The Frightening Philippi Jail (Faith that God Built Series) by Gary Bower & Illustrated by Barbara Chotiner

My thoughts:    There are three books, to date, in the "Faith that God Built" book series. I have reviewed two others and found them entertaining, enlightening, and educational with true to Scripture "telling."

The story of the Philippian Jailer can be a bit scary to young children. With Paul and Silas being locked up in a dark, frightenting jail is a bit hard on young imaginations. Gary Bower lets the reader into that Frightening Philippi Jail where bugs, slugs, an other creepy crawlies abound in the cold and dark. But he tells about it in an imagination and mind-grabbing use of rhymes with rhythm and cadence akin to the "This Is the House that Jack Built" nursery rhyme.

So tuck in your funny bone and get ready for a fun yet frightening, repetive rhyming, re-telling in text and wonderful illustrations about Paul and Silas in the Philippi Jail.

Gary Bower's fabulous use of rhyme coupled with his sense of humor and splashed across the pages with Barbara Chotiner's grandly appropriate illustrations makes the reader (obviously this time it is the 'Grandma-GG' reader) want to read the book again and again. I recommend each of the "Faith that God Built Books" for libraries and homes.

The Hurry-Up Exit From Egypt

A Patch on the Peak of Ararat

About the book: The Faith that God Built series by Gary Bower uses the same whimsical style of storytelling as The House that Jack Built, using rhyme to introduce preschoolers through second graders to favorite Bible stories. Gary has a well-developed talent for creating engaging narratives that also teach biblical truths through rhyme. In The Frightening Philippi Jail, Paul and Silas praise the Lord in a difficult and unfair situation.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

A Patch on the Peak of Ararat by Gary Bower & illustrated by Barbara Chotiner

ISBN: 9781496417442
Hardcover - Ages 4-8

My Thoughts:  Children love the beloved story of Noah and the Ark from the Bible and well they should because it is the story of God's love for a just man and the saving of mankind and the animal world during the cleansing waters of the Great Flood.

Take the style of the catchy rhyme "House That Jack Built" and reword it to tell this beloved Bible story, and you have a winning combination. Factor in some cute pictures that are stark, boldly colored, and engaging compelling children to return to this book time and time again.

This is the water that rained with the rush of a deafening downpour and gurgling gush.

And lifted the ark and each animal pair - hamster and hippo, hyena and hare. 

And as a reminder, the last page of the book tells the reader just where the story of Noah and the Ark is in the Bible - Genesis 6-9. Also the promise of God that..... "When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth." Genesis 9:16

By the time you've read through this a couple of times, the kids will be repeating the lines (they are, after all, repeated throughout the story) until they surely know God's love and covenant between Him and every living creature on earth.

I highly recommend.

About the book: The Faith that God Built series by Gary Bower uses the same whimsical style of storytelling as The House that Jack Built, using rhyme to introduce preschoolers through second graders to favorite Bible stories. Gary has a well-developed talent for creating engaging narratives that also teach biblical truth through rhyme.

In Patch on the Peak of Ararat, Noah follows God's plan, resulting in his rescue from destruction.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Pub. to facilitate a review. These are my own opinions and I was not compensated.

Where Does Love Hide? by Mary Manz Simon

ISBN13: 9781496411686

Tyndale House Publishers

TyndaleKids

About the book: In Where Does Love Hide? children are reminded that they not only receive love but have the opportunity to share love. Looking under the fun, lift-a-flap feature, children will see examples of everyday love opportunities. Each page includes a memory verse and an example of a way to share God's love. In life, children hear the words "I love you" repeatedly, often beginning before birth. However, because love is an abstract concept and young children are concrete thinkers, they must gradually learn to understand love by what they experience. In Where Does Love Hide? children are given the opportunity to see love in action and learn what love looks like.

My thoughts: One of the first and most precious verses I taught my five children when they were wee ones was, "We love Him, because He first loved us." I John 4:19. This truth of God's love and the root of all Earthly love is so important to convey to children at an early age.

In Where Does Love Hide? the text simplifies acts of love by showing that love is shown by helping, sharing, being respectful. As the book is read to the young child, he or she can lift the flap and see how love is conveyed (clue: it is hiding behind the flap as well as in what we do).

This is a board book of medium size. The "board" pages and covers are softer than those of many board books, but quite durable. As with any "lift the flap" books, care should be taken to gently lift the flap.

A nice little book and a great lesson to teach the little ones.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant  per mailing address, per  giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

1 John 4:10-19King James Version (KJV)

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Zacchaeus and Jesus (Flipside Stories) by Dandi Daley Mackall, Lisa Manuzak

One of the first things I expect out of a children's Bible storybook is authenticity. I simply can not condone treating the Bible with anything less than truthful presentation and authenticity. I also believe that some leeway is allowed in the art so that it can be appealing to the child. 

In this "Flipside Stories book" the author has accurately portrayed the story of Zacchaeus as he struggled to see Jesus and how Jesus reacted to that particular event. Quite unique for a children's book. 

The coloration of the illustrations is deep hues of browns, greens, and blacks with white sparsely utilized. While not your typical color scheme for children's picture books, it works well in this story.

The story is in rhyme and I simply can't say enough about the importance of using rhyme to engage a child's attention and to aid in recollection of the story itself. Super! 

This story, though, has a special line on each page that is especially appealing to me. Example: On the Jesus side of the story, the single lines of text carry the theme of Jesus came for lost sinners.

"God sent Me to those who were lost."
"I was looking for those who were lost."
"Zacchaeus, the one who was lost."....... 

"I think that I'd like to see Jesus."
"I must find a way to see Jesus."
"I climb down so I can meet Jesus."

So to me, while the story is being taught in delightful rhyme with engaging illustrations, the key is God seeks the lost and the lost need to seek to see Jesus.

A really good opportunity to share this story and these truths with children ages preschool through eight.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale Blog Network reviewers program to facilitate this review. Opinions are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I Can by Kathryn O'Brien, illustrated by Gillian Flint

My thoughts: This is a charming book that using repetition teaches Philipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." Not only is the verse taught by repeating the words, the concept of each word as it ties to the verse is elaborated on for the young child.

Simple. Understandable. Thorough. This is a definite buy and keep book for the family of young children. The message is positive enabling the child to understand that, "Yes, they can do it" when the going is difficult. But it also goes further to plant the gem into their heart and mind that "Christ is their source of strength."

The illustrations a lively and sweet. Primary colors are used throughout with softened edges. There is a lot of green and yellow used which speaks of life and brightness. Love it.

I recommend this book.

About the book: With a repetitive, rhythmic introduction of Philippians 4:13 ("I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength"), "I Can" turns Bible memorization from a duty to a delight for children, using the author's unique teaching strategy. This purposeful presentation of Scripture will help children memorize, understand, and absorb passages as the author presents this powerful verse one word at a time, teaching the meaning of each individual word before presenting the entire passage. "I Can" builds a meaningful connection between God's Word and a child's life experiences, laying a foundation for a love and comprehension of Scripture. Parents and children will enjoy interacting together over the passage.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the Tyndale Blog Network group to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated for the review.