God's Great Big Global Church Visit 10 Kids and Their Churches All Around the World by Tim Challies [Review & Giveaway]

Christianity is the faith for all people of all races in all places. God's Great Big Global Church is open to all.

ISBN: 9781802544077
Hardcover $17.99 USA
Buy: Click Here

About the book: Take kids on an exciting adventure exploring the global church!

Kids will gain enthusiasm for going to church on Sundays as they discover that they and their local fellowship are part of something much bigger: a family of people worshiping God all around the world!

Join Tim Challies as he guides you on this illustrated journey through 10 countries. Your children will be delighted to meet fictionalized kids just like themselves as they discover…

• Fascinating facts about life in each location
• Fun stories about how life, worship and church community are different all around the world
• A connected Bible passage about worship
• Each positive, eye-opening visit to another country is based on Challies’ own travel experience and conversations with local church leaders.

Use the included prompts to start conversations about the global church as a family or Sunday-school class. Click here for special resources to use with this book - map and a passport to download, etc.

Look inside a little - click here.

My thoughts:    This truly is an amazing book. You don't want to miss out on this one if you (yourself, your family, your children) have any interest in the Church, the Christians in these churches, and the countries in which they are located. This fact filled, missions encouraging, informative book about peoples, places, and how the church fares in these 10 locations is a treasure to read, peruse, have available on the coffee table, and definitely in the Church library of any mission minded Christ loving church.

There are 10 countries represented with about three pages of pictures and factoids about them. The main focus is on a particular church represented by our child-host and the village or city and country in which he or she is located. It was stunning to me to see the religions represented in the country and the percentage of each. I was surprised at the percentage of Christians recorded in each country.

Tidbits about the ways each church worships is especially interesting. Whether or not the church is a secretive, house church or a large vocal advocate for Christ in the community and the methods they each use to worship, sing, share their faith is inspiring.

The bright, colorful illustrations are inviting as are the happy faces of the Christian, the believers, the worshipers in each of the countries.

I highly encourage families, church groups, church libraries, and Christian schools to get copies of this really good book.

⛪GIVEAWAY🏚️

Begins June 12

Ends July 14 @ 11:59 p.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

God's Great Big Global Church Visit 10 Kids and Their Churches All Around the World By Tim Challies

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by publisher, The Good Book Company. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Winner is notified via the email provided by winner in the Gleam entry platform. Winner will have 48 hours to provide needed shipping information. Failure to do so will disqualify them and a new winner will be selected. 

New kiddie books from Thomas Nelson: Jack & Scarlett: I've Got the Joy & He's Got the Whole World in His Hands [Review & Giveaway]

Jack and Scarlett: I've Got the Joy by Listener Kids, Alan Brown

My thoughts:  Friends Jack & Scarlett are on a camping trip and they are having a happy, joyous time. They are enjoying the out-of-doors and finding things to do. They are very happy. 

Adorable illustrations capture the fun of camping. There are several prompts suggesting child involvement - touch, count, find. And finally, at the back of the book, are the words to the beloved song "I've Got the Joy." 

I love this little book and recommend it.

About the book:  Featuring fun, cute, and oh-so-fluffy Listener Kids stars Jack and Scarlett, I've Got the Joy, an interactive board book for littles, is the perfect way to get kids thinking critically and engaged in this simple story about joy.

I've Got the Joy is an interactive board book for kids featuring YouTube's Listener Kids stars Jack and Scarlett. Through interactive prompts, scripture, and a classic kid's church song, little readers are invited to tag along as Jack and Scarlett have the time of their lives while camping and experience true joy. Secret word: Joy 

Jack and Scarlett: I've Got the Joy is perfect for

• active toddlers and preschoolers who will love participating in the story, 
• fans of the YouTube channel Listener Kids, 
• praise music, or classic children's songs, and 
• teaching kids what it means to have joyful hearts.

Listener Kids is a provider of Christ-centered music and videos—and now books!—that are perfect for kids. Their modern versions of classic Sunday school and Bible songs not only get kids singing and dancing but also instill values that Christian parents appreciate. Join in the fun, and jump, sing, and dance for joy with Jack and Scarlett!

Jack and Scarlett: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands by Listener Kids, Alan Brown

My thoughts: A charming and sweet animal story about fear and trusting God to take care of yourself. Prayer. Singing. Trust. 

The words for singing "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands"  are at the end of the book and opens an opportunity to joyfully sing this beloved song. If it isn't know to the family, then search for the music online and learn it. What an opportunity to have joy in the midst of fear.

I recommend this sweet book from Tommy Nelson books. 

About the book:  Featuring fun, cute, and oh-so-fluffy Listener Kids stars Jack and Scarlett, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, an interactive board book for littles, is the perfect way to get kids thinking critically and engaged in this simple story about God's love and protection.

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands is an interactive board book for kids featuring YouTube's Listener Kids stars Jack and Scarlett. Through interactive prompts, scripture, and a classic church song, toddlers and preschoolers are invited to join Jack the squirrel and Scarlett the bunny as they face their fears during a thunderstorm and learn to trust in the Lord.

