"Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas" by Sarah Young

“Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas” written by Sarah Young and illustrated by Katya Longhi is a glitter-covered, quality hardcover book that shows families how Jesus has always been the Plan, Rescuer, and Gift—from creation until now and beyond.

The book begins with a presentation page, lovely for gift giving, and a letter from Sarah Young to parents and grandparents. This book is meant to be read by families. Young mentions her own family tradition of baking a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve. I think this book is best used for families to cuddle up with together and remind each other, and explore, Jesus as the best Christmas present.

Each page spread includes full illustration (the characters’ eyes are sure to capture the little ones!), a Bible verse from the Old or New Testament, a narrative of Jesus’ story—whether it be at Creation; with Abraham, Mary, or Elizabeth; at Bethlehem; or with the shepherds and wise men, and a section titled “Jesus Calling” which is Young’s recognizable style of Jesus speaking to the children. The book ends with the message that Jesus is the greatest gift and our Best Friend.

I thought the entire book would be written in the “Jesus Calling” format, but the way this book is set up makes it a perfect tool for families who may not talk about Jesus on a daily basis and want to intentionally make Christmas a time to better get to know their Lord.

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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.

“The Cow Said Neigh!: A Farm Story” by Rory Feek

This book is hilarious! Three and four-year-olds will surely be laughing out loud as they neigh with the cow, quack with the horse, and oink with the sheep.  

“The Cow Said Neigh!: A Farm Story” by Rory Feek and illustrated by Bruno Robert is a nonsensical story about seven farm animals who wish they were a different animal. I read a review commenting on the lack of a moral resolution to the story—such as the animals learning to be okay with their own strengths/identity. I concur with that to an extent, which is why I’m giving the book four instead of five stars. The resolution to the animals’ identity crises is the farmer joining in with a loud moooo! Which is funny. I laughed aloud myself. So, if you’re looking for a laugh-aloud, laugh-along book with no moral besides “join in on the chaos,” then you can find delight in this story, as I did. After all, doesn’t every child just need an adult to be silly with them every now and then—as the farmer is with the animals?

All stories start with words and are completed by the illustrations, and this book has brilliant pictures. On the back of the dust jacket, Robert writes: “While I am picturing a story, I please myself thinking up a funny and colored world with a hint of tenderness.” He’s done exactly that with this book! My favorite is the duck belting out a baa—I can hear it in the illustration. This story is funny and tender.

There is no mention of God in this story and no spiritual undertones, which surprised me since this is published by Tommy Nelson, but I’d rather there be no mention of God than a seemingly haphazard reference slapped onto the last page.

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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.

Jesus Calling for Christmas by Sarah Young

Sarah Young + Thomas Nelson = masterpiece.

This serene white hardcover book with red glistening, festive berries adorning its cover is a gift for whomever opens it. In typical Sarah Young fashion, Jesus Calling for Christmas is a collection of devotions written from the perspective of Jesus to His children. In each devotion, Jesus calls His readers. Calls them to seek Him and find Him.

These devotions are meant to be read slowly. Meditatively. Linger on each page. Each sentence. Each breath from God. And bask in the peace that He offers. Through these one-page devotions, Jesus draws readers to His Word. He iterates that He is enough. That Immanuel has come.

The truths and lessons are that Jesus understands us. In Jesus we find rest. We need to seek His face throughout the day. He is our rock. He illuminates our path. Furthermore, while these devotions are decorated with wintry mountain scenes, frosty meadows, and Christmas foliage, they can be enjoyed all year long—particularly through the winter season. Bible verses accompany the devotions, and they come from all parts of the Bible, not just the Gospel stories. Reminders such as our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we must give thanks in all circumstances, we need to live in collaboration with Jesus, and waiting on God is an act of faith are among those gleaned from these pages of majestic winter wonderland exuding solitude and God’s glory.

The book’s message is repetitive but not redundant. The message of hope. Of Jesus coming again. Marveling at the incarnation.

I highly recommend this book.

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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.

My Christmas ABCs illustrated by Jordan Wray

A delightful board book to snuggle up with and read next to a Christmas tree or to wrap up and give to a little friend.

