From Kregel Children's Books: "My Bigger Search and Find Noah's Ark" by Jacob Vium-Olesen [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780825452093
Board Book $12.99
Kregel Children's Books

My thoughts: I have found that the children's books published by Kregel Publications have never disappointed me. The delightful illustrations, engaging story-telling, the educational and involvement-based format plus sturdy binding and pages make these worthwhile and choice acquisitions for the young child's use and enjoyment. 

In My Bigger Search and Find Noah's Ark the Old Testament story of Biblical patriarch Noah building the Ark to house two of every kind of creature (more of some), the delightful imagination of author, illustrator, and publisher have all designed a rather unique book. The "bigger" part is that when you turn the page, you don't get a two-page-spread. No, you get a 4-square. It unfolds (or expands) into a big page with lots of items to engage the vision and attention of the young child. The child can further engage in the story by finding items as they appear in unexpected places on the page.

Each spread is different and the focus is on BIGGER. So not only are the pages of the book bigger than expected, the child will learn that

• Noah's task was bigger
• The boat was bigger
• The flood was bigger
• Their trust in God was bigger
• God's rainbow promise was bigger

So not only is this a cute, fun, interactive book, it is also introductory theology for the little ones in your family. And...... mom and dad can learn just how big it all was, too.

I highly recommend this book. Remember to enter the giveaway below.....

About the book: Seek-and-find books are fun, but what if they were . . . bigger? This one unfolds to four times its original size to make for an interactive experience kids will love.

Children ages four to six will discover the story of Noah's ark while spotting hidden characters, animals, and objects on every colorful and jam-packed page. Kids will also learn how to apply the Scripture to their lives. Each page includes verse references as well as truths about God's love and care for little readers to remember.

A perfect road-trip companion, church-service entertainment, or everyday activity that will keep children engaged while teaching them God's Word and the truth about their importance as His children.

Author: Jacob Vium-Olesen is the CEO of Scandinavia Publishing House and has authored several children's books, including My First Memory Verse Bible and Good Night God.

Take a peek with Granny Godley ~ Sound on!

⛈️🌈GIVEAWAY🌈⛈️

Begins January 17

Ends February 16 @ 11:59 p.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

My Bigger Search & Find Noah's Ark by Jacob Vium-Olesen - Kregel Children's Books

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

Deadly Secrets (Close Proximity #1) by Penny Zeller [Giveaway]

DEADLY SECRETS (Christian Romantic Suspense)

Purchase at: Amazon 

Betrayal has consequences...

Harper Amerson loves her job as a real estate agent. That is, until it becomes clear that someone is watching her. What happens when she attempts to sell the land someone doesn't want sold?

When suspicious happenings target Lake Radford real estate agent Harper Amerson, Detective Kade Lassiter begins investigating. With his feelings for Harper growing, the menacing events soon become personal. When things escalate, can he discover who’s behind it before it’s too late?

Deadly Secrets is a faith-filled Christian romantic suspense with the following tropes:

• Strong heroine
• Law enforcement hero
• Revenge
• Stalker
• Small town

GIVEAWAY

Begins January 9

Ends February 9 @ 11:59 p.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

Deadly Secrets (Close Proximity #1) by Penny Zeller

DISCLOSURE: Giveaway uniquely hosted on Chat With Vera. Winner's prize book is provided by and sent to winner by author or author's representative. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. Winner is randomly selected using the entry platform. Winner must respond with required information for sending prize to winner within 48 hours of email sending notification time/date. Failure to provide required information within the time allotted will result in a different winner being selected.

Grimms' Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm (Author), Sandra Dieckmann (Retelling-Modern Author, Illustrator)

The is much debate on the appropriateness of Grimms' Fairy Tales for the reading to or by children. Some versions are somewhat benign and others replete with overtones of unacceptable behavior. The tales are not original to Grimms but are the Grimms' 1814 retelling of existing German folk tales passed down orally through the years. 

Some retelling and publishing of the Grimme's versions have been gentled-down and told in bare minimum versions for young children. These are published in cute, sweet little books or produced in video versions animated or with actors. 

Basically, it is up to the parents to make a determination what their child reads and when they read it.

  

Grimms' Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm (Sandra Dieckmann)

 

My thoughts:  This is a beautifully illustrated publication of Grimms' Fairy Tales illustrated with rich colors and visually stimulating scenes and characters. The illustrations show the good and the bad side of the characters and the intensity of the story. 

The compilation of 20 stories consists of well known stories and some rarely heard. The book is large size consisting of 176 pages and weighs about two pounds. 

Folk tales were often used to scare children into obedience and to make them aware of evil in the world. In ages by gone, there wasn't a lot of entertainment so oral storytelling was a form of entertainment but carried with it strong emotions.

"Hurricane" by Jason Chin

My thoughts: Having lived my early years in the North Carolina coastal city of Wilmington and then remaining in central North Carolina until the present time, I can positively say that a hurricane is a storm to fear and become as knowledgeable about as possible. The destructive power generated by the wind, rain, and seas is to be feared and respected. That being said, I am pleased with the children's book Hurricane  by Jason Chin and highly recommend it to all school and public libraries, personal libraries for children, and especially for any home with children within range of a possible hurricane.

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

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

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

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

Galaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois 

ISBN: 9781536228977
Hardcover $18.99 US
MIT Kids Press

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

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

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

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

🥠🥠🥠🥠

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

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

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

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

GIVEAWAY

1 copy: Fortune Cookies for Everyone

Begins December 14

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

Open to USA addresses only.

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

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