Book Review: Restore My Soul

 

Title: Restore My Soul

Subtitle: A Coloring Book Devotional Journey

Author & Illustrator: Ann Margaret Hovsepian

Genre: Coloring, Devotional, Christian Living

Restore My Soul is not your average adult coloring book.   It is also a Bible devotional.    The coloring pages are challenging and time consuming and the devotionals are thought provoking and based in the Word of God.  

I have trouble sleeping so I often color at night when I am struggling with my insomnia.  This book is perfect for that because it feeds my soul as well as curing my insomnia.  Here are some of my pages:

 

  

I recommend this book to anyone that needs to take some time to slow down.  Both the devotional and the coloring will be a refreshing break from your busy life.  

You can purchase Restore My Soul on Amazon for $10.62. 

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Tyndale House Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Pressing Pause

 

Title: Pressing Pause

Subtitle: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet Jesus

Authors: Karen Ehman & Ruth Schwenk

Genre: Devotional, Christian Living, Inspitational

 Pressing Pause is a daily devotional for moms.  This is a beautiful hardcover book with thick pages, purple lettering and an attached bookmark. There are 100 devotionals that will take just a few minutes of your busy day.  The authors squeeze a lot of goodness into those few minutes.

For me, I take a few minutes every night before I go to sleep to slow down and refresh myself in the Word.  This devotional was a great guide to lead me.  The authors also include questions at the end of each devotional if you want to spend time reflecting on the day's lesson and scripture. 

I recommend this book for all of you busy ladies out there!  I know that in the rush of your lives you can tend to be very unselfish and do, do, do for others but you need to "press pause" and stop and do this for your self.

 You can purchase Pressing Pause on Amazon for just $10.99.

or on ChristianBook.com for $10.99

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book Review: Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child

 

Title: Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child

Subtitle: Facing Challenges With Strength, Courage and Hope

Author: Boris Vujicic

Genre: Christian Living/Parenting

Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child is written by Nick Vujicic's father Boris Vujicic.  You may recognize Nick Vujicic's name.  I have reviewed several other books that were written by Nick that are absolutely worth reading!   

In 1982, Boris and his wife Dushka thought they were having a healthy baby boy.  All of their prenatal visits and ultrasounds were normal. When Dushka gave birth they got the shock of a lifetime!  Their son Nick was born without any arms or legs!

Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child is Boris and Dushka's heart wrenching and inspiring story of their response to this life changing event.  As born again Christians, Boris shares throughout the book the role that their faith played in their response to their son's disability.  He is brutally honest and raw about their struggles throughout Nick's childhood.  He also shares the joy and exuberance that the family experienced as Nick grew into an adult, thrived, married and became a father!

Grab your tissues though when you start reading!  If the book doesn't make you tear up, you may wan to check your pulse!  As a mom I cried with this family during their struggles and I cheered for them when they succeeded!

I recommend this book to any parent that has a disabled child.  Boris gives so much practical advice for succeeding in your marriage and parenting when you have a child with any kind of disability.  This book is a must read! 

You can purchase Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child on Amazon for $16.04. 

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book Review: NKJV Apply the Word Study Bible

 

 Title: Apply the Word Study Bible

Version: NKJV, Red Letter Edition

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Bibles

I was initially excited to receive the Apply the Word Study Bible.   I have owned several different versions of the Bible through the years and I thought this one might be different since it said "Apply the Word."   You need to not just read God's word but apply it as well.  That can be difficult sometimes.  I was excited about a Bible that would help spell out the daily application of the verses. 

I was disappointed, however, to discover that there were very little application notes in this Bible.   There are plenty of study notes that help you to learn more about what you are reading in the Bible but they are not what I would call application notes.  

Another concern was the very small print.  Even with reading glasses, I think older adults would have trouble with the print.  There is also no room in the margins to take notes or to journal if that is something that you like to do in your Bible.

I would recommend the Bible to new Christians or young adults and teenagers that are trying to learn as much as they can about the Bible.  This Bible has plenty of study notes and color maps.  There are also detailed introductions to each chapter of the Bible. 

