A Christmas Gift for Santa: A Bedtime Book by J. Theron Elkins | Children's Book Review

A Christmas Gift for Santa:

A Bedtime Book

J. Theron Elkins

illustrated by Ag Jatkowska

Juvenile Fiction / Christmas

The Christmas story you haven’t read: What happens after Santa Claus delivers all the Christmas presents to boys and girls around the world?

Is there a gift waiting for Santa at the North Pole? Cuddle up with your little ones and follow the journey through Santa’s Workshop in search of Santa’s Christmas present. With bright and whimsical illustrations, this new take on the Christmas story is sure to become the newest addition to your holiday reading tradition—especially at bedtime!

Has Mrs. Claus forgotten Santa on Christmas Eve? He searches and searches their cozy North Pole home until he finds homemade gifts waiting for him next to a beautiful handwritten note. But what does it say?

This sweet Christmas book, written by J. Theron Elkins and illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, will become a holiday favorite as children cuddle up with their parents to read this wonderful story of love and gratitude before they close their eyes to go to sleep.

As his eyes slowly closed,
Once he turned off the light,
Santa whispered at last …“Merry Christmas, sleep tight.”

My Thoughts

 

The Beginner's Bible Jesus Is Born: My First (I Can Read! / The Beginner's Bible) | Children's Book Review

The Beginner's Bible Jesus Is Born

My First I Can Read!

Zonderkidz

Juvenile Nonfiction

A young girl named Mary is going to have a special baby. When he is born, God’s angels tell everyone the good news. But the king is not happy at all. What will become of Baby Jesus?

Featuring vibrant art from the beloved The Beginner’s Bible®, this faithful retelling of the story of Jesus’ birth from the New Testament is perfect for parents to share God’s Word with their children. Few books capture the iconic story about the first Christmas for beginning readers as memorably as the proven format of this My First I Can Read! book—The Beginner's Bible Jesus Is Born.

My Thoughts

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. 

May The Faith Be With You: Bedtime Prayers | Children's Book Review

May The Faith Be With You: Bedtime Prayers

Susan Collins Thoms

Illustrated by Robert Dunn

Juvenile Fiction (ages 4-8)

A Glow-in-the-Dark,

Out-of-This-World,

Prayer-Filled, Slumber . . .

No comet moves as fast as God,

No star can blaze as bright.

No planet in teh universe

Can match his awesome might.

Filled with exciting, space-themed art and fifteen engaging prayers for children to read with their parents at bedtime--May the Faith Be With You doesn't stop there. This book even glows in the dark!

My Thoughts

One of my favorite times of the day is bedtime. I love the smell of freshly bathed kids and enjoy spending a little time reading and winding down the day with them. We enjoy a variety of books for this time and May The Faith Be With You: Bedtime Prayers is the newest one we've read through.

Anything with a space theme is probably going to be a hit at our house and this book was. It's designed for ages 4-8 so it was a perfect fit for us. The premise of the book is simple. There is a rhyming verse and then a corresponding scripture. The illustrations are stunning and take the book from average to extraordinary. There are fifteen different selections and I suppose you could read and discuss one a night but we read the whole thing in its entirety.

The thing that sets this book apart from the others on our shelf is the glow-in-the-dark feature. The kids love this but let me give you a little mom tip. Before you let your little ones enjoy the book take some time to charge up the pages. It's easy to lay the book beneath a lamp and ever so often turn the page and let it soak up the light. This will let you fully enjoy the book in the dark and not have frustrated kids at bedtime.

The Beginner's Bible Daniel and the Hungry Lions | Children's Book Review

The Begginer's Bible

Daniel and the Hungry Lions

Zonderkidz

Juvenile Nonfiction

The Beginner’s Bible® has been a favorite with young children and their parents since its release in 1989 with over 25 million products sold.

Daniel is in trouble! He’s disobeyed the king and is facing down a cave of hungry lions. But Daniel knows God is on his side, and he is not afraid. This retelling of the story of Daniel and the lions will show little ones how trusting in God will keep them safe and sound. Featuring brand-new art from the beloved The Beginner’s Bible, a die-cut format, and a beautiful foiled cover, parents will love sharing this board book with their children.

My Thoughts

The stories of Daniel are among my favorites in the Bible. Daniel was a man of conviction throughout his life. He maintained his belief in God under very trying circumstances. The Beginner's Bible Daniel and the Hungry Lions focuses on one of those events.

This event comes later in Daniel's life and it teaches us some important lessons. We see that God is faithful and can be trusted no matter what. It would have been easy for Daniel to not pray where people would notice but he didn't. It also teaches us that we need to be careful and thoughtful about our actions and who we trust. The king was very fond of Daniel but his decree put Daniel's life at risk.

