Rambles of a SAHM

The Promises of God Storybook Bible: The Story of God's Unstoppable Love by Jennifer Lyell | Children's Book Review

The Promises of God Storybook Bible:

The Story of God's Unstoppable Love

Jennifer Lyell

Juvenile Nonfiction

God’s love is unstoppable. And that’s a promise.

Noah’s ark. Joseph’s dreams. Jesus’s miracles. The Bible is rich with stories for our children to hear and enjoy, but when those stories uncover the thread of God’s promises, our children learn much more than individual Bible stories. They discover how God has demonstrated His love for us, from the first promise in the garden to the promise of the new heavens and earth.

A conversational, whimsical, biblically faithful retelling of more than fifty key Bible stories, The Promises of God Storybook Bible lets your child hear favorite stories with new ears, repeatedly assuring them that each word is proof of God’s unstoppable love and unbreakable promises to His people.

My Thoughts
There are a ton of children's storybook Bibles to choose from. In fact we already own a ton of them. So why would we consider another one? Those are always my thoughts when I am offered a new children's storybook Bible. Will it just languish on the shelf or will it be one that stands out?
I'm happy to say that The Promises of God Storybook Bible is a standout among our collection. From the opening pages you can just tell that it is different. The illustrations have a lushness to them that makes you want to take your time looking at and enjoying turning each page.
The other thing that stands out are the stories themselves. Ms. Lyell chose to take the reader through scripture and explore the promises that God made with His people. There are the usual stories but what I loved were the ones that are not usually included. When was the last time you read a children's storybook Bible with an inclusion of Job? Not often I imagine.
Not only is there a very comprehensive overview of the Bible but it is written with the average four-year-old in mind. The author has taught young children in Sunday School for years and has developed an understanding of concepts that they long to be taught at a level they can understand. At the end of each story section she includes questions that will help you solidify with your little one what the Bible is teaching. Again these aren't run of the mill questions. A lot of thought has gone into them and I appreciate that.
I have several young grandchildren and I intend to get a copy for each of their houses. If you have young children or grandchildren this book is worth a look. Take your time and read through a few of the stories and I think you will be as impressed as I was.

Disclosure Statement

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Snuggle Time Fall Blessings by Glenys Nellist | Children's Board Book Review

Snuggle Time Fall Blessings

Glenys Nellist

illustrated by Cee Biscoe

Children's Book

Snuggle up with your little one and enjoy all the best parts of autumn together—pumpkin picking, colored leaves, hayrides, and more—with this adorable padded-cover board book. Get ready for repeated readings and lots of hugs!

Carving pumpkins. Fresh baked apple pie. Leaf piles. Jack-o’-lanterns. Featuring Glenys Nellist’s whimsical read-aloud rhymes and Cee Biscoe’s cuddly illustrations, the Snuggle Time Fall Blessings board book will become part of your new autumn reading tradition.

Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, Sunday School teacher or older brother or sister, the little ones in your life will be ready for all the joys fall can bring when they hear …

Let’s go apple picking,
Shake them from the tree.
Round and fat and juicy,
The big red one’s for me!

My Thoughts

One of my favorite children's authors is Glenys Nellist. She has such a lovely way with words. This new addition to her Snuggle Time books is a wonderful read for the fall and Thanksgiving season.

We have several of her Snuggle Time books and love them. This new book is no exception. Glenys tells a story through rhyme that rolls easily off the tongue. That's a bonus when you wind up reading this darling book over and over again.

I also like that it is a board book edition. Board books are so much easier with little ones. You don't have to worry about pages getting rumpled and torn. That leaves you and your little one able to just enjoy reading and talking about all the fun activities that come with the fall season.

Disclosure Statement

Love Is Kind by Laura Sassi | Children's Book Review

Love Is Kind

Laura Sassi

illustrated by Lison Caperon

Children's Book

Love Is Kind is a heartwarming story about Little Owl who hopes to buy his grammy a heart-shaped box of chocolates for her birthday. On his quest for the chocolates, he’s thwarted at every turn, but ends up discovering the real meaning of love.

Told in simple prose by bestselling author Laura Sassi, this heartfelt and humorous picture book is a sweet reminder that real love isn’t found in a box–even one filled with chocolates. Love Is Kind takes a charming and gentle approach to teaching kids the true meaning of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13, while celebrating the bonds that kids have with their grandparents, and the many forms that love and happiness can take.

My Thoughts

It just doesn't get more adorable than this book! Little Owl is so determined to buy a box of chocolates for his Grammy's birthday. But every time he has the opportunity in his grasp it slips away. Through it all Little Owl keeps a sweet spirit and winds up giving the best gift instead.

I love, love, love how this story walks the reader through 1 Corinthians 13. It was such a wonderful way to put that chapter in terms of everyday use. We all have circumstances that turn out differently than we anticipated but if we remember what this chapter says we'll be able to handle life's ups and downs with grace.

This book is definitely going in this Grammy's library. I look forward to reading and discussing it with my little people.

Disclosure Statement

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli | Children's Board Book Review

Thankful

Eileen Spinelli

illustrated by Archie Preston

Children's Board Book

Celebrate everyday blessings, practice thankfulness, and observe the wonderful acts of service that keep us going each and every day. Eileen Spinelli, bestselling and award-winning children's author, charms with rhymes and whimsy in Thankful, perfect for any young reader and their family.

My Thoughts

We first read Thankful by Eileen Spinelli several years ago when it first came out. It is a lovely book that talks about the simple everyday things that we each should be thankful for. I was so happy to see it released as a board book this year. We have enjoyed it all over again with our little grand babies. I love the message and the whimsical illustrations and now those sweet little hands can hold it without worrying about tearing pages.

Disclosure Statement

Deadly Deceit (Harbored Secrets #2) by Natalie Walters | Romantic Suspense Review

Deadly Deceit

Harbored Secrets #2

Natalie Walters

Romantic Suspense

Welcome back to Walton, Georgia, where everyone knows your name--but no one knows your secret.

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason--to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth--and the next big story--is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers--and her life.

Read an excerpt.

My Thoughts

Not too long ago I read Natalie Walters first novel Living Lies. It was fabulous and I was looking forward to seeing if her second book would be just as delightful to read. It was.

Deadly Deceit brings us back to the small Georgia town of Walton. It is a little over a year later from where Living Lies left off. The main focus this time around is on journalist Vivian DeMarco and Deputy Ryan Frost. We met both of them in book one but they were supporting characters. This time around they are front and center.

The story pretty much thrusts the reader right into the action. There is a startlingly unexpected death that opens a Pandora's box of questions. While the characters are mostly those from the previous book the story is completely different. There are references to the first book but if you haven't read that particular story you will be fine. (Treat yourself . . . go back and read the first book if you haven't!)

Of the two books I liked the first book best, but this second book is very good too. I just preferred the story line of the first more than this one. I think that anyone that likes romantic suspense will be thrilled to discover Natalie Walters and her novels. She brings all of the elements that we expect to the story. I thought the plot moved along quickly and there were some definite twists and turns that kept me guessing.

The exciting news in the back of the book is that there is a third story, Silent Shadows that will release in the spring. I can't wait to get back to this small town to catch up on what the characters have been up to. If the first two books are any indication of what this author is capable of, we're in for a real treat.

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