Children's Book Review and Giveaway~God's Great Love for You

About God’s Great Love for You:

God’s Great Love for You, written by #1 New York Times bestselling author and respected pastor Rick Warren, takes children on a whimsical and heartfelt journey that lets them know God’s love is with them wherever they go. With breathtaking illustrations by Chris Saunders, the simple yet poignant text comes alive as a child journeys to places far and near and discovers God’s great love is perfect, and everywhere, and will never end.

My Thoughts:
God's Great Love for You, written by Rick Warren and illustrated by Chris Saunders, is a beautiful 32-page hardcover children's book published by ZonderKidz. This is a simple yet beautiful book, reminding young children how great God's love for them is. There are only a handful of words on each page, making it a great book for very early readers. There is a nice presentation page at the front of the book, which makes it a perfect gift for any occasion.  The illustrations were beautiful and colorful, easily capturing young ones' attention.

The recommended age range for God's Great Love for You is 4-8, which I think is a little off.  The picture above is my six-year-old grandson reading the book. He enjoyed it, but it was a little too quick for him. If he were to choose a book to read, he would choose something that would last longer. I think younger toddlers would enjoy having this book read to them as well. Personally, I think the age range is more like birth-5. 

God's Great Love for You is a wonderful reminder for young children how very much they are loved by our God. I think it would make a great addition to a young child's bookshelf.

Learn more and purchase your own copy: http://info.zondervan.com/rick-warren-childrens-books/

Giveaway!!!
Please be sure to read the rules in the Disclosure at the bottom of this blog post. 
One reader will win their own copy of God's Great Love for You!

Giveaway begins 11/7/17 and ends at midnight MST 11/14/17. Winner will be notified by email within 24 hours. Winner must respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be drawn. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Children's Book Review~Wow!: The Good News in Four Words

Wow!: The Good News in Four Words is a 30 page hardcover (with dust jacket) intended for children ages 4-8. It was written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Annabel Tempest. I was immediately intrigued by the cute, colorful illustrations and the concept of sharing the Gospel with children using these four words:
*Wow-Creation
*Uh-oh-Sin, broken world
*Ahh-Eternal life through Jesus
*Wow-Grow and share the good news of Jesus to others.

In this adorable book, children learn the basics of the gospel in rhyme. Each page has only a few sentences and the print is easy to read, making it a good book for early readers. The rhyming was done very well, and I was amazed at how much information was covered, in a fun way for kids to understand.

Here is my grandson Daniel, 6, reading Wow!: The Good News in Four Words. He enjoyed having me read it to him, and he even tried to sound out some words on his own. He loved the rhyming and shouting out the four key words throughout the story. Even if we aren't reading the book, he enjoys just looking at the colorful pictures featuring Jesus, people, and animals. There is so much to look at on the pages, you could probably find something new each time you read the story! At the back of the book are suggested Bible verses correlating to each of the four words.

I highly recommend Wow!:The Good News in Four Words for the young child in your life. I think it would make a wonderful gift. You can find more information and purchase your own copy at Tyndale House Publishers.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Ellie Camps Under the Stars

The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant is an adorable series for young children that entertains and teaches them important life lessons. We were introduced to this series a few years ago, and instantly fell in love with the adorable characters Ellie and Pudgy. We have collected all of the books in the series, and they are some of my grandson Daniel's (5 years old) favorites! Apparently, we aren't the only ones who love them, because these books are on the Amazon Best Sellers lists!

The latest book in the series is Ellie Camps under the Stars. Ellie and Pudgy are excited to try camping, but as with anything new, they are a bit nervous about their new adventure. They put up a tent, hike, look at stars, cook outside,  and see wonderful parts of the outdoors.

As in the rest of the Ellie series, the characters have lots of fun but learn some things along the way. In this book, they learn to respect nature, and that they could hike farther than they thought! They had fun playing games, and learned about constellations too!

I love how the cute pictures and beautiful illustrations are mixed together on the bright, colorful pages. The print is easy to see, and would make a great reader for early elementary ages. There are occasional questions to ask your child, such as counting how many marshmallows Pudgy has. At the back of the book is a maze and connect the dots(stars), as well as instructions on taking pictures of your own stuffed animals.