We learn that God can take a seemingly impossible situation, hungry lions, and turn it to His outcome. Daniel came out of that den without even a scratch. One of the biggest lessons of this story is that if we remain faithful to God He will use us to reveal Himself to those around us.

This cute little board book would be a wonderful addition to your child's library. The text comes from The Beginner's Bible so it is familiar to those who use that resource. The book itself is sturdy and designed to hold up to little hands turning the pages over and over. I highly recommend it!

Found: Psalm 23 by Sally Lloyd-Jones | Children's Book Review

Found: Psalm 23

Sally Lloyd-Jones

Illustrations by Jago

Juvenile Nonfiction (ages 4-8)

God is my Shepherd.

And I am his little lamb.

With lyrical text from The Jesus Storybook Bible and new, engaging illustrations, Psalm 23 comes alive for young children like never before. Snuggle up with your little one as you both discover God's Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreakable, Always and Forever Love.

My Thoughts
We are big fans of both Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago. Sally's words and Jago's illustrations have combined to produce some of our favorite books. Our all time favorite is of course The Jesus Storybook Bible. We've used that resource for several events in our house including our Advent readings. In fact right now we're preparing to us it for our Lent and Easter readings.
Found: Psalm 23 is taken from that wonderful book. While the words are the same the illustrations are new. And in my opinion the new pictures are even more beautiful than the originals. 
I really like the idea of a separate book that focuses in on this chapter of Scripture. Most of us have it memorized but Sally's paraphrase allows the reader to take a fresh look at it and grasp the concepts it contains. What a beautiful thing to teach your little one that God's love is "never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, and it is always and forever."
If you have a preschooler this book would be a perfect fit for your family library. I also think it would make a great birthday present, Easter basket filler, or baby shower gift. It's a padded board book so it will stand up to lots of reading and turning of pages by little hands.
Connect With The Author

www.SallyLloyd-Jones.com

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Read & Play Baby Bible from Zonderkidz | Children's Book Review

Read & Play Baby Bible

Illustrated by Gustavo Mazali

Juvenile Nonfiction (ages infant-8)

Cuddle up, read, play--repeat! With fun stories written just for little ones and activities like tickling bellies and singing along with David and his harp, children won't just learn God loves and cares about them . . . they'll experience it! This is a Bible they'll want to read over and over again. Fill story time with lots of love, hugs, and kisses with the Read and Play Baby Bible.

My Thoughts
The new Read & Play Baby Bible is a delightful way to begin introducing your little ones to pivotal passages of Scripture. There are twenty-two different stories with about half being in the Old Testament and the other half in the New Testament. 
What I really like about this board book is that it is quite interactive. On the left-hand page there is the Scripture title with reference and a short synopsis of what the passage contains. On the right-hand page is a short little dialogue that contains words and action (tickling, holding hands, huming a song, etc.) that helps to convey the particular message of the Scripture.
If you have a little one you know they enjoy interaction when reading a story. This little book provides ample opportunity to incorporate that aspect. My youngest grands would be delighted to participate in the telling of the story in this way. I would recommend this as a baby shower gift for an expecting momma or a sweet just because gift for your favorite little one.

The Lord's Prayer: Words of Hope and Happiness by Rick Warren | Children's Book Review

The Lord's Prayer: Words of Hope and Happiness

Rick Warren

Illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson

Juvenile Nonfiction / Board Book

This iconic prayer is paired with flowing illustrations by award-winning artist Richard Jesse Watson and thoughtful insights by bestselling author Rick Warren, resulting in a book that rejuvenates the familiar prayer for a younger audience. Using poetic scripture from the King James Version, The Lord’s Prayer: Words of Hope and Happiness helps familiarize children with real biblical text while also presenting contemporary illustrations and insightful words that make this beautiful prayer come alive.

My Thoughts
I love the simplicity of a small child's prayer. There's no hesitation and worry of using the right words. They don't worry about Thees and Thous they just lay out their requests and rightly assume that God hears them and will answer.
When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer He used that same simplicity. It is a wonderful example of how we should approach the Father and an easy template to teach our children. Rick Warren and Richard Jesse Watson have taken these timeless words and added beautiful illustrations and thoughts that will encourage you and your children to not only learn this portion of Scripture but to also apply it in all situations.
I like that The Lord's Prayer: Words of Hope and Happiness is presented in this new board book format. This is definitely a book that will be read over and over in our house so durability in the hands of little ones counts! 
I also appreciate the subtle way that Rick Warren puts the Scripture into repeatable segments and also includes a short thought on what that particular segment means. The King James Version is beautifully lyrical but often the verbiage is confusing to little ones (and sometimes adults). The illustrations are stunningly life-like and had us all mesmerized.  
I heartily recommend this book to all families. If you are looking for a new way to help your kids learn the Lord's Prayer this book is a great resource.
Connect With The Author

www.RickWarren.org

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Ready, Set, Find Christmas | Children's Book Review

Ready, Set, Find Christmas

Zonderkidz

Juvenile Nonfiction/Christmas (ages 4-8)

WHEN MARY AND JOSEPH CAME TO BETHLEHEM,

THE INNKEEPER SAID, "THERE IS NO ROOM."

