God Bless You and Good Night Touch and Feel By Hannah Hall Published by Thomas Nelson

My thoughts:  This is a charming board book to read as you tuck your toddler into bed for the evening and to focus a bit on God in the process. Sweet mommy and baby animals get ready for bed and think about their happy day that has just passed.

The "Touch and Feel" qualities in this book are minimal with some aspects being more prominent than others. It does give the little one something to seek out and find on the pages.

The little rhymes are sweet and are good reminders to blessings in the little one's life.

A nice little book.

About the book: God Bless You and Good Night is now available as a touch-and-feel book! This
beloved bedtime classic has touched more than 315,000 families, and this touch-and-feel edition offers even more fun as little ones prepare for bed.

Bedtime can be a precious time of connection for you and your little one. Enjoy those snuggly moments together as you read this classic bedtime book while exploring all the fun touch-and-feel elements, from the polar bear's soft fur to the elephant's leathery skin to the silky grass of the African grasslands.

In God Bless You and Good Night Touch and Feel, sleepy little ones are reminded of God’s blessings and how much they are loved. The delightful rhyming story takes readers through several scenes of snuggly animals who are getting ready for bed from putting on pj's, brushing teeth, and saying good-night prayers. Now with added touch-and-feel elements, children can engage with the story even more. God Bless You and Good Night Touch and Feel will be a favorite part of the bedtime ritual for parents and children.

Whether for a baby shower or birthday, or as a heart-melting way to surprise the grandparents-to-be, God Bless You and Good Night Touch and Feel is the perfect touch for any celebration.

DISCLOSURE: I receive a complimentary copy to review from the BookLook Blogger Review program on behalf of the publisher, Tommy Nelson. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Really Woolly Christmas Blessings By DaySpring and Bonnie Rickner Jensen

ISBN: 9780718097417
Board Book $9.99

My thoughts: Grandmommies usually have a soft, warm-fuzzy spot for kiddie board books. Perhaps it began when our own children were young and had "cloth" books or the wide assortment of Little Golden Books. But back-in-the-day our little children didn't have good books that were charming, sturdy, and crafted with top of the line writing. I guess that tells how old this grandmommy is, but the truth of the matter is that I just love board books like Really Wooly Christmas Blessings.

This is a sturdy board book with slightly padded cover and sized just right for young (not tiny) hands to carry about. The sweet animals, angels, shepherds, and others with lovely colors are charming. Each two page spread is a story in verse and an accompanying Bible verse from the International Children's Bible. (Chat With Vera reader know my preference is KJV). There is a short prayer bringing an end to the reading.

The focus of this little book is blessings! The blessing of God's Plan. The blessing of baby Jesus! And on to the daily blessings of a friend, a song, light, etc. You can take a little one from Christmas time's wondrous story of the Saviour's birth into the child's daily life and teach him or her to recognize that there are blessings abounding all around us. The message of this book encompasses the might and power of the name of Jesus, His birth, His good news, His light. This is a powerful intro written in a sweet, heartwarming rhyme that will seat these truths into the heart and mind of a child.

Thomas Nelson Publishers and TommyNelson with DaySpring have produced a very nice little book for little ones. I highly recommend.

About the book: Christmastime is full of blessings, and the Really Woolly characters celebrate every part of the season—from time with family and friends, to sledding and decorating, to the joy of giving to others.

Cuddle up close with your little one, and enjoy the precious rhymes, meaningful Bible verses, simple prayers, and endearing illustrations that teach about the greatest Christmas gift of all—the birth of Jesus.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Blog Review program on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishers and the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Same Kind of Different As Me for Kids Everybody Can Help Somebody By Ron Hall & Denver Moore

My thoughts:  This shortened, children's version of  previous bestseller "Same Kind of Different As Me" brings to children the concept that helping others is a good thing to do.

Denver Moore was a black child born into the poverty of tenant farming in the South and grew up with no education and virtually no toys. He escaped the farm in a train boxcar which he rode to Texas. Life in Texas was as hard or harder than the life he had left on the farm and he lived for years as a homeless person.

He found his way to a Mission where he was discovered by a couple who took him under their wing and helped him. This evolved into a speaking tour and a book which generated a large sum of money which was used to build a new Mission for the homeless.

A good story, but somehow it seems to miss the mark. Would I purchase it? Probably not. Would it be a good book for a library and why? Yes, and because it tells the story of helping others.