Jack and Scarlett: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands is perfect for:

• active toddlers and preschoolers who will love participating in the story, 
• fans of the YouTube channel Listener Kids, 
• praise music, or classic children's songs, and 
• parents who are teaching their kids how to trust in the Lord.

Listener Kids is a provider of Christ-centered music and videos--and now books!--that are perfect for kids. Their modern versions of classic Sunday school and Bible songs not only get kids singing and dancing but also instill values that Christian parents appreciate. Join in the fun and sing your worries away with Jack and Scarlett!

GIVEAWAY

2 Book titles reviewed in this post

Begins August 29

Ends September 26 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

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

Shivery cold winter days, snow to romp in, cozy warm beds, toddlers enjoying picture books that delight - Let It Snow Giveaway Hop❄️☃️❄️ [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Be sure you enter all the blogger's giveaways. Scroll down to access all opportunities.

We're letting it ❄️snow❄️lots of giveaways!

Not-So-Common Cent$ by Sarah Wassner Flynn published by National Geographic Kids (Blog Tour & Giveaway].

Welcome to the
Not-So-Common Cents
Blog Tour & Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Not-So-Common Cents by Sarah Wassner Flynn, featuring a special forward by financial educator Alvin Hall, blogs across the web are hosting exclusive excerpts from this ultimate book of all things money, as well as 5 chances to win a copy!

 

Bitcoins and Beyond: The Dish on Digital Money

BIT BY BIT Before there was email, there was snail mail. And before there was cryptocurrency, there was conventional currency—money that is backed by a government (aka fiat currency). For decades, fiat currency has been the accepted form of payments and exchanges of money within a country. 

VIRTUAL CURRENCY Enter cryptocurrency. Around 2009, something called Bitcoin came onto the scene, which exists only in a virtual world. So, instead of having actual coins and bills you can see and feel and watch pile up in a piggy bank, you have a stash of digital dollars tucked away on the internet. Today, Bitcoin is the most recognizable form of cryptocurrency, but there are more than a thousand other kinds out there. 

FUN FACT!: In September 2018, the word “bitcoin” was added to the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary. 

MONEY MYSTERY The story goes that Bitcoin was invented by a Japanese man named Satoshi Nakamoto. The thing is, no one knows who Nakamoto actually is. After introducing Bitcoin to the world by writing a nine-page paper describing a plan for this new form of currency, Nakamoto remained anonymous. While several people have come forward falsely claiming to be him (and one man even filed a lawsuit to prove that he is Bitcoin’s creator), Nakamoto’s identity may always remain a mystery. 

HOW CRYPTOCURRENCY WORKS So how does it work? To start, all transactions happen online. And they are not regulated by the government, like traditional currency is. People exchange cryptocurrency among each other without going through a bank. If you pay for something with cryptocurrency, your wallet ID (a series of numbers and letters unique to each user) appears in a public log, known as a blockchain. Each digital coin has its own blockchain, and they’re different from one another. 

VARIED VALUE The biggest difference between cryptocurrency and regular money? Its value! Cryptocurrency has no fixed worth. Its cost goes up and down, like gas prices. Recently, the price of one bitcoin has gone from around $29,000 to $41,000 and back down again. (But you can buy pieces of one bitcoin, known as satoshis, for a lot less.) So what’s up with the crazy fluctuation of the cost of cryptocurrency? It’s all about supply and demand. The more people want cryptocurrency, the more it’ll cost. And again, unlike regular currency, its value is not regulated or controlled by a government. 

CREATING CRYPTOCURRENCY So how is cryptocurrency created and what is it? All cryptocurrency is “mined.” Unlike gold miners who used pickaxes and elbow grease to pluck shiny nuggets from the soil, cryptocurrency miners on computers compete to solve complicated math calculations and puzzles. Once a problem is solved, a new “block” is added to the chain and more cryptocurrency is created. The miner is then rewarded with cryptocoins, which they can then keep or sell. 

BUY AND STORE To get cryptocurrency, people go online and buy it from websites called exchanges. From there, it’s stored in a digital wallet, which is a password-protected space on a phone, in the cloud, on a computer, or on a flash drive. 

THE DARK SIDE OF CRYPTOCURRENCY Cryptocurrency only exists online, so it’s an easy target for hackers looking to make quick money. In fact, reports of cryptocurrency crimes—which include everything from straight-up stealing to scams—have increased 312 percent a year on average since 2016. If crypto isn’t stored in a supersecure place online, hackers can gain access to crypto wallets or breach entire cryptocurrency exchanges and collect millions. Even scarier? Because cryptocurrency can be exchanged anonymously and privately, it can be used as a way to fund terrorist organizations or other criminal activities, posing a serious security risk. As a result, governments around the world are working hard to target and stop crypto criminals. 

THE FUTURE OF CRYPTOCURRENCY Because cryptocurrency isn’t something you can hold in your hand (or put into an actual wallet) and because it’s not regulated by a government, it has its share of skeptics, including some leading economists and financial experts. So while the jury is still out on whether cryptocurrency will be the wave of the future, currently all crypto-currencies combined account for less than about 0.7 percent of all the world’s money. 

