The Play-Along Bible: Imagining God's Story Through Motion and Play by Bob Hartman, Illustrated By: Susie Poole

ISBN-13: 9781496408648
Ages 3-6 - Tyndale House Pub.

My thoughts: If you've ever sung "Itsy Bitsy Spider" you know that children love it and love the actions of the song. There are some fun Sunday School "Bible" songs that have actions, too. These are always a hit. I know when telling the story of Joshua marching around Jericho and the walls of Jericho falling down, the young children relish the opportunity to "shout" to make the walls fall. That is the concept of The Play-Along Bible. No, it isn't a song or songs. It is a simple way to engage young children as you tell them the stories from God's Word.

Each of the 50 stories has a title, Scripture reference from which the story is taken, and the text told in simple words and phrasing accompanied with instructions for the child (and the parent or caregiver) to do that illustrate that part of the story....

In the very beginning, everything was completely dark. You couldn't see a thing (Place your hands over your eyes. Shut them tight.)

Then God said, "Light!" (Say, "Light!")

And it wasn't dark anymore--it was bright! (Open your eyes.)

God called the light "day" (Shout, "Day!") and the darkness  "night." (Whisper. "Night")

And that was the first day. (Shout, "Hooray!") 

Opportunities to wave hands and arms, wiggle fingers, etc. are given throughout. This is engagement that will capture the attention of the young child and ingrain the basics of each of the stories in their mind. Keep in mind that the story-telling is very basic. The concept is to give the basics and to capture the child's attention. This does it very well.

This hardcover book can be used in Children's Church, Sunday School, preschool, or at home. There are four Bible verses given at the end of the book. Parents can actually read the Biblical text to the child if they so desire because the reference for each story is given. Since the Scripture is not printed in the book, parents will also have the option to select the version that they prefer. My preference would be the King James.

The illustrations are light and whimsical. There is joy depicted and a myriad of objects on the pages for little eyes to seek out and identify. Another great opportunity to engage and teach.

About the book: Looking for a way to integrate the Bible into your child’s playtime?

The Play-Along Bible inspires children’s imaginations while growing their understanding of and love for God’s Word. Through simple hand motions, facial expressions, verbal exclamations, and funny noises, kids can participate and respond to God’s amazing story. Whether it’s acting out the dawn of creation by making a funny fish face or belting out a giant roar while pretending to be a ferocious beast in Daniel’s lions’ den, kids will encounter hundreds of fun ways to actively engage with the Bible. Using this fresh and easy, multisensory approach, you’ll be surprised how well your child will recall and absorb the Scriptures. Adding to the experience are delightful full-color illustrations from British artist Susie Poole.

About the author: Bob Hartman is a pastor, author, and storyteller with a rich history in publishing and whose books have sold more than 1 million copies. Primarily he's written children's books with a strong moral theme or Bible story books. Bob is best known for The Lion Storyteller Bible, which sold more than 200,000 copies, and The Wolf Who Cried Boy, with more than 90,000 copies sold. He is also the author of You Version's Bible App for Kids, which has been downloaded over 5 million times. Bob is married to Sue, and they have two married children and three grandchildren.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale Blog Network to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated.

Step by Step by Candace Calvert has officially released!

It's now available online (in both print and digital) at favorite sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book and others. Don't be shy about asking your local bookstore to order if you don't find it on the shelves.

The giveaway ends on 2/29.
You may enter via this link. 

Early reviews are flooding in and I'm delighted and honored by comments such as these:

"Fans of Dee Henderson and Grey's Anatomy will love this wonderfully sweet, healing story about finding one's way back to love after losing everything . . ."--Susan May Warren
" . . . all that was missing was the popcorn . . . would make for a great Sunday night Hallmark movie . . ."
" . . . Calvert writes in such a way that you are not just there with the character, you actually become the character . . ."
" . . . fast paced action . . . like a scene from the TV show 'ER' . . ."

A short blurb from the back cover:

"Three years after a tragic accident left her a widow, ER nurse Taylor Cabot is determined to move on, checking off one item on her Survival List after another. Her relationship with a handsome plastic surgeon even gives her hope for the last point--"fall in love again." At least until crisis chaplain Seth Donovan steps back into her life, reawakening unanswered questions about her husband's death . . ."

If that intrigues you, here's Chapter One.

