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.

Toward the Goal: The Kaka Story by Jeremy V. Jones

Toward the Goal: The Kaka Story by Jeremy V. Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is the story of the great soccer player, Kaka. Any kid - probably 10 & up - who likes soccer will enjoy reading about this great player who also is a great testimony.

It's a great book, but I think it's hard to follow if you are not familiar with soccer. That said, the book is easy reading and has color pictures that help bring life to this amazing story.

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This review copy was provided by Zonderkids.

The Keystone Stable Series by Marsha Hubler

  Whispering Hope by Marsha Hubler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Whispering Hope is the 7th book in the Keystone Stable series by Marsha Hubler and it's a book of hope for young teen girls. I liked the wholesome story and appreciated the relevant plot for teens to be reading. The characters seemed real and easy to connect with while being part of a fictional story that shares biblical truth. Whether or not your older child or younger teen likes horses or not, I think they will enjoy this series of 14-year-old Skye and in this book, the story of Wanda and a horse named Rebel who both need to see the love of others.

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The Long Ride Home by Marsha Hubler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Marsha Hubler writes another great book in the Keystone Stable series with this 8th book - The Long Ride Home. Once again it's a wholesome story for young teens or older elementary ages kids and especially good for those who love horses or those who are foster kids.

The books in this series are easy to read and the storyline gets you from the beginning. I appreciate the spiritual challenge that is held in this one - and in the others, as well.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Zonderkids.

Moses & Noah I Can Read Books by Zonderkids

Moses, God's Brave Servant: Biblical Values by Dennis Jones

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

An I Can Read! book with a spiritual emphasis and biblical lesson is a great idea. However, while this book is age appropriate on an academic level, the biblical content is leaves much to be desired. There are facts left out and facts that are altered - such as Moses being taken to the palace as a baby. While it's a good idea for a book, I can't recommend a book in which my 5-year-old picks-up on incorrect facts.

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Noah and God's Great Promise: Biblical Values by Dennis Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I appreciate Zonderkids imitative to publish I Can Read! books that not only aid a child in reading skills but also in their Bible knowledge. However, this book about Noah, while relatively sound in the fact department, is just too childish. I truly respect and like the concept, but my 6-year-old daughter laughed at all the pictures as she read and kept mentioning how they weren't true pictures..."the boat didn't look like that!", etc. This book also doesn't change facts as much as in Moses but still is not as concrete as it could and should be.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Zonderkids.

Ruby’s Perfect Day & More I Can Read! Ruby Books by Susan Hill

Ruby's Perfect Day by Susan Hill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

All of the I Can Read! books about Ruby, published by Zonderkids, are wonderful books for children learning to read. Not only do they help kids at a beginning reading level, but they teach wonderful biblical truth at the same time. I give 5 stars to Ruby's Perfect Day, Ruby Bakes A Cake, and Ruby Paints A Picture because of the strong biblical message and emphasis they have along with being wholesome stories for my Kindergarten and First Grade children to read. These books prove that even simple I Can Read! books can have a powerful impact on a child's development.

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These review copies were provided courtesy of Zonderkids but the opinions expressed are strictly that of my own.

The Gift Of Courage & A Job Well Done Berenstain Bears Living Lights Books

The Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage by Jan Berenstain

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I think it's great that Zonderkids has taken the classic Berenstain Bears books and published a series of them with a spiritual emphasis. These new editions are called Living Lights.

In this one - The Gift of Courage - Brother and Sister Bear learn about courage from the account of David and Goliath as they face their own bully at school. Overall the book is good and has a good lesson to it. However, personally I wasn't too impressed with the strength of the biblical message in this particular book or the situation that they faced. While it's not the best book I've read for kids, it's not all that bad either, and at least it does have a wholesome lesson to it.

The Berenstain Bears and a Job Well Done by Michael Berenstain

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

A Job Well Done is a another book in the Zonderkids Living Lights series featuring the Berenstain Bears with a spiritual emphasis.

In this book Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear learn about the importance of working hard. Mama and Papa Bear teach them with kindness and Bible verses. While it's a great little story and has biblical truth in it, the story is still a little shallow. However, like I've said with the other books in this series, it is still a decent book to read to your children.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Zonderkids.

Cecil & Friends Giveaway!

You can read my review of these 3 books in the Cecil & Friends series here! 

Don’t forget to leave a comment before you leave to be entered into this giveaway!

