Golden Princess Sparkle Bible by Tommy Nelson

The Golden Princess Sparkle Bible by Tommy Nelson is one that girls—ages 6-12—will gravitate toward. It’s attractive as a book as well as a Bible. The mustard-yellow cover is eye-catching, and the white, glittery script is sure to make girls smile and tempt them to open the book. I love this! Girls surely will too.

The font is easy to read. The Bible is durable (hard cover) while begin easy to hold. Not too big, not too heavy.

The Bible has lots of features, most exciting being the 24 full-page, full-color illustrations of stories such as Jesus’ Baptism, The Good Samaritan, and Solomon & the Queen of Sheba. There is an occasion page for gift giving, key verses are highlighted, and there is a dictionary in the back where girls can look up terms that are bolded throughout the text. Another great feature is a section of Memory Verses in the back, and a section of God’s Promises. The Bible reference sections are very accessible and easy to use.

The translation is the International Children’s Bible. I’ve never read this translation before. I’m usually wary of modern translations, but this is neither a paraphrase nor a storybook. It is written at a 3^rd-grade level, which is fabulous! It is easy to read and reads like a Bible. Many of my favorite scripture passages read nearly the same in this version as they do in the NIV.

One feature that doesn’t seem to be explained is the use of highlighted passages. Several passages are highlighted throughout the text, and they seem to just be key verses. A nice touch.

I highly recommend this Bible!

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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.

10 Minutes in the Word Psalms by Zondervan

Like all of Zondervan’s gift books, 10 Minutes in the Word Psalms makes a crisp, handsome gift and boasts the same high quality of writing, insight, and publishing that Zondervan is known for.

This small, navy and white hardcover book is a welcoming devotional. From the cover, the reader feels an urge to open it and turn the pages. The book contains 46 devotionals. Each devotional includes the verses, a 1-2 page devotional thought, a prayer, and words for reflection.

One of this devotional book’s best features is that it makes the reader open his Bible. Each entry gives the reader a few Psalms to read. The reader is given an excerpt in the book but must open his Bible to read all of the verses.

This book offers insight such as “David made praying his career.” Much of this book references David—a man who models a relationship with God many of us would like to have.

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.

10 Minutes in the Word: Proverbs by Zondervan

Zondervan has done it again. Their gift books are consistently high quality, enticing, and gifts that make the giver feel proud to give. 10 Minutes in the Word: Proverbs is no exception. 

This small, green and white hardcover book is a welcoming devotional. From the cover, the reader feels an urge to open it and turn the pages. The book contains 46 devotionals (some Proverbs are covered in two days). Each devotional includes the verses, a 1-2 page devotional thought, a prayer, and words for reflection often containing another Bible verse.

As readers go through the days, they will read Biblical wisdom, gain historical context, and be introduced to outside connections. Definitely 10 minutes well spent.

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.

God's Words of Life for Fathers by Zondervan

Zondervan’s gift books are always exquisitely crafted. This soft, handsome book is a smart gift for a dad.

God’s Words of Life for Fathers by Zondervan is 200+ pages of Bible verses topically organized, designed to encourage fathers in their mission here on earth. Topics include marriage, difficult times, communication, priorities, strength, identity, money, and more. Each topic includes a few pages of verses and concludes with a one-page devotional—my favorite part.

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 timeless gift.

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.

Devotions for Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas

Gary Thomas has done it again – put my thoughts, doubts, fears, and feelings – not about marriage this time but parenting – into words wrapped in truth, encouragement, and purpose.

Thomas’ Devotions for Sacred Parenting reminds parents that while we’re parenting our kids, we’re also being parented by God – and we should seek to be parented by God. This book is not a “do this” “do that” manual, but rather a reminder that to be effective parents we must be wrapped up not in our kids but in our desire to have a relationship with our King.

This book contains 52 devotionals that are each approximately a couple of pages long. Each devotional is followed by a prayer and questions for reflection. Not cheesy questions, but questions worth of spouses’ discussion.

Each devotional Thomas has included spoke to me, and I think they will speak to my husband as well. He reminds readers to always act as though God is in the room. To hate sin. To be humble. To enjoy each moment. And to not take our spouses or our kids for granted.  

Like he does about marriage, Thomas doesn’t say that parenting is easy and that we’ll always be adored by our kids and adore them. He says it’s hard, but worth it. We need Thomas’ refreshing, culture-countering 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.

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.

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.