Category Archives: Book reviews

A Believe Devotional for Kids by Randy Frazee (Book Review)

I’ve recently begun checking out various devotional books to use with my children.  I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for (or what was out there), so I wanted to explore several options.  My most recent opportunity came with a chance to review A Believe Devotional for Kids: Think, Act, Be Like Jesus: 90 Devotions by Randy Frazee.

Although this devotional is part of a larger program with which I am completely unfamiliar, it also can be used by itself.  Right off the bat I was impressed with the quality of this book.  It is a beautiful hardcover with thick glossy pages and gorgeous illustrations by Steve Adams.  Every page spread has at least a small picture, and most have stunning full page pictures in bold, vibrant colors sure to catch the attention of anyone who picks up the book.

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As far as content, each page follows a typical devotional pattern: Scripture verse, food for thought (usually about 3-5 paragraphs), and a prayer.  Because I’m not familiar with the Believe program, I wasn’t quite sure of the deeper meaning behind the organization of ideas, but that didn’t really affect my reading of each devotion.  I could easily use this with my younger elementary age children, and I think older children and even teens would find the devotions thought provoking.  These weren’t just fluffy, feel-good moments to think about Jesus, but deeper prompts toward spiritual growth.

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If your church is going through the Believe campaign, you will absolutely want to get this devotional for your kids.  Even if you’re not, I think it’s a fabulous tool for discipleship.  It makes me want to check out Believe Kids’ Edition: Think, Act, Be Like Jesus and the Believe Storybook: Think, Act, Be Like Jesus to get even more out of it.

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The Everywhere God (Book Review)

The_Everywhere_God_CoverI have found that sometimes the best way to reach my children’s hearts is through a good book.  When I’m struggling to find the right words to say something important, I often find that someone else has already said it for me.  I’m thankful for books like The Everywhere God by Bob Nelson (edited by his daughter Cricket Nelson Hater), that share God’s Truth in a way my children easily understand.

The Everywhere God was written by a grandfather wanting to offer comfort to his granddaughter during a hard time in her life.  Through simple rhymes, Nelson offers the solid reassurance that no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, God is always there, and He’s always loving us.

Young children will enjoy this 32-page book with Robin Tillman’s fun and colorful illustrations.  While addressing a serious topic, Nelson keeps things light by imagining silly situations where one would deeply appreciate God’s continued presence.  I think it’s a great book to read aloud to children in need of something solid to hold onto when their world feels uncertain.

The Everywhere God children's book
Check out Ben and Me for a unit study to go along with the book!

 

Terms and Conditions:

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  Void where prohibited by law. Must be at least 18 years of age. This giveaway is in no away associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest. No purchase necessary for entry. Odds are determined by the number of entries. Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn. Entry into this giveaway will subscribe you to The Everywhere God email list.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the author in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

May the Faith Be With You (Kids Devotional Book Review)

I’ve been wanting to find a devotional for Ian that could help him start to build a habit of having a regular quiet time with God.  When I got a chance to review May the Faith Be with You: 180 devotions that are out of this world from Zonderkidz, I had to check it out.  What better way to encourage a 7-year old boy than tying it to a movie he loves?

May the Faith Be with You is designed for young readers just starting out in a time of personal prayer.  The format is quite simple, taking up just one page for each devotion, so there’s not an overwhelming amount of reading required.  At the top of each page is a short Bible passage, just one or two verses fully written out so a Bible isn’t necessary unless one wants to read the surrounding verses.  Then readers are led through the following:

  • Master Moment (a simple sentence about the focus of the day’s devotion, i.e. “God watches over us during both the calm times and the stormy times of life.”)
  • Ways of Wisdom (a short paragraph about how the Master Moment relates to the Scripture passage)
  • Use the Force (a short prayer connecting the Master Moment to the reader’s own life)

I was disappointed to find that, apart from the title of the book and the subtitles for each section of the devotions, there’s really nothing about it that relates to Star Wars at all.  In fact, it seems rather generic, like it would be easy to republish the book using a totally different theme just by slapping on a new cover and changing the subtitles.  If your desire is to find something to appeal to Star Wars fans, May the Faith Be with You will probably leave you wanting.

However, if your main goal is finding a simple devotional guide to help your children build a quiet time habit, then this might be a good fit.  I appreciate that it is Scripture based without a lot of extra commentary.  It’s not very “meaty,” but that’s why I think it’s a great choice for younger kids.  Each devotion would probably take five minutes or less, so it can help establish a good habit without being overwhelming.

