The Story of Noah’s Ark: Storybook and Wall Clings

Written by Lori C Froeb

Illustrated by Luana Rinaldo

ISBN: 978-0-8254-5552-0

Publisher: Kregel Kidzone

Source: Review Copy

About the title:

The story of Noah and his ark is one of the most beloved stories in the Bible.  With this deluxe set, kids can use the wall clings to recreate the awesome scene of all the animals boarding the ark.  As they read about Noah and his adventure, children can stick the vinyl clings on any painted wall to retell the story.  The clings peel right off, so kids can rearrange them however they choose.

My Thoughts:

This book is wonderful.  I really enjoyed the vivid illustrations, colors and design.  The story itself is sound and perfect for young kids.  I would recommend its use in Sunday school classrooms.  My daughters loved these fun wall clings.  Our walls are textured and the clings do not stay on the wall long.  I would recommend a flat, un-texturized wall for these clings.  My daughters ended up putting them on their bedroom doors and enjoyed it!  The clings do peel off and re stick so they can be rearranged.  This has happened multiple times in our household.  Overall, I would recommend this book.  It’s colorful and interactive and a fun way for your child to put their hands to work while learning about the bible and God’s provision.

Hot Chocolate With God

Just Me & Who God Created Me To Be
Author: Camryn Kelly with Jill and Erin Kelly
ISBN: 978-0-89296-845-9
Publisher: Faith Words by Hachette
Pre-Order: Hot Chocolate with God
Age Group:  Juvenile Nonfiction/Activity
Source: Faith Words
Website: http://www.hotchocolatewithgod.com/


About this book:

Written for young girls 8-12, this brand-new series combines the writings of the Kelly girls with journal/activity elements in an engaging, exciting companion book to every girl's walk with God. Each book in the series includes scriptures, fun facts, journal writings, and fun personal quizzes. Girls will be able to express their deepest thoughts and feelings, as well as share everything from their favorite ice cream to the things that make them cry.

In this first book, it's all about the reader. Finding out who you are can be a fun process that will take you a lifetime-and this book gets girls started out in style! A self-guided tour through every area of a girl's inner life, this book encourages girls to find the answers to small questions (What's your favorite color? Your favorite ice cream flavor?, etc.) as well as large ones (What makes you sad? What makes you angry?)

A section on dreams and special gifts will also be included. All little girls have dreams of what they want to be when they grow up, and this book will help them discover which of the special gifts talked about in the Bible they have been given.

With activities ranging from word searches, create-your-own story fill-in-the-blanks, true/false questions, journaling space, a companion web site, fun facts, and scriptures, this first volume in the HOT CHOCOLATE WITH GOD series promises hours of fun and self-discovery!

 

My Thoughts:

 

I loved it!  Being a woman is hard; being a girl on the verge of woman hood is even harder!  This book is meant to help encourage and guide young girls on the verge of womanhood.  Being an adolescent is one of the hardest times in life.  I remember every moment of my pre-teen years and those awkward times where I was just trying to find out who I was and keep to who I was and not let others persuade me to be like them.  It's difficult with all the hormones and emotions that rage through young girls to keep focused on what truly matters, the inside, and who God wants us to be.  Hot Chocolate with girls is a beautiful, interactive guide that empowers girls to be themselves, be godly, and be an example to others.  Everyone will enjoy this book because it’s all about YOU!  It's a journey to self discovery and exploration of who you are and who you want to be.

Quick Guide:  What you'll find in this book....

So you’re busy right?  You are in school, sports, out with friends, helping at home and part of a variety of different activities.  It's hard to pick up a book, especially a devotional book, with so many other things going on.  GREAT NEWS!  This book isn't like that!  This book was designed for YOU!  It's a journal, an activity book, a diary, and adventure... it's your adventure because it's all about YOU!  The book is meant to be fun and interactive.  It engages the reader and helps you discover truths about yourself that are important in helping young girls discover what they want in life and who they want to be, especially at an age where it can be really difficult to know these answers.  So what will you find in here?  Check it out....