WHERE WOULD THEY SLEEP?

Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem on

Christmas night. Jesus will be born soon, and they need

your help to find 48 hidden objects along the way!

Ready, Set, Find as you read the story of Christmas

in this interactive board book for young readers.

My Thoughts

Ready, Set, Find Christmas is an adorable board book designed especially for the preschool set. The story is compiled from the account of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and the events leading up to the birth of Christ and shortly after found in Luke 2:1-16 and Matthew 2:1-12. The story is brief so young attention spans will be able to sit for the whole tale.

What I really like is how the book incorporates interactive seek and find on each of the pages. Each time we have read through the book my grandson has enthusiastically said, "Again! Again!" You would think that it would almost be a one time thing but apparently not. In fact he just beams with pleasure as he's able to quickly point to each object. 

If you have a preschooler in your home I would recommend this cute board book for your Christmas story times. It is sturdy, colorful, short, and interactive, all the things that make reading a book to a wiggly little one a pleasure.

Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional | Juvenile Nonfiction Review

Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional

Zonderkidz

Juvenile Nonfiction (ages 8-12)

JESUS

IS READY AND WAITING FOR YOU

TODAY . . . AND EVERY DAY.

Jesus isn't only found in the New Testament of 

the Bible-mentions, whispers, and echoes of him can 

be found in hundreds of clues and promises 

throughout the Old Testament.

Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional helps 

eight-to-twelve-year-olds understand how these 

verses throughout the Bible point to Jesus, and how the 

promises in the Old Testament were fulfilled when Jesus 

came to live among his people. Each devotional also includes 

a Scripture and a prayer for reflection, along with ways to 

apply that day's discovery to everyday life--all of which work 

together to help readers see that Jesus is the way, 

the truth, and the life.

My Thoughts

The number one overriding theme that I want to teach my kids and grands is that Jesus is at the center of every aspect of Scripture. He was present in the beginning when all things were created. His name was whispered throughout the Old Testament as they looked forward to a Savior. And then finally His name leaps from the pages of the New Testament. There is nothing more important than teaching about Jesus.

With that in mind I am thrilled to tell you about Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional. It is designed with tweens in mind but I think everyone would benefit from the walk through Scripture while focusing on the passages that shine a light on our Savior.

It is intended for a daily reading but the nice thing is that the days are numbered but not dated so it can begin at any time. The devotions start in Genesis and then proceeds through the Old and New Testaments covering the references that point directly to Jesus. 

I'm not sure who wrote the individual devotions but they are phenomenal. The author brings that day's Scripture passage to a relevant modern day example and expounds upon the truth that the verses contain. I'm looking forward to passing this along to one of my oldest grands but before I do you better believe I'm going to spend a bit more time gleaning from it!

God's Little Lambs Bible Stories by Julie Stiegemeyer | Children's Book Review

God's Little Lambs Bible Stories

Julie Stiegemeyer

Illustrated by Qin Leng

Juvenile Nonfiction (ages 4-8)

God's Little Lambs Bible Stories is a storybook Bible written just for little ones. Children will learn about God's love through 35 beloved Bible stories such as "Noah's Are", "Jonah and the Big Fish", and "Jesus Welcomes the Children." Readers will love to cuddle up with this book at bedtime or any time of the day.

My Thoughts

God's Little Lambs Bible Stories is a delightful new storybook Bible designed for the preschool set. We do a daily Bible story with the little ones in our family so we are always on the look out for a new addition to our reading library. 

There are 35 different stories that are spread equally over the Old and New Testaments. All the stories focus on God's love and provision for His people. I enjoy Julie Stiegemeyer's words as she simplifies the story for a young audience but still remains true to the original Scripture passage. Qin Leng's illustrations are just beautiful. She uses vibrant colors and simple illustrations that pair well with Julie's words.

One of the things that I like most about this particular book is that each story also includes the Scripture reference for where the story is located. This is especially helpful for our new approach to Family Bible Study. We read the book portion to the little ones but the older ones can look up and read the passages in their own Bibles. 

If you're looking for a new storybook Bible for your little one I would recommend checking this one out. I think your family will enjoy it again and again.

Connect With The Author

www.JulieStiegemeyer.net

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NIrV Love Letters from God Holy Bible from Glenys Nellist and Zonderkidz | Children's Bible Review

NIrV Love Letters from God Holy Bible

Letters written by Glenys Nellist

Zonderkidz

Juvenile Nonfiction

The perfect Bible to

introduce your children

to God's great love.