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I Prayed For You by Jean Fischer (Book Review)

If you’re looking for a sweet, thoughtful book to read with your preschooler, I would encourage you to check out I Prayed For You by Jean Fischer.  I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and from the first time I read it through I was convinced that this 20-page board book was definitely going to be one of those stories I read again and again to my children.

A mother bear narrates the book, and each page alternates between her talking to her young cub about some aspect of life and short, rhyming prayers to God about that particular thing.  The first page sets the stage beautifully:

Before you were born, I asked God for something special.  I asked Him for you.

“Dear loving Father in heaven above, send a sweet baby for Mama to love.”

I instantly remembered the years before I had children and that was the deepest cry of my heart.  I remember the pain of waiting and longing for that positive pregnancy test, and the overwhelming thankfulness I felt once they had arrived.  Almost every page in this book connected with my heart and had me nodding in agreement.  Mama Bear talks to her cub about watching his first steps and praying for God’s guidance, listening to his first prayers and praying he will always turn to God, tending her cub’s injuries and praying for God’s comfort, and so on.  The only page that didn’t really fit for us was the page about sending her cub off to school for a whole day without her, but I’m sure we’ll find other situations that we can relate to in a similar way.

For older kids the board book form and cuddly bear illustrations might seem too babyish, but they’ll certainly appreciate the love expressed on each page.   Even if younger kids haven’t necessarily experienced some of the things in the book yet I think they’ll love hearing about how someone has been praying for them.  This is the perfect book for taking some time to sit down for a good snuggle to reassure your children of how precious they are.

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Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi (Book Review)

We have an extensive collection of Christmas picture books, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped searching for treasures for my children to enjoy during Advent.  I was pleased to receive a copy of Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi to review, and look forward to sharing it with my children when we launch our annual picture book countdown to Christmas in a few weeks.

I was delightfully surprised by this winsome book.  We have a new baby in the house, and with four other children who find it difficult to contain their youthful exuberance, I can relate all too well to the story of trying to quiet down the excited crowd so the little one can get some sleep.  In Goodnight, Manger, Laura Sassi uses simple rhymes to tell about the wiggly baby Jesus trying to go to sleep amidst a noisy audience of animals, angels, shepherds, and kings.  Mary finally convinces everyone to join in a quiet lullaby and at last the baby drifts off.

Award winning artist Jane Chapman’s beautiful illustrations enhance the already charming story.  Each picture catches the eye its warm, vibrant colors.  The Holy Family is refreshingly portrayed with authentic ethnic coloring.  And the characters exude a joy that pulls the reader into the jubilant stable and makes them want to join the festivities.

If you’re looking for a serious, straight forward telling of the story of Jesus’ birth, this is not the book for you.  However, if you’re looking for a sweet bedtime story to share with your children, this book is sure to delight your entire family, not just at Christmas, but all year long!

 

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Rabbits, Rabbits Everywhere: A Fibonacci Tale (Crew Book Review)

I’ve got a little guy who is absolutely enthralled with numbers, so I jumped when Ann McCallum Books gave us a chance to review Rabbits, Rabbits Everywhere: A Fibonacci Tale.  It teaches about the Fibonacci sequence: a pattern of numbers that occurs throughout nature (written about in 1202 by an Italian man nicknamed Fibonacci).  In the sequence, each number is the sum of the previous two numbers: 0…1…1…2…3…5…8…13…21…34… You get idea.

Rabbits, Rabbits Everywhere: A Fibonacci Tale is a 32-page softcover book based on an idea Fibonacci himself used, about pairs of rabbits that reproduce according to this pattern.  In the book a town called Chee becomes overrun by rabbits due to a wizard’s spell, and when the infamous Pied Piper is unable to get rid of them, a clever little girl named Amanda looks at how the growing number of rabbits each day follows a specific pattern.  Once she figures it out, she is able to break the spell and lead the rabbits out of town.  (The original pair of rabbits are named “Fib” and “Knot,” so in the years to come, people talk about “The Tale of Fib and Knot in Chee,” which becomes “The Tale of Fibonacci,” a clever way to help children remember the name of the number sequence.)

This book was a cute and clever way to introduce the idea of Fibonacci numbers.  I read it with two of my children who showed interest when they spotted the book after it arrived.  Arianna (3) enjoyed the story just for its own sake (especially the colorful illustrations by Gideon Kendall), but Elijah, my 5-year old numberphile, realized there was more going on.  He loved the details in the illustrations that showed how Amanda began trying to figure out the pattern.DSCN0785

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The book makes the pattern so clear, it’s easy to find the wonder of the Fibonacci sequence, especially when you read the last page, which gives examples of where Fibonacci numbers can be found in nature.  Though the book doesn’t mention God, I think it’s a great tool for talking about how our world shows evidence of intelligent design, and I know we’ll read this story over and over in the years to come.  I think children of all ages, even those typically “beyond” picture books, will enjoy this story because of the fascination factor.

