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Friday, September 30, 2011

Night Night Blessings by Amy Parker




Night Night Blessings, written by Amy Parker and illustrated Marijan Ramljak, is the newest book in our family’s board book collection. Written in poetic form, the book demonstrates thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings from a child’s perspective. Starting with awakening in the morning and ending at going to bed at night, a child lists all of the blessings they encounter that demonstrate God’s presence in her life. A few things the little girl thanks God for are “yummy food,” “family time,” “a sky full of twinkly stars,” and ends by thanking God

“for the many ways
You sprinkle my days with love.
All these blessings remind me that
You are watching from above. Night Night.”


This is a really cute little book. It is a warm book to read with your child at bedtime. It teaches thankfulness to God for all of the good things in our lives. It also teaches that God is always with us and loves to remind us of His presence in what might seem like little ways to us, but probably big to a child. The illustrations are also soft and pleasant as a nighttime book.

I recommend this book to parents of small children who are looking for something to read to their children at bedtime. It is a great teaching tool and a wonderful way to snuggle up with your little one and make some good memories of mommy or daddy tucking them into bed at night. One thing that occurred to me while reading is that it has pictures of both mommy and daddy together in the book with the child thanking God for family time. If you are a single parent, this might raise some questions for a small child. I just wanted to mention that because I know that is a reality, as much as it hurts my heart.

Overall, this is a very sweet book. Many blessings to you and your family as you make memories together reading!!!


Disclosure Statement: I received this book as part of a free books for bloggers program from Booksneeze. I was not required to give a favorable review. The opinions and thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Here Burns My Candle



Okay, so I haven't written a book review before when I am still 54 pages into a 454 page book. Please don't judge.:)

I chose this book because I own several of the author's children's books. They are awesome! The stories are wonderful and I love sharing them with my children every year.

That being said, this book has been a little challenging for me. I am just now starting to get into it a little bit. The author, Liz Curtis Higgs, it appears has done extensive research. Set in 18th century Scotland, the author has taken the story of Ruth from the Bible, and retold it only in a different setting and time period.

The beginning of the book was a little distasteful as the husband of the Ruth character is unfaithful to her and not just with one woman. He has a huge problem. There is enough detail for the text to almost be considered offensive. I would have preferred the author have taken a different route with this. As I pondered what to say for the review, I realized that in the actual text of the Bible there are stories of people who were unfaithful, David for one. I don't think there is as much steamy detail though for minds to feed upon in the Bible.

I am still working on the novel. I haven't totally put it down. I hope the author redeems herself throughout the rest of the text. I did skip ahead and read the last couple of pages, which was much more uplifting.

One last thing; this novel is so well researched it appears that anyone who is enjoys History will probably enjoy this. Some of the language spoken is conducive to the time period and location. I am assuming that the events that are occurring within the pages are also reminiscent to those during 18th century Scotland. If you like historical fiction, and the story of Ruth, this might be the book for you. If you can read a sample somewhere online before you pick up the book.

*Disclosure Notice: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of a free books for bloggers program. I was not required to give a favorable review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife by Sara Horn




This book is a memoir of one year in the life of Sara Horn. Sara set out to complete a one-year experiment to live as the Proverbs 31 Wife. I think she did it.

The Proverbs 31 Wife has long been touted from pulpits as the woman Believers should aspire to emulate. I have been one of those women who wanted to be like her, but have so often failed. I am a homeschool mom, with many dreams for my children and myself. I have time during the day to think about this woman and work on putting those principles into practice. In this book, Sara brings the Proverbs 31 Wife into the 21st Century and teaches all women, no matter what their staion, through her successes and failures how we can accomplish such a feat.

I am married with children and I want to bring my husband "good and not harm all the days of his life." I want my children to "rise up and call me blessed." In My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife, Sara has brought this woman to life and shown me how I can turn those possibilities into realities. While reading this book, I found myself more aware of my relationship and actions with my husband and children. Was I doing the Proverbs 31 Wife thing to do? No, in many cases no. But I found out how to make just the slightest, smallest change, and it was easily accomplished!

I recommend this book to any woman who has struggled to become more like the Proverbs 31 Wife. As you read about Sara's experience you will learn how your effort no matter how small can do great things and you will be transformed.

I must include this thought as part of my book review. Aside from helping me learn how to put Biblical wisdom in practice, this book also gave me another thought. The Proverbs 31 wife is NOT the only woman in the Bible. There are many honorable women in the Bible: Deborah, Ruth, Mary the mother of Jesus, Abigail, Sarah, Lydia, and on and on. They didn't all live like the Proverbs 31 woman. Every woman has her purpose and place, which is something else you will become aware of as you read this book.

On one final note, I would like to say that Sara saves the most important lesson for last. If you are familiar with the Proverbs 31 Wife, you will know how it ends.




Disclosure: I received this book free from the author as a result of winning a contest. I was not required to give a favorable review. The opinions and thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.

Monday, September 5, 2011

100 Devotions 100 Bible Songs by Stephen Elkins



Do you have a child in your life that you long to share God’s Word with, but need a little guidance as where to start? 100 Read & Sing Devotions is a great book to get you started. Per the title, the book contains 100 devotionals, each one including a song, written devotional, scripture, and a prayer. The book is also arranged in a Biblical order with the devotional material extending from the Old Testament to the New. Also included with the devotional are 2 CD’s that go along with each devotion, the corresponding song number labeled on the page as a guide.

This is a super-cute devotional. I recently had a friend ask me if I could recommend a devotional for her 5 year old son, and I wasn’t very familiar with devotionals, only children’s Bibles. Now I have something to share with her! I believe the content would be appropriate for children ages 3-10.

One example of a devotional you will find is “The Lord Is Good to Me.” The song that goes with it is of the same name as the devotional title. The content is the story of Hannah, and how she was given baby Samuel after she prayed. The scripture is “Wait for the Lord.”-Psalm 27:14. And the prayer is “Lord, You have heard my prayer. Now I will wait on You to answer. Amen.”

As I said in my introduction, I would recommend this book for anyone who would like to teach their child about the Lord and His Word, but doesn’t know where to start. It is a great devotional for anyone with small children. It would also be great for teachers in a church nursery, daycare, or even at school.

Many blessings to you on your journey with the Lord, and the special children in your life!
~Beth


Disclosure Statement: I received this book free from Booksneeze.com as part of a free books for bloggers program. I was not required to give a favorable review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.