What if your child could read personal mail from God?

With 80 love letters from God written especially for young readers, they can! Cherish the time alongside your children as Bible stories come to life while they learn just how much they are loved by their Creator.

Each carefully chosen love letter, Bible verse, and promise show God's special words of encouragement and hope, culminating in an invitation for your children to write their own RSVP to God.

FEATURES INCLUDE:

• 80 personal love letters from God
• 80 prompts encouraging children to write their own letters to God
• Highlighted Wonderful Words--special verses to remember and cherish
• 8 full-color inserts with additional content
• Content written by Glenys Nellist, author of the Love Letters from God picture book
• Presentation page for gift giving
• Ribbon marker
• The complete text of the New International Reader's Version (NIrV), written at a third grade reading level perfect for developing readers.

My Thoughts

What's better than getting a sweet letter from a beloved family member? Not much if you ask me. It is such a gift that you can savor over and over again. That's exactly what the Bible should be to us, a sweet letter from our Father. Each time you open its covers words of wisdom just pour out begging you to take them to heart and live your life accordingly.

The NIrV Love Letters from God has 80 love letters from God that are designed to point to important attributes of God and get the reader to respond back. We've enjoyed Glenys Nellist's books that have taken this same theme and are thrilled with this brilliant way to get children to not only learn more about what the Bible contains but also to interact with it. 

This Bible just begs to be given as a gift to that special child in your life. I know who I have in mind and I intend to systematically go through and write that child's name into each of the 80 blanks so that she will feel that the letters were meant especially for her. 

The holidays are fast approaching and I think this would make a wonderful gift for the developing reader on your list. Remember that the NIrV is written at a third grade reading level so it is easily understood and gives confidence to the young reader. By the way if you're looking for something just a little nicer than the hardcover edition there is a darling imitation leather version in the color of magenta!

Other Reviews For This Author

Love Letters From God

Little Love Letters From God

Snuggle Time Prayers

Snuggle Time Psalms

Connect With The Author

www.GlenysNellist.com

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Kids' Devotional Bible from Zonderkidz | Tween Bible Review

Kids' Devotional Bible

New International Readers Version (NIrV)

Zonderkidz

Juvenile Nonfiction / Bible (ages 6-10)

DEVELOP

A GOOD

DAILY HABIT

A Bible you can read yourself!

Complete with a year’s worth of devotions, the Kids’ Devotional Bible, NIrV will help children develop a habit they’ll want to keep. Engaging weekday devotions, fun weekend activities, interesting illustrations, and a dictionary make this a Bible they’ll want to read and apply to their lives. It includes the complete New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)—the stepping stone to the NIV—making it easier for young readers to read and understand.

Features include:

• Short weekday devotions that help young readers apply Bible lessons for a full year.
• 52 weekend devotions that teach kids about God’s creation through fun activities like visiting the zoo and gazing at the stars.
• “Got It” feature that encourages kids to find answers to Bible trivia themselves.
• Book introductions that give helpful information about each book of the Bible.
• A DICTIONARY to look up words they want to know more about.
• The complete NIrV text, which uses shorter sentences and easier words. Kids can read this Bible on their own!

The black and white illustrations make for a perfect opportunity 
to introduce your tween to Bible Art Journaling.

My Thoughts

The Kids' Devotional Bible is one of the most versatile Bibles for tweens that I have seen in quite awhile. One of the most important aspects is that it is easily readable by this age group. Reading comprehension is so important and the NIrV is written at a third grade reading level so the tween set should be able to read and comprehend what is before them.

Another thing that I like is the daily devotions. It is set up so that your tween will get a nice overview of Scripture by the end of the year. The weekday devotions give a portion of Scripture for reading then an insightful devotional message and an Ask Yourself question that could be used in conjunction with journaling. Finally for all the budding list-makers and box-checkers there is a place to check that you have read the devotion. (I personally get such a sense of accomplishment from that!) The weekend devotions are similar with daily readings and a devotional thought but then they have a section called Some Things to Think About and Some Things to Do.

All of the above is nice, but my absolute favorite thing is all of the black and white coloring book type of illustrations. They just beg the reader to add some color and inspirations of their own. I've been Bible Art Journaling for quite some time and I'm delighted to say that my tween grand girl is also interested in it. The Kids' Devotional Bible is the perfect way to get your tween started. Teaching your child to express their God given artistic talents while worshiping is a great way to increase time in the Word. There aren't wide margins but the illustrations do have a lot of white space around them that can be used to add your own expressions.

If you are looking for a new way to increase exposure and add enjoyment of Scripture reading time I would suggest that you take a look at the Kids' Devotional Bible. It's done in a black and white color scheme so it would be fitting for either a boy or a girl.

Even the introductions to each book have a scene to color.