & keeping

🌟Educational

🌟Trustworthy

 

"The Jesus Storybook Bible" by Sally Lloyd Jones

Purchase Here
ISBN: 9780310708254
Hardcover | $24.99 US/ $31.00 CAD

My thoughts:  Sally Lloyd Jones does such a good job presenting to children the stories from throughout the Bible. In The Jesus Storybook Bible she retells the well known stories from the Bible and how Jesus is in - even though in shadow - each of them. Sized for young hands, this thick book has pictures to interest and understandable text that can be read to the young child. As the child grows and learns to read, he or she will begin to read these simply retold stories for themselves.

Originally published in 2007, it's many editions attest to the dependability and trustworthiness of the storybook. This is a storybook and not intended to replace a Bible. There is no chapter/verse text. This is a retelling of the stories that are in the Biblical text. (Note: For reference the Book/Chapter/Verse are provided.)