Devotions from the Beach by Thomas Nelson

After reading only the first of 100 devotionals in Devotions from the Beach, I could picture a beach-loving lady lounging under an umbrella amidst a sandy summer breeze, this book in hand, being drawn to her Creator. 

Published by Thomas Nelson, within the hardcovers of this book are one-page devotionals with a verse and a one-page prayer, accompanied by a full-page, full-color beach-themed photo: a child jumping in waves, a lighthouse, waves, a seashell, and more.

Written for women, this book’s tone is one of agreeable contemplation. Jumping through waves can be futile on one’s own, but when friends link arms they overpower the wave. Just as whales call to each other across the ocean, our hearts call to each other to join in communion with God. Just as a sun shower interrupts a beach day, so does a friend’s inconvenient phone call interrupt our day—but we must answer and be a friend. 

The devotions touch on common aspects and stressors in a woman’s life: friendship, paying bills, unwarranted changes, striving for perfection, and more. The devotions address these commonalities and then point readers to God and his solution, peace, and calm. 

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

Stop-and-Go Devotional: 52 Devotions for Busy Families by Diane Stortz

Diane Stortz knows her audience: busy families with kids ages 3-8. Stop-and-Go Devotional: 52 Devotions for Busy Families, will become a go-to book that gets excited for family devotion time.

The 52 devotions go beyond the standard Bible stories to include Ruth and Boaz, Elijah and the ravens, Namaan’s cleansing, King Josiah leading the people back to the Lord, and more. The stories have catchy, unexpected names such as “Afloat on a Boat,” “Road Trip,” “Jacob’s Camping Adventure,” and “A Baby, a Basket, and a Big Sister.” While many Bible-story anthologies end with Jesus’ resurrection, this one goes farther, including “Breakfast on the Beach,” “Best Dressed” (story of Dorcas), and so many more!

These one-page, brightly illustrated (by digital illustrator Hannah Marks) devotions are certainly tailored to busy families, and actually reading the text will engage kids as they can cuddle up next to mom and dad and read colorful text, highlighted onomatopoeia, and follow along with the quips of dialogue that keep the stories rolling. Every page is brightly colored and illustrated—the pictures and the text. Following the one-page devotionals (the Red “Stop and Read” sections) are two more sections: Yellow “Think and Talk” which includes two questions such as “What do you think Jesus and Zaccheus talked about when they ate together?” and a prayer. And “Green Means Go!” which includes a game (e.g. playing Follow the Leader after reading about Moses and the Exodus; or to sit outside with eyes closed after reading about Samuel, and listening to all of the different sounds), a Bible verse, and words to Remember such as “God can do anything” and “God hears our prayers.”

This book is, above all, engaging. The stories chosen, the titles given them, the color, the illustrations, the games, the questions, verses, and prayers—it’s all so quick, so fun, and so meaningful.

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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 Bible Stories: 30 Stories for Bedtime” by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn

Yes!!! This is the perfect nighttime book for fans of Parker and Allyn and for newcomers! My one year old listens intently to the “Night Night” books, and I’m so excited to have something more directly focused on God to read to him at night (and in the day!). 

Besides the vibrant yet gentle illustrations, what makes the “Night Night” books ones to turn to night after night? The calm cadence and rhythmic tone of Parker’s poetic prose. “Night Night Bible Stories: 30 Stories for Bedtime” by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn is easy to read, but far from simple. Each story–including everything from Jonah to Queen Esther to Balaam to Elizabeth and Mary to John’s Revelation–will captivate adults and children because of their detail and melody. Parker’s use of onomatopoeia and dialogue enhance the familiar stories, brining fresh perspective to adults and introducing lots to think about for little ones. 

Each of the 30 story is a few pages long—enough to do the story justice without rambling—and includes full-page color and illustrations. Brilliance shines from every page—in the writing and the pictures! Beneath the title of each story is the Bible book and chapter that the story comes from so readers can read more if they choose to. 

My favorite aspect of this book: twice in each story, Parker includes a short rhyme, set apart in a larger text and colored font. Some examples include “Go, go, Moses, you know what you should do. Go, go Moses—God will be with you!”, “Follow, follow Me! I have good news today! Follow, follow Me! I’ll show you the way!”, and “Don’t worry, Joseph! Didn’t you know? God is with you wherever you go!” Kids’ names could easily be inserted for the Bible characters’ names. These rhymes could also be used as Memory Verses for kids! Each story ends with a prayer and a gentle night night: “Night night, Joseph, who dreamed so big, who chose to trust, who chose to forgive.”

This book is the perfect size to hold in your hands while also holding a little one. Not too big. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it. The length of the stories, the cadence of the stories, the rhymes, and the illustrations all work together to create a go-to bedtime tradition. 

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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.

Memory Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home by Jessica Smartt

Memory Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home by Jessica Smartt is a gift to mothers. Thank you for writing this, Jessica!

