Princess with a Purpose by Kelly Chapman

Princess with a Purpose by Kelly Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

It is pink with sparkly poke-a-dots and that alone will get any girl's attention! But as you turn the pages it captures the heart of any little girl as it tells them how they CAN be a princess.

I read this story to my 5 and 7 year old daughters who loved the expressive pictures and the allure of learning how to be a princess. The story line was cute and easy for them to understand. They enjoyed the pictures and descriptions of all the "princess things" and I enjoyed how it gave the message that being a princess is all about being a child of God.

This book is targeted at girls ages 3 to 8. However, the pictures are great for the younger ages and the actual story line (wording) is more for the older end of that age range. I would say it's best for 5 and 6 year-olds and any siblings that fall in and around that age group. Also, the main character lives with her Grandma and has no parents in her life and so this book lends it's self to being even better when used with girls in that type of setting - although any girl will enjoy this book.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

“You became a real princess the moment you prayed and asked Jesus to live in your heart. And since He is the King of Kings and you are His daughter, that makes you His princess.”

Princess with a Purpose is all about finding true identity in Christ. It all began when Kelly Chapman’s daughter, Kendall, then four years old, asked, “Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a princess. Where do I go to be one? Do I go to Mickey Land?” Those words sparked a passion in Kelly’s heart for little girls and women of all ages. In Princess with a Purpose, readers will discover that, as daughters of the King, they truly are God’s princesses. A sweet and simple story, followed by a princess prayer, gives even the littlest reader a royal feeling of being part of the family of God.

For ages 3 to 8

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Harvest House Publishers but the opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Bible Stories For Growing Kids by Francine Rivers & Shannon Rivers Coibion

Bible Stories for Growing Kids by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Excellent!

I'm not even sure if this word is adequate enough to describe my thoughts on this audio book. It is one of the best resources for 4 to 8 year olds I have reviewed.

First of all I love how they tell Bible accounts in a short format with a flair that stays true to the Bible but also makes it come alive. Then they follow up each story with personal application in the "Growing Time" section. Not only are kids learning about well-known and not-so-well-known Bible characters, they are learning how the Word of God effects their own lives.

I can't wait to have my children enjoy this audio book with fantastic narration while they drift to sleep each night. This is a must have for every home with children!   You can listen to a sample by clicking here.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

From this gifted mother-daughter team of Francine Rivers and Shannon Rivers Coibion come the Bible stories youll want to share with the growing kids in your life. Meet thirty important people from the Old and New testaments - some of them famous Bible figures like Abraham and Paul, and others unsung heroes like Amos and Priscilla. The stories will capture kids hearts and minds, and the "Growing Time" sections will help them apply the lessons of each story so they can live for God today!

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio and all opinions expressed are my own.

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You can support To Read, Or Not To Read by purchasing your own copy through my Amazon Affiliate link below.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

Let’s Have A Daddy Day by Karen Kingsbury {Giveaway!}

Let's Have a Daddy Day by Karen Kingsbury

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Let's Have A Daddy Day is a simple children's book in simple rhyme about a little boy and a little girl spending a day with their Daddy. The pictures are sweet and tender and the story a simple delight. From building a tree house, to exploring the creek, to a rousing game of ball, this book shows how spending a day with Daddy can build memories to last.

This book makes a great book for Dad's to read to their children ages two to seven.

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This book was provided for review courtesy of Zonderkids.

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GIVEAWAY!!!

I have 1 copy of this book to giveaway to one blessed reader and to enter all you have to do is…

… leave a comment!

Be sure to leave a means to contact you (e-mail, twitter, etc…)

The winner will be drawn using Random.org on Sunday, June 27th.

Mighty Acts Of God: A Family Bible Story Book by Starr Meade

Mighty Acts of God: A Family Bible Story Book by Starr Meade

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Are you looking for an audio Bible story for your children to listen while falling asleep or while traveling?

This is it! If you have nights where you get home late and don't have time to read to your children before tucking them in, this audio version makes for a wonderful substitute or supplement even if you do have time.

Ninety Bible accounts are told in lively form and are easy for children of all ages to understand. Each story is followed with application and discussion questions that will, at the least, get your children thinking and hopefully interacting with you, too.

I appreciated the focus on God's character throughout each story and the sound and deep Biblical truth it teaches in a very light way. This audio book has 7 CDs with a total running time of 8 hours and 45 minutes. Mighty Acts Of God is a wonderful resource to add to your children's bookshelf!

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio.