I would give this Bible 3 out of 5 stars.

  

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Lots of Knock Knock Jokes for Kids

 

Title: Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids

Author: Whee Win

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Format: Paperback

Genre: Children's Humor

 

Kids love to laugh! It doesn't take much to set little ones off into a fit of the giggles.   Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids by Whee Win is the perfect book to start those fits of laughter.  The book contains over 250 jokes.    There are 6 chapters of knock-knock jokes and a final chapter that contains other jokes and riddles.  The knock-knock jokes are sorted into categories: Name Jokes, Place Jokes, Holiday Jokes, Food Jokes, Animal Jokes and Object Jokes.

I love that the book contains only clean jokes that are appropriate for Elementary age students.  I will warn you... some of them are really corny but when it comes to kids the cornier, the better!  It is difficult in this day in age to find appropriate humor for kids.  You can be assured that this book will not need any censoring on your part!

 

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $3.49
 
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $3.99.  

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book Review- ICB Purple Pearl Princess Bible

 

Title: ICB Purple Pearl Princess Bible

Version: International Children's Bible Translation

Format: Hardcover

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Bibles

This hardcover Bible was made for your little princess!  The cover is decorated with purple, a tiara, glitter and 3-dimensional pearls.  There are 24 full color pages inside designed to help with further study for your little girl. 

But what makes this Bible different than other princess Bibles?  This was the first time that I read the International Children's Bible version.  I was really impressed with it for younger school aged children.  It is written at a third grade reading level yet stays completely true to the meaning of the Word of God. 

 As a fifth grade teacher in a Christian School, I can see how difficult it is sometimes for students to read from the KJV and others.  This ICB version may just be the solution to that problem!

You can buy this book on Amazon for $19.99

or 

ChristianBook.com for $13.99

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: God Bless Our Country

 

Title: God Bless Our Country

Author: Hannah C. Hall

Illustrator: Steve Whitlow

Genre: Juvenile Christian Fiction

God Bless Our Country is a Christian board book designed to teach children about patriotism and celebrating this great country that we live in.  The book is written in catchy rhyme that will entertain toddlers and preschoolers.  

The author chose to take an interesting route by choosing to make the characters on each page animals instead of humans.  I think this will increase the interest level for the little ones.  They will also enjoy the colorful and whimsical drawings that accompany the rhymes on each page. 

This sturdy and durable hardcover board book will be able to withstand what the most destructive toddlers can dish out which will make any parent happy.  Parents will also enjoy how the author has given the credit to God for all the treasures that we have been given in our beautiful land. 

You can purchase the book on Amazon for $9.99

or

on ChristianBook.com for $8.19

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook

 

Title: I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook

Subtitle: Imagining God's Story Through Motion and Play

Author: Judah and Chelsea Smith

Illustrator: Alexandra Ball

Genre: Juvenile Religious Studies/ Bible Stories

Another Bible storybook?  Do I really need another?  Isn't this going to be the same as all of the others? That is what I was thinking when I received this book to review. 

Here are the features of this book:

*There are gorgeous illustrations to accompany the Bible stories from both the Old and New Testament.

*There is a sturdy hardcover with a presentation page for personalization and gift giving

*Ribbon bookmark attached to the book 


What makes this storybook different?
 After every few stories there are pages called "I Will Follow Jesus."  These pages are devotionals written by the authors to encourage your child to apply the Bible stories that they just heard.   These pages also include a prayer to help your child get started in a conversation with God. 

This is not just a Bible storybook- it is a starting point for your child to build a relationship with Jesus! I recommend this book for preschool and early elementary aged children.
 

You can purchase the I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook at 

Amazon for $12.39

or at

ChristianBook.com for $12.49

 

 Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Play-Along Bible

 

Title: The Play-Along Bible

Subtitle: Imagining God's Story Through Motion and Play

Author: Bob Hartman

Illustrator: Susie Poole

Genre: Juvenile Religious Studies/ Bibles

My almost four year old daughter Ella loved the Play-Along Bible!  

