All Aboard the Ark Board Book

About the book:

Children's Board Book

All Aboard the Ark pairs simple rhyming text with charming watercolor illustrations in this delightful board book perfect for little ones.

My Review:

3 Stars

I love the illustrations of this book alot but found the rest of the book to be just so so. It doesn't really tell the story of Noah and the Ark but it is more telling about what animals did on the ark which ends up being very unrealistic. The concept is cute but I wished they didn't try and have the connection to a well known bible story. I did like the rhyming of the book. In the end its a cute book geared at 2 and under but not a good source of telling the story of Noah.

*I received this book from book look bloggers for the purpose of this review. Thank you.

Secrets she Kept by Cathy Cohlke

About the Book:

All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah determines to unlock the secrets of her mother’s mysterious past and is shocked to discover a grandfather living in Germany.

Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father is quickly ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, and a proper marriage for his daughter could help advance his career. Lieselotte is in love—but her beloved Lukas is far from an ideal match, as he secretly works against the Reich. Yet Lieselotte never imagined how far her father would go to ensure her cooperation.

Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who is hiding wartimes secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past and how their legacy will shape her future.

My Review:

5 Stars

If you have read a Cathy Gohlke book in the past you know how powerful her stories are and how well researched they are too, well her newest book lives up to it and so much more. I think this is easily the best book I have read from her. I was so sad when the story ended since I was invested in it. I just loved the mix of the past and the present and Cathy did an amazing job at weaving them together. Lieselotte's story was just so good and sad but kept me turning the pages late into the night. All the twists and turns kept the story alive and Cathy did an amazing job at painting the scene and making it seem like you were right in the story.

Lovers of historical fiction and WWII also will just love this book. If you have never read a Cathy Gohlke book then grab this one and find out what makes this author so good!

*I received this book through Tyndale Blog Network for the purpose of this review.

Princess Grace Sticker and Activity Book

About the Book:

Sticker books girls will love! The Princess Parables come to life through age-appropriate puzzles, activity pages, and 50 reusable stickers—perfect for girls 4-8.

The Princess Parables come to life through age-appropriate puzzles, activity pages, and 50 colorful and reusable stickers in the friendly and fun Princess Grace’s Sticker and Activity Book featuring Grace, her four princess sisters, and their friends.

Join Grace and her sisters in some creative and interactive fun with 16 pages of stickers and activities that are sure to please, featuring her father the king and her special animal friend Poppy the kitten.

My Review:

4 Stars

This is a very cute sticker book for little girls and very affordable for parents ($3.99). Each page is beautifully illustrated and their are a ton of stickers. I liked that their is more than just stickers but also activities. This would make a great book for car/plane travel or when you need things that are easy to take with you to entertain them with. There are others in this series and I can easily see girls wanting more.

*I received this book through BookLook Bloggers for the purpose of this review.

God Gave Us Sleep Children's Book

About this Book:

“Little Cub!” Mama called. “Time for bed.”

Little Cub is having so much fun building an igloo with her friends that she doesn’t want to stop for bedtime! Who needs sleep when there’s fun to be had? Mama patiently answers her child’s questions as she puts her to bed, explaining the importance of daily rhythms of work, play, and rest. As they talk through the fears that come with nighttime—and work through Little Cub’s endless stalling tactics—our favorite bear learns to realize that God gave us sleep as a vital gift.


“God gave us rest so we have energy for our day, and patience to enjoy it. And so we have quiet time to listen to him.”

This charming addition to the best-selling God Gave Us series, with its Arctic characters and relevant message, will help all little ones prepare for a peaceful night’s rest.

My Review:

5 Stars

I just love this series that Lisa Tawn Bergren does. My daughter has all but one book from it and they are much loved in this house. The illustrations are just so adorable and I love the way she uses the cubs to teach our children about God and the importance of different things. When ever I see there is another one coming up I can't wait to get it.

In this particular book Lisa Tawn Bergren uses the cubs to teach us about the importance of rest and and routine. Kids love to play and not many want to take the time to sleep if they had their way but this book helps them learn why we need it and that it is a good thing. We need rest so we can have energy, be in good moods and more imporant be able to follow what God's wants for us.