As I already mentioned, The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant series is one of my grandson's favorites. He gets to choose two stories to read at bedtime, and quite often one or both is an Ellie adventure! He was so excited when we turned the page to see the constellation Orion, as that is his middle name! He quickly had to go show everyone else in the house 'his' constellation! He was also amazed at the picture of Ellie and Pudgy behind the waterfall, as he did not know that was possible.

As always, these great books spark lots of good conversation with my grandson. He has never been camping, and now he wants to go! So I think we will be planning a little camping adventure of our own this summer, and maybe even take some favorite stuffed friends to take pictures of!

Both Daniel and I highly recommend Ellie Camps Under the Stars and the rest of the series!  A really exciting fact is that the author, Ellie Fair,  is only 13 years old! She co-wrote the books with her Mom, Marci Fair. You can learn more about The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant on their Facebook page, and all of the books are available for purchase on Amazon.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Children's Book Review and Giveaway~I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug!

About the Book: 
I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by bestselling author Caroline B. Cooney, is a playful and comforting bedtime book that imagines all the wonderful ways a child might give and receive a hug. Whether it’s a big bear, gasp for air, knock over a chair hug or a wet and drippy, slimy, slippy fish hug, children will giggle their way through all the imaginative examples. Cooney’s sweet and simple rhymes encourage playful interaction between parent and child and ultimately help them wind down before they snuggle into bed and drift off to sleep. I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug is a sweet loving bedtime story book that is also sure to become a Valentine’s Day favorite for little ones who enjoy celebrating a day full of hugs and kisses from loved ones.  
 Website
Facebook 
Twitter 

About the Author & Illustrator:
Author Caroline B. Cooney was born in New York, grew up in Connecticut, and now lives in South Carolina. Caroline is the author of 90 Young Adult novels in many genres, and her books have sold over fifteen million copies. I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug is her first picture book. It’s based on a verse she wrote for her own children, Louisa, Sayre and Harold, who are grown now.

Illustrator Tim Warnes has been illustrating children's books for twenty years. He lives in Dorset, England, with his wife, children's illustrator Jane Chapman, and their two sons. When he's not drawing little critters, Tim loves to write, watch birds and play his banjo. Visit Tim at www.ChapmanandWarnes.com 

What I Thought: 

I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by Caroline B. Cooney and published by Zonderkidz (a division of Zondervan), is a 30 page hardcover book for children ages 4-8. It is full of cute, colorful illustrations. There is minimal writing on each page, making it an excellent book for beginning readers.My grandson Daniel, 5, loves I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! When asked  his favorite part, he said it was all the animals. There is a dog, a cat, a pig, a horse, a bear, a duck, a worm, a whale, and a sheep! They are each described as how it would be to give them a hug. He also enjoyed discovering that there was a little patch of yellow with red polka dots snuck somewhere into each page's illustration. That was fun to look for!

I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! was a perfect bedtime story-not too long, fun, and loving. Everyone loves hugs! This book would make a wonderful gift for a young child.  You can purchase your own copy from the Zondervan website.

Giveaway!!!
I have one copy of  I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! to give away to a reader. You must be a US resident. Additional guidelines below in the Disclosure. Winner will be emailed within 24 hours of contest ending, and has 48 hours to respond. After 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Children's Book Review and Giveaway~Charlie the Tramp

About the Book: 
Charlie the Tramp was originally published in 1966, and this special hardcover edition is the 50th anniversary edition of the book. Written by author Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban, it was the winner of the 1968 Boys Club of America Junior Book Award. It is 48 pages long and written for ages 3-8.

Charlie the Beaver wants to be a tramp when he grows up. “Tramps don’t have to learn how to chop down trees and how to roll logs and how to build dams. Tramps just tramp around and have a good time. Tramps carry sticks with little bundles tied to them. They sleep in a field when the weather is nice, and when it rains they sleep in a barn.” Charlie sets off with his bundle. But when he hears water trickling, he can’t get to sleep. Will he be able to resist the urge to make it stop? As Grandfather Beaver says, “You never know when a tramp will turn out to be a beaver.” 

About the Author and Illustrator: 
Russell Hoban (1925-2011) first became famous for his children’s picture books about a badger named Frances and other animal characters that have a lot in common with children we know – bedtime for Frances, A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, and Emmit Otter’s Jug-band Christmas.