Sweet Truths - Encouraging truths from God's word.  These short blurbs come directly from the Bible to help you understand the part of the journal you are working on!  Each truth gives a scripture and then a short explanation of what God's trying to tell us.

Journal Writings - It's all about you right?  So why wouldn't you have a spot to write your thoughts?  These spots are just for you, for whatever you want to remember or reflect on.  It's all about you.

Quizzes - Some of the best ways to find out about you is to take a quiz.  We all do...there are plenty of internet sites that have silly quizzes we play for fun.  This book has quality quizzes to help you understand who you are and what you want to be.  Most importantly, it's all about you.  No two people will have the same answers or come up with the same conclusions because we are all different and that's great!  God made us to be different.  We are special and unique and the quizzes help show this fact.

Word Searches - It's fun!  These word searches have you find 8 -10 words that are all about girls!  The words are important because they matter to each of us, though sometimes not in the way we think.  These were scattered throughout the book.  They are a fun reminder that we are all created in God's image and we are special from the inside out.

Design-it - Help design the next cover of Hot Chocolate with God!!  It's all about you, so why shouldn't you have an input??   Design sections scattered throughout the book.

Fill in the blanks - These sections require you to fill in the blanks.  Since it's about you it can't be wrong, but it can be helpful in discovering your identity and dreams.  It's a helpful guide that enables you to think about things you may not have before.  It's easy and fun!

CamJam/CamFam - Small sections from the author that help you get to know her on a personal basis.  These sections are great because you may or may not feel the same way, but that's okay because we are all different and the sections are meant to show exactly that.  What is important is that you are you! The purpose is to have fun.

Overall, I loved this book.  It's fun and interactive and meant to help young girls discover who they are during a period in their life where they are already trying to do just that!  With biblical guidance, girls are encouraged to be who God created them to be and be happy with it.  I would highly recommend this book.

 

Wipe Clean Activity Book 1

Juliet David & Marie Allen
ISBN: 978-1-85985-843-1
Publisher: Lion Hudson/Candle Books/Kregel Publications
*To purchase click the image to the left*


The Wipe Clean Activity Book consist of 14 different activities based on a Bible story. Each activity has 1-2 sentences which states a fact about the biblical character and then gives instructions for the child on what to do with the activity page. The activities include coloring, connect the dots, draw the picture, find the right path, what’s missing/wrong and tracing. The book is made to use with high quality crayons or felt tip pens for best results in wiping the activities clean. It is sure to provide entertainment to young children ages 3-6.

Madison’s Thoughts:
I want to use it now! I am so happy. I love it. My favorites are Moses leading his people, David’s harp-connect the dots, and Noah’s ark -join the animals. Did you see mommy! I did it!


Mom’s Thoughts:
This activity book was wonderful fun for my daughter. She loves this type of stuff and gets sad when her pages are used and she can’t do the puzzles again. When we started using the book for the first time she was ready and armed with the tools she needed to use this book. Each time thereafter she would go get the items herself and sit down to use the book. On average she spends 30 -45 minutes using this activity book.

The book states that most good quality felt-tip pens and crayons can be used on the laminated pages…to remove simply wipe clean with a soft damp cloth. It then gives a spot for you to test your marker, pen or crayon. I tried Crayola washable crayons, and markers which are the best I have found in regards to cleaning. While they did come off they did not “wipe off” I had to apply pressure and rub the crayon and marker off. It was not something that Madison could do on her own easily. I highly suggest using dry erase markers for this activity book. They show up easily and wipe off easily.

Overall, this is a great activity book and my daughter really enjoyed using it! I was very pleased with the results for the cost. I would recommend this to family and friends who have children ages 3-6 years of age. It is not meant for children younger than 3 and is below the intelligence of children ages 7 and older who might enjoy more challenging activities.

 
Reviewed for Reader Views