Ann McCallum has written several books to help children find delight in learning, not just about math, but several other subjects as well.  Members of the Crew received various titles to review, so if you want to bring a little extra fun to your school day, be sure to check out their reviews by clicking on the banner below.

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When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther (Book Review)

When Lightning Struck cover

If you’ve read more than one of my blog posts, you’ve probably caught onto the fact that I love history.  I love teaching it.  I love reading about it.  And I love finding great books to help my kids fall in love with it as well.

So when I heard about When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther, a new book by Danika Cooley, I knew I was going to have to check it out, especially since we’ll be covering the Reformation later this year.

Summary

When Lightning Struck! begins with his years at school studying law, followed by his dramatic decision to become a monk.  Martin feels the weight of sin acutely, but the teachings of the church do little to comfort him.  Determined to earn his salvation, he practices self-denial: starving himself, beating himself, and sleeping on the hard wooden floor (or even in the snow) to try to pay for his sins. Not only does Martin struggle with knowledge of his salvation, he is dismayed by the corruption and unbiblical practices he observes within the Church.

After receiving a Bible, Martin immerses himself in Scripture, and he at last comes to realize that Jesus has already paid for them. His lectures at the University draw grace-hungry crowds—and eventually the wrath of Rome.  Troubled by the Church’s practice of selling indulgences, Martin posts his now famous Ninety-Five Theses to open a public forum to discuss the matter, certain that the Pope and other wise religious leaders will change their position once they see the objections from Scripture laid out plainly.

The idea that theology should come from Scripture alone does not sit well with the powerful church leaders, and after Martin refuses to recant his position he is declared a heretic.  Others, however, are emboldened by Martin’s stand against the church, and a great Reformation sweeps through Germany and then other parts of Europe.  Martin spends the rest of his life trying to help maintain unity within the Protestant church, though at times he and other leaders are deeply divided over doctrine.

About the Book

Danika Cooley does not shy away from Martin Luther’s harsher side, but attempts to present an accurate portrait of the man known as the “Father of the Reformation.”  In no way does this book present Martin as a perfect man.  His temper flares often, and he stubbornly sets himself upon anyone whose interpretation of Scripture differs from his own.   I love what Cooley writes in her note at the end of the book:

Would Luther have been effective had he been a gentler, kinder soul in our contemporary estimation? No one can say. Martin Luther certainly didn’t think so. He believed God chose him because of his fiery spirit. We can trust that God is sovereign over history (p.233).

I was already familiar with Danika Cooley because of Bible Road Trip, her amazing Bible study curriculum for Preschool through grade 12.  My experience using BRT convinced me that she is a kindred spirit who shares my passion for teaching about both the Bible and what God has done in history, and that passion comes through in her presentation of Martin Luther’s life.  While the material has been painstakingly researched (as evidenced by abundant footnotes), Cooley makes sure that she tells an exciting story, with plenty of dialogue to move the story along through the entire 265-page book.

Her thorough research and enthusiasm for her subject matter are contagious, so I was excited that on her website you can find a unit study for grades 7-12 (free for subscribers) and a discussion guide (suitable for grades 3-12) to go along with When Lightning Struck! to help students get even more out of the story.

unit study   discussion guide

Final thoughts

I read through When Lightning Struck! on my own for this review in order to see if it was something I’d want to use later this year with Ian.  While I think he’d enjoy the story, I’ve decided to hold off on it for now.  I think he would have trouble understanding parts of it (such as the extreme measures Martin goes to in order to try to earn his salvation, and the issue of transubstantiation that gets Martin so upset in the later part of the story).  There are so many important discussions that can come out of this book, so I think I’m going to save it for a later study of the Reformation.  Then Elijah will be able to join us and we can enjoy deeper conversations about faith, grace, and the legacy of Martin Luther.

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Christopher Columbus from YWAM Publishing (Crew Book Review)

YWAM biographies
In recent years it seems like Christopher Columbus has been presented more as a villain than a hero in the history lessons taught in American schools.  When viewed through a modern lens, it is easy to condemn those who lived in the past, but I think Columbus is an important historical figure for my children to know about, so I was excited to have a chance to review Christopher Columbus: Across the Ocean Sea and the corresponding Unit Study Curriculum Guide, part of the Heroes of History series from YWAM Publishing.