This book encourages moms to go the extra mile: to iron the cloth napkins and put flowers on the table (not every day) because our husbands and children are our most treasured people, and creating special moments for our most special people creates memories and solidifies bonds that will last.

Smartt gets it. When I read her passage about “When Church Is Hard” and she described the mom of young children with shoulders sagging and tears running down her face, she was describing me at church a few weeks ago—wondering if it was worth it. And of course it is. Smartt reminds her readers that church is worth it. Special family meals are worth it. Holiday traditions are worth it. Celebrating milestone is worth it. The extra effort to treasure our families in life’s small moments are all so very worth it.

I absolutely love this book and will read and reference it again and again. Jessica Smartt is a refreshed and balanced mom. Many books for moms assume that their audience is harried, frazzled, and annoyed by their kids. Smartt writes to an audience who believes raising kids is a blessing and a privilege and who recognizes the importance of putting energy in the right places—the places of lasting impact.

Smartt encourages moms to create moments, days, and years that embrace their children in a healthy hug.

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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.

“Put on Your PJs, Piggies!” by Tommy Nelson and illustrated by Sydney Hanson

“Put on Your PJs, Piggies!” by Tommy Nelson and illustrated by Sydney Hanson is a delightful book for kids 0-3—my barely one-year-old is smitten by this book in a way that he is not by any other and raptly listens to and looks at each page! The hard cover has glitter and a top cutout for fun and effect.

The story follows three piggies (and a stuffed animal piggie) as their Daddy calls them to bed. The moon is rising, but the piggies want a snack! And they need a bath! And they need, of course, to put on their PJs . . . . They say their prayers then head to bed, snuggled warmly in the barn’s hay.  It is a sweet and silly book that will have kids smiling and giggling as they think of their own bedtime routine and as they watch these piggies eventually fall asleep.

The paintings are soft and engaging, and the rhyme flows effortlessly, make the book a pleasure to read and look at.

A reference is made on the first page to Bedtime Barn, and a matching name is on the back of the book. So, this book is part of a series: Bedtime Barn. One odd thing about the book: it says “Our day on Bedtime Barn was fun.” Doesn’t quite make sense to me.

Overall, mainly because for some mysterious reason my baby is glued to this book . . . I recommend it! It is a sweet, flowy rhyme and precious illustrations.

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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 Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible by Joanna Rivard and Tim Penner

There are all kinds of Bibles for kids. What sets this one apart? It reads like one story—showing children that the Bible isn’t an inaccessible, exhaustive book but a story—the best story of all. This story has three aims: to show readers who God is (Sovereign Creator), who they are (God’s children), and what their job is (to love people).

In "The Tiny Truths Illustrated Bible: The Incredible Story of Who God Is, Who You Are, and Who You Were Made To Be," Joanna Rivard and Tim Penner have created a timeless gem that is a must for families seeking to show their children what being a child of God means. This book reminds me of "The Jesus Storybook Bible" by Sally Lloyd-Jones. It’s a similar concept: showing how each Bible story connects to create one story—the best story of all.

The pictures are bright (and remind me of comic-book style), and there is lots to look at on each page. An appealing balance of text and pictures. Kids won’t be impatient to turn the page. The book itself is a substantial size and has an embossed hardcover and a presentation page.

The story is well written. It flows and is accessible. The sentences and paragraphs are short but not simple. The use of parentheses to quickly explain concept kids will have questions about work well, and so does putting God’s words in quotation marks. The Bible includes the Old and New Testament, and stories are given their own title, but they are connected. For example, in the beginning of Abraham’s story, the authors reference the previous story (Noah) by saying that God spoke to Abraham just as He spoke to Noah.

One minor critique is the sans serif font. It’s cold and not easy to read. But, I love that the characters have brown skin. 

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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: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young

Thank you, Sarah Young. This book is exactly what I need. It reminds me to turn to Jesus. To hold His hand. To seek His voice. To ask for and accept His peace.

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence is a 365-day devotional with a one-page, large print devotion, written from the perspective of Jesus, followed by a few Bible verses for study.

The book is mid-size and cloth-covered, adorned in a theme of gold and bluish-green foliage complete with blue-edged pages and a cloth bookmark. And of course a Presentation page—a nice touch for gift giving.

Young begins this book with a few pages of autobiography, in which she tells readers of how she listens to the Lord and writes based on the peace she feels while in His presence. As with all of Young’s devotionals, this book is meant to be read slowly, in quiet contemplation.

Throughout these pages, Young reminds her readers of the rest and peace that God gives. Reminds us to soak in it—like sitting in a tub, completely relaxed, eyes closed, surrounded and enveloped by God’s peace. Our security is in Him. He chose us. We must relax, know our role, and know God’s. We must trust that He knows what he’s doing. Young reminds us that the goal is to connect with Jesus and the Bible.

My favorite takeaway from this book: Isaiah 41:13. He never lets go of our hand. Jesus is holding my hand. Always.

Buy this book! For yourself. For a friend. For a stranger.

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.