Lillian Hoban (1925-1998), one of America’s favorite children’s book illustrators, is best known for a young chimpanzee named Arthur and his little sister, Violet. She also illustrated six of Russell Hoban’s books about Frances the badger, which have taken their place among the great classics of children’s literature. Lillian Hoban was born in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. She studied dance for ten years and became a professional dancer. She began to write and illustrate her own stories only after having children, basing her tales on their experiences.

What I Thought: Charlie the Tramp is an adorable story from many years ago. It reminded me of the books I read as a child, so different from modern children's books. When I saw the length of the book and  that the pictures were all black and white, I was thinking my grandson, age 5, would not last through the entire story. I was wrong! He really enjoyed the cute story, and later on asked my 14-year-old son to read it to him again. My teenage son told me it was a cute and funny story too!

I enjoyed the moral of the story-let children stretch their wings and find their own way, but if they were guided correctly they will eventually come back to what they were meant to do. The only thing I could see some viewing negatively are the gender stereotypes (think 50 years ago). Even with that, it is an adorable story with sweet illustrations that would appeal to children.

To learn more about Charlie the Tramp and purchase your own copy, visit this website: http://www.plough.com/en/topics/culture/short-stories/charlie-the-tramp
You can also purchase the book at Amazon.

Giveaway!!!  
I have one copy of Charlie the Tramp to give away. To enter, comment below with your favorite book when you were a child. Make sure to leave your email address, as the winner will be contacted by email. Contest ends 12/11.  See additional restrictions below.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Children's Book Review and Giveaway~Where Jesus Slept

 Where Jesus Slept, written by Norma Lewis and illustrated by Katy Hudson, is a delightful book for young children to learn the story of the birth of Jesus. Read more about it below, and be sure to enter for your chance to win a copy!

About the Book: 
Publisher: Worthy Kids/Ideals
Format: jacketed hardcover
Trim size: 10x10
Page count: 32
Retail price: $16.99
Reading age: 4-7

“This is the bed where Jesus slept. This is the straw that lined the bed where Jesus slept.” From here, the story builds with each spread, adding a new element and explaining the relationships among the participants and witnesses to the first Christmas. From Jesus sleeping sweetly to the wise men bringing gifts, this charming book reminds readers young and not-so-young of the joyous event we celebrate at Christmastime. Children will love the delightful illustrations and the engaging repetition in this cumulative tale.

About the Author: 
 Norma Lewis is the author of ten books, including Connecting the Coasts: The Race to Build the Transcontinental Railroad and Kasey's River Song. She lives in Grand Haven, Michigan, with a marmalade cat named Scalawag. When Scalawag isn't busy living up to his name, they both love spending time with her six grandchildren.

About the Illustrator: 
 Katy Hudson was raised in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, and started her career as a small child drawing on freshly painted walls! Her parents quickly encouraged drawing with pencil and paper instead. The idea stuck, and after earning a degree in Illustration, Katy embarked on a career illustrating books, including All Things Bright and Beautiful, Too Many Carrots, and Bear and Duck. Katy works at a desk in a studio in an old library and likes to tap dance in her spare time.

What I Thought: 

Where Jesus Slept is a beautiful hardcover book. The illustrations are beautiful and attractive to children. The font is larger, perfect for beginning readers. Here is my grandson Daniel, 5, totally engrossed in Where Jesus Slept. He loves his books, and his favorites tend to be ones that are repetitive and with lots of illustrations. I know that this book will be a favorite of his.

In Where Jesus Slept, the story starts with a few sentences-"This is the BED where JESUS slept. This is the straw that lined the BED where JESUS slept. " Then, a new sentence is added, but you have to repeat the first two as well, and so on, until you have one really long sentence! Daniel thought it was so much fun, especially if I acted out of breath by the final, LONG sentence. I think the bold, large repeated words are a great idea. I asked Daniel to find  how many times he saw the word BED, which is a great exercise for word recognition. The content in this book is so special and important, so making it fun to read for little ones is a wonderful way to get the message to them.

In our house, Where Jesus Slept will be kept out only for the Christmas season, then packed up and put away until next year. Each year, the special Christmas books are such a treat to read and remember. Where Jesus Slept would make a wonderful gift as well.