About the Book

In the 208-page softcover book (also available in various e-book formats),book cover Janet and Geoff Benge tell the story of Columbus’ life all the way from his childhood in Genoa through his death.  An early interest in sailing and later experience in mapmaking birth in him a desire to set out across the Pacific to find a way around the globe to the East.  After an unsuccessful attempt to find support with the King of Portugal, Columbus eventually manages to convince the King and Queen of Spain to finance his mission.  After crossing the ocean, he spends many years exploring the islands he discovers, but faces many trials and disappointments due to the political situations on both side of the Pacific.

About the Unit Study Curriculum Guide

The Unit Study Curriculum Guide is currently available on CD-ROM and requires a flash player to run.  The disk contains three main parts:

  • brief biography of Christopher Columbus
  • unit study
  • about the authors (with video interviews)

CD-ROM Main Screen
There are also separate overviews with ideas for using the entire Heroes of History series in classroom, homeschool, and group settings.  The 17-page homeschool overview was obviously created by someone familiar with the differences between classrooms and home education.  I appreciated the organizational chart provided to help families read through several books in the series on either a 1-year or 2-year track in studying American history.  (They suggest choosing one book from each time period, but it would be easy to read through more than that, especially on the 2-year track.)  I also really liked that they broke down suggestions into “Parent-Directed Study” and “Student-Directed Study,” allowing the study guide to be helpful for a wide range of homeschooling styles.

The 80-page unit study itself is an incredibly rich resource, full of ideas for using the book as a launching pad for lessons in multiple subjects, such as history, geography, writing, reading comprehension, public speaking, drama, and art.  There are far more ideas than you could ever use, so you and your children can pick which ones will work best with their interests and learning styles.  Here’s glimpse at some of what’s included:

  • Key quotes (great for copywork)
  • Questions to go along with each chapter
  • Suggestions for projects, essay and creative writing prompts, etc.
  • Field trip ideas
  • Ideas for further study (related themes to explore, lists of books, videos,  specific National Geographic articles, websites)
  • Reproducibles (fact sheet, maps, timeline with events for students to fill in)

Our Experience

I have been familiar with the Christian Heroes Then & Now series that is also put out by YWAM Publishing, so I had some idea of what to expect from Christopher Columbus: Across the Ocean Sea.  The book itself is still a bit beyond Ian’s reading level, but it worked well as a read aloud.  Some days we read a whole chapter, and other days I only read part of a chapter, but Ian had no trouble following the story, and we stopped a lot to pull out the globe to find the places about which we were reading.

Honestly, I like Columbus a little less after reading this book.  While he is not portrayed as villainous as many modern historians would have us view him, neither does he seem a likely candidate for a series about “Heroes of History.”  However, because of its balanced approach, I think the book is a great starting point for discussions about respecting people, how to share the gospel cross-culturally, how people in different time periods viewed things differently, and so much more.  While reading about the treatment of the natives Columbus and his countrymen encountered, it is easy to jump to judgment and issue a blanket condemnation.  At times Columbus’ attitude and his pride are less than admirable.  Yet at the same time, I think it’s important to help my children understand that people in his day didn’t always think the same way we do, and there is still much about Columbus’ adventurous spirit, determination, and persistence that can set a powerful example for those of us reading his story.

Because of Nathaniel’s unexpected early arrival, we weren’t able to do much more than just read through the book and study locations on the globe. However I did spend some time exploring the study guide CD-ROM, and I was beyond impressed with the thoroughness of the unit study and the wide variety of suggestions.  I’ve seen these study guides at conventions, but I never realized what a treasure they are!  When we get to this time period in our history studies I could easily go a bit crazy incorporating some the ideas included here.  I will definitely keep these books and unit studies in mind over the next few years, because they are a rich resource that will help my children absorb details about the time period being studied in a fun, engaging way.  Members of the Crew reviewed many different titles from the Heroes of History and other YWAM series, so to find out more, click the banner below to read their reviews!

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The Plans I Have For You by Amy Parker (Book Review)

We were recently given the chance to review a copy of a delightful new children’s book: The Plans I Have For You by Amy Parker.  From the first time I read it, I was thoroughly charmed.  The book conveys a powerful, important message for children about how God wants to use them, no matter what careers they may choose.  The simple rhyming text by Parker and cheerful, colorful illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton capture readers’ attention on every page.