About the book: This remarkable story shows what can happen when we choose to help. Kids will discover that we can all make a difference—no matter how big or small we are and no matter how big or small the task.

Based on the New York Times bestseller Same Kind of Different As Me, which sold more than a million copies worldwide and inspired the major motion picture, this book tells the true story of Denver Moore and Ron Hall, who also created the delightful illustrations in this book.

Share the power of friendship and faith with your children.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Review Program on behalf of the Thomas Nelson Publishing Company to facilitate this review of my honest opinions. I was not compensated.

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli & illustrated by Archie Preston

About the book:
Thankful – Like the gardener, thankful for every green sprout, and the fireman for putting the fire out.  There are everyday blessings , you don’t need to look far, to know at a glance how special you are.  Beloved children’s author Eileen Spinelli and illustrator Archie Preston inspire children of all ages with Thankful a whimsical picture book that celebrates the everyday blessings we find in our lives.


My thoughts:  It behooves parents to instill in their children at a very young age the grace of being thankful. Not just thankful for their food by saying a blessing, or grace, at mealtime; but by being thankful for the enormous blessings as well as the seemingly trite or mundane. Eileen Spinelli has with limited rhyming text taken the child through their world and shown how to be thankful.

"The poet is thankful for words that rhyme.
The children for morning story time.
The artist is thankful for color and light.
The clown, for her costume silly and bright."

Reading at Vera's Picture of Book Page^©

The simple illustrations in soft tones and tiny images are light, airy, and fun. As ways to be thankful are being read to the young child, it will generate their lively imagination to find and express other things and blessings for which they can be thankful.  Hey! Don't forget to be thankful for the doorknobs!

So as you step outside today, imagine a little child holding your hand and you hear the birds singing. Speak a word of thankfulness for the lovely bird-song - and you'll instill a heart of thankfulness in the child.

Thankful is a lovely book to grace the home, school, church, or public library.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of Zondervan to facilitate this review. Opinions as those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

Submarines, Secrets and a Daring Rescue by Robert J. Skead with Robert A. Skead (American Revolutionary War Adventures)

About the book: A Revolutionary War action-thriller filled with spies and heroes, targeted to boys and girls 8-12. In this second book in the American Revolutionary War Adventure series, twins Ambrose and John Clark find themselves volunteering for another mission to help the newly forming United States of America. Inspired by their success in delivering a secret message to General George Washington himself, the boys step up to help transport much-needed gunpowder to the patriots and end up in an even more dangerous situation, manning one of the first submarines and then, later, attempting a prison break to rescue their older brother, Berty.

Written by Robert Skead with the help of his father, the main character is based on their ancestor who fought in the American Revolution as part of the Connecticut militia. Though historical fiction, the events that occurred with George Washington in New Jersey regarding the war effort are true.

My thoughts: I previously, with my granddaughter, reviewed Patriots, Redcoats & Spies and am so very pleased to again review a book in the American Revolutionary War Adventures series penned by the father/son team of The Robert Skeads. These books take me back in my memories to when my children (now with grown children of their own) read a similar series - "We Were There." Placing young teens in the midst of a historical event is a sure-fire way to grasp the reader's attention immersing them in the story and in history.

The twin boys are charged with the task of moving the volatile gunpowder stashed in the newly designed and experimental submarine. True they are towing it behind their own small boat and Ambrose is the most skilled sailor available to handle the task.

They know, or suspect, that there is a loyalist spy amongst the patriots and this means danger.

While the book will appeal to ages 8-12 boys or girls, I personally expect the boys will find it more appealing than girls. There are scenes that involve violence - fights, knives at the throat, etc. There is a war going on, so some of this is to be expected. The level of description of these events is well within the tolerance of the intended audience, but it is there.

At the back of the book there is a wonderful glossary and other historical information. This is a real plus. There are also some discussion questions.

As the second in the American Revolutionary War Adventures, this is a winner. The book concludes with a teaser that the boys just might have another adventure waiting for them around the next bend in the road.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook Blog Review Program to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated.

A House Divided by Robert Whitlow

About the book: A father's mistakes nearly cost his children everything. Now his children must unite to take on the most important case of their respective careers.

Corbin Gage is slowly drinking himself into the grave while running a small law practice in a small Georgia town. The assistant DA in the same community is his son Ray, poised for a professional breakthrough based on a job offer to work for the best law firm in the area. Roxy is Corbin's daughter, a rising star associate in Atlanta for an international law firm that specializes in high stakes, multi-million-dollar litigation.