Three aspects that will make me return to this book and recommend it to others:

1.      Glitter! There is glitter on every page. Often only the cover pages have glitter, but this book decides to make readers smile on each page—and the sparkly pieces turn the book into a touch-and-feel.

2.      Santa is absent. The first page: “A is for the angel who brought joyful news to everyone.” What a brilliant way to begin the book. Parents have the opportunity, on page 1, to answer the question what news? The alphabet includes bells, cookies, ice, mittens, lights, the nativity, stockings, and more—with absolutely no mention of Santa or his cronies.

3.      Colors. Of people! There are people of all shades. Love it!

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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. 

Cozy, Snowy Cuddles by Tommy Nelson

What a treat! Tommy Nelson’s “Cozy, Snuggly Cuddles” is a cuddle itself. This touch-and-feel book with a glittery cover shows children winter by describing the ice, the snowflakes, the frost, and the stars, and by showing winter animals to touch and feel: seals, huskies, whales, moose, and polar bears.

The rhyme on each page is sure to delight children as they cuddl up with Mommy or Daddy and hunker down for a winter experience. The last page of the five-page-spread book mentions God: “Thank God for cozy kisses!”

Some words on each page are in a different color font—prompting children to read those words themselves.

A simple, happy, rhyming wintry delight. I recommend this book.

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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.

Love Like That by Dr. Les Parrott

Be Bold. Be Inclusive. Be Selfless. Be Available. Be Accepting. These are the five lessons Dr. Les Parrott teaches in his book Love Like That.

He’s written five chapters: Chapter 1: Mindful. Chapter 2: Approachable. Chapter 3: Grace-Full. Chapter 4: Bold. Chapter 5: Self-Giving.

Each of these adjectives describe how to love like Jesus. Parrott’s premise is that if we can put on these traits, we can love like Jesus. Or at least attempt to. Or at least understand how Jesus loved others. Of course we can’t love like Jesus, but Parrott gives readers these ideals with assurance that if we follow them, our relationships will improve.

Be aware of what’s going on around us, and get involved. He writes that loving like Jesus isn’t efficient. We must be willing to change our agenda. We must be inclusive. Everyone is flattered when they get an invitation, right? We need to stop be judgmental and love. We need to be bold—speak the truth in love. And we need to give. To be selfless. To do unto others.

You know how it is, you read a book and forget i’s message. I’m not forgetting this book’s message. It’s worth remembering, and it’s hard to forget. How to love like Jesus? Yes, please. Thank you, Dr. Parrott, for this book—for showing us how to improve relationships. After all, what are we here for if not to love each other?

Dr. Parrott’s book is a blend of scripture, psychology, philosophy, and personal experience, making it a complete package. 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.

The Nehemiah Code by O.S. Hawkins

Do you have something in your life that needs to be rebuilt—a relationship, a career, a community? Do you know anyone who needs to rebuild a marriage, a vision, or a goal? If so, this book is for you, this book is for them.

The Nehemiah Code by O.S. Hawkins—divided into six parts and 24 chapters—speaks about principles of rebuilding. It is never too late to rebuild. Nehemiah was a master rebuilder: he rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, and Hawkins shows readers how. By extrapolating each verse of the first six chapters of Nehemiah, Hawkins shows what is necessary for rebuilding: assessing the damage, standing up, rallying a team, leading by example, pushing forward through opposition, dealing with conflict, and more.   

What I appreciate most about this book is that each verse from the first six chapters of Nehemiah is used to create Hawkins message. This book reads like a Bible study. Sometimes when I’m reading books teaching Biblical principles I feel guilty—like I should be spending my time reading the Bible instead. But not with this book. It is an enriching Bible study.

The book itself is pretty. It would make a nice gift. It’s small and has an embossed, padded cover. The idea of the book is also intriguing—the idea that the Book of Nehemiah has a code to be cracked. And Hawkins cracks it. His illustrations and applications are simple and short, but profound and inspiring. He left me with a few one-liners to tuck into my pocket and use when I need a boost upward.

I recommend this book to others.

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.