IS BITCOIN BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT? In a word, yes. Worldwide, Bitcoin mining operations use more energy than the entire nation of Sweden, according to the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index. And a single Bitcoin transaction uses the same amount of power as the average American household consumes in a month. While these stats are staggering, efforts are underway to reduce the consumption and carbon emissions from crypto mining, an important move in curbing climate change.

Buy | Buy on Bookshop.org | Add to GoodReads

   Buy | Buy on Bookshop.org | Add to GoodReads

Cha-ching! Learn everything adults wish they knew about money when they were kids―and more―including how to make it, save it, and multiply it!

While money certainly isn’t everything, one fact is true: No matter where you live in the world, money is a basic necessity. From the clothes on your back to the food on your plate, chances are, money is somehow involved in almost all of your day-to-day activities.

In this book you’ll discover exactly what money is, along with:

·How society went from bartering to using bucks · Basics of saving (including some brilliant hacks), investing, and interest · What “credit” really means · Inventive ways to get your ideas flowing and money growing · What the stock market is, and how money moves around the world today · Ins and outs of cryptocurrency and other “new” money · The importance of giving back―one of the best things a fiscally responsible global citizen can do · Why being smart with money = a big step toward independence

So jump in, and find out the mind-blowing secrets and stats about money!

 

About the Author: SARAH WASSNER FLYNN is a longtime writer for National Geographic Kids. She loves writing, running, and triathlons. When she's not writing about races, she's usually training or competing in one. She also writes nonfiction books and articles for kids and teens, like National Geographic Kids National Park Guide U.S.A., This Book Stinks!, Weird But True Know-It-All Greek Mythology, and Girls' Life Guide to Being the Most Amazing You. Website | Instagram

About the Foreword Writer: ALVIN HALL is an internationally recognized, award-winning financial educator, author, and television and radio host. He’s the author of the best-selling financial advice books You and Your Money, Your Money or Your Life, What Not to Spend, Getting Started in Mutual Funds, and his 2008 children’s book Show Me the Money. In 2006, he was awarded the Wincott Award for business journalism for his 2006 documentary Jay-Z: From Brooklyn to the Boardroom about the life of rapper Jay-Z. In addition, he was the longtime host of the award-winning BBC radio finance program Your Money or Your Life. Website | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY

• One (1) winner will receive a copy of Not-So-Common Cents
• US/Can only
• Ends 3/11 at 11:59 pm ET
• Enter via the Rafflecopter below
• Visit the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule:

February 27^th — Log Cabin Library

February 28^th — Eye-Rolling Demigod’s Book Blog

March 1^st – Crafty Moms Share

March 2^nd - Geo Librarian

March 3^rd — Chat With Vera

 DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of the book. Text and giveaway are provided by publicist. Winner's prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publicist or publisher. Chat With Vera  is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

PANA Soothe 1000 CBD & Arnica Salve - USA MADE PRODUCT [Review & Giveaway]

I am trying a product new to  me. It contains CBD hemp oil and Arnica and lots of essential oils and moisturizers. It's purpose is pain relief. As a member of the senior population, I have a variety of aches and pains and I don't really want to use those super strong opiates to get relief.

My hand has an ongoing on-again, off-again joint/tendon pain at the base of the thumb. Touching it, pressing it, moving it causes discomfort. Sometime to the "pain level" that I avoid using it. I was surprised that the PANA Soothe 1000 CBD Salve provided relief. 

I also have back and leg pain emanating from nerves down the leg. I generously massaged the Pana CBD Salve onto my low back, leg, and even foot. The salve didn't help that time. I think the root of this pain is too deep and complex for a topical application.

Today, I was developing a migraine. I take a special migraine prescription but it wasn't giving the relief I needed and I feared the migraine would go full-blown.  I decided to experiment a bit. I massaged some of the PANA CBD Salve onto my temples and neck pulses. Within a few minutes I felt the pressure and ache in my head was getting less. Now 30 minutes later I have no feeling of a migraine. I am delighted.

Is this a "cure-all"? Absolutely not. But I do believe it has appropriate uses and as a topical is better for one's overall health to use it instead of ingesting pills for pain and discomfort relief.

Check out their website & purchase - click here

Product information: Panacea’s Soothe salve is made from our unique blend of all-natural moisturizers, essential oils and Colorado grown CBD hemp oil formulated for long lasting relief. All-natural moisturizers and essentials oils to bring you soothing, targeted relief of life’s aches and pains. Apply locally to the target area and the high-quality salve will be noticeably effective, yet gentle on the skin. Soothe comes in two strengths; a 1 oz. jar containing 250mg or 1000mg of CBD. You’re going to want to get a subscription of this stuff so you never run out!

GIVEAWAY

1 Jar PANA Soothe 1000 CBD Salve

Begins February 28

Ends March 28 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary product to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are provided only after using the product several times. Winner's prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by Panacea Life Sciences. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Aunt Ida Clare by Michele McCarthy [Review & Giveaway]

 

My thoughts:  I immediately fell in love with Aunt Ida Clare from the first couple of pages. A gem! She is jovial. Sweet. A loquacious, vocabulary expanding lady. 