Against the advice of everyone in his life, Corbin Gage takes on a toxic tort case on behalf of three boys who have contracted non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to an alleged chemical exposure. The defendant, a herbicide/pesticide/fertilizer company, is the largest employer in the area. Because of the lawsuit, Ray's job offer evaporates, forcing him to go to work with his father. Roxy's expertise in complex litigation draws her into the drama.

As their investigation uncovers an audacious conspiracy to conceal dangers to their community, Corbin, Ray, and Roxy come to a personal treaty in their pursuit of justice. But they soon discover that burying a problem can have explosive results.

My thoughts: Legal novels are not new in the publishing world. You have authors both secular and Christian producing them. John Grishom writes secular legal suspense and Randy Alcorn writes Christian legal suspense. The author of A House Divided has been on the market writing Christian novels for several years with at least seven prior publications.

In A House Divided we see a family broken by the effects of alcoholism in the life of the father. The father, son, and daughter are all attorneys but they are not working together. The elder Gage, Corbin, has a small legal office in a small Georgia town. His son is the Assistant DA and the daughter is established in a large, international, law firm in Atlanta.

Corbin is a considerate and caring individual who truly likes and wants to help the citizens of his town in their legal matters. That is why when presented the case where two small boys are struggling with cancer which might be the end result of a fertilizer processing plant dumping chemicals that contaminated the well water, Corbin dug tenaciously into it even knowing he was out of his league in doing so. He cared.

But Corbin struggles not only with the legal issues of this huge case, but with his personal need to be part of his family which he hurt so much through his lifelong abuse of alcohol. Corbin deeply loves his grandson, Billy. Corbin's love for this young grandson moves him toward the impossible - giving up his alcohol.

As the story progresses, the legal issues are worked through and in doing so there are family and town repercussions of the suit.

A well written, very readable story. I felt there was a bit much of AA's 12-step program in the story, but that is what Gage was plodding through himself, so it is fitting it should be worked into the story. I actually loved little Billy and the interchanges between Billy and Corbin. This seems to be a perfect relationship between a Grandpa and Grandson.

I enjoyed this book and can recommend it as an enjoyable, clean, good read, that focuses on the need for God in one's life and the strength one has when relying on Him.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of Thomas Nelson Inc. and the author to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Bedtime Devotions with Jesus My Daily Devotional for Kids By Johnny Hunt Published by Thomas Nelson

About the book: Bedtime Devotions with Jesus is a collection of prayers and devotions written by pastors, pastor's wives, children's ministers, and other church leaders. In this book are valuable lessons on such topics as thankfulness, obedience, trusting God, being kind, loving others, and many more. God's Word comes alive using simple language, and the devotions are featured with delightful illustrations of teddy bears. This book will teach children ages 4-8 the value and joy of spending time with God every day.

Each devotional includes a scripture, a brief devotional reading, a prayer, and a meaningful takeaway that helps children build a strong foundation of faith. This is the first children's book in the hugely popular MyDaily™ Devotional line. Devotionals for adults in the MyDaily series have sold more than 173,000 copies.

My thoughts:  As our children were growing up, we tried to instill in them a love of God's Word, Jesus, and God. We used Bible story books, the Bible, songs, and prayers to do this. At that point in time, there was not the rich variety available to parents there is today. So today's parents have a grand opportunity to instill reverence for God and Jesus and a love for His Word using many tools.

After reading through the content of Bedtime Devotions with Jesus My Daily Devotional for Kids, I am grateful that publishers and authors are rallying to provide material that can be used with the very young child. Though this book is designed for the age 4-8 child, I really think it best for the age 2-5 child. Especially if the family is active in church.

The Bible quotations are from the International Children's Bible. Frankly, I prefer the good and reliable King James Version. Children can learn verses straight from the King James Version at an early age. However, I think key to this particular devotional book for young children is to instill reverence for God, establish a pattern of nightly devotionals, and learn lessons on obedience, God's love, trust, forgiveness, etc. Using this book can fulfill this purpose.

I think the goal is worthy and the purpose achieved in publishing this book. I believe that parents should consider if they want to use it with the International Children's Bible as the source for quotes.