Giveaway!!!
One lucky reader will win a copy of Where Jesus Slept! Enter using Rafflecopter below. Only open to residents of the continental United States. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours of the contest end, and then has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Children's Book Review~Zacchaeus and Jesus

Zacchaeus and Jesus is a 48-page hardcover children's book written by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by Lisa Manuzak. The book is from the Flipside Stories series, published by Tyndale Kids, a division of Tyndale House Publishers. The suggested age range is 3-8.

Zacchaeus and Jesus is a special book, because it is two books in one! Half of the book is the story of them meeting from  Zacchaeus' point of view, then you flip the book over and...

...now it is the same story, but from Jesus' point of view. This is great to help kids learn that there are two sides to every story. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the print is large and easy for beginning readers. My grandson thinks Zacchaeus and Jesus is so much fun to read, and requests it often for his bedtime story. Here are Daniel (5) and Daisy (5 months), reading:

I would love to get the other books in the Flipside Stories series for my grandson to enjoy! You can purchase your own copy of Zacchaeus and Jesus at Tyndale.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

If You Were Me and Lived In..Ancient Greece

If You Were Me and Lived in..Ancient Greece is part of author Carole P. Roman's series An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time. This book was illustrated by Mateya Arkova, and is 54 pages long. It is recommended for ages 8-12, but I think it could be extended in both directions to younger and older readers alike. My almost 14-year-old son has been reading this series and enjoying it.

So much about Ancient Greece is covered in this book! Just to touch on some of the topics included-landscape, clothing, food, school, sports, and family life. The illustrations in If You Were Me and Lived in...Ancient Greece are beautiful! I love the soft, pastel colors and watercolor look. This book is great for kids to really get an idea of what life would have been like in Ancient Greece. Younger readers might need some help with some of the longer pages of text. Very helpful, in the back of the book, is a list of Gods and Goddesses, as well as a Glossary to look up unfamiliar words.

My family and I love all of author Carole P. Roman's books, and they are treasured parts of our home library. If You Were Me and Lived in...Ancient Greece would also make a great gift. I used to homeschool, and this series would have been perfect when we were studying history!

To learn more about this book and author Carole P. Roman's other books, including purchasing links, visit her website at www.caroleproman.com . She also has resource pages that go along with this book and others at her blog http://caroleproman.blogspot.com  .

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

If You Were Me and Lived In..Colonial America

If you've read my blog, you may have noticed that I have written several reviews of books written by author Carole P. Roman. She is a favorite author of mine, and my family loves her fun and educational books for children. Even the adults usually learn a thing or two (or ten!) with each book we read!

Today I'm reviewing If You Were Me and Lived in...Colonial America, part of the An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time series, written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Sarah Wright, with accompanying illustrations by Kelsea Wierenga. The paperback (ISBN 9781523234073) is 53 pages, with a glossary and a list of influential people from the time period at the back of the book. The suggested age range is 5-13, which seemed just right to me. There is a lot of text on some pages, so younger readers may need some help.

In If You Were Me and Lived in..Colonial America, the religious differences of the time are discussed to explain the reason for people to leave their country for a new land. The long, difficult trip on the ships and the harsh conditions of their new home are explained in detail. Clothing, chores, food, schooling, and play are some of the topics described.

Author Carole P. Roman did a fantastic job explaining and describing life in Colonial America. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and my 13-year-old son liked it as well. The adorable illustrations make it fun and draw kids' attention. The glossary was very helpful for the words my son was not familiar with. 

If You Were Me and Lived in..Colonial America would be a great book for home and schools. I think the entire set would make a great gift. You can learn more about author Carole P. Roman and her books, including links to purchase, at her website, www.caroleproman.com . She also has a blog with additional resources, at http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/ .

*I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Ellie's Fun Day at the Farm

Ellie's Fun Day at the Farm is the fifth book in the series The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant. These books were written by Marci Fair and her daughter, twelve-year-old Elle Fair.  Marci's other daughter, Courtney, took the photographs for this book!