Aunt Ida Clare is an encourager and a declarer (one who declare truth). She teaches by example how to think and speak in a positive way using words "seasoned" with a sprinkle of salt.

She goes on to share how Jesus is The Word and came as The living Word and the words of the Bible are His Word. 

This is an especially good book and it is a thoughtful and yet sparklingly wonderful joyful read.

And "I do declare" and wonder if anyone thinks this special Aunt's name is "I-da-Clare" as I surely do.

About the book: 2021 Best Fiction Children's Book, 1st Place Golden Scroll Award and 2021 Children's Fiction Book of the Year, 2nd Place Christian Markets Awards

Rosalina is not quite sure what to think of their new babysitter, her Aunt Ida Clare. Aunt Ida is quite the sight. Aunt Ida Clare declares the truth and purpose behind speaking life-giving words to an unsuspecting brother and sister when she whips out her shiny little object. She is positively the best thing to happen to these impressionable children one school day afternoon.

Parents and children alike will fall in love with Aunt Ida Clare.

• 2021 Best Fiction Children's Book, 
• 1st Place Golden Scroll Award and 
• 2021 Children's Fiction Book of the Year, 
• 2nd Place Christian Markets Awards

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michele McCarthy is an award-winning author, teacher, and speaker. She is an Advanced Writers and Speakers Association member as well as a co-founder of Living Write Texas. With a dose of humor and fun, her passion is to help children see themselves the way God sees them.

GIVEAWAY

Begins September 19

Ends October 10 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

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 prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by the author or publicist.

Weather: Pop-up Book by Maike Biederstadt [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Hardcover $25.00
Prestel Publishing
Ages 7 - 17

My thoughts:  As I write this review, there is a major Category 4 hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast of the USA specifically in the Louisiana area. This type of storm (or weather) is monstrous, destructive, life threatening and people need to be aware of the dangers. Therefore, introducing children and teens to the study of The Weather should begin early so they can understand what is happening in the World around them.

The book we have today is a beautiful pop-up book that is packed with information describing Earth's weather systems and illustrated with delightful, awesome, pop-ups that are stunning.

The very first pages explain "Why the weather is the way it is" and shows the Earth with it's covering of clouds and swirling arrows indicative of the air flow and wind currents. The effect of the Earth's rotation on the wind and driving force the Sun is on our weather. 

Then the "pop-up" pages begin with short explanations. 

The artistry of paper-cut art work provides intriguing dimensional interest as well as attention to detail. 

This introduction to weather study doesn't forego the opportunity to present the effect of mankind on the Earth and how climate change has an affect on the weather. 

This book is probably not suitable for public or school libraries, but it certainly is appropriate for home school book shelves, private collections, and anyone interested in pursing early introduction to weather studies.

About the book: From raucous stormy seas to a welcomingly vivid rainbow, weather's most exciting moments come to brilliant life in this fantastic new pop-up book.

In her hugely successful books Creatures of the Deep and What's in the Egg, as well as her enormously popular series of greeting cards for the Museum of Modern Art, Maike Biederstaedt has established herself as one of the preeminent paper artists working today. Now Biederstaedt takes book engineering to new heights as she immerses readers in five electrifying weather scenarios. As each spread unfolds, a meticulously designed landscape emerges--a freighter balances like a nutshell between high waves in the sea; a tornado takes terrifying aim at a truck trying to outrun it; a rain-spewing storm cloud towers like a skyscraper over a farm house. Nature's delicate beauty emerges in the intricate shapes of a snowflake and in the luminous arc of a rainbow. Each page features an informative description of its weather event and the book closes with sobering commentary on the effects of climate change. A wondrous introduction to weather for budding climatologists, this is also an artistic tour de force that collectors will treasure.

GIVEAWAY

Begins August 30

Ends September 27 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

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. Winner's book prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner from publisher, publicist, or author. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. 

Children's Board & Interactive Books Delight [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Sophie’s Seashell Scramble illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti, Candlewick Entertainment (ISBN: 9781536218480, Ages 0-3)

My thoughts: Such a cutie and so much fun! Each page has the reader looking under three flaps to find a certain shell with designs on them. The "oops" and "not here" add to the fun under the flaps. 

At the end of the book there is a turning option to find the shells again. 

Book is cute and the interactive options add to pleasure.

About the book: Down on the ocean floor, Sophie the otter is collecting pairs of seashells. She’s hoping to find two of each kind—purple shells covered in triangles, green shells with squiggles, red shells with squares, and yellow shells with dots—and she needs little readers’ help! Inspired by a popular game, and with plenty of flaps to explore, this fun, sturdy board book in the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel series strengthens matching skills as well as color and shape recognition.

My thoughts: These are the "Cat's Meow" since they both feature lythe cats meandering all over the ABC's and the 123's in these joyful books.

ABC Cats uses more complex words as letter identifiers which I think is a splendid method to expand a young child's vocabulary.

In 123 Cats the author isn't simply adding a cat to each page, personality traits are being explored as well as going beyond the usual "10" to a "12" or "cats are better by the dozen."