About the Author: Dr. Johnny Hunt is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia. He is a sought after speaker who holds conferences each year for men, senior adults, and youth. He is the president of Timothy Barnabas Ministry designed to encourage pastors and their wives. Devotionals by Johnny Hunt include The One Year Devotional Prayer Book, The One Year Devotional Prayer Book Vol. 2, Pathway to Discipleship, and Walk Through the Word.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Blog Review program on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishers. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

The Day Is Waiting By Don Freeman Bestselling illustrator and creator of Corduroy. Words by Linda Zuckerman

About the book: Don Freeman, the creator of Corduroy, was one of the most beloved and popular author/illustrators of picture books for children. After Freeman’s death in 1978, colleagues and his wife decided to use his never before published artwork and make a commemorative book using his wonderful illustrations. Paired with Linda Zuckerman's thoughtful rhyming text, The Day Is Waiting takes readers on a tour of our big, wide world and reminds us that no matter how far we roam, we always have home to come back to.

This classic tale is imbued with Freeman’s gentle humor, spontaneity, and his appreciation of the variety and complexity of human experiences, creating a book that children will enjoy reading again and again.

My thoughts: Charming! Sweet! Invoking thoughtful consideration on the part of the child and guidance by the parent as they consider these few lines of rhyming text. The illustrations are from a collection of Don Freeman's never before published art that was selected by his wife for The Day Is Waiting and Linda Zuckerman has given life to these illustrations with a few choice words.

The child's thoughtful consideration and imagination is the goal of the book. Take care that the scant text doesn't throw you off whereby you miss the golden opportunity for a child to think, to consider, to discover. It is there to be sought and found.

Published by ZonderKidz which is a Christian publishing company, there is really no "Christian" teaching in the book with the exception of a verse of Scripture from the Old Testament on the publisher's information page at the end of the book. The book is gently sweet and suitable for any reader audience.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate this review through the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of ZonderKidz. 

Princess Grace Sticker and Activity Book Series: The Princess Parables By Inspired by Jeanna Young & Jacqueline Johnson, Illustrations by Omar Aranda

Don't you just love finding little treats for the Princesses in your life? Well, I have a wee-little-Grace in my family; and when I saw the the opportunity to review the "Princess Grace Sticker & Activity Book," I simply jumped at the chance.

It doesn't hurt the pocketbook either at only $3.99. It is filled with creative and interactive activities from easy to a bit harder. The majority of the activities are beyond a 4-year-old, but they would find the stickers fun. A good little activity book for ages 4-8.

Themed to focus on the Princess Parables and produced by ZonderKidz (Zondervan), it provides Christian activities to entertain. Princess Grace and her four Princess sisters are featured in this series. Well, how appropriate! You see, my little Grace is has three older sisters; and they are all Princess material.

I think this little sticker and activity book will provide a lot of enjoyment, especially on days when she can not play outside.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate this review through the BookLook Review Program on behalf of ZonderKidz. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Patriots, Redcoats and Spies By Robert J. Skead, with Robert A. Skead Published by Zondervan

ISBN: 9780310748410

About the book: When Revolutionary War Patriot Lamberton Clark is shot by British soldiers while on a mission for the Continental Army, he has only two hopes of getting the secret message he’s carrying to General George Washington: his 14-year-old twin boys John and Ambrose. Upon discovering that their father is a spy in the Culper Spy Ring, the boys accept their mission without a clue about what they may be up against. They set off from Connecticut to New Jersey to find General Washington, but the road to the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army is full of obstacles; including the man who shot their father who is hot on their trail.

In Patriots, Redcoats and Spies, two twin boys are told by their courier father, who has just been shot by a British soldier and is bleeding badly that they must take a very important and secret message to General George Washington.

Together the brothers face horse bandits and Redcoats, but even then they stick together and push on courageously.  Will they be able to get the message to General Washington?  I enjoyed this book immensely.  It is a wonderful book that has true facts, a glossary, and actual letters written by George Washington during his stay in New Jersey.  After a year of experiences at Mount Vernon, I feel that this book is true to George Washington’s character.

This book is jam-packed full of adventure and excitement, which is great for kids who are always looking for more adventure books!  (Reviewed by my granddaughter who is in 5th grade.)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of Zondervan Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

Bunny's First Spring by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrations by David McPhail

ISBN: 9780310733867
Hardcover $15.99

The author uses short sentences and prose in an easily readable style to tell the story of little bunny. Born in springtime he frolics through the seasons of the year enjoying all of life around him. Fear and concern envelope little bunny as the Fall begins and changes are dismally apparent to him. He doesn't care for the cold, hardness of winter as it settles in.