In Ellie's Fun Day at the Farm, Ellie the Elephant and Pudgy the Penguin are eating lunch and wonder where their yummy food comes from. So, they visit a farm to learn more.  At the farm, they see a tractor, lots of animals, the garden, and flowers. They make new friends, get to bottle feed a baby goat, and sit on eggs to keep them warm. At the end of their day, they ate a snack fresh from the farm and relaxed in a hammock. They sure learned a lot! At the end of the book are some dot-to-dots, a crossword puzzle, and some pictures to find differences in. 

 We have all of the books in the series, and they are my grandson Daniel's favorites. He just turned five and this series is perfect to help instill a love of reading. When he arrived at my house on the day Ellie's Fun Day at the Farm arrived in the mail, he was so excited! I think he feels like Ellie and Pudgy are his personal friends. We had to read the book right away, and then again before bedtime. The authors should note this is quite an honor because this little boy has a lot of books, and he only gets to pick one for his bedtime story.  His 'Ellie books' get chosen quite often. Daniel really enjoyed the puzzles too!

Daniel and I highly recommend Ellie's Fun Day at the Farm and the entire series. The mix of real pictures and illustrations captures my grandson's attention, and of course the story is awesome! In this book, there are lots of funny puns as well! These books would make a great gift for a young child.

You can learn more about The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant at www.EllieAdventures.com and on Facebook. 

*I received this book free from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review AND Giveaway~I Love You Just Because

About the Book:  Through adorable, cuddly art and fun rhyming text, I Love You Just Because will help little ones understand their parents' love for them and that it doesn't have to be earned. With playful artwork and the same friendly bear family you already know and love from Donna Keith's first two books—I Love You All the Same and I Love You Even When—the sweet story of this book will touch you and your family and will remind you that family members love each other...just because.
Parents will gravitate toward the felt need and fun messaging of this book as it seeks to help them explain to their little ones that they are truly loved just because.

Purchasing and Social Links:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/0718088530/ref=cm_sw_su_dp?tag=hcads-20
 Facebook @DonnaKeithAuthor
Facebook @TommyNelsonBooks
Twitter @TommyNelson
Instagram  @TommyNelsonBooks
Pinterest Tommy-Nelson-Books

What I Thought: 

Written by Donna Keith and illustrated by Alison Edgson, this adorable hardcover board book captured our hearts. The picture above is my grandson Daniel, 4, 'reading' I Love You Just Because to our new puppy, Daisy. I love this picture and the sweet looks on both their faces!  

There are many reasons we like this book so much-the adorable illustrations, the cute and meaningful story, and the bible verses on each page. But I think the main reason is that lately we've been talking about adoption. I was adopted and we adopted our youngest son. This topic recently came up with my grandson, and he has been trying to understand. It was perfect timing to receive I Love You Just Because and read about the three different bear cubs who were all given to their parents by God. They look different and eat different things, but are loved just the same by their parents and grandparents. 

Giveaway!!!

I have one copy to give away! I will email the winner within 24 hours of the contest end, and the winner will have 48  hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  Open to residents of US and Canada.If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Children's Book Review~Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?

Author Carole P. Roman has written another delightful children's book, Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? Illustrated by Mateya Arkova, the book is thirty-two pages long with just one or two lines of text on the pages. It would make a great gift for a beginning reader. 

In Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?  two little girls ask their father if they can still be princesses if they were to become firefighters. The father describes all the different occupations they can become when they are older-they can be anything they want to be, and still be princesses. 

Although it looks like a 'girly' book from the cover, my grandson Daniel enjoyed the book. The story rhymes, and the pictures are so cute! He likes to see the girls dressed up in all the different outfits for the different jobs. I love the sweet story and the beautiful, soft illustrations.

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

You can learn more about the author and her books and order your own copy of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?  at http://www.caroleproman.com/

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Rocket-Bye

Rocket-Bye is a sweet new book written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Mateya Arkova. It is thirty-two pages, with only one sentence on each page, making it perfect for an early reader to read on their own, or a great bedtime story to share.  The illustrations are whimsical, with beautiful, soft colors.

Rocket-Bye appealed to my four-year-old grandson immediately, with its rocket ship on the cover! He enjoyed the cute rhyming story, and loved the pictures of the planets, constellations, and stars. This book is frequently requested for his bedtime story.

