It's another giveaway! Enter to win the next two books in the Imagination Station series - CLOSED

The next two books in the Imagination Station series are here! Once again I've had the opportunity to preview them and will be posting my review shortly so please check back. I'm very excited to announce that I also have been given the opportunity to participate in a giveaway of books # 3 and 4. Peril in the Palace and Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker. Recommended ages for this new series is ages 7 & up.

One lucky reader will win a copy of both these books.

To Enter the Giveaway:
You can enter to win through Friday, June 10th, 5:00 PM eastern standard time.

To Enter:

1. Simply leave a comment

2. For two extra entries follow my blog and leave a comment that you are now a follower or that you are a follower. (Be sure to leave extra comments for each).


This giveaway is open to anyone in the United States and Canada. I will either utilize random number generator or the good old draw a name from a hat method of selection. Be sure to leave a way to contact you. If your contact info is not easily attainable I will draw a new winner.

Making the Best of a Bad Decision

Making the Best of a Bad Decision by Erwin W. Lutzer is a great read for anyone that has ever made a bad decision, has a big decision to make, anyone that has regrets or is anxious about something in their past or future so I believe that basically covers all of us. Dr. Lutzer walks readers through various types of opportunities where one has or could fall into a poor choice with Biblical examples, answers based on scripture and with a gentle reassurance that no mistake is too big for God to handle. Topics covered include: when you choose second best, marriage, crossing moral boundaries, finances, vocation, when you've hurt others, the worst decision you could make and also how to make wise decisions in the future. It's a great resource book to turn to for God's wisdom when you are in a struggle based on your own bad decision. God wants to forgive us if we will only confess and turn it over to him. Don't let a bad decision or the fear of making one hinder your future seek out God's wisdom. Dr. Lutzer has done a wonderful job of focusing in how to do that in this book. This is a read I know I will reference again not just after I make a bad decision but to learn from other's past mistakes and to try and make better decisions for myself.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of this review.

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The Listening walk

The Listening Walk by Paul Showers and illustrated by Aliki has been a great read for us to share this spring as we've been listening to the world come alive around us. The birds have returned and so have the lawn mowers! This year more than past my two have been all about being outside and this book makes a perfect read to invite them to take in all the wonderful senses around them, to slow, be still and quiet sometimes, to just listen to all the different sounds. The story is about a little girl who always looks forward to quiet walks with her Dad and her dog. Her Dad thinks and she is also quiet but quite busy listening. The book is filled with fun sounds that include sounds from nature, the neighborhood and the busy city streets. The illustrations are simple line drawings, straightforward, full of life and color.

Take the Time

Take the Time: Mindfulness for Kids by Maud Roegiers. This is a simple, beautiful and artfully written book. The illustrations are unusual, a sort of modern version of vintage children illustrations. Grid paper is the back drop for most of the line drawings with soft watercolor washes that seem to be cut and pasted onto the white pages. Single lines of text flow from one page to the next sharing that it's good to take the time to be with your friends, to do the things you enjoy, to listen to silence, to slow down, and other wonderful moments that pass by all too fast. There are also lessons in manners and emotional well being for example to take the time to think before you speak and to take the time to heal when your feelings are hurt. The text is calming and reassuring and the mostly blue and yellow tones of the illustration reinforce that. This is a great read to share with a child to encourage them to enjoy the simple moments and things that make up life. To not be hurried or distracted or caught up by the hustle and bustle of the world buzzing by.

When God Created My Toes

When God Created My Toes by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by David Hohn is a fun, easy flowing rhyming read that invites young readers to wonder about how God created them. The text is sweet and simple. It is done all in question sentences matching the inquisitive nature of young children. There are many truths of God's care and love for us in these questions but I was disappointed that it didn't conclude with an answer at the end of the book or a scripture verse about the care God took in creating each one of us. The illustrations were just okay for me. They capture a family going about their daily activities, smiling, having fun together but a majority of them center around the young girl of the family being mischievous in her activities. I don't find them to capture the best example of childhood.


I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Leaving

I would like to start off by sharing that I am a big fan of Karen Kingsbury 'Red Gloves Collection' of books for the Christmas season but really never kept up with reading her other novels/series, so when I saw an opportunity through Zondervan to review Leaving by Kingsbury I gladly signed on. This latest book had all the depth, detail, and emotion of the other books I have read. I was impressed by this book in its believability with the story of love, fame, stubborn pride, growing up and ultimately moving on to the next chapter of life for the young people of this story. Several things struck me about this book, such as how characters of this story while not perfect are wonderful examples of Christian life, steadfast in their faith and using every opportunity to shine brightly for the Lord in the paths that He has led them. The young lead of these stories Baily Flanigan is a gifted, beautiful young girl that excels in all she does and gives her all to her passion of acting more specifically following the dream of performing on Broadway. Yet instead of being starry eyed, hungry for the fame and fortune that comes with performance and possibly a life as an actress with one successful film already on her resume she is grounded, and humble. Bailey is simply following her dreams, doing what God created her to do and hopes to be a shining light for Him. She is truly an interesting young role model to introduce young men and women to.

There's so much that I liked about this book and about the concept but I must confess it just wasn't the right read for me. It wasn't one of those books that I just couldn't put down; in fact I had to remind myself to take the time to read through it. Reasons for this I think include the fact that most of the characters have come from other book series by Ms Kingsbury. So while this was book one of the Bailey Flanigan series there wasn't much character building or early attempt to make a new connection for those just joining in. Things just seemed to pick up quickly from the other series so right away I didn't feel drawn in. Second it's not my season of life. I'm not on the brink of leaving my family to start my career and life. I am also not a parent of a young adult about to do so. There's also a lot going on and it got a bit overwhelming jumping from several character perspectives and just one or two too many story lines for me to want to dive into.

I received a copy of this book from Zondervan blogs for the purpose of this review.