Tuesday, April 11, 2017

The Berenstain Bears Friendship Blessings Collection by Jan and Mike Berenstain


The Berenstain Bears Friendship Blessings Collection by Jan and Mike Berenstain contains five books: “Perfect Fishing Spot,” “Reap the Harvest,” “Faithful Friends,” “Kindness Counts,” and “God Made You Special.”

As always, the stories focus on important life lessons for kids—appropriate for ages 2-7.

As a kid, Berenstain books were my favorite stories. I liked the pictures and the words. The new “Living Lights” Berenstain Bears series has the same pictures of the Bear Family that I remember from my childhood. It’s as though they’ve transcended time and nothing has changed. I like that about the books. However, I don’t feel that the stories of the new Berenstain Bears series, the stories in this collection included, are as in-depth and detailed as the stories I read as a child. For example, “Perfect Fishing Spot,” the first story in this collection, is written as a rhyming poem. In my perspective, the rhyme simplifies the story and targets an audience of toddlers rather than children. Also, throughout the various stories the Bears don’t seem to have their own voices/personalities. Brother and Sister talk the same way, and sometimes their use of Bible verses seems forced.

Nonetheless, I will continue to read the Berenstain Bears books because of nostalgia, the illustrations, and the simple lessons they teach. My favorites in this collection are “Kindness Counts” and “God Made You Special” because they feature fresh plots: rocket launching and a cub with a disability.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

Monday, April 3, 2017

"Thank you, God, for Grandpa"


Just like Amy Parker and Rosalinda Kightley’s “Thank you, God, for Grandma,” their book “Thank you, God, for Grandpa,” is a delightful picture book celebrating the bonds between grandpas and grandchildren.

Grandpa gorilla is shadowed by a girl and a boy who are enthralled with all of his grandpa abilities – throwing a curve ball, teaching them everything because he knows everything, how to fish, how to skip rocks, and more. The kids listen to Grandpa tell stories, and he spoils them when they eat ice cream sundaes.

This book accurately depicts the endearing relationship between grandpas and grandchildren. Most importantly, Grandpa gorilla, tells his grandchildren how to pray and trust God.


The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.