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

 To purchase your own copy of Rocket-Bye and learn more about the author and her books, visit her website.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review and Giveaway~All Things Bright and Beautiful

About the book:
Jacketed Hardcover
Page count: 32
Reading age: 4-7
Category: juvenile fiction/Christian
Retail price: $15.99

 First published by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848, this favorite hymn has become a mainstay of churches and Sunday school classes everywhere. Here artist Katy Hudson brings new joy to the words with her fresh and bright watercolor style. Readers can join in the fun as they follow two little girls and their brother on a day filled with the discovery of “all things bright and beautiful.” 


About the Illustrator:

Katy Hudson was raised in Middlesbrough, England, and started her career as a small child drawing on freshly painted walls. Her parents quickly encouraged drawing with pencil and paper instead. The idea stuck, and after earning a degree in illustration, Katy is now a freelance illustrator. Katy works at a desk in a studio within Old London Library and likes to tap dance in her spare time. 

What I Thought: 

I just love beautiful, hardcover books to share with my children and now grandchild. All Things Bright and Beautiful is a perfect addition to my collection. The story is an old children's hymn written by Cecil Frances Alexander in the mid-1800s, but it is a message just as wonderful for children today. My grandson loves to memorize stories and then 'read' them to me, and this book is perfect for that. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and the detail is amazing. We spend a lot of time studying each beautiful page. All Things Bright and Beautiful is my grandson's new favorite for his bedtime story, and I'm sure it will be treasured in our home for many years. It would make a perfect gift!

You can purchase your own copy of All Things Bright and Beautiful at Amazon.  

Giveaway!!!!
I have one copy of All Things Bright and Beautiful to give away! Use the Rafflecopter form below. I will email the winner within 24 hours of the contest closing. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn. Open to residents of US and Canada. See other restrictions in the disclosure at the bottom of the post. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Children's Book Review & Giveaway~Would a Worm Go on A Walk?

About the Book:
Publisher: WorthyKids/Ideals
Author: Hannah C. Hall
Illustrator: Bill Bolton
ISBN: 9780824956776
32 pages
Format: Jacketed Hardcover
Reading Age: 4-7

“Would a worm go on a walk, if you could lead him down the street? / Would he wear his tiny tennies, if he had two worm-sized feet?” So begins this humorous and imaginative picture book that introduces children to the idea that animals are uniquely created by a loving and wise God. Would a Worm Go on a Walk?, with its colorful, comical illustrations, is a fresh, fun way to teach young children that God created all things very good. He gave all the animals, and children, too, wonderful qualities and unique strengths. Children will giggle over the ridiculous scenarios presented, and they will come away with the knowledge that we all are loved and special.                                            

About the Author:
Hannah C. Hall is the author of best-selling children’s books, including God Bless You and Good Night and God Bless Our Christmas, as well as an award-winning blog, HannahCHall.com. Hannah lives in Prairie Grove, AK with her husband, Josh, a worship pastor, and their four children.

What I Thought: 
My four-year-old grandson, Daniel, loves to read books. He especially loves hardcover books-it's like he just thinks they are extra special. Would a Worm Go on a Walk? is his new favorite! Every page is covered with bright, colorful, whimsical illustrations that are eye-catching. I love the concept of teaching children that God made and planned everything and that they are God's masterpiece. Another aspect of this book that I love is that it is a story kids can quickly catch on to, therefore once they know the story well enough they can 'read' it out loud to others by recognizing the pictures. That builds their self esteem and encourages a love of reading.

Would a Worm Go on a Walk? would make a wonderful gift. You can purchase it here:

http://shopbetterbooks.com/would-a-worm-go-on-a-walk

Giveaway!!!
One reader will win a copy of Would a Worm Go on a Walk?! I will email the winner within 24 hours of the contest ending, and winner will have 48 hours to respond with their address, or a new winner will be drawn. Read contest rules below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived in...Egypt

Author Carole P. Roman's series introducing children to culture around the world is a favorite in our home. We have all of the books in the series, and everyone enjoys when we receive a book on a new country. We have all learned so much-even the adults!

Each book has colorful illustrations throughout the pages. If You Were Me and Lived in Egypt was illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga. It is 28 pages long, with a helpful Pronunciation Guide at the back of each book.  Each book covers basic topics children would be interested to know about how other children of another country live. Topics such as school, money and shopping, names, landmarks,food, and sports.

