This Little Prayer of Mine

This Little Prayer of Mine

Publisher's Description (from the back of the book):

"I know you're up in heaven, God, and can hear my voice from there.  I'm just a little child.  Will you answer my short prayer?"

So begins this delightful book that affirms God's readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.  

With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near--watching, listening, and eager to respond to their requests.  They'll also learn that prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.  

More important, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children--and those who love them--that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

My Review:

First, let me say that Mark Elliot has done a beautiful job illustrating this book.  My 2 year old was fascinated with the pictures and I loved how they illustrated the words and yet the combination of minimal words and beautiful pictures left lots of room for discussion.  (When the kids act "a little bad" we were able to talk about what they were doing wrong and how they could have done things differently for example.) 

Anthony DeStefano does a great job of bringing to mind many of the things children might pray about (protection when frightened, to feel Him when they feel alone, help to make the right decisions, forgiveness etc) without going into a lot of detail.  This lets your child talk about his or her personal situations.

The combination of open wordage and illustrations makes this a book that will remain in my library for use with grandchildren (should the Lord bless me with them in the FAR future) because it is timeless.  I would highly recommend this book for young children as an introduction to prayer and for older children (my 11 year old enjoyed it too) as a reminder that we can go to God with everything.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Skin Map

The Skin Map (Bright Empires)

Publisher's description:

"I need your help with a project. It will be the adventure of a lifetime—of several lifetimes. But it will change you forever."

Kit Livingston's great-grandfather appears in a deserted alley during a tumultuous storm. He reveals an unbelievable story: ley lines throughout Britain are not merely the stuff of legend or the weekend hobby of deluded cranks—they're pathways to other worlds. To those who know how to use them, ley lines grant the ability to travel the multi-layered universe of which we ordinarily inhabit only a tiny part.

One explorer knew more than most. Braving every danger, he toured both time and space on voyages of heroic discovery. Ever on his guard, and fearful of becoming lost in the cosmos, he developed an intricate code—a roadmap of symbols—that he tattooed onto his own body. This Skin Map has since been lost in time. Now the race is on to recover all the pieces and discover its secrets.

The Bright Empires series is a unique blend of epic treasure hunt, ancient history, alternate realities, cutting-edge physics, philosophy, and mystery.

 My Review:
The description sounds great, doesn't it?  Unfortunately, in many ways the author left a lot to be desired.  Kit wasn't fleshed out much as a character, his former girlfriend (the one from the modern time that inadvertently was transported into the past, and Prague at that) was a much more interesting character.

You get the gist of the story line from the publisher's description, but I really think that is probably a description more appropriate for the series rather than just this book.  Yes, Kit is drawn into time travel by his great-grandfather.  However, he spends much of the story being drug along by his grandfather in an attempt to figure out how to return his girlfriend back to the time/place she originated from after Kit attempts to show her why he was late for a date due to time travel and then loses her while traveling.  She is deposited alone, in the past, and conveniently meets a man who not only takes her in, but makes her a partner in his new business venture and expects nothing in return.  Of course she makes him very prosperous and realizes that she likes her life in the past much better than the boring life she had in the present.

There are bad guys with saber tooth cats, and a man who somehow figures out how the time travel thing works and decides to create the map on his skin at some point in the past.  At some point in his future he must have been skinned and the map was cut into pieces.  Now everyone who can travel the ley lines is searching for those pieces.

There are at least 3 story lines going in this book, but they are pretty easy to follow.  The writing is colorful and descriptive without being overly so.  I found the book interesting but at times unsatisfying.


I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger review

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering

Publisher's Description:

You are Invited to a Dinner with Jesus of Nazareth

The mysterious envelope arrives on Nick Cominsky’s desk amid a stack of credit card applications and business-related junk mail. Although his seventy-hour workweek has already eaten into his limited family time, Nick can’t pass up the opportunity to see what kind of plot his colleagues have hatched.

The normally confident, cynical Nick soon finds himself thrown off-balance, drawn into an intriguing conversation with a baffling man who appears to be more than comfortable discussing everything from world religions to the existence of heaven and hell. And this man who calls himself Jesus also seems to know a disturbing amount about Nick’s personal life.

…………..

"You’re bored, Nick. You were made for more than this. You’re worried about God stealing your fun, but you’ve got it backwards.… There’s no adventure like being joined to the Creator of the universe." He leaned back off the table. "And your first mission would be to let him guide you out of the mess you’re in at work."
………….

As the evening progresses, their conversation touches on life, God, meaning, pain, faith, and doubt–and it seems that having Dinner with a Perfect Stranger may change Nick’s life forever.