Before we even had a chance to read it to her, my daughter loved looking at it on her own during her "nap" time in her bed.  The colorful and kid-friendly illustrations invited her into the book. There were 50 carefully chosen stories from the Old and New Testament that each had a beautiful drawing to accompany it.

At bedtime, my husband always reads to my daughter.  She has several different Bibles and devotionals that we have used.   What was different about this book was the multi-sensory approach.  Each story had motions that the parent models as they are reading to encourage the child to participate with during the story. 

For example, while reading the story of Noah,  in parentheses the book guides the parent by telling them when to encourage the child to make animal noises, slap their hands on their legs to make the sound of the rain coming down, pretend they are hammering like Noah building the ark and more!

I highly recommend this book for toddlers and preschoolers. If you have children this age or know someone who does.  Purchase them this book!  It is a great way to enhance their understanding of God's Word at a young age!

You can purchase The Play Along Bible at

Amazon for $12.99 

and at 

ChristianBook.com for $10.99

 Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Tyndale House Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book Review: Big Dreams Big Prayers Bible for Kids - NIV

 

Title: Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible for Kids

Version: NIV Hardcover

Publisher: Zondervan

Genre: Bible

 

The Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible for Kids is finally a Bible that is specifically designed for use by children in the 10-12 year old age group.  This edition of the Bible is a hardcover New International Version of the Holy Bible. 

As a fifth grade teacher in a Christian School, I have the privilege of teaching Bible class to 10 and 11 year old boys and girls. It is often difficult for children that age to fully understand what they are reading in the Bible and connect with God's Word.  

This hardcover complete text NIV edition of the Bible contains several features that make it appealing to this pre-teen age group:

*Each book of the Bible contains an introduction that explains details about that book of the Bible that are helping in understanding the verse to come. For example, Who wrote this book?  Why was this book written?  When was this written?  Where was this written? and more

*There is a reading plan to assist children in reading through the Bible.

*There are devotional pages for a more in depth study of several passages in each book of the Bible. 

*There are highlighted passages to help children understand prayer.

*There are prayer journaling pages with a space to record prayer requests and answers to prayer.

I recommend this Bible for anyone looking for a Bible fora child that is too old for a children's picture Bible and too young for a teen or adult Bible.  It is the perfect Bible for children 10-14 years old. 

You can purchase The Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible for Kids at Amazon for $23.02.

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Love Without Limits

 

Title: Love Without Limbs

Subtitle: A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All

Author: Nick Vujicic with Kanae Vujicic

Genre: Religious/Inspirational

 

 

This is the third Nick Vujicic book that I have read for review.  I continue to be inspired! 

 

If you aren't familiar with Nick's story, Nick was born without any limbs.  He has no arms and no legs.  One would think that he has a miserable and stagnant life.  How could he possibly thrive like that?  The answer is through the power of Jesus Christ! 

 

Nick a Born Again Christian that shares his faith around the world.  Nick encourages all those around him to love the life that God has given them.  We were all created with a purpose.  He understands the trials that we all face and he reminds us to look to the Lord as our strength. 

 

In this book, "Love Without Limits," Nick shares how he met and married his wife Kanae.   They share how they overcame the skepticism of those around them that doubted that their relationaship could be successful.  

 

Nick and Kanae also share the benefits of a Christian courtship and what it is like to date "God's way" and set your marriage up for success.  They are candid in sharing about the challenges they face with the unique nature of their relationship. They share the struggles that they faced initially with Nick traveling the world as an evangelist while Kanae was hope with their newborn son Kiyoshi.

I recommend this book to young adults contemplating dating relationships or marriage. Nick and Kanae's story is encouraging and inspirational!

You can read my review of Nick's book "Stand Strong" here. You can purchase Stand Strong on Amazon for $10.98.