We learned so much in If You Were Me and Lived in..Egypt! We really didn't know much about Egypt we realized quickly after beginning to read the book. I was surprised to learn that Egypt is a Transcontinental country, meaning it is located in both Africa and Asia!

These books would be a great resource for any family, especially homeschoolers! They would also make a great gift.

Learn more about the author and purchase her books at www.caroleproman.com

I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. 

Children's Book Review~The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly

About the Book: 
 The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly, by Carmel Rivello
Publisher: Carmel Rivello Productions
ISBN 978-0996755108
Published October 2015
Pages: 50
SRP: $14.95 
Description from the Publisher: Hip and happening grandmother, children’s book author Carmel Rivello has just released her new book, The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly that connects the feelings of friendship and occasional loneliness inspiring children with a gentle introduction to ET’s that bring Bella, the bunny, joy, surprises and intergalactic travel. This book is the first in a series for children of all ages and a glimpse of the wondrous possible future that awaits humanity, reminding us that we are all connected. Through her acclaimed story, Carmel empowers children to be the best version of themselves. 

About the Author: 

 Carmel Rivello, mother, grandmother and author knew she had to write a book for children, after having the experience of making Contact with other cosmic cultures . The need for children to know about what the future holds for them , in a non-threatening and gentle way made this book happen. Ms. Rivello is a graduate of Cal Lutheran University, with a triple major in Drama, Art and Women's Experience. She taught Italian to her class ,studying the Art and Sculpture of the Renaissance , and enjoyed a wondrous trip to Italy, connecting with her family background. Her world travels enabled her to communicate with many diverse cultures, learning their languages, and understanding their customs. She is a much sought-after speaker to women groups, enjoys doing Voice-overs and presents to many Twelve step Recovery groups. She is a docent at the Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks, CA. and spends time between there and Ojai, CA . Her children and grandchildren are her greatest treasures. Her partner, Gerald Barney inspires her daily to write,create,cook Italian dishes and garden. The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly is the first in a series of books, written to engage children in the wonders and mysteries of other cosmic cultures. Carmel is able to enjoy the gifts of being a senior, having "Chronological Credibility".

What I Thought: 

 After reading the description of The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly, and seeing the cute cover art, I thought it would be a great book for me to read to my four-year-old grandson. The illustrations in the book are very bright and colorful, and my grandson enjoys looking at the pictures. The story itself, however, was too long for my grandson's attention span. There aren't pictures on every page-sometimes on every other page, but often not for three pages or more. Although the print is a little larger for early readers, it was just too much story for him in one sitting.  I could see reading a few pages each day instead. 

 Here is Daniel enjoying the pictures in the book. I liked the concept in the story of Bella the bunny being lonely, as Daniel is an only child and we adults can't play with him all day long.  Although I knew the story included extra terrestrial beings, it was a little too strong a part of the story for me. Besides that, the story was positive and uplifting. 

For more information on The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly, including links to purchase your own copy and a free download of a coloring book, www.carmelrivello.com

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review. 

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived in...Italy

Author Carole P. Roman has a great educational series for children titled If You Were Me and Lived In... (Fill in the blank with a country name): A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World. My family has all of the books in this series, and we love them!  They are educational, but also fun and so interesting! I always learn at least one thing new with each book.

The book I'm reviewing today in this series is If You Were Me And Lived In...Italy: A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World, written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga. It is 28 pages long, with a handy pronunciation guide at the back of the book. Colorful illustrations are on at least every other page. The print is perfect for early readers, with not too much text on each page.

In If You Were Me and Lived In...Italy, we learned about where in the world Italy is, its capital, and its history. We learned about popular names for children, what they would call their parents and grandparents, and about their school.  Money, sports, food, and special holidays are also discussed. Each volume in the series covers these basic topics, which is great for consistency.

The If You Were Me and Lived In... series is great for any family to have, and a must-have for homeschooling families! I think the entire set of all of the books in the series would make a great gift for a child or family.  Both my 13-year-old son and 4-year-old grandson read the books, so I think the age surpasses the recommended age range of Preschool-4th grade. The Italy edition has been especially interesting for our family as our 21-year-old daughter is traveling to Italy this summer with a dance group!