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Related articles:

• Family Devotions
• Read & Share Bible by Gwen Ellis
• In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham 
• What's In The Bible?
• Series: How To Study Your Bible Pt. 3

Can You Cuddle Like A Koala? by John Butler

Can You Cuddle Like a Koala? by John Butler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Can You Cuddle Like a Koala? is an adorable bedtime story that will help get the wiggles out and encourage the cuddles before you tuck in your kids for the night. I enjoy the simple story with the simple interactions and the sweet ending. The parents will enjoy this fun book just as much as the children!

Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed by Eileen Christelow

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed is about just what the title says. No explanation is needed! My kids loved this short but upbeat and fun book, especially my three-year-old who just laughed hysterically. While I liked it and all, I didn't laugh quite as hard as they did! It is a great book to read to give some laughs and read with drama. It is pure silliness that is fun for the young!

Take It From The Top by AIO Team

Take it from the Top by AIO Team

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I grew up on Adventures In Odyssey and while it's changed for the past 20 some years, it still remains as a wonderful source of entertainment and learning for kids...and some not so kids anymore!

This album is full of great stories both imaginary and based on history and has some new characters with some spanish speaking background that add a new and more varied dynamic to the program. Of course, there are still your loveable old pals such as Connie, Eugene, and Wooten, and of course the one and only - Whit.

Some of the themes addressed in this album are:

• Our possessions
• Procrastination
• Responsibility
• Pride
• Family
• Perseverance

This is a great resource for families of all ages. I recommend this album to kids ages 4 and up. This one does not have any episodes that would be deemed "scary" to young children.

OVERVIEW:

It’s back to the basics in Take It from the Top, the long-anticipated 51st album of Adventures in Odyssey! Enter Whit’s new invention, the Inspiration Station, and find out why Connie wants to spend so much time in it. Solve mysteries with local sleuth Emily Jones, and learn why 10-year-old Matthew Parker doesn’t think being “target of the week” is such a good thing. Catch up with Whit, Connie, Eugene, and Wooton, and meet two new families, as they learn lessons about responsibility, revenge, and God-given inspiration. Whether on a baseball field, at home, or at Whit’s End, there’s never a dull moment in the town of Odyssey!

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers.

This Little Prayer Of Mine by Anthony DeStefano (GIVEAWAY!)

This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This Little Prayer of Mine is a simple child's book about prayer; a prayer from the perspective of two children as they go through a day in their life. They ask God to help them not be afraid, to not be sad, to turn to God for help, to forgive them of wrong, and more. It is a sweet introduction to prayer for children.

This book is beautifully written in poetry, but still flows well enough to be an easy-read book without sounding silly. I like the simple words and situations that are easy for kids to understand and relate to. The only caution I have for the book is that it addresses some things a little weakly with "soft words" rather than directly saying "forgive me for my sin". However, on the other side of that perspective is that it does put it into words that a child should be able to understand and that can lead into a deep conversation with your child. As long as you use this book for more than Christianized entertainment I think it is an excellent book for children.

In writing my review I would be wrong in not mentioning how beautiful and wonderfully adorable the illustrations are. They are realistic yet fun all at the same time. This is truly a very sweet and tender book about prayer.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.

Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.

Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”

This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.

AUTHOR BIO:

Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  You can purchase this book at RandomHouse.com.

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GIVEAWAY COPY:

I have one (1) giveaway copy to give to one lucky reader! 

To enter this giveaway please leave a comment.  (You must live within the United States to enter.)

To get an additional entry for this giveaway, please do one of the following and then leave a second comment telling me what you did:

1. tweet about this post & giveaway
2. post about it on your facebook page
3. follow this blog via facebook or google friend
4. link to this post in a blog post on your own blog

A winner will be chosen on April 9th at whatever time I get online!  So get your entry in before Saturday!

UPDATE:

Congratulations to the winner – Heather of Traveling Down The Tracks Of Life With D & H – on winning this book!  Thanks to everyone who participated with me!

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Related articles:

• The Hour That Changes The World by Dick Eastman (readornotread.blogspot.com)
• 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter, by Vicki Courtney (readornotread.blogspot.com)
• George Muller: Does Money Grow On Trees by Catherine Mackenzie (readornotread.blogspot.com)
• Hudson Taylor: Could Somebody Pass the Salt? by Catherine Mackenzie (readornotread.blogspot.com)

God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible by Sheila Walsh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What girls doesn't like to be a princess at least at some point in her life? Now little girls can read how to be a princess in Sheila Walsh's God's Little Princess Devotional Bible. Little girls - specifically 4 through 7 - will love this book and moms will enjoy reading it to their little princesses!