The primary colors, basic alphabet and numbers teaching concepts along with climbing, slithering, peeking cats is so much fun for grown ups and kiddies.

Especially appealing to families of young children who have cats as well. Get both books as they are a delight!

123 Cats: A Cat Counting Book by Leslea Newman & Illustrated by Isabella Kung (ISBN: 9781536209952, Ages 2-5)

Count on cats as a fun way to learn numbers—in rhyming spreads with expressive appeal for animal lovers of all ages.

ABC Cats: An Alpha-Cat Book by Leslea Newman & Illustrated by Isabella Kung (ISBN: 9781536209945, Ages 2-5)

A beguiling array of felines from A to Z makes learning the alphabet the cat’s pajamas.

GIVEAWAY

Begins June 17

Ends July 9 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses

NO P.O. Boxes. 

Canadian winners must provide phone number.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copies are provided and shipped directly to the winner by publisher or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

The Generous Fish by Jacqueline Jules & illustrated by Frances Tyrrell [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  A sweet story told as a fable that teaches more than one lesson. Firstly, it is simply a sweetly told story. Secondly, it teaches sharing with others, it can also teach an environmental lesson of caring for our world and life in it. Lastly, it teaches that we can be too demanding of those willing to share with us.

The illustrations are soft pastels and quite artistically lovely. They bring a sweetness to this gentle story that enables the reader and listener to experience the joy of the story as well as understanding the need of the lessons.

While inspired by scripture, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” it is not meant to be a literal Bible lesson. The story begins with a boy's father sharing this scripture with him and the boy actually does cast bread upon the waters (feeds the fish).

A lovely book and one I can easily recommend.

About the book:  (Inspired by Jewish folklore, The Generous Fish is the story of a young boy named Reuven who takes a verse from scripture to "cast your bread upon the waters" (Ecclesiastes 11:1) quite literally. The result of his daily act is a giant talking fish with golden scales! Boy and fish spend idyllic days together until the villagers realize those scales are real gold. Every villager has good reason to ask for one. Devorah needs clothes for her children. Old Joseph needs money for a cane. The fish says he has plenty to share. But he grows weak from giving away too much, too fast. Can Reuven stand up to the village and save his friend? Through a unique friendship between a boy and a magic fish, award-winning author Jacqueline Jules has created an environmental fable sure to generate discussion in the classroom and at home. What happens when we want something that depletes another's resources? Frances Tyrrell's finely detailed illustrations delightfully capture a child's innocent love for the natural world. An author's note provides biblical sources on human interaction with the environment.

GIVEAWAY

Begins April 20

Ends May 18 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

A Journey Toward Hope by Baylor professor Dr. Victor Hinojosa & children’s author Coert Voorhees, illustrated by Pura Belpré Award winner Susan Guevara [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781644420089
Hardcover $19.95
English & Spanish Versions
Publisher: Six Foot Press
Baylor University Collaborative

My thoughts: A beautifully illustrated, emotional story of four young teens who leave their home countries (all different) and embark on a journey from poverty and danger to freedom and plenty to be had in the United States.

This is a controversial subject as the crisis of undocumented, illegal immigrants crossing the border into the United States of America continues. While sympathetic to their need to escape dire circumstances in their homelands, their desired host country has specific rules or laws that govern who can cross and how to do so.

But this story simply recounts the hope and the dangers these four unrelated youngsters encounter as they journey. It is a gentle story told of youngsters who will one day become a doctor, a chef, etc. and when they reach the border anticipate asking for asylum. 

Beautifully told story of hope and of need. 

 

About the book: A Journey Toward Hope follows four unaccompanied migrant children who meet along the arduous journey from their homes in Central America through Mexico to the U.S. border. The book will be available in both English and Spanish editions and includes four pages of nonfiction back matter contributed by Baylor’s Global Hunger and Migration Project.

An ode to the power of hope and connection even in the face of uncertainty and fear, A Journey Toward Hope tells the story of Rodrigo, a 14-year-old escaping violence in his native Honduras; Alessandra, a 10-year-old Guatemalan whose first language is Q’eqchi’; and Salvadoran siblings Laura (13) and Nando (7). Though their reasons for making the journey are different and the way north is perilous, the four children band together, finding strength in one another as they share the dreams of their past and the hopes for their future.

A Journey Toward Hope is illustrated by Susan Guevara, two-time Pura Belpré Award winner and renowned illustrator of the best-selling children’s book Chato’s Kitchen. “We are blessed to have an artist of Susan Guevara's talent and reputation illustrating our book. She has brought meticulous research and great personal devotion to the book's characters,” said Charles Kim, Publisher of Six Foot Press. “You can hear the children’s voices and feel their sense of purpose as you follow their story.”

In 2017, Baylor University launched an initiative to create teams of students and professors who would conduct research and design interventions that address some of the world’s most complex issues. Drs. Lori Baker and Victor Hinojosa started what is now the Global Hunger and Migration Project (GHMP) within Baylor’s Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. Dr. Hinojosa explains, “This book came from two impulses: the desire to tell the stories of these children to a wide audience and the desire for these courageous child refugees to see themselves represented. Our students believed that if others knew what they knew about this crisis, they would want to help, too.”