My Review:
Gregory explores the tennants of Christianity through a dinner invitation from Jesus himself to an unbeliever that had some of the world's knowledge about Christianity, but was filled with confusion and untrue beliefs. Through the meal the reader is brought along on a discussion of questions that many may have for the real Jesus. Why are the other religions wrong? What makes following you so special? What does it mean to be a Christian? How do "bad things" fit into God's plan? When answers that we are commonly given, for example Jesus is asked, "Why has Christianity been such a mixed bag?" refering to people claiming to follow Christ that have done a lot of good and others who have done a lot of bad, the author attempts to give it a little more depth. Jesus responds that those who did bad were not really Christians. Our guest responsd with,"that seems a little convenient for you". This allows "Jesus" to delve into the heart of the matter.

While this book is definitely evangelical in nature, and at times very simplistic, it does provide a casual setting to open discussions about who Jesus really is and what it truly means to follow him. I don't think it was meant to be an end of the road type book, rather a beginning, a springboard to encourage the reader to seek out deeper answers to the questions that are posed.

The writing is good, the characters aren't very deep, especially Nick Cominsky. The reader is given a very small sliver of his life and personality making it difficult to really connect with him. Jesus comes off less caring than I would have prefered. The whole discussion feels as if the two are discussing a business arrangement rather than a personal life decision. This approach, however, may appeal to those who are more analytical than emotional.

in front of God and everybody review

In Front of God and Everybody (The Confessions of April Grace)

From the publisher:
If God wanted April Grace to be kind to her neighbors, He should have made them nicer!

Growing up in the country is never easy, but it sure is funny—especially if you happen to have a sister obsessed with being glamorous, a grandma just discovering make-up, hippie friends who never shower, and brand new neighbors from the city who test everyone’s patience. From disastrous dye jobs to forced apologies and elderly date tagalongs, you’ll laugh ‘til you cry as you read the Confessions of April Grace!

Here are just a couple of April's thoughts: On her sister, Myra Sue: "How anyone can be that dumb and still be able to eat with a fork is beyond me." On senior citizen lovebirds: "What if they started smooching right at the table in front of God and everybody?"

In spite of all the loony characters in her life, April Grace is able to learn from her parents as they share the love of God—to even the craziest of characters!

My Review:
First, this is definitely written for a preteen girl.  I had to often remind myself to read it from that perspective, otherwise the writing would aggravate me with it's simplistic characters.  To be honest, some of the characters just didn't seem to fit and I truly have no idea why they were included in the book.

The book begins with an event that happened when the main character, April Grace, was 8 or 9.  I assume it was the author's intent to use a bad experience in April's past to explain her feelings in the present, but to be honest I felt like it was not necessary.  April was born and raised in the Ozarks and had been teased about being a "hillbilly" by some rich folks.  As a result she seems to instantly dislike the St. James' who were moving in to the farm down the road because they appeared to be wealthy.

The St. James' aren't rich, however, and in a peculiar twist they end up living with April's family until they can get their place fixed up.  Through this April learns a valuable lesson best explained in April's granny's own words:

"honey, you just got to quit finding fault with everyone...There ain't never been but one perfect person in the world, and they killed Him.  If you keep looking at the things you don't like about folks, you won't every have any friends.  Or any fun, neither.  Folks don't act they way they do just to annoy you.  They act the way they do 'cause they're people."

If you are looking at this as a book for your preteen, be aware that while there is a really good message in this book, there is an implication of drug use by the crazy hippie neighbors, and April's sister ends up becoming anorexic (although this is discussed very little, it just sort of happens in the background).  This book can open doors for discussion with your preteen about how we view others, how our actions can influence the way others view us, anorexia (obviously), and many other topics.

Another point of interest is that this book is set in 1986, which is well before the target audience was even born.  Some of the references will be lost on young readers (breakdancing, the Cosby show, even blue eyeshadow!) but mom's reading along will fondly remember their own preteen years.  The author does do a good job though of demonstrating that childhood feelings are outside of time.  April may be living in the 80's but kids today are feeling the same things!

All in all, not a bad book from a parent's perspective.  My 11 year old is reading this now and I will update this review with her opinion as well when she finishes it.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review of it.

When God created my toes

When God Created My Toes (Dandilion Rhymes)


From the Book Cover:
Did you know that you're God's finest creation?  When God created my does, did he make them wiggle?  Did he know I'd giggle?  Did he have to hold his nose, when God Created my toes?

This charming picture book allows children to imagine what it was like when God created them.  From the top of their heads to the tips of their toes, they will explore and understand God's delight in their lives.

Through rhyming lines and vivid illustrations children will gain confidence and self-esteem when they begin to fully realize how perfectly, intricately, and uniquely God made them.

