You Are Light by Aaron Becker [Review & 2-winner Giveaway US/CANADA]

It is such a joy to share the books reviewed here on Chat With Vera with a local library, a homeschool family, a neighbor, and especially a special Great-grandbaby. His dear mother has reviewed You Are Light for us after sharing it with this sweet little one. Her review is especially pertinent as she is an artist and a superb professional photographer.

We recently received this lovely book from a family member and I must say, the gift was perfectly timed. It was the end of a long day and we were on the way home when our little one was getting fussy in his carseat. I climbed into the back seat and pulled out this beautifully crafted book that describes color and light. The book is a dynamic tool that changes when you look down upon it from above versus holding it up to the window to let the light shine through the little circular panes.

The welcome distraction became an exploration in the color wheel and will likely spark deeper conversations into the cycle of water, sun and their effects on the earth’s environment when he’s old enough to understand. While the author stays rooted in the scientific explanation of how our climate works, he also introduces ideas of blending colors and the concept that we all have a special light within each of us.

This book could be an excellent starting point for many conversations and questions with your young one no matter their age. If you need a simple distraction in the car, want to delve into the mysteries that govern our physical world or would like to explore the artistic side of color and light, this book is definitely one to bring along!         ———R. Roddenberry-Smith

ISBN: 9781536201154
Candlewick Studio
Buy on Amazon

About the book: With a wondrously simple die-cut book, the Caldecott Honor–winning creator of the Journey trilogy brings his talents further into the light. 

This is the light that brings the day.

Open this beautiful book to find a graphic yellow sun surrounded by a halo of bright die-cut circles. Now hold the page up to the light and enjoy the transformation as the colors in those circles glow. In an elegant, sparely narrated ode to the phenomenon of light, Aaron Becker follows as light reflects off the earth to warm our faces, draws up the sea to make the rain, feeds all the things that grow, and helps to create all the brilliant wonders of the world, including ourselves.

 

GIVEAWAY

2 Winners 
Begins March 12
Ends April 10 at 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA and CANADA addresses.
No P.O. Boxes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of a young mother/artist and are freely given. Giveaway copies are provided by and shipped directly to the winners by the publisher.

Wild Bios: Frida Catlo from Silver Dolphin books [Review & Giveaway - US/CANADA]

ISBN: 9781684125586
Buy it on Amazon 

My thoughts:  The concept of kiddie board books to introduce real people who are famous is a great way to begin reading biographic stories to children. The author makes it enticingly entertaining by creating characters that are animals. The biography (???) is about Frida CATlo - emphasis on CAT. So while the person is real, the animalistic twist is a quirky way to tell the story.

Now about this cute book.....

A typical board book that has charming, cute animals populating its pages. They are "peopled-cats" or cats that take on people traits. Not such a new concept in kiddie books, but perhaps it is new in kiddie books about REAL PEOPLE.

So as our real person - hmm.... kitten Frida goes about her daily activities, she has an accident and began to pursue art as a result. Lots of play-on-words in the story telling. "Time on her paws," "First paintings were paw-traits."

What the child can learn is that Frida became an artist and married an artist. Also, she lived in Mexico.

While I find the book delightful and I believe young children will enjoy the story and will, perhaps, learn about an artist, I think that the parents will get the most out of this book. I found myself chuckling as I read because of the multitude of words in "meow" version. Lots of fun for the adult reader in this one. Maybe Mom and Dad will want to read this one multiple times to the kiddies.

About the book: Wild Bios: Frida Catlo is the first title in a new series of biographies featuring well-known historical figures with a surprising twist that makes them accessible and engaging for even the youngest readers. Plus, funny puns throughout make them fun for parents to read aloud!

Frida Catlo was one purr-fect painter! Meet one of history’s greatest figures in this adorable board book with an animal twist! Famous Meowxican painter Frida Catlo was a pioneer for female artists. She always painted from the heart, even in the face of health problems and personal struggles. With hilarious puns and colorful illustrations, this book brings Frida’s legacy to life for babies and parents alike!