Every year, roughly 50,000 unaccompanied minors arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border to present themselves for asylum or related visas. The majority of these children are fleeing the systemic violence of Central America’s “Northern Triangle”: Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

“Parents in the Northern Triangle are forced into unimaginable choices regarding the life and well-being of their children,” says Dr. Lori Baker, Baylor University Vice Provost and Professor of Anthropology and the Executive Director of Reuniting Families. “Our students want to bring humanity and love into the ongoing conversations in the U.S. regarding child migration and have done so beautifully through this story. All children deserve hope and the opportunity for a future free of violence and extreme poverty.”

A Journey Toward Hope is published in both English and Spanish and is available wherever books are sold.

GIVEAWAY

Choice of English or Spanish edition

Begins August 23

Ends September 14 @ EDT

Open to USA (48 Contiguous States) only

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About the Creators: Victor Hinojosa, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Political Science in the Honors Program at Baylor University where his primary research is in Latin American Politics and U.S.-Latin American relations. His articles have appeared in scholarly books and journals including Terrorism and Political Violence, Political Science Quarterly, the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, and the Mennonite Quarterly Review. Dr. Hinojosa currently directs the Global Hunger and Migration Project, a social innovation laboratory at Baylor University that is bringing together an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students to address the challenges of child migration from Mexico and the Northern Triangle of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador).
Coert Voorhees is the author the novels On the Free, In Too Deep (2013 Junior Library Guild Selection), Lucky Fools (2012 Junior Library Guild Selection), and The Brothers Torres (2009 ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults), as well as the picture book Storm Wrangler. He has been a Fulbright scholar in Chile and Visiting Writer in Residence at Rice University, and he now lives with his family in Houston, Texas.

Susan Guevara is a visual storyteller. She tells her tales with illustrations, paintings, drawings, and sculptures. For 27 years, her work as a children’s picture book illustrator has been recognized for its contribution to literature set in Latino culture. Her work has been included in the 2005 New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year, won two Pura Belpré Illustrator Awards and the inaugural Tomás Rivera Award, and most recently, a Pura Belpré Honor Award for her book Little Roja Riding Hood (written by Susan Middleton Elya). Her book Chato’s Kitchen (written by Gary Soto) was recognized as one of the Best 100 Books of the Last 100 Years by the New York Public Library. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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 publicist, publisher, or author.

Faith Forward Family Devotional by Ruth & Patrick Schwenk

Description: Raise faith-filled kids who know, love, and live for God. Patrick and Ruth Schwenk have written 100 devotions for families to do together, at your own pace. Each devotion includes:

• A Bible passage—from Genesis to Revelation
• Teaching applicable for kids of any age
• A key idea to learn and remember about God
• Questions designed to spark family discussion
• Guided prayer for the entire family
• Grow closer to your kids as they grow closer to God in Faith Forward Family Devotional.

In Faith Forward Family Devotional, Patrick and Ruth help you pass on your faith with devotions you can do at your own pace as a family.  Faith Forward Family Devotional is aimed primarily at families of kids ages 8–12 but also includes ideas for activities for younger children and recommendations for further study for older kids, so the whole family can join in the devotional gathering.

Faith Forward Family Devotional helps you grow closer to your kids as they grow closer to God. Whatever season of parenting you are in, sharing this devotional time together will help your children nourish a faith that lasts a lifetime. 

#1 New Release in Christian Family & Relationships

My thoughts:   The publisher and artist have done a grand job on the design of this book of devotions for the family. First, it is well made with sturdy hard cover and binding and the pages are nice and sturdy as well. The cover is beautiful in a gentle, lovely fashion and the background of the cover is a moonlit night and a family silhouetted. The title "Faith Forward" I believe might have been selected primarily because the aim of having family devotions is to share the faith of the parents with their children. Sort of a "pay-it-forward" idea. Quite appropriate.

The inside of the book is primarily text with just a few colorful corner images. The Scripture for the day's lesson is nicely explained without being too theologically deep yet covering enough that it is fitting for older children (and parents) as well as being understandable for younger family members.

The devotionals themselves also include a brief prayer and a "key idea" as it connects to the subject. I especially liked the devotional on page 100 - "God Is Holy" because I think that we sometimes don't stress to ourselves and to those in our care that God is Holy and should be worshiped with our whole heart. He is sinless. He is perfect. He is mighty. He is Holy.

The devotionals also cover the beginning at Creation. God's love. Love. Compassion. And many others. A total of 100 devotionals. The title of the first is "God Creates,"  and the title of the last is "A New Heaven and A New Earth."

I think this is a lovely family devotional book and one that will be a joy and pleasure to use.

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

Nat'l Geo keeps the kids thinking: "Brain Games: Mighty Book of Mind Benders" and "1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt" [Review & Giveaway]

Brain Games: Mighty Book of Mind Benders (ages 8-12, paperback) 

My thoughts:  I am truly amazed at this book. In today's world folks are encouraged to "do puzzles" - word puzzles of every ilk, mazes, etc. It is said to be a key to maintaining brain function and deter the effects that aging has on the brain. Those with early onset dementia of various types are encouraged to work word puzzles and there is certainly a plethora of such books and usually quite low priced. They are basically unappealing, unattractive, and frankly unworthy of being called an instrument to protect the use of one's brain.

