The Biggest Story ~ wonderful illustrations and imaginative story that brings us back to our beginning! #Review & #Giveaway

About the book:

Hardcover: 132 pages

Publisher: Crossway (August 31, 2015)



In The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung - a best-selling author and father of six - leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heave and new earth.  



With powerful illustrations by award-winning artist Don Clark, this imaginative retelling of the Bible's core message-how the Snake Crusher brings us back to the garden-will

draw children into the biblical story, teaching them that God's promises are even bigger and better than we think.


WEBSITE  **  FACEBOOK  **  TWITTER  ** PURCHASE





Review:

Ask anyone who knows me, I LOVE children's books.  Each of my kiddos has their own personal library full of books just for them to read, reread and enjoy! Many of them I also have read as well.  I love finding new adventures for my kiddos to read that will engage their minds and intrigue their imaginations.


The Biggest Story: How The Snake Crusher Brings Us Back To The Garden is a wonderful children's book that helps children learn how the stories of the Bible connect to Scripture's  message about God's glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.  Filled with amazing and artistic illustrations that will draw children (and adults) into the biblical story in a whole new way.  From Adam and Eve through Jesus (The Snake Crusher) Rising From the Grave, the story is told in a simple yet powerful way that children can easily understand.  With the final promise that He will one day return again to "make a new beginning and to finish what He started." 



At the end of the book is a section just for parents that explains more about this book and how this book came to be written.  My girls and I both love this book and I can't wait to start reading it to my nieces as well.  Recommended by this Mom and Blogger.

      

  

About Kevin DeYoung:

Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan.  He blogs at the Gospel Coalition and has authored or coauthored numerous well-known books, including Just Do Something, The Hole in Our Holiness, Crazy Busy, and Taking God At His Word.  He lives with his wife and their 6 children in Central Michigan.

About Don Clark:

Don Clark is an artist and the cofounder of Invisible Creature, a widely respected and award-winning design studio in Seattle that has worked with clients such as Target, Nike, LEGO, and WIRED magazine.  He lives with his wife and their 3 children, 4 goats, 12 chickens, and 1 crazy dog on a farm just outside the city limits.

YEP - You guessed it - It's Giveaway Time Again!

You know how much I love to share new books and products with my readers - but even more, to offer one of you a FREE copy of this wonderful book!

Open to 18yrs and older - US and CANADA

void where prohibited.

Entry-Form

 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. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you
are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility
verification.”

"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.

Believe: Kid's Edition ~ Think, Act, Be Like Jesus for ages 8 to 12 #review

They know the story of the Bible, but do they know what it means? 



Adapted from the ground-breaking new Believe campaign from bestselling author and pastor Randy Frazee, the 
Believe: Kids’ Edition takes kids on a thematic tour through the Bible and shows them how to think, act, and be more like Jesus. 



As children ages 8-12 walk through the three big categories of Christian life—beliefs, practices, and virtues—they’ll begin a journey that will take them closer to the heart of Jesus and deeper

into the words of Scripture. They’ll learn what the Bible has to say about everything from the nature of God and the identity of Jesus, to prayer, worship, and the fruit of the Spirit. 



Foundational and faith-building, this book can be used by individuals or in conjunction with the all-church campaign.




Review:

The Believe: Kid's Edition is a great resource for children ages 8 and older to read along with their Bible.  It teaches more in-depth stories and scripture that helps them see the value of a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ.



My 10 year old daughter has been reading this as a devotional during her nightly scripture reading time.  Although it is not her top favorite, she does like it and says that it has discussion questions that make her think and ask me questions she would not have otherwise thought of on her own.  She does find that parts of it are a bit "too old" for her but overall we both agree that it is a resource that she will continue reading as she grows and matures.



I would personally recommend it for 10 and up as I feel that some of the discussions and questions are too hard for younger readers, but I also think it is a book that can be read bit by bit as the child (or adult) matures and grows in their faith and understanding!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Believe Storybook Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

Presented by bestselling author and pastor Randy Frazee, the Believe Storybook shows children how they can think, act, and be more like Jesus. With 60 old and new testament stories from the Bible that showcase the themes, combined with captivating and dramatic illustrations by Steve Adams, children and adults alike will be inspired to become more like their savior and the person they were meant to be.

The Believe Storybook is part of the national church-wide program led by bestselling author Randy Frazee that shows

children how they can think, act, and be more like Jesus.

About the Authors

Randy Frazee is the senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Oak Hills is one of the largest churches in America, where Randy teaches and leads in partnership with pastor and author Max Lucado. An emerging leader and innovator in spiritual formation and biblical community, Randy is the architect of The Story church engagement campaign. He is the author of The Heart of The Story, The Connecting Church 2.0, The Christian Life Profile Assessment, and coauthored Real Simplicity with his wife Rozanne.

Review:

The Believe Storybook is not only a book of children's Bible stories, but explains more about the stories and why they are important to our lives.  It teaches children more about their personal faith and how to keep growing and knowing God.  Reading along with the child helps the adult see how to explain things to the child that may sometimes even be difficult for the adult to understand.



With wonderful colorful illustrations and explanations of each story, it is a wonderful and compelling book that is a must read for children of faith and their parents as well!  Great for parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles to read along with the child or for a child to read alone.