My Review:
I admit, I really like this book.  My daughters did too.  The main character is a girl, not a toddler but a young girl, who seems to delight in herself.  She plays in the mud, she unsettles her father, and she paints the living room with her hand prints.  Combining the illustrations of a girl that sometimes causes havoc around her with words that remind her (and us) that God lovingly crafted her is great.  There are few enough words on each page and an excellent rhyme scheme that my two year old never lost interest and yet my 11 year old didn't either.  As a matter of fact the 11 year old often asks to read it to my 2 year old.

My only complaint, and it truly is just the education major in me coming out, is the placement of the words.  They are placed on a background of writing practice paper,  the stuff that looks like this:

only the words aren't written on the lines, but often through them.  I don't understand why they bothered to put the paper in if they weren't going to make it look like the words were written on it.  I think it would have been better to just continue the illustration and place the words over it.

Other than that small hiccup, this is a wonderful book with wonderful illustrations of a loving family.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Max on Life

Max On Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions

Book Description from the publisher

We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.

In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has been the receiving line for thousands of such questions. The questions come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life he offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter.

Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions—parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships—as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?

A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing.

Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight, Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers.

My Review:

Every one has questions, and often new Christians (even some experienced Christians) don't really know who to ask or don't want to ask due to embarrassment.   In this book, Max Lucado answers a lot of them.  Questions as basic as "I often wake up in the middle of the night....How can I calm  my mind?"  to "My parents aren't Christians...how can I find Godly wisdom to make good choices?"  and LOTS more.  Max answers with common sense and scripture to back it up.  The book is broken up into sections such as Hope: God, grace and "why am I here?" and Home: diapers, disagreements, and "any home for prodigals?". 

I like that there is a topical index, enabling the reader to quickly find the answers Max provides, and a scriptural index that lists all of the scriptures used in the book.

I think that this would be a great book to keep in a church library or to give to a new christian.  We are often afraid to ask and this provides a way to get answers and directions to scripture references, without having to openly ask the questions.  While it is not an exhaustive list of questions and answers, many of them are covered.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tree Craft

Publisher's description:
The eco‑friendly crafter can give their home a touch of rustic elegance by bringing the outdoors in with these unique and versatile projects that range from easy to ambitious. With using nothing more than found wood, twigs and branches, a few basic tools, and the step‑by‑step instructions, woodworkers and crafters can make the 35 projects that will add the natural warmth of wood to their decor. Inspiring readers with beautiful full‑color photography of completed items, this guide is packed with affordable and environmentally friendly ideas, and covers everything from where to find wood to choosing the right tools.
Utilizing twigs, branches, and found wood, this manual provides step-by-step instructions for versatile projects that range from easy to ambitious. Inspiring readers with beautiful full-color photography of completed items, the guide is packed with affordable and environmentally friendly projects for both inside the home and outdoors, including a curtain rod, coat rack, ring, chess/checker table, walking stick, and rustic seat. Also included is a gallery of contemporary rooms showcasing ideas for decorating a modern home with rustic accents. Covering everything from where to find wood to choosing the right tools, this guide is the perfect gift for thrifty and eco-friendly crafters, naturalists, woodworkers, and decorators.

My Review:
 So this is my first crafty book review and all I can say is what a way to start!  Now I am NOT a wood worker, wood burner, or wood artist by any stretch of the imagination.  However the thought  that I could use found wood (of which I have plenty thanks to a storm with strong winds and a downed tree in my back yard), a few tools (which I also have thanks to raiding my hubby's supplies) I could create something beautiful and I was hooked.

I wish I could share some pictures of the projects in this book with you.  They are absolutely beautiful and many require no more tools than you probably have on hand such as a saw, a small sharp knife, time and patience.  Let me say that patience is something I don't have lots of, so for the smaller projects you won't need a lot of that.  There are some great beginners projects that even those opposed to power tools can do such as wooden beads.  Simply take a branch, cut it into small sections and drill a hole through each section.

I love that one because there are so many uses for such a thing.  I plan to make some wood beads for Princess a to practice her fine motor skills by stringing them to make a necklace.  I have also unburied my woodburner (I bought a really inexpensive one YEARS ago and I think I used it once) and will use it to burn a letter on each bead so she can practice letters.  Maybe a set of capitol and lower case letters for matching.

I even made this little goodie:

which has a hole drilled through it so my little girl can wear it on a necklace (as the books shows) or she can use it as a backpack tag.  Not impressed?

The book also includes step by step directions to create napkin rings, picture frames, coat racks, chess/checker tables from tree stumps, hooks from branches and much more.  If you like crafting you will find a project in this book for you, and none of the projects involved expensive wood working materials such as a lathe or power tools.  Can't wait to get started on some new towel hooks for my bathroom and I bet the kids would love an outdoor checker set!