National Geographic as with all their other publications has created a wonderful book of assorted puzzles. But what is so very impressive is the amount of background information that explains how the mind actually works when you are executing these varied puzzles.

The section on Senses takes the reader through a variety of visual encounters that are puzzling but simply what we once called perceptual illusions. The eyes and your mind function in mysterious ways.

Then the famous Word Search puzzles come into play as the author explains that language is a human trait and that it is also regional to where we are located in the world. Interesting, too, is that language is processed in the dominant part of your brain. If you're right handed, that means your language is processed in the left side of your brain.

I am amazed at the Memory Puzzles (or exercises) and found them somewhat difficult. (Hmmm... what is this telling me?) This book takes using your brain to a new level from basic crossword puzzles and basic word searches. I am going to have to work a bit to make sure my brain is working as well as possible.

I highly recommend for ages (maybe) 8 to adult. Adults...... you're going to be challenged and will learn a bit more about your brain that you need to protect as you age.

About the book: Summer is almost done, time turn the brain back ON! Chock-full of puzzles, optical illusions, cranial challenges, and information on the latest research in neuroscience, this awesome activity book helps kids flex their "thinking muscles” in a fun and engaging way.  Crosswords, word searches, cryptograms, tough logic puzzles, memory tests, wacky riddles, and exercises to try with a friend will bring out the genius within.   Write-in pages include puzzles and games, time trials test skills in each chapter and short explanations of the neuroscience at work are also included within the 160 page book.

1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt (ages 8-12, hardcover)   

My thoughts:  I personally have held a fascination for ancient Egypt since my high school days. Folks, that's a long time. I even wrote my senior research paper on Egypt. And since those long-ago days, so much has been discovered and studied about the Egyptian dynasties, their culture, and the advances they had made in so many fields.

Children and young folks today have such a richness of information that is attractively presented and accurately told in salient facts presented in small bits and pieces that they can more readily absorb.

In this new book, 1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt new information about buried cities (under water and sand), about they ways they preserved their dead, their ways of dealing with crime, their rulers both male and female captured my attention. It is all very well organized and yet the facts are presented in small portions. This is not to "dumb down" the book but it is to facilitate the enormous amount of material this one volume contains about Egypt.

I highly recommend.

About the book: Kids everywhere are fascinated by the wonders of ancient Egypt, and this reference book is packed with not only 1,000 fascinating facts but hundreds of photos as well. From the Great Pyramid and the Valley of the Kings to the Nile River and the amazing female rulers of that time (not just Cleopatra!), kids can dive deep into Egyptoplogy and learn about ancient hieroglyphs and their meanings, find out what was in King Tut's tomb, discover sacred facts about their religion and rituals, get insights about the science of mummification and even touch upon the unexpected — like Ancient Egypt’s impact on pop culture, how cosmetics were used and 25 facts about their system of crime and punishment!

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Begins October 24

Ends November 20 at 12:01 a.m ET

Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by MMPublicity or Publisher.

Cuclie Baby Classic Contrast Stitch Cardigan (grey) [Review & Giveaway USA]

What a first-time Mom thinks of this lovely Cuclie Baby Classic Stitch Cardigan in Grey

This is such a beautiful sweater and it’s a perfect fit for growing Baby Caleb!

When I think of the Cucile brand, I think “quality.”

This beautifully constructed sweater is so versatile and the buttons are surprisingly easy to manage on a squirming little eight-month-old! The finely detailed knit stitching is exquisite. It is a dapper addition to any outfit while being flexible and comfortable too.

Baby Caleb has sensitive skin and the soft knitting is gentle on his sensitive skin yet proving perfect for any kind of outing from a casual stroll to more formal occasions. No skin irritation. Just the right amount of warmth. And, of course, that fabulous Cuclie Baby perfection and quality.

The sleeves are easy to roll up and I imagine this sweater will fit him as he gets bigger too, a quality any parent of a growing child will certainly appreciate! I’m so grateful to have this piece handy and will regularly pack it along in our diaper bag.

 —Rebecca, Mom of Baby Caleb

Now let's talk about this little one's fabulous sweater....

🔶It works equally well for boys or girls
🔷Our grey is inspired by Meghan Markle grey.  The color she supposedly painted little Archie’s nursery.
🔶Grey is great because it’s unisex.  Many new parents today are opting for neutrals vs the classic pink & blue
🔷Sweater is super light weight which is perfect for cool summer evenings or air conditioned areas.

Product information (from Cucliebaby.com)

A classic cardigan in the softest fabric to provide comfort for your baby. Perfect layering piece, and can elevate any outfit. This gender-neutral grey is perfect for boys and girls. Made of soft Peruvian Pima cotton blended with Modal to create a smooth feel with a nice stretch to the fabric. Materials: 70% Pima, 30% Modal (Price: $54.00) You can find this lovely sweater and so much more at: http://cucliebaby.com/

On a fun note..... this delightful sweater comes with its own ROMPER and it comes in both the Grey and a lovely Navy. Click here to see it!