The title of the book comes from a familiar verse from the Bible: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” Jeremiah 29:11. It’s a verse that is often thrown about with little regard for its original place in Scripture, so I was a bit wary when we first received the book.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that apart from being printed on the inside cover, the verse doesn’t appear in the actual text of the book, where it would most likely be used out of context in a way I don’t care to model for my children.  Instead, Parker explores the deeper idea that God knows our futures and He does indeed have plans for each of us.

The book is told as a message to children from God.  Its main idea is that whatever career they may choose, God has a plan to use them, whether that be as a nurse, a zookeeper, and entomologist… whatever!  “You are my hands and my feet there on Earth.  I’ve given you a purpose— it’s been there since birth!”  Throughout the book, children are pictured using their talents in various ways (painting, cooking, dancing, playing sports or musical instruments) and encouraged to do the jobs God is counting on them to accomplish.  “Remember that I, who made the whole world, made YOU.  And there’s nothing that, with my help, YOU can’t do!”

I would have loved at least one picture of a mom tackling the monumental task of discipling her children, but I’ll settle for the part about finding your passion and trusting God to “send you BIG jobs to be inspired about!”  I think the message of this book is so important for children to grasp.  It’s not just pastors and missionaries who do God’s work.  Doctors, construction workers, and scientists are all used by God for specific purposes as well.  Amy Parker has done wonderful job of sharing God’s heart in an exciting way that I hope will stick with my children in the years to come as they learn about the plans He has for each of them.

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The Conversation (Crew Book Review)

Bortins Conversation Review
I recently jumped at the chance to review The Conversation: Challenging Your Student with a Classical Education by Leigh A. Bortins.  Published by Classical Conversations, this book completes a trilogy about homeschooling children through the three stages of a classical Christian education.

If you know me, you might be asking, “Why are you reading a book about classical education in high school?”  After all, my oldest child is 7, and we don’t exactly follow a “classical method” of homeschooling.   To put it simply, I always like to know what’s ahead before I get there, and while I’ve never dived in to classical homeschooling, what I do know about it intrigues me (I think we’ve adopted some of the elements into our rather eclectic style), and I thought this would be a good opportunity to find out more.

About the Book

the-conversation-coming-summer-of-2015-10.gif_zpshfavqygsIn case you’re not familiar with the classical method, it breaks down the child’s education into three stages: grammar (which teaches children to “acquire lots of knowledge and facts about the world”-p.39), dialectic (which teaches them to “assess and order that information” so that they can understand it-p.39), and rhetoric (in which students “write essays, present hypotheses, lead discussions with others, and act on the knowledge they have gained about a new subject”-p.35).  In her previous books (The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education and The Question: Teaching Your Child the Essentials of Classical Education), Bortins covers the first two stages, and now she completes the trilogy by covering the final stage.

The Conversation is written in two parts.  Bortins first reviews the classical method, explaining the five “canons” of classical education:

  1. Invention
  2. Arrangement
  3. Elocution
  4. Memory
  5. Delivery

She encourages parents who might be intimidated by the thought of homeschooling through high school by laying out why the classical approach works so well with students at this age.

Then in the second part of the book, Bortins goes through individual subjects, using the five canons as a framework for leading students through the “rhetorical arts.”  I expected subjects like reading, writing, and especially speech and debate, but I was surprised to read how she also applied the five canons to subjects like math, science, and foreign language.

Our Experience

Even though we’re still many years away from high school, I found this book inspiring and encouraging.  When people find out we homeschool I’m often asked, “How long do you plan to do that?”  They always seem either skeptical or in awe that I plan to go all the way through high school, Lord willing.  In this book, Bortins has given me much food for thought, and I’ll be able to give a much more articulate response the next time I’m faced with this question.  I now find myself excited about homeschooling my children during the high school years.

I learned so much about the classical method from reading The Conversation.  I had never heard of the five canons, but as I read about them I found myself looking back over my own education and realizing how helpful it would have been to have those concepts put into such terms.  The whole process made so much sense, and I felt like I was finally finding words for things I had intrinsically understood during my school years.

Everything I learned in reading this book makes me want to find about more about the classical method. During Ian’s preschool years I felt drawn to other approaches, but as he’s moved into the elementary grades things weren’t always feeling natural to me and I found myself making a lot of adjustments.  Reading about the classical method made me feel like I’d found something that fits my style better.  I’ll probably always be rather eclectic in my methods, but I feel that learning all I can about different approaches will give me more “tools” from which to choose as I educate my children.  So I’ve ordered The Core and The Question and I look forward to diving into them soon!

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