Finally, Spring with all its beauty and glory bursts into bloom around little bunny and he is happy once again.

Beautifully illustrated using the soft tones of watercolors, the artist David McPhail, brings the seasons to life for little bunny and all the little readers who hold this lovely book in their hands.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook book blogging program on behalf of ZonderKidz and the author to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

The Daring Heart of David Livingstone Exile, African Slavery, and the Publicity Stunt That Saved Millions By Jay Milbrandt

Published by Thomas Nelson

About the book: The captivating, untold story of the great explorer, David Livingstone: his abiding faith and his heroic efforts to end the African slave trade

Saint? Missionary? Scientist? Explorer?

The titles given to David Livingstone since his death are varied enough to seem dubious—and with good reason. In view of the confessions in his own journals, saint is out of the question. Even missionary is tenuous, considering he made only one convert. And despite his fame as a scientist and explorer, Livingstone left his most indelible mark on Africa in an arena few have previously examined: slavery.

His impact on abolishing what he called “this awful slave-trade” has been shockingly overlooked as the centerpiece of his African mission.

Until now.

The Daring Heart of David Livingstone tells his story from the beginning of his time in Africa to the publicity stunt that saved millions after his death.

My thoughts: David Livingston is a man that in many ways failed.  He failed as a missionary in that he only had one convert (and that is a dubious convert). He failed as an explorer (for truly his heart was into scientific exploration) in that he did not discover the mouth of the Nile. He failed to bring commerce to central Africa as a means to end the slave trade. Yet, for a seemingly multi-faceted failure, he is a much recognized and much revered individual. So exactly what did David Livingston accomplish?

The author Jay Milbrandt has thoroughly researched and presented the reader a rather in depth biography of Dr. Livingstone. While not excessively in depth nor length, the book is not an easy read. It is dry, detailed, and in some ways distracting in its thoroughness.  I found I quickly developed a dislike for the man, Livingstone. He is brutishly rude. Stubborn. Opinionated. He could go for weeks without speaking to anyone on shipboard no matter what the person wished to speak about. And he was, in my opinion, an uncaring husband and father.

He was, however, moved by the plight of the people of Africa whom the slavers - Portuguese, Arab, and yes, African - inflicted on human life for the sake of money. Africans sold their own tribesmen since that was all they had to "trade." Portuguese and Arab slavers massacred hundreds and used the Africans as porters to move ivory from inland Africa to the coast. Then they sold the slaves on the market. Yes, Livingston was moved. His solution was to create a new means of commerce for the interior of Africa that would halt the need to continue selling Africans as a means of gain.

Adventurer. Missionary. Abolitionist. Scientist. In the end, just who and what was Dr. David Livingston? I would say he was a man driven by ideas and ideals that he failed to see to fruition. I felt rather disappointed in his adventures since I had the perception that he was a missionary. My image of a missionary was not fulfilled in Mr.Livingstone. True, he did much to bring to a halt the slave trade and that is a major plus in his favor.

About the Author: Jay Milbrandt is a professor at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a Senior Fellow in Global Justice with the Nootbaar Institute at Pepperdine University School of Law where he formerly directed the Global Justice Program. He travels throughout the world as a human rights lawyer, manages global initiatives in Africa and Southeast Asia, and consults with organizations engaged in human rights and legal development efforts. JayMilbrandt.com

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook Blogging Program on behalf of the publisher and author in exchange for a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.

Get to Know Apostle Paul by Nancy I. Sanders (for 6-10 year olds)

Introducing children to true heroes - those in the Bible - needs to go beyond the typical Sunday School lesson.  Nancy I. Sanders has created a series of little books for young readers and published by ZonderKidz. Inexpensive at $6.99, they are packed with factoids and indepth information that is still withing the mental reach of the young reader.

First of all, it is a "chapter book" and the text is challenging for the youngest but within the grasp of the 10 year old. A 120 page paperback that is sturdy and will hold up to much use, it is replete with pictures that ignite the imagination of the child, a timeline that correlates Paul's life with major world reigns, a vocabulary listing with definitions. It begs to be perused repeatedly.

The only drawback I see to this little volume is the sheer volume of information packed into it. Could it so overwhelm the child that they shy away from reading it? This is not a storybook. It is a reference work geared for the young mind. Hopefully, it will engage their attention and cause them to repeatedly return for more. I look forward to reviewing "Mary" soon.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook Bloggers Program on behalf of Zonderkidz in exchange for my review. No compensation was received for this review.