In celebration of Step by Step's release (and in keeping with a story motif),the good folks at Crazy 4 Fiction and I are offering a chance at a fun giveaway. The grand prize winner will receive a Fitbit Flex activity tracking bracelet and signed copies of both Step by Step and By Your Side (as shown in the photo above) . Five other winners will receive copies of Step by Step.

The giveaway ends on 2/29. You may enter via this link.

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL by Cecil Frances Alexander [Review & Giveaway]

Worthy Kids/Ideals
Ages 4-7 ~ Hardcover $15.99
ISBN-13: 978-0824956769

About the book: A joyful, artistic rendering of a favorite childhood hymn. God's touch can be seen everywhere: in the rivers and streams, in the forest and its creatures, and in each of us. And nowhere is this more lyrically celebrated than in the words of "All Things Bright and Beautiful," first published by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848. Here, artist Katy Hudson brings new joy to this mainstay of churches and Sunday school classes with her fresh and engaging watercolors. Readers will be swept along as they follow three young children who delight in a day filled with the discovery of "all things bright and beautiful.” This striking book is a beautiful reminder that every good thing we see is from God. Ages 4 to 7.


My thoughts: The lyrics of the 165 year old poem sung as a hymn through the years teaches that God makes all things beautiful. The years have not dimmed the beauty and tradition of this great song because it reaches young and old, educated and uneducated, strong and weak. It is a treasure to be taught and learned.

All things bright and beautiful, 

All creatures great and small, 

All things wise and wonderful, 

The Lord God made them all.

Cecil Frances Alexander's beautiful poem is aptly illustrated in colorful, bright pictures sure to appeal to the younger audience. Adults will enjoy this whimsical artistry as each page defly illustrates the lines of the poem on the page. Two sisters and a brother frolic about the flowers, in the breeze, and amongst the various critters. Joyful! Lively! Serene!

A lovely hymn or poem to learn. A sweet, lovely book. A strong Christian message about the God who made everything beautiful.

GIVEAWAY
(1st) All Things Bright & Beautiful
 (2nd) $10 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate

Begins February 2
ENDS February 16  @ 12:01 a.m. ET. 

 Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit your local Family Christian store or shop online at FamilyChristian.com for this and other amazing products to encourage and uplift your heart.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Worthy Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review. Giveaway copy is provided by Worthy-Ideals directly to the winner. Family Christian sponsored the Appreciation Certificate giveaway & will provide the winner's certificate prize.

Special Ed teacher recognized as Employee of the Month

Forgive this Mama for exercising "bragging rights," but I just want to share a bit about my middle child. Well, she isn't a child anymore, she is a wonderful daughter, mother, and teacher. She teachers Special Ed students in Georgia.

Ms. Vera Andrews is in center.

Telfair County Middle School proudly announces the February Employee of the Month, Ms. Vera Andrews.  Ms. Andrews was nominated by her peers for “her willingness to help out in any area. Her students require patience beyond the norm and she exhibits that trait in and out of the classroom.” She is an advocate for our students and parents.  Her selflessness is displayed each day. She is an asset to our TCMS team.  Thanks Ms. Andrews for everything you do!

Cynthia P. Marshall, EdS., Assistant Principal

Telfair County Middle School. McRae, Georgia

Ashes to Ashes: The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton by Mel starr

ISBN 9781782641339
$14.99 | Paperback
Lion Fiction

My thoughts: I have thoroughly enjoyed each of my journeys into the 1300s in the company of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon and Baliff. The author, Mel Starr, has a unique style that reads easily; and the prose and droll humor of Singleton makes this reader readily visualize characters as they engage one another and traipse along the countryside solving the mystery and crime of the moment.

Not being encumbered with the fast pace and "stuff" of today's world, Hugh de Singleton thinks deeply and lucidly. Life is more simple in the 1300s than in the year 2015, but the stuff of good and evil still abounds even in the slower pace of life. Men are still evil and some are good.

The church features prominently in the story in that it was prominent in everyone's life, especially in small villages, during medieval times. This is reflected in the heart and mind of Singleton.

Singleton rides his Palfrey (definition: a riding horse with a comfortable gait), eats his maslin loaf or his wheaten loaf (breads of the day), and ends the day sitting in his toft (area around his house planted with vegetables) with his wife whom he loves. And he practices his skills as a professionally (Paris) trained surgeon in addition to seeing that the laws of the village and land are adhered to.

