365 Devotions to Love God and Love Others Well by Zondervan

365 Devotions to Love God and Love Others Well embraces its readers with a hug. Published by Zondervan and written by Victoria York, this heavy, small book with pink-hewn illustrations has a clear purpose: to “lean into the warm embrace of someone who loves you perfectly.”

In reading these devotions, the love God has for me is undeniable, and as her readers experience the warm embrace of God’s unconditional love, York empowers them to love others. The messages are subtle and can be felt.

Dates are given for each devotional, and each one-page devotional that can be easily digested in one minute includes a title, Bible verse, thought (with a relatable scenario like talking to a neighbor or planning for a vacation, a Bible story, or a world event), and a prayer. York leaves her readers with calls to action: loving people well, taking someone under our wing as a mentee, and more.

As I read these devotions, I found myself searching my soul as my shortcomings were exposed when it comes to holding back forgiveness or manipulating loved ones.

The Bible verses at the top of each page give readers a choice: open their Bibles for further study or simply read the verse. Also, the pages are durable and will easily last year after year. Complete with a presentation page, this book would make a beautiful gift.

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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.

"You're My Little Sweet Pea" illustrated by Kit Chase

The promo for “You’re My Little Sweet Pea” compared it to Sam McBratney’s “Guess How Much I Love You.” That’s a tall order, I thought. But I’ll give it a try.

Zondervan and Kit Chase have created a sweet, sweet book that had me tearing up on the first read of “pure delight and perfect size” and “And when your little hand holds mine, I know I’ll love you for all time.” I read the book three times in a row before I put it down.

It’s written in a soft rhyme with a natural cadence. The illustrations are gentle. The characters depicted are mothers and father, baby girls and baby boys—so this makes a great gift for any new parent or child.

The book is a satisfying length. Often rhyming books are too short—not even worth being put into a book. But this book kept going and going–each page more endearing than the next. There is no mention of God, but I’d rather that than a reference squished in somewhere out of necessity. This book lacks nothing. It nostalgically encapsulates the precious moments between parents and babies.

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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.

I Love You, Funny Bunny by Zondervan

Zondervan’s “I Love You, Funny Bunny” is a large, hardcover book, beautifully illustrated by Sean Julian, geared toward children ages 4-8, but could be enjoyed by children as young as 2.

This book is essentially a 12-stanza poem—not a story. Given that the rhyming verse isn’t a story, these lyrics would seem more appropriately packaged in a board book rather than such a large hardcover book. Nonetheless, the illustrations are whimsical and the message is sweet: a mommy bunny tells her child, Funny Bunny, all the times that she loves him or her (Funny Bunny is not defined as male or female, which makes the book desirable to all children) including when they’re walking and talking about their day, when they’re playing dress up, when they’re singing, and just each moment of each day.

There is no mention of God, but the parent reading the book could make applications. Also, the author of the book is not stated. Is it simply Zondervan? But on the inside cover there is a dedication made by the initials BH. Also, the price seems quite high for a short poem—I’d be more willing to consider paying that price if it were a story. The illustrations are definitely what drive this book.

Overall, this book is a sweet, happy read about the love between a mother and child.

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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 Gift That I Can Give" by Kathie Lee Gifford

In “The Gift That I Can Give,” author Kathie Lee Gifford takes children on a hunt for the gift that they have to give. Perhaps the child’s gift is to share or cheer or dance or sing—whatever it is, it must have something to do with being kind. At the end, the gift is revealed: the gift is God’s love, and He will help children to give it away.

This book is about being a unique, beautiful child of God with a purpose: to be kind and spread love. The story is simple, and the rhymes make it catchy and a sure-to-be favorite among children.

The words are big, the pictures are big—and reminiscent of New York City. Illustrator Julia Seal has drawn vibrant illustrations that will appeal to little ones.

The book is geared toward girls, but could be enjoyed by boys too. I wouldn’t recommend giving this book as a gift to boys, though. The girl on the cover, accompanied by glittery butterflies, makes it quite feminine.

This book has a simple, important message, and God and His purpose for us and little ones touches each page. The questions the book poses (all asked by a little girl) leave lots of room for discussion among parents and kids.

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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.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins

I’ve heard throughout the years that Christmas trees are pagan. Santa Claus is pagan. Decorations are pagan. And yet they are all a part of the Christian Christmas . . . and what exactly is pagan afterall, besides a word wrapped in unholy disgust? I never quite understood.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins reveals the history behind twenty-six Christmas traditions including Advent, Christmas cards, Epiphany, Handel’s Messiah, Poinsettias, Santa Claus, and Stockings.

Collins begins his book with an introduction that reveals the pagan Saturnalia and mid-Winter fertility festivals and the Christians’ combat of those festivals to show how today’s holiday celebrations came to be. The stories that follow are a blend of history (many American Christmas traditions are a result of the British-German marriage of Victoria and Albert!), folklore, and tradition.

At the end of each chapter, Collins makes a connection between the tradition discussed and the Christian focus of Christmas. This is a pleasing, thorough, and informative book—a helpful and interesting reference book to have on one’s shelf. An interesting book that I will return to again and again.

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.

Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change The Way You Worship by Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead

I’m raising my hands, bowing down, and roaring!

In Holy Roar: 7 Words That Will Change The Way You Worship, Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead invite us to worship. To praise.

Just like love has been simplified from its original four Hebrew forms, so has praise. Tomlin and Whitehead explore seven words for praise.

In ancient times, in the psalms, and elsewhere in the Bible, the word praise is used to mean praising with upraised hands, with bowed knees, with foolishness, and with a roar. And of course with music.

This book is a quick read—eight short chapters that include a story from Whitehead and a “Behind the Music” section from Tomlin showing the inspiration for or an experience with his songs. A must read for worship leaders, but maybe more for congregations so that they catch the enthusiasm and begin it in the pews.

An invitation to roar. To worship. To be free. To let loose. To turn our faces and bodies and praise to heaven.

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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.

Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More! by Michelle Medlock Adams and illustrated by Denise Turu

You know how some books, when combining popular topics with devotionals, just end up lame and disconnected—especially in books for preteens? Not this one!

In Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More! by Michelle Medlock Adams and illustrated by Denise Turu, the balance is right—and admirable. Adams is the right person to create this book: she’s a prolific author and a dinosaur enthusiast, as well as a lover of Jesus. Those three qualities shine clearly in this devotional, most suited for ages 8-12.

As I read this book, I first pictured kids being absorbed in it by themselves, but it could also be used as a family devotional or a special time for one parent and one or two children. The book is a size that would appeal to the target audience, and its hard cover is always a nice touch. As is the presentation page. And it only gets better! Titles of the devotions include “Giganotosaurus: Be the Best You!,” “Maiasaura: A Good Father,” and “Pterodaustro: You Are What You Eat.”

Each devotion begins with the name of a dinosaur, complete with phonetic pronunciation. The lessons and the dino facts line up brilliantly. For example, the devotional titled “Pterodaustro: You Are What You Eat,” discusses the dino’s diet. Dino stats are included as well! After discussing the dino’s diet, the devotional seamlessly segues into the importance of “eating a steady diet of God’s Word every day” (105). The “Digging Deeper” section discusses entertainment choices, and the “Jurassic Journaling” focuses on this scripture: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

Similarly, the devotional about the Latirhinus is about its atrocious nose. The title is “Big Nose, Don’t Care.” Discussion follows about traits that hold us back and mentions actor Bruce Willis who stutters. Readers then reflect about how disadvantages can be turned into advantages and how God has made us unique.

I highly recommend this book!

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.