Fans of the God Gave Us series will love this edition and those that have never read them should check it out. This book makes a great edition to any childs library.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of this review.

The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker

About the Book:

Book 1 in Seer Series

Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’d spent a lifetime preparing for—her Choosing ceremony—to end in disaster. Ripped from her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society. She knows it’s her duty to follow the true way of the Authority.

But as Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her beliefs. Though the whispers contradict everything she’s been told, they resonate deep within.

Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of, yet she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.
My Review:

5 Stars

Wow, I just loved this book. From page 1 to the final this book kept me up reading late into the night. This is Rachelle Dekker's first book, daughter of the well known author Ted Dekker, and she already set her bar high for what she can do. This book falls under the dystopian fiction category and is just as enjoyable as many of the secular counterparts.

I really loved Carrington in this book. She had a great blend of personality and boldness and wasn't afraid to do what she needed to figure out what is going on. I loved all the twists and turns this book tooka and can not wait till the next one to find out what happens next. The suspense of what is to come is driving me nuts. Don't pick up this book if you have a lot to do because it won't let go!

Great job Rachelle on an excellent debut novel!

*I received this book from Tyndale Blog Network for the purpose of this review. An honest review was all that was expected. Thank You!

Join Odyssey Adventure Club for a Summer Challenge

 

Summer . . . a time that kids pine for during the school year and parents may anticipate with something akin to dread. Fearing refrains of “I’m bored” or hours spent on the couch playing video games can make moms and dads nervous about the long, hot months stretching before their family. Focus on the Family’s Odyssey Adventure Club offers an answer, encouraging parents and kids to embrace faith and fun with the Take the Plunge Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse magazine’s Summer Challenge.

Take the Plunge

The Take the Plunge challenge features:

• Master Mind Monday — commit God’s Word to memory
• Ways to Play Wednesday — spend active time with your family
• Faith Sharing Friday — share God’s love with others

The Take the Plunge challenge helps families memorize at least five verses, engage in five activities together and share their faith with five people before the school doors swing open again. Those who sign up will receive an 11-week plan with suggested verses to memorize, activity ideas (such as visiting a war memorial) and ways to witness (such as passing out popsicles at the park with an invitation to your church), making this challenge the perfect tool for parents who want summer to be a time of spiritual and social stimulation for their kids.

"Research tells us that the more senses we involve when teaching children a principle, the more likely it is to stick,” Plugged In editor and Adventures in Odyssey podcast host Bob Smithouser says. “Bible memorization by itself is great, but it becomes even more powerful when put into action. Know it. Share it. Live it.”

Families who sign up to take part in the challenge at www.whitsend.org/summer will have access to weekly verses to memorize, ideas for family fun and suggestions for service projects that allow a family to share their faith. Additionally, anyone who signs up to participate in the Take the Plunge challenge will receive a free scene from the latest Adventures in Odyssey album, as well as a free story from the book Strange Journey Back.

One Last Thing by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue

About the Book:

A hope-filled soon-to-be bride makes a discovery about her fiance that rocks her world and provokes a maelstrom of decisions and self-discovery.

Tara Faulkner has dreamed of her wedding and the life she and her fiance Seth will share in their hometown of Savannah . . . and by all accounts, it should be a charmed one. But when she discovers three weeks before the wedding that Seth is seriously addicted to pornography, Tara's dreams are shattered.

She must decide whether she will stand by Seth, but she also must let go of the dream she shaped for herself and discover a real vision for her life-and where it will come from. With all else falling apart, Tara encounters an unexpected-and unlikely-group of women mentors. They help her peel back the layers of shaming secrets and begin to clearly see the real issues of her generation.

In the end, she's able to make a decision based on God's vision-not her own.

My Review:

3.5 Stars

Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue team up again to bring another powerful book packed full of real issues that affect so many in our modern society. This book is not a light read and will leave you thinking. It was an interesting read but not my favorite in the end. The topic is much needed but felt it wasn't the best story and had a hard time getting into it. For some dealing with similar situations it might be great but I had a hard time relating to the characters.

*I received this book from booklook bloggers for the purpose of this review.