GIVEAWAY

Begins March 8

Ends April 1 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA and CANADA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publicist on behalf of Silver Dolphin Publishing and the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Don't Close Your Eyes: A Silly Bedtime Story by Bob Hostetler & published by Thomas Nelson

Buy it on Amazon

My thoughts:  The artist beautifully renders twilight and deepening shadows of the evening and bedtime in shades of blue that are comforting and appealing instead of the blackness that is often scary to a small child. So a real plus for capturing this so nicely. Then the variety of animals portrayed in familiar bedtime settings is quite appealing and they are drawn with cute charm.

The story is told in rhyme that flows nicely but isn't perfect. All authors are not Robert Louis Stevenson, but many are quite good and this is a good rhyming story.

The premise is a sort of fun reverse psychology for when a child doesn't want to go to sleep and you tell them to go ahead and stay awake - don't close your eyes. Just stay in bed and don't close your eyes. Well, soon that little one will be sleeping away. Well, hopefully it works.

Let's face it. This is a charming board book with softened padded cover. And parents and kiddies can joke around about not closing your eyes all night long. The ending is quite cute and speaks of dreaming of each other. A sweet little thought with which to end the day.

Of note, this is published by Thomas Nelson Publishing (Tommy Nelson) which is a Christian publishing house. The book, however, makes no mention of Christianity, the Bible, or God. Not a problem; just that it makes the book appealing to secular audiences that want a sweet book for a little one.

About the book: Do your little ones resist going to sleep? Lull them to sleep with a fun bedtime challenge in Don’t Close Your Eyes!

Children have a lot of fun packed into a day, and they don't always want it to end. Award-winning author Bob Hostetler capitalizes on this by challenging little ones to keep their eyes open, no matter how heavy their eyelids may get. The soft rhymes about animals preparing for sleep will help them settle down until they finally close their eyes and sleep!

With silly and adorable characters whose sleepy faces will make you laugh out loud, Don’t Close Your Eyes is a unique bedtime book that your child will reach for again and again. Get ready for bed and say your prayers, but whatever you do, don't close your eyes!

DISCLOSURE: I recived a complimentary copy from the BookLook Review program on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Little ones develop fondness for fruits by enjoying cute board books that feature fruit [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Imagine happy kiddies doing something that is really good for them! Eating good fresh fruit! And now start the process early by serving up happy "Eat 'em Ups" books in 4-fruits.

Little ones will love their cute fruit books. Perhaps it will help grow a love of the real fruit for them as well.

Eat 'em Ups Apples!

"One, Two, Three … I'll race you to that apple tree. It's apple-picking time!"
A group of young friends spend a beautiful autumn day picking apples and learning about the delicious foods that are made with their favorite fruit.  We've heard "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." So why not see if it works. Let your little one hold this cute board book and then read it to him.

Eat 'em Ups Pears!

 "Pears are the best! Just give them a chance. They'll make you want to jump up and dance!"

As a group of children walk through a farmer's market, they try to encourage their reluctant friend to give pears a try. There is one little hold-out that will "never eat a pear" but he is won over at the end of the book. Shows how reticence to try a new food can be overcome.

Eat 'em Ups Oranges!

"I want an orange, a sweet, juicy orange, an orange for orange juice…"

Kids can join a determined little girl in her quest for an orange, recounted with bright, engaging illustrations, accompanied by a rhyming narrative. Focus on joy of orange juice. Child squeezes by hand to get juice. Loves taste of the orange.

Eat 'em Ups Bananas!

"Bananas with our breakfast, bananas with our lunch, so yellow, ripe, and mellow, bananas by the bunch!"
A pair of twins celebrate their birthday by eating their favorite fruit all day long  A "favorite" fruit of the kiddies in this book. Bananas are an easy to eat, soft fruit that is a winner.

You can  sign up for free children's samples CLICK HERE

GIVEAWAY

Set of 4 books for 3 Winners 

Begin March 7

Ends April 5 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA and CANADA addresses

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary set of books to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Books will be sent directly to winners by Dover Publishing.

