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.

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.

“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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Jesus Calling for Teens: 50 Devotions to Grow in Your Faith by Sarah Young

In Jesus Calling for Teens: 50 Devotions to Grow in Your Faith, Thomas Nelson and Sarah Young remind readers that Jesus is the answer. In Jesus is where peace, belonging, and identity are found. Today, teens seek so much from the people and world around them, and this book reminds them that Jesus is where everything they need begins and ends.

This book and its message are absolutely beautiful. I could curl up under a blanket and read and re-read the devotions all day long. They are peaceful. When I open the cover of the book, I feel peace and a warm Jesus hug seep out of it. Sarah Young is a talented, thoughtful author who in this case, as always, knows her teen audience.

The 50 devotions are simple: A title, a 1/2 page of text, and a verse or two to read. I like that the verses aren’t written out because that nudges readers to open their Bibles and explore the verses for themselves. Of course they could just read the devotional and not the verses, but doing so would leave a nagging feeling of unfinished business. On the page opposite the devotional is another verse: written out, and illustrated with a vibrant design. The whole book is color—an attractive feature for teenagers, or any reader for that matter. The small, thin, sturdy book is also a fine fit for teenagers: Digestible. Easily slipped into a binder or backpack.

Written as though Jesus is speaking directly to the reader, these devotions invite and pull readers into His presence, reminding them that trusting Jesus is exciting. That we need to change our thoughts and focus on Jesus. That Jesus’ riches are the best. That the answer is always Jesus. That giving Jesus our time is essential. That instead of searching for answers, we need to search for Jesus. We need to make Him our hiding place.  

Upon first glance the book appears slightly feminine, but upon opening it could definitely be an appropriate gift for both genders. And there is a presentation page! A beautiful 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.

“Don’t Close Your Eyes: A Silly Bedtime Story” by Bob Hostetler

A tool for parents to trick their little ones into sleeping . . . and I think it will work! Mark Chambers has illustrated Bob Hostetler’s medium-sized board book “Don’t Close Your Eyes: A Silly Bedtime Story” about sleepy animals being encouraged to keep their eyes open so they don’t miss a moment of excitement!

The reverse psychology of this story will undoubtedly make sleepy kids laugh, and I think it may also cause them to decide to close their sleepy lids.

The illustrations are in dusk tones—appropriate for sleepytime hours. The rhyme follows foxes, ducks, owls, and more throughout the goodnight process—reflecting on the day’s fun and tomorrow’s dawn, and telling little ones that even though they’re so tuckered out, they’d best not close their eyes! But alas, at the end, little ones are encouraged to close their eyes if they must . . . “And dream a dream of me because I dream of you each night.”

This book is a satisfying length. Often rhyming books end too soon, but this one keeps going until the littles ones will feel they must doze. The only God-type reference is one to bedtime prayers having been said; therefore, this may be an acceptable gift for non-believing friends. The illustrations are captivating and cozy and the message is sweet—I just found that in some places the rhythm of the rhyme didn’t flow. Nonetheless, I would still recommend this book!

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

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.

Jesus Calling for Teens: 50 Devotions for A Thankful Heart by Sarah Young

In Jesus Calling for Teens: 50 Devotions for A Thankful Heart, Thomas Nelson and Sarah Young invite their readers to “enjoy peace in His presence.” Teenagers are overwhelmed with expectations, and this book presents thankfulness as the answer.

I could read these short, peaceful, compelling devotions repeatedly. They offer solace and perspective. Teenagers will love this book.

The 50 devotions are simple: A title, a 1/2 page of text, and a verse or two to read. I like that the verses aren’t written out because that nudges readers to open their Bibles and explore the verses for themselves. Of course they could just read the devotional and not the verses, but doing so would leave a nagging feeling of unfinished business. On the page opposite the devotional is another verse: written out, and illustrated with a vibrant design. The whole book is color—an attractive feature for teenagers, or any reader for that matter. The small, thin, sturdy book is also a fine fit for teenagers: Digestible. Easily slipped into a binder or backpack.

Written as though Jesus is speaking directly to the reader, these devotions hug readers and pull them to Him. Jesus reminds his children to thank Him for His gifts and surprises. To rejoice in Him and then be expectant of the peace that follows. To Be still. To squash the comparison game. To conquer being rushed and find the need to be still. That grumbling has got to go. To remember that thanksgiving is a sacrifice. And mostly, that “Thankfulness is your greatest protection against that darkness.”

Upon first glance the book appears slightly feminine, but upon opening it could definitely be an appropriate gift for both genders. And there is a presentation page! A beautiful 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.