Highly recommended for ages 3/4 through 8.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

How Cooking Works - Book Review

I don't know if it's a "homeschooler thing" or just my love of learning, but I especially enjoy the opportunity to turn something into a learning experience - and that's just what "How Cooking Works" does. It takes a children's cookbook with basic yet appealing recipes and mixes in modest nuggets of science - a lovely little cooking / science fusion book to feed your mind and your belly at the same time.

The book has some incredibly easy, but oh so important to start with recipes, like how to boil an egg or basic muffins. These are the foundations upon which we all build our cooking skills and it is nice to see them included.

The layout takes you through the day starting with items such as pancakes, granola breakfast bars and fruit smoothies. On the way we are asked questions such as "Why are thick pancakes full of air bubbles?" and "Why does granola turn golden brown when it is baked?". Then there is a section for snack time (pea & mint soup anyone? or maybe the delicious rice balls we made

and ate before I could take photos?)  followed by main meals and ending up with 'sweet stuff'.

However! don't be fooled by my basic label! For instance the page for cookie dough takes you through the steps to make & bake simple cookies but also gives you instructions for exciting variations like apricots and cinnamon or cheddar cheese and rosemary.

We used the muffin recipe but instead of adding the blueberries we used food coloring and made this.



 

The science nugget on the page was about why muffins rise in the oven. We cut open the cake so we could see the bubbles caused by the baking powders reaction with the other ingredients. "The carbon dioxide bubbles expanding in the mix as the muffins cooked are what makes the cake rise." - So Evey told her dad when she shared the cake!

How Cooking Works is available from Dorling Kindersley and for a limited time it is 30% off - only $9.79!

 

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Make Your Own Gifts - A Book Review

If you are looking for a gift for a child who likes crafts, then a great option would be a copy of “Make Your Own Gifts” from Dorling Kindersley. This great hard back book has over 50 wonderful projects to make lovely handmade gifts for all occasions.

There are very simple step-by-step instructions along with the clear, detailed photographs that Dorling Kindersley do so well. This means that children of all ages and abilities can find something in this book that they can make. Some projects will need some adult help but others are completely child friendly for them to create by themselves.

Handmade gifts can be so much more meaningful than their store bought counterparts and “Make your own Gifts” even has instructions on how to make your own wrapping paper, gift bags and gift tags! That way you can make the gift and wrap it in a truly personal way.

From pom-pom scarves and felt animal bags, pop art cup cakes and flowerpot lollies to rocket pen pots, a polar bear savings bank and glass jar candle holders there truly is something for everyone to make and everyone to receive. Many of the crafts could be adapted for different occasions. For example the candle glass jars are decorated in flowers in the book but we have plans to make our decorative pieces easter eggs and use them on the dinner table. 

Evey has already suggested we make one with Dr.Who decorations for her sister -  I just have to work out how to make a tissue paper Tardis

I am off now to supervise the creation of some glass jar candle holders and some gift bags from cereal boxes – wish me luck!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Grow your walk with God with Adventures in Odyssey and a Giveaway too!

This is the final post on Mom Loves 2 Read about the  Adventures in
Odyssey 's Summer of Service Challenge - The July theme is Grow in your walk with God every day, and includes a wonderful giveaway of the book: 90 Devotions for Kids!

So much fun!

Adventures in Odyssey, the beloved audio series from Focus
on the Family, has encouraged kids toward a stronger faith for 25 years. Whit,
Connie, Eugene, and the other loveable characters from Odyssey have shared
countless adventures with kids across the world in the classic audio dramas,
books, videos, and devotionals, fulfilling the AIO promise to help kids
discover, imagine, and grow. 

Blog Guest Post: ACTS

For moms with kids in school, the most hectic months of the
year are usually September and May. The end of the school year involves
parties, playoffs, and final projects. The beginning of the year has moms and
kids feeling overloaded with shopping trips, sign-ups, and new schedules.

Establishing healthy, positive routines is a tough job. Too
often, music lessons, sports practices, and after-school clubs can overshadow
the routines that build family and healthy habits—both physically and
spiritually. 

One of the great new Adventures in Odyssey products released
this year is 90 Devotions for Kids, aimed at kids 8 to 12.  This soft-cover book draws you in with
illustrations, puzzles, and kid-friendly applications. It also includes a daily
Bible verse, daily challenges, words of encouragement from different AIO
characters, and more. Even if your kids aren’t already Adventures in Odyssey
fans, they’ll enjoy these daily devotionals, and get to know the Odyssey crew
along the way. 

This devotional, and the edition coming this fall (90 Devotions for Kids: Life Changing Values
from the Book of Matthew) are great tools to help your kids put a regular
pause in their day for Bible reading, prayer, and thoughts about God. If you
start now—by the first day of school, you’ll already have a spiritual component
scheduled into your kids’ routine. After that, everything else will hopefully
just fall into line! 

Here is a FREE download of an excerpt from 90 Devotions for Kids so you can check out this wonderful Devotional for kids!

For more information and to read my personal review of 90 Devotions for Kids  - Click HERE




And now for the FUN - The GIVEAWAY!

One reader of this blog will win a copy of 90 Devotions for Kids - US only age 18+ please.

Entry-Form

Mom Loves 2 Read is not responsible for prize - prize shipment usually takes 6 - 8 weeks after all contests end.

Mom Loves 2 Read is an affiliate or ambassador for one or more products/websites listed or banners posted throughout this blog.  If a personal review is written, I have either received that item free in exchange for my honest review or may have received monetary compensation for the post. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion and are not influenced nor reviewed by the sponsor prior to posting.For more info, see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.