It's jeweled cover makes a little girl gravitate toward it and inside each page is filled with either a devotional thought or one of the neat little features.

My daughters loved the Bible stories, the fun illustrations, and easy-to-do activities. We especially enjoyed the sections titled beauty tips and how it creatively teaches little girls to be beautiful in God's eyes over outer beauty.

This devotional Bible is a great addition to the bookshelf of any little girl and would be a great birthday gift.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of BookSneeze.com

Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury

Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Let Me Hold You Longer is the thoughts of a Mom as she watches her little boy grow and thinks ahead to the future. It's sweet and a little bit sappy, too. The illustrations are simply adorable and may even bring a tear to you eye as you read.

While it is a lovely book, I think the Mother may enjoy it more than the child. However, it's written in poem and an enjoyable read no matter what. I personally think it is a good bedtime story since it has a more somber and calming tone to it along with gentle, yet eye-capturing pictures.

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Published by Tyndale
ISBN: 1-4143-0055-7
Listed Price: $14.99

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More bedtime reading suggestions can be found here!

The Wisdom of Solomon Lapp by Wanda E. Brunstetter

The Wisdom of Solomon Lapp by Wanda E. Brunstetter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a mother of three I am always on the look out for creative ways to teach the verses of Proverbs to my children. Wanda E. Brunstetter has written a lovely little book full of short stories that are just right for teaching some Proverbs to young ears and hearts.

Illustrated by Phil A Smouse in cute pictures of amish kids, it will catch your child's attention while you read the story to them. Each story is several pages long and begins with a verse from Proverbs. They are easy to follow with simple discussion to get your kids talking about the lesson they can learn from the story.

Sharing and praying before you give advice are just the start to 12 practical and funny stories that teach Biblical truth. This is the perfect book for 3 to 8-year-olds.

You can watch the video below for an introduction to the book and then check out the Solomon Lapp Website at www.solomonlappandfriends.com.

I Am A Promise by Gloria Gaither

I Am a Promise by Gloria Gaither

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the song "I Am Promise" and Gloria Gaither has given us a beautiful way to enjoy this song with your children.

This colorful and cutely illustrated book weaves a short storyline together with the words of this song to make it clear to children that God has made them special. The message is that they can do anything that God wants them to do and be anything that God wants them to be.

An audio CD comes with the book so you can read and listen to the song. This makes a great bedtime combo for young kids. It is recommended for ages 4-8, but my younger children enjoy it a lot, too.

The Flea’s Sneeze by Lynn Downey

The Flea's Sneeze by Lynn Downey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All kids like a good bedtime story and what better way to tuck your kids into bed than with one that brings smiles to faces and laughter to the room.

This book of rhythms and repetition is both a kid and parent pleaser. All the barn animals are sleeping soundly except for one. After a good sneeze everything seems better. Well, at least for that animal!

It's silly storyline and verses make it a fun read for parents and a memorable tale for little ones.

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• Author Julie Cantrell: Interview & Bio (readornotread.blogspot.com)
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God Is With Me Through The Day/Night

I have yet to meet a child that has never been afraid!

My Abigail is probably among the most fearful.  She get’s it naturally.  I’m a big scaredy cat, too! However, we now own two new resources to help us work through our kid’s night time and day time fears! 

God Is With Me Through The Night and God Is With Me Through The Day are two very adorable books for kids ages 4-7.  Although, my 2 year old loves them, too.   And quite honestly, I enjoy reading them, too!

Each book features cute pictures of animals that will make your children laugh.  And the words are easy to read in their fun and colorful font.  Most importantly the message is easy for children to understand and relate to.  And as the titles says, they are all about God being with us both day and night.

Thank you to Zonderkids for the review copies.

November 17th-24th, 2009:  If you would like to enter a drawing to win a set of these adorable book please join me over at From The Trenches Of Motherhood.

My Utmost For His Highest:Jesus Wants All Of Me

My Utmost for His Highest: Jesus Wants All of Me by Oswald Chambers


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
On the back of this book it says: "Kid-sized devotions with big-time truths!" I think that is the best way to sum up this adorable little devotional book that is full of sweet illustrations and wonderful, never-changing Biblical truth.



There is a dated page for each day of the year that contains a devotional that is short enough for young attention spans, but is deep enough to start some good conversation with your children. I highly recommend you take a year to go through this with your children or give it to your grandchildren.