In case you were wondering what new fact I learned in If You Were Me and Lived In...Italy, it is this: Rome is the only city in the world to have another country inside its borders! The Catholic Church is considered an independent state, and its capital, Vatican City, is located there. So, if you read these books with your children, you might learn a few new facts along the way!

Learn more about author Carole P. Roman and her books at her website, http://www.caroleproman.com/ . There are links there to purchase her books at Amazon. If You Were Me and Lived In...Italy is available at Amazon in paperback or Kindle.


*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~What Was I Thinking?Volume 1

               
                               

ABOUT THE BOOK:  What Was I Thinking? Volume 1: My Brainy Best Friend (ISBN 9780996849005) was written by Zac Lange. It is an 8x10 color casebound matte with 52 pages, and was published by Novel Notions Press. It is also available as a softcover (ISBN 9780996849012), and as an Ebook.

Description from the back cover: Come meet the REAL imaginary friend that we all have...As everyone who has ever been a kid knows, mistakes and accidents are a part of growing up. "What Was I Thinking?"is a series that examines and finds solutions to an endless list of experiences that are universal to both children and families using the incredible tool of brainpower. It is told from an engaging, humorous, and relatable perspective of a young boy in the process of figuring out his place in the world, and whose creative mind, Brain, is his own best friend.  "What Was I Thinking? Volume 1" encourages kids to celebrate their brains and their amazing potential. It also teaches the importance of using those powerful brains to think before acting, and the consider consequences both good and bad. Ultimately, the series wants to help kids be aware of their own thought processes, so they can make positive decisions for any given situation in their own lives. Hopefully, there will be fewer and fewer times when they have to ask themselves, "What was I thinking?"

WHAT I THOUGHT: When I first saw the description of What Was I Thinking?, I thought it was a great idea for a book for kids.  Once I received my copy and read it, I was happy that the content was just what I had hoped for. This book is great for kids in a wide age range to read and learn (or a reminder for older kids) that they have the choice to stop and think before acting. The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish, and on every page, perfect to draw kids in. The type is larger and simple, with only a sentence or two on each page, great for beginning readers.

 Although the suggested age range is 5-13, my four-year-old grandson Daniel (pictured above) got a lot out of the book. The timing was perfect. The day I received What Was I Thinking?, Dan had a problem pushing during class. As a consequence, he lost watching TV before bed. Instead, we read this book. He loved it! I think his favorite part was the baby brain in a diaper and bonnet. Reading What Was I Thinking was the perfect discussion starter. We discussed what had happened that day and how he could have stopped first to think about it. He wants to read the book every time he comes to my house, and the other day while driving in the car he wanted to review the Learning List verbally.  After this experience with him, I am even more impressed with What Was I Thinking? Volume 1 and author Zac Lange.

I highly recommend What Was I Thinking? Volume 1, and I'm excited  for future volumes. You can purchase your own copy at Outskirts Press.


*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Being A Captain is Hard Work!

Being a Captain is Hard Work is author Carole P. Roman's latest book in her Captain No Beard series. This adorable series for children has several titles already, and is illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire.

Book Description (from the back cover): Captain No Beard is determined to travel to Dew Rite Volcano. He won't listen when Mongo predicts a storm or Linus indicates they are headed in the wrong direction. He insists Polly cook in the galley even though the seas are getting rough. What's a crew to do with a stubborn, know-it-all captain? Will they convince the captain he is barreling headlong into danger, or will Captain No Beard jeopardize both his safety and the crew's with his single-minded determination to go where he wants?

What I Thought: My family has all of the books in the Captain No Beard series, and they are favorites. So, of course we were excited to receive Being A Captain is Hard Work! Once again, Carole P. Roman has produced a delightful story. There is always a moral to be learned, with lots of fun and some interesting facts as well! The characters are adorable, and the illustrations are colorful and whimsical. The amount and size of the words are perfect for younger early readers. In the back of Being A Captain is Hard Work is a Cloud Key, to teach kids about the different types of clouds. 

Being a Captain is Hard Work would make a wonderful gift for a child. You can learn more about the author's books and links to purchase them at her website, http://www.caroleproman.com/


*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.