Gritty and Graceful: 15 Inspiring Women of the Bible by Caryn Rivadeneira

Buy it on Amazon
ISBN: 9781506452067

My thoughts:  Illustrated with bold colors and characters that exude strength of purpose, the assorted women and girls from the pages of the Bible, Old and New Testaments, come to life. The theme that permeates each story is what the woman or girl did for God and what God did for the Woman.

It is not an "if you do this, I will do this" situation. It simply states that the action of the woman/girl was meaningful and purposeful and looked upon favorably by God. It also simply states that God moves in the lives of women and does great or wonderful things.

Short, tersely written text fleshes out the basics of each story as is appropriate for young listeners or young readers.

This is a nice book to teach our young girls that they are of much value to God and can be used of God.

About the book: God gave girls grit and grace. From the very beginning, God looked to girls and women to teach, to lead, to love, to change the world.

We know because we can read their stories in the Bible. From Eve to Mary and everyone in between, the Bible is full of gritty and graceful women who faced tough circumstances with courage, toughness, intelligence, and faith.

This companion to Caryn Rivadeneira's critically acclaimed Grit and Grace: Heroic Women of the Bible combines exciting storytelling with the vivid illustrations of Sonya Abby Soekarno to bring the stories of these biblical women to life. Gritty and Graceful: 15 Inspiring Women of the Bible will inspire the gritty and graceful girls in your life to imagine their place in God's story, how they can make a difference in the world, and do great things for God.

Author Caryn Rivadeneira said that "Boiling down these women’s complex and difficult stories was hard! Each woman deserves her own book. But it was fun looking at these women, 'listening' to them and honing in on the most important (or one of the most important) things they had to say."

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from PRBytheBook on behalf of Beaming Books and the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

The timeless fragrance of Rose is a sure pleaser in Good Earth Beauty's basic beauty products [Review & Giveaway]

A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.... 

Roses are the flower of love. In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" the phrase "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet..." became immortalized. We all know the gentle fragrance of a beautiful rose.

Dip your nose into a bouquet of tiny or large roses and sense the loveliness. Only in nature can there be such loveliness to visualize and to sense aromatically.

And in the natural products from Good Earth Beauty, they have captured the essence of a lovely rose.

 

HAND CREAM ROSE

My thoughts:  Luscious hand creams make all the difference when you care about how your hands look and feel. Winter is harsh on skin and especially harsh on the hands. This lovely Rose Hand Cream is a creamy liquid that goes on smoothly and leaves my hands feeling like silk. Smooth. Luxurious. Wonderful. And Good Earth Beauty's fabulous hand creams come in a variety of different scents from which you can select.

I find that a good hand cream makes a perfect gift for birthdays or just because. I have a little corner of my closet where I stash away treasures to have available for gifting when that special occasion arises. This is a perfect addition to my stash and one I would be proud to gift.

Oh.... and did I tell you how I love, love having special items in my stash corner that I can gift my special people? Like little "gifts of love" just waiting to happen.

Oh..... did I tell you how much I absolutely LOVE the gentle rose scent? Wonderful!

Product information: Good Earth Beauty Exclusive's lavish, modern floral hand cream repairs dry skin and cuticles, leaving behind the perfectly elegant scent of rose. To heal cracked skin, you only need a small drop of this cream, which has aloe, macadamia-seed and olive oils, and shea butter. It's deceptively thin for such a hydrating formula, and it leaves hands soft and supple for the entire day.  Free of: parabens, pesticides, petroleum, propylene glycol, phthalates, sulfates, artificial colors. Made in small batchesin the USA by Good Earth Beauty

Ingredients: Purified Water, Organic Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe), Sunflower Oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Mango Butter, Organic, Evening Primrose Oil, Emulsifying Wax, Rose Hip Oil, Chamomile, Grapeseed Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Radish Root Ferment (Natural Preservative), Proprietary Blend Of Natural Fragrance Oils. Price: $14.00  4 oz Tube Buy it Click Here

ROSE BODY BALM NATURAL

My thoughts:  This little tin is so quaint and old fashioned looking. I remember seeing years ago little tins of greasy salves that were "cure alls." Not that my family used them. If they did, I don't remember that aspect.

