God’s Promises for Graduates: Class of 2018, compiled by Jack Countryman

What a handsome gift to give a graduate. This small, blue hardcover book, embossed with silver lettering and complete with a tassel bookmark, offers an experience for readers.

God’s Promises for Graduates: Class of 2018, compiled by Jack Countryman, is a nearly 200-page book organized into the following sections: What to do when you need . . . , What to do when you feel . . . , What the Bible has to say about . . . , What Jesus means to you . . . , What to do when you are . . . , and Truth from the Bible about . . . . Each section includes topics, which are followed by multiple verses to offer answers to the questions/desires readers seek.

This book would be most appropriate for a high school or university graduation. A younger person (8^th grade, for example), may not relate as maturely to the topics.

The Bible verses included are well-thought-out – they aren’t just the standard answers that people would expect to see.

This book was put together with much thought and consideration, and is a gem for a person strong in their faith and perhaps even better for a new believer.

I recommend this book to others.

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

Night Night, Jungle by Amy Parker

“Night Night, Jungle” by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn is a medium-sized, puffy-covered board book for ages infant to toddler.

The story is about jungle animals getting ready for and going to bed – the jaguars get one more splash in the pond before bed, the tiny toucan needs to brush his teeth, the curly chameleons get one more story, the sloth gets snuggles with mommy, and the little lemurs thank God for the food they eat before bed. At the end of the story the narrator

reminds the reader that God created all of the jungle creatures. I like that the activities each creature engages in before bed are activities our kids would do/want to do too.

All of the pages are completely illustrated and are full of vibrant colors. The pictures are engaging – there is lots for parents to point out to their children. On each page a few words are in a different color: this gives opportunities for parents to have their kids read those words or point them out or show what in the picture coordinates with the words. I like that the jungle creatures chosen aren’t typical, so kids can learn about animals they may not have heard of before.

I recommend this book to others.

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

I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard

One of the neatest aspects of “I Can Only Imagine: A Friendship with Jesus Now and Forever” by Bart Millard and illustrated by Sumiti Collina is that it’s written by the singer of the hit song!

Geared toward kids ages 3-8, this book offers lots to think about. Questions arise such as will there be pancakes in heaven? Forts? Ice cream? Does God have a pet? The author asks the questions and leaves the answer to the imagination. Lots of opportunities exist for parents and kids to talk about possibilities of heaven as they read this book together. The book is full of rhymes which makes it fun for kids learning to read.

This book is a good length. Often, story books are too short, but this one keeps going for a meaningful and worthwhile read. The last page sums up the purpose/tone of the book nicely: “I can only imagine what my eyes will see when we’re walking together – Jesus and me. I can only imagine . . .”

The illustrations are span the full spread on each page and are clear, bold, colorful, happy, and engaging!

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

A Memory a Day for Moms 5-Year Inspirational Journal

A Memory a Day for Moms 5-Year Inspirational Journal is a beautiful book! It would make a great gift for an expectant mother or for any mother with kids probably age birth-15.

I was bit skeptical when I ordered this book because I typically don’t like scripted journal prompts and I feel like if I miss one day I can’t catch up, but that’s not what this book is. Calm exudes from the pages of this book. The teal and gold hardcover book with ribbon bookmark make the book feel special – and it is.

Each page contains five spaces to write – one for each of five years. The years are not labeled. The writer labels them. At the top of each page is a prompt such as “My child’s personality is best described as ________” or “What is your child’s favorite thing about you?” The writer is given a few lines for each year in which to respond to the prompt.

At the bottom of each page is a Bible verse and a prayer. If you go on vacation you don’t have to worry about taking this book with you. You can easily write the prompts when you get back or even before you leave. I love that. Sometimes it even takes me a couple of days to decide how I want to answer a day.

I highly recommend this book as a gift or for yourself if you are a mom!

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

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

“Little Critter Little Blessings Collection” by Mercer Mayer

I’ve been reading a lot of simple children’s stories lately, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that this collection of four stories by Mercer Mayer: “You Go First,” “Being Thankful,” It’s True,” and “We All Need Forgiveness” is anything but simple.

In this “Little Critter Little Blessings Collection,” Mercer Mayer teaches lessons in a way that kids will grasp, and he teaches the lessons thoroughly. Many books reach the point of the lesson and then stop. Mayer doesn’t stop. He keeps the story going–these read as actual stories rather than lessons disguised as stories. They are thorough and complete.

Mayer uses expressions that kids would use such as “It’s not Fair!” (the theme of the first story), “That’s not true!” (the theme of the second story), and “I wish I had ________!” (the theme of the third story. The words that Little Critter uses are the exact words I can imagine a 5-7 year old saying. Therefore, readers are sure to get the lesson. Of course the pictures are great (vibrant, engaging, assisting in telling the story), and the spiritual message is just the right amount. Mention is made to what God says in the Bible, with such a flair that a child reader is bound to agree and maybe feel a bit guilty about his selfish actions.

I highly recommend this collection!

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

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

God Bless my Family by Hannah C. Hall

This is a perfectly sized board book with a cushy cover. Some are too big, some are too small—this one is just right.

“God Bless My Family” written by Hannah C. Hall and illustrated by Steve Whitlow is a simple account of dogs appreciating their family. It doesn’t follow one dog family throughout—instead a different type of dog (and dog family) is featured on each spread. The message of the story is that family comes from God and we should be thankful for it. Mention is given to moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, cousins, uncles, and aunts, and on the last spread the entire dog family (consisting of many breeds of dogs) joins for a picnic. The clear message is that family is a gift from God.

I would suggest this book for ages 0-2. After that, kids would likely get bored with the simplicity of the story, but they will likely still appreciate the happy, colorful, serene illustrations.

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

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

Lizzy the Lioness by Lisa Bevere

This book, “Lizzy the Lioness” is endearing right from the introduction because the author, Lisa Bevere, dedicates it to her granddaughter whose name is Lizzy. The dedication is followed by this verse: “The righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). What a great verse to inspire kids.

Usually I find that the illustrations make or break a children’s book. This book boasts delightful and detailed illustrations by Kirsteen Harris-Jones, but the words are just as engaging. These two ladies are a dynamic duo!

 The landscapes take readers to the African desert and allow them to immerse themselves in the countryside and the lions’ playfields. My favorite part of the illustrations—as with many kids’ books—is repetition. A little green frog appears on every page, experiencing the adventure with Lizzy and the readers. Kids will have fun spotting the frog on each page.

Lizzy the Lioness wants to be big and strong and brave like the other lions, and like all kids she feels confined by the adults’ insistence of “stay close by and be careful.” One day Lizzy finds an adventure of her own, and through it she learns that sometimes the bravest thing she can do is ask for help.

The spiritual message is tastefully done. The most obvious place it exists is when Lizzy prays to God for help when she finds herself in a dangerous situation.

At the back of the book the author includes some conversation starters for adults to use with children after reading the book, followed by a prayer. I think this book would be most enjoyed by kids ages 3-6.  

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