I like that events generate moments of deeper pondering to Singleton. Throughout Ashes to Ashes, as in each of his other books, he frequently crosses Shill Brook at which he pauses and ponders.

"I left Arthur and the palfreys at the castle and walked to Galen House [Singleton's home]. Again I stopped at Shill Brook to gaze into the stream. The psalmist has told men that they should "Be still and know that I am God." I admit that in the busyness of the day, I had not considered Him nor sought guidance of the Lord Christ. I amended the fault there upon the bridge."

Singleton is skilled as a Surgeon but he is equally skilled at deduction and detective work ferreting out wrong doers and bringing them to justice.

It is always a please to read Mel Starr's Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton.

About the book: The morning after the festivities of Midsummer's Eve, the villagers of Bampton make a grisly discovery

Master Hugh, Kate, and their children attend the Midsummer’s Eve fire. The next morning Hugh hears the passing bell ring from the Church of St. Beornwald, and moments later is summoned. Tenants collecting the ashes to spread upon their fields have found burned bones.

Master Hugh learns of several men of Bampton and nearby villages who have gone missing recently. Most are soon found, some alive, some dead. Master Hugh eventually learns that the bones are those of a bailiff from a nearby manor. Someone has slain him and placed his body in the fire to destroy evidence of murder.

Bailiffs are not popular men; they dictate labor service, collect rents, and enforce other obligations. Has this bailiff died at the hand of some angry tenant? Hugh soon discovers this is not the case. There is quite another reason for murder . .

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Ashes to Ashes from Kregel to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Amphibians and Reptiles by Katharine Hall from Arbordale Publishing

ISBN: 9781628555608

Paperback $9.95

About the book: What makes a frog an amphibian but a snake a reptile? Both classes may lay eggs, but they have different skin coverings and breathe in different ways. Pages of fun facts will help kids identify each animal in the class like a pro after reading the fourth book in Arbordale's Compare and Contrast series. Similar to Polar Bears and Penguins, Clouds and Trees; Amphibians and Reptiles uses stunning photographs and simple non-fiction text to get kids thinking about the similarities and differences between these two animal classes.

My thoughts: I love Arbordale's Compare and Contrast books. When comparisons or differences are observed during study, the facts of each animal, critter, or object become more firmly planted in the memory. It also aids in the creative thinking process. 

This little book of frogs and snakes (frogs are amphibians and snakes are reptiles), etc. will delight most children. Dare I to say "boys"? The illustrations simply shine with "slime" and pebbly skin is clearly seen. Clear and closeup photography is very good. The text is brief and concise accompanying each picture or spread. This will become a good source of reference for the young child as they begin to learn about amphibians and reptiles.

The book begins....

• There are three main types of amphibians - pictures, with brief text

• There are four different kinds of reptiles - pictures, with brief text

• Amphibians and reptiles are cold-blooded

At the back of the book the "For Creative Minds" section gives material on Vertebrate Classes, Amphibian or Reptile Sorting, Herpetology (study of amphibians and reptiles), and Amphibian Life Cycle Sequencing. Tremendous information that will facilitate using this book spanning the entire elementary age group.

This is another winner in the Arbordale series of books. I highly recommend it.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

They Just Know: Animal Instincts Written by Robin Yardi Illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein published by Arbordale

ISBN: 9781628556391

Paperback $9.99

About the book: How do some young animals know what to do and how to do it? Does someone teach a caterpillar what to eat? Who gives a baby shark swimming lessons? Sometimes young animals learn things from their parents, but other times… they just know! Explore animal instincts through engaging text and fanciful illustrations.

My thoughts: Arbordale provides great little books packed with real information with a story line that entertains and educates. in They Just Know: Animal Instincts the author and illustrator have presented the truth of how animals do the things they do without having any "lessons." They just know is all about instincts each animal has and how these animal instincts do not occur in children but must be learned.

As the illustrator creates scenes throughout the book, she uses realistic illustrations showing creatures naturally and realistically. By the same token she switches to fantasizing the creatures in humorous situations and scenes. You'll get a laugh or chuckle out of some of these bits. I just love the illustrations!

Again, Arbordale has a great little "For Creative Minds" section at the back that allow further in-depth study into the instincts and behaviors of animals. This is  always a winning addition.

They Just Know is inherently a secular book. As a Christian, it is my firm belief that God has endowed the animal creatures with behavior instincts specific to their own need and design. I see and value this book as a great little entertainment and educational tool for children.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Arbordale to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.