GIVEAWAY

1 Grey Sweater in Winner's Size Choice
0-months to 24-months (24-Mo size in limited supply)
Begins July 3

Ends August 2 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a lovely sweater for Baby Caleb to wear so we could share our opinion to you. These are our true thoughts and they are freely given. Winner's sweater/prize will be provided and shipped directly to the winner by Cuclie Baby or its publicist.

A Desperate Hope (Empire State #3) by Elizabeth Camden [Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780764232107
Bethany House Publishing
Buy on Amazon

My thoughts:  As the conclusion of Elizabeth Camden's Empire State Series I found the book interesting. I personally didn't care for the "thug" characters in the book and their actions and influences on others in the community. But that is the story and that is the 1896 time element portrayed on the pages of A Desperate Hope.

This is the story of the destruction of a small community and surrounding woods in order to create a reservoir for the growing city of New York. About 100 miles north of the city the water is pure and plentiful and containing it in a large reservoir and transferring the water via an aqueduct to New York is the solution that the water commission of New York decided upon. Years of legal battles by the residents of the small town against the legal might of New York were fraught with failure and the demolition of the town is now about to take place.

A team is sent to Duval Springs to manage the destruction of the structures and build the aqueduct. There are teams of engineers, hundreds of laborers, and several "camps" for housing them built. Clandestine subterfuge takes place in the camps, an attempt on the life of Emily is made, and despair is rife amongst the inhabitants.

Rather than demolition, a quickly devised plan to actually move the structures to the higher elevation where the new village will be is put into place. Deemed an impossible task, the brawn, wisdom, and tenacity to accomplish the impossible carries them through.

The book is written in the genre of Christian fiction (historical) and the historical research and information is quite well done and interesting. However, the young couple that comprise the main protagonists are involved in an immoral liaison prior to the beginning of the book. Also, in the story and inappropriate relationship takes place between a middle aged couple. No "scenes" but the reference to the occasions is there.

A small piece of little know history woven into an interesting story of a strong and intelligent woman who struggles for her sense of acceptance and place. The story of Duval Springs will make the reader think twice and quite appreciatively when they turn the faucet for a drink of water at the price that water often cost society to bring to you.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

About the book: Eloise Drake's prim demeanor hides the turbulent past she's finally put behind her--or so she thinks. A mathematical genius, she's now a successful accountant for the largest engineering project in 1908 New York. But to her dismay, her new position puts her back in the path of the man responsible for her deepest heartbreak.

Alex Duval is the mayor of a town about to be wiped off the map. The state plans to flood the entire valley where his town sits in order to build a new reservoir, and Alex is stunned to discover the woman he once loved on the team charged with the demolition. With his world crumbling around him, Alex devises a risky plan to save his town--but he needs Eloise's help to succeed.

Alex is determined to win back the woman he thought he'd lost forever, but even their combined ingenuity may not be enough to overcome the odds against them before it's too late.

GIVEAWAY

Begins February 14

Ends March 11 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a copy to facilitate a review. Opinions expressed are solely mine and freely given. Giveaway copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by author or publisher, Bethany House.

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum by Kathy Willis & illustrated by Katie Scott [Review & Giveaway - Open USA & CANADA]

My thoughts: This is a gorgeous book! It is a book jam-packed with such a plethora of information about plants from the tiniest to the largest, from above ground to those tucked away underneath rocks or soil. It is a treasure trove of botanical information for the young and young at heart.

The book is touted for those ages 8 to 12 but surely they can't mean that! This book is a treasure and plant lovers (and soon-to-be plant lovers) of ALL ages will find themselves immersed for hours observing the detail of these beautiful illustrations by Katie Scott and reading the explanations by Kathy Willis that is all about each particular plant.

Couched in the guise of a "night at the museum" or a "let's visit the museum" you are introduced to the plants as though you were on a tour of a lovely plant museum. The pages are laid out with just the right amount of information (don't forget, they said this is for those "tweens" you know, but hint-hint very busy adults will find that the amount of information is just right for them as well). The lay out is not so crowded that the reader is overwhelmed and is just right so that the fine details can be readily absorbed.

What Audubon did with his fabulous illustrations of the birds of the world, this book does for plants. This is a marvelous coffee table book and one that you will be proud to display. Great for home and all libraries - schools and public.

About the book: Discover more than 160 exhibits in this virtual museum, open all hours.

ISBN: 9780763689230 - Ages 8-12
$35 US / $47 CAN
Hardcover 112 pages ~ Size: 11" x 14.9"
Picture compliments of Candlewick. Isn't it adorable! Just makes you want to go to your backyard
and see if you can find some of these fabulous plants!

From Big Picture Press's Welcome to the Museum series, Botanicum, is a brilliantly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.

~ GIVEAWAY ~ 

Begins June 6

Ends June 27 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses.

NO P.O. BOXES, please!

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press on behalf of Big Picture Press and the author and illustrator to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped by Candlewick directly to the winner.