You can read my review of Nick's book "Limitless" here.   You can purchase Limitless on Amazon for $13.59. 

 You can read more about Nick and his ministry on his website: http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: NIV, God's Justice Bible- Hardcover Edition

Title: NIV, God's Justice Bible, Hardcover

Subtitle: The Flourishing of Creation & the Destruction of Evil 

Contributor: Tim Stafford

Genre: Bibles

The NIV God's Justice Bible contains the full text of the Holy Bible in the New International English Language Version.  This edition of the Bible is hardcover with a paper book jacket. 

You may be thinking that you already own enough Bibles in your house.  You may be asking, 

"How is this Bible different than other Bibles that you may already own?" 

*This edition connects the theme of God's justice throughout the entire Bible.

*Each book of the Bible contains an introduction that is written by one of 56 Biblical scholars, writers and activists from around the world that are passionate about justice.

*There are Questions for Reflection at the end of every Book of the Bible. 

*There is a relevant prayer at the end of every book of the Bible.

*There are study notes in this Bible about the problems of injustice in our world: governmental oppression, human trafficking, slavery, financial inequality and others.

I recommend this Bible for anyone that cares deeply about the injustices in the world.  The study notes and the commentaries in this Bible will address God's plan to restore His creation.  You will be able to not only learn about the scriptures but be able to look at them from a new perspective.  

This Bible is beautifully designed with images of colorful trees on the cover that also carry throughout all of the pages in the Bible. I do think that if you plan to use the Bible frequently that the paper book jacket will probably not be able to hold up long term.   That would be alright since the hardcover Bible itself also has the same design on the front. 

You can purchase The God's Justice Bible at 

Christian Book Distributors for $29.99 

or on

Amazon for $39.99

Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Book Look Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.

  

A New Partnership!

I am excited to announce my new partnership with Christian Children's Book Review.   

 

 

 

 

 I have been asked to join the Christian Children's Book Review Group as a Book Reviewer.  I am excited about this new opportunity.

The Christian Children's Book Review is group of Christian moms that love children, books and Jesus Christ. The blog is a ministry that was started to be a comprehensive list of books reviews of Christian children's books.  The website is an amazing resource. 

 

 

Books can be an expensive purchase.  Doing research before you buy one is great way to make sure that you are getting the book that is best for your child.  Please take the time to check out this site.  I will be sharing when my latest reviews are posted. 

 

 

You can see all of the reviews (both adult and children's) that I have written on my blog here.

 

 

Book Review: One More Step

Title: One More Step

Subtitle: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up 

Author: Rachel Wojo

Genre: Christian Living/ Women's Interest

Author, Rachel Wojo experienced her share of difficulty.  She found herself a divorced, single mom of severely disabled child.  Writing from first hand experience, Rachel shares how to replace your feelings of despair with scripture.  

Rachel reminds us that God would rather hear about our bad day rather than not hear from us at all.  One of the themes throughout her books is that "Prayer trumps panic every time."

I found it helpful that the book was divided into separate sections:

A quote before each chapter

The body of each chapter

Pillars of Truth to Lean On (These are Bible verses that Rachel used to make it "one more step.")

Stepping Stones (This is a section that helps you get started journaling.)

Discussion Questions to Facillitate a 4 Week Small Group Study

Thoughts to Keep You Going for each Chapter

Hymns to Accompany each Chapter

By breaking the book into these separate sections, it made the book easier to navigate.  I also found that when I wanted to look back and find something encouraging, it was easy to find what I was looking for in the book.

I highly recommend this book to all women, especially moms.  The author is able to relate to moms with a variety of concerns in their lives. If you know a mom with a disabled child, then this book would be a tremendous encouragement for them.  Rachel's daughter suffers from a debilitating condition and she candidly shares her struggles.  

You can purchase Rachel's book at Christianbook.com for $8.49 or at  Amazon for $8.81. 

 There is also a bonus on Rachel's webpage.   You can download a FREE Stepping Stones Companion Journal to use while you read the book. 

 

 Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.