But this little tin is not a "cure all" it is simply a fabulous product that is soothing to one's hands, heels, elbows, arms - and I am sure - perfect for a nice massage. I used it mostly on my hands and lower arms. Using it several times a day felt so soothing.

Did you know that one of the first signs that a lady is aging or has reached "that-certain-age" are her hands? That's right. Even though we pamper our faces and necks and especially our eyes, it is our hands that tell-the-tale.

So we should be forewarned to welcome the balms, the creams, the lotions that protect, sooth, and yes, even heal our work weary hands.

I recommend you keep a little tin of the Good Earth Beauty Body Balm handy.

Product information: Super moisturizing balm - great for extra dry, chapped skin. Several scents available. All natural and Pure.  Hand made in the USA.  2 oz tin Price: $17.00 Buy it click here

Ingredients: Organic sunflower oil, organic shea butter, beeswax, organic cocoa butter, organic jojoba oil, essential oil blend

Enter the Giveaway and try to win a set of these lovely products. Or go ahead and be sure you get some for yourself by ordering from http://GoodEarthBeauty.com and use the DISCOUNT CODE of Skincare10 to take 10% off the price. And..... as always..... SHIPPING IS FREE for all USA orders.

ROSE GIFT SET - HAND CREAM AND BODY BALM
Buy the Set for $25 ($31 Value)
Click Here to Purchase

GIVEAWAY

1 Rose Balm & 1 Hand Cream

Begins March 6

Ends April 3 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I was provided products to use and evaluate to facilitate a review. Opinions are solely my own and are freely given. Prize is provided by Good Earth Beauty and shipped directly to the winner.
#crueltyfreebeauty #goodearthbeauty #cleanbeauty #greenbeauty #handcream #winterskincare #parabenfree #beautyinfluencer

AMERICAN OMENS (The Coming Fight For Faith) by Travis Trasher [Giveaway]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
ISBN: 9780735291782
WaterbrookMultnomah Pub.
Buy on Amazon

My thoughts:  I found the book surreal in the technological advances purported to be in place twenty years in the future. But then.... where were we with technology 20 years in the past. So much is possible and we shouldn't be surprised at what advances actually might happen.

Reading thoughts? Hearing other voices speak in our heads? Far fetched? Perhaps. I dread the possibility that these things could happen. Yes, chips can be implanted and activities traced. But some other technological advances are science fiction.

What is not science fiction is the very real possibility that Christianity will not be looked favorably upon. And in American Omens that is definitely the situation.

People are manipulated. Cars are automated. One can speak into thin air and receive a spoken answer, or an answer in one's head, or pictures appear to hang in the air in front of you. The future of technology? Perhaps. But the future is also one of control either using technology or sheer force.

In American Omens, the main, yet shadow, character is The Reckoner. I fully expected this to be some sort of avenging angel or representative of God in an end-times scenario. That doesn't seem to be the case. But that might be different if this story line plays out in more books along this line if Mr. Thrasher pursues it as a series. This story is, after all, about the downfall or decline of Christianity in America and we have the whole World  in which we can look for prophetic or end-times stories.

About the book: In this taut thriller that depicts a future where belief is dangerous, faith is deemed hatred, and a group of powerful elite keeps watch, the Reckoner has come to wake up America.

The year is 2038 and Cheyenne Burne is a brilliant young programmer working for Acatour, the world's top technology firm. Her father converts to Christianity, and he suddenly disappears without a trace. When a stranger hands Cheyenne a coded message that sends her on a collision course with a clandestine group of believers, she must put her life in the hands of those following a man known only as the Reckoner. He claims he wants to bring back true faith in Christ to America and also reveal the forces behind the disappearances of the many renowned people who publicly declared their Christian faith.

Operating in the shadows and living off the grid, this mysterious prophet assembles a ragtag team--including a former bookseller whose store was shut down for selling prohibited books--to help him take the battle for transparency to the top. With a ruthless FBI agent closing in, can Cheyenne and the others expose the truth and lead a return to God in America before it's too late?

GIVEAWAY

A signed copy of American Omens
Begins February 13

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

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions shared are mine alone and are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided and shipped directly to winner by author or publisher.