Frank and Beans and S’More Trouble by Kathy-Jo Wargin

   Frank and Beans and S'More Trouble by Kathy-Jo Wargin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Frank and Beans and S'More Trouble is a wonderful book for a first-grader to read with just a little help from an adult. Not only is it perfect for their reading level, but it's story is funny, age-appropriate, and has a great bible-based lesson, too. My 6-year-old daughter, who is an average reader, read it with only a little bit of help and she really enjoyed the story that taught patience as well as reading skills. I greatly appreciated the fact that it was more than just a lesson for pure academic growth and that she could learn about something that a 6-year-old struggles with a lot. This is a great "I Can Read!" book!

 

Frank and Beans by Kathy-Jo Wargin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Frank and Beans is a wonderful beginner reader for 5 to 7 year olds that not only will teach them to read, but help them to learn some important lessons as well.

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Thanks to Zonderkids for providing the courtesy review copy.

Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition by Sally Lloyd-Jones

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Deluxe Edition is a wonderful resource to add to any child's bookshelf. It is like a Bible but with a twist. Instead of chapters and verses it holds a story book version of the Bible. The whole point of this Bible is slightly different than the traditional "Bible Story Book", instead it is to tell the story as a whole rather than short stories here and there.

I like this Bible storybook because it doesn't try condense the Bible into child-length stories, but rather explain it in a continuing story line that aids children and grasping the theme of Jesus from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The bright colors and illustrations grab children's eyes while the parent reads the simple, yet deep, storyline.

The deluxe edition comes with 3 CDs that include the entire book on audio for your children to listen to while in bed or traveling. Using these two tools together - book and CDs - make for a wonderful combination to drive home Biblical accounts into the hearts of young ones.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Zonderkids.

Just Like You by Marla Konrad

Just Like You: Beautiful Babies Around the World by Marla Konrad

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Just Like You is a beautiful way to teach your children about how much you love them and about life around the world. This tender tale looks at how much your child was loved when he/she was born and how much other Mothers around the world - in places like Australia, China, South Africa, and Egypt - love their children, too. The illustrations are soft, comforting, and tenderly life-like.

I enjoyed reading this book to my children and looking at the pictures of other lands and learning about the different ways other families care for their little ones. My children were intrigued by the various kinds of clothes and climates and were fascinated by the fact that on the same day they were born so was someone else in some other place.

This is a lovely story to read to your children and while recommended for children 4 to 7 year of age, both younger and older children most likely will enjoy this storybook being read to them.

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Thanks to Zondervan for the courtesy copy for review.

Cecil & Friends by Andrew McDonough

Cecil & Friends is a series of book for children ages 4 to 7 that share and teach Biblical truth in a lighthearted way.  To read one these books online, join Cecil over at his website – just click here – after reading the reviews!

Dave the Donkey, An Easter Story by Andrew McDonough

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Normally I don't like Bible accounts that are told in a cartoon style. However, Dave the Donkey is different. While it has a silliness about it with some of the lighthearted pictures, it also packs the simple truth of the Easter story from the perspective of a young donkey and his grandfather donkey. My children quickly picked up on the real life Bible account that this book was retelling and enjoyed both the somber and joyful moments this book dealt with. As long as this is not the only book you read to your kids about the Easter account - which should be a no-brainer! - this is a great resource to read/own for a unique look at God's gift to us.

 

The Gardener and the Vine by Andrew McDonough

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW: This cute and cartoon style book takes John 15:15 and turns it into a unique story for children. While I am not so sure my children fully understood the meaning and application of this story, it is a great to introduce this biblical concept to young minds. It's simple, straightforward, and lighthearted all the while being deep with truth. My children enjoyed this book and I enjoyed reading it to them!

 

Jesus and the Children by Andrew McDonough

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is a good example of how just because you have loved other books by an author it does not mean you will like all of his books. While I like the Biblical message of Jesus and the Children I did not like how it was was portrayed with a modern flair. I can handle and even appreciate the cartoon aspect if done with respect, but this just took a twist that made it hard to explain to young children - even ages 4 to 7 - about the real account found in the Bible.

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Thanks go out to Zondervan for all of these review copies.

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Related articles by Zemanta

• The Berenstain Bears: Faithful Friends by Jan & Mike Berenstain (readornotread.blogspot.com)
• Mighty Acts Of God: A Family Bible Story Book by Starr Meade (readornotread.blogspot.com)

The Berenstain Bears: Faithful Friends by Jan & Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears: Faithful Friends by Jan Berenstain

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Faithful Friends is a great story in the typical Berenstain Bear's style. Sister bear learns what to do when a her friend, Lizzy Bear, gets jealous of her time spent with a new girl. This short story with the lovable bears has a Biblical twist to it including Bible verses. It is a neat way to entertain and teach at the same time.

For more information and for some fun with your kids visit their website!  You can click on the “books” link to read about more of their books.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Zondervan.

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.