Category Archives: Favorites

The Flowering Cross – Beth Ryan

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Reading this book has become a special Easter tradition for our family.

The Flowering Cross was a very quick favorite for our daughter.  It is a touching Easter story which focuses on the transformational power of God’s love.

Katie is a six year old little girl who truly loves God.  She displays her unconditional love and kindness to her neighbor Jack who is known throughout the neighborhood for being “mean”.  Soon her kindness not only brings out kindness and gentleness in Jack but also a willingness to accept God’s love.

The illustrations in this book are amazing.  They bring the story to life with the use of vivid color and detail.  They truly enhance the story for the reader.

Bible verses as well as faith imprints which include discussion starters are found throughout the book and provide a terrific addition to the story.  Additionally, directions on how to create a flowering cross are also included at the end of the story.  This was particularly appreciated by this reader since our daughter has become keenly interested in the idea of our family making a flowering cross!

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

The Flowering Cross Book Cover The Flowering Cross
Beth Ryan
Juvenile Fiction
Tommy Nelson
2010-03
32

Way Back Wednesday ~ Celebrate You – Sherri Duskey Rinkler

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This review was originally posted on June 8, 2020.
Celebrate You would be a great graduation gift. It is filled with charming pictures that highlight the ups and downs experienced to reach a myriad of important milestones. This one is a winner!
Celebrate You! Book Cover Celebrate You!
Sherri Duskey Rinker
Juvenile Fiction
Balzer + Bray
March 5, 2019
40

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Way Back Wednesday ~ Mars Needs Moms! – Berkeley Breathed

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This review was originally posted on January 18, 2010

Personally, I had no idea that the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of Bloom County and Opus wrote children’s books.  This one was given to me for my first Mother’s Day.  It is a delightful celebration of the special love between parent and child.  A little boy who does not fully appreciate his mother is soon provided a lesson of the power of her love like no other when martian raiders with big nets come to capture some greatly needed mothers.

The text is well written and engaging for young readers as well as those with more life experience.  The illustrations truly are show stoppers.  You will find that you want to linger as long as possible to study each illustration.  The use of vibrant color is lovely and  humorous details both large and small will delight and have you finding things you didn’t see before again and again.

Mars Needs Moms! is a very special book and worthy of sharing with a Mom you know…

Mars Needs Moms!
Juvenile Fiction
Philomel Books
2007
40

Go Get ‘Em Tiger – Sabrina Moyle

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This book is a winner.  It focuses on the importance of grit, hard work, being kind, and having fun while dealing with the ups and downs of life.  Although a board book targeted to little ones, it includes wisdom for all ages.

Go Get 'Em, Tiger! (a Hello!Lucky Book) Book Cover Go Get 'Em, Tiger! (a Hello!Lucky Book)
Hello!Lucky
Juvenile Fiction
Abrams Appleseed
March 10, 2020
32

Way Back Wednesday ~ Say Something – Peter H. Reynolds

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This review was originally posted on April 8, 2019.

Our favorite children’s book author has released another winner!  Say Something encourages the reader to realize that everyone has something worthwhile to share and by sharing can make the world a better place.  Delightful illustrations make the text come to life in this tale of encouragement and empowerment.  Say Something is the perfect classroom read aloud as you work on developing a strong class culture of risk taking and respect for each other.

Say Something Book Cover Say Something
Peter H. Reynolds
Juvenile Fiction
Orchard Books
February 26, 2019
40

Way Back Wednesday ~ Ish – Peter H. Reynolds

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This post was originally published on February 9, 2010.

Ish is another gem written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.  Deceivingly simple text and pictures provide a powerful message in this follow up to The Dot.  Ramon loves to draw more than anything else in the world until his brother makes a mean spirited comment about his efforts.  A comment that Ramon takes to heart to such a degree that he no longer wants to draw at all.

Little does Ramon know that his artistic efforts have found a place of honor in his sister’s room.  Marisol sees the potential in each picture.  A stunned Ramon questions his sister as to why she would want the pictures especially since they do not look exactly as he would have hoped.  She quickly points out that the vase of flowers looks vase-ish.  Ramon is so soon able to see the art work in a whole new way – approaching it “ish-fully” rather than focusing on making it just “right”.

A great book for children as well as adults.  I love it!

Way Back Wednesday ~ Rose’s Garden – Peter H. Reynolds

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This post was originally published on April 19, 2010.

Peter H. Reynolds is one of my all time favorite authors.  His books always appear simple but supply BIG messages.  Rose’s Garden takes the reader on a fantastical journey around the world with Rose and her vehicle of choice – a magical teapot.  While on her travels, Rose gathers seed from each locale.  She finally finds a special patch of land that needs a bit of color, but before she can begin the transformation process with the help of her seed collection, some hungry birds eat all but a few of her seeds.  Determined to see her plan through, she plants her remaining seeds.  Ultimately, her seeds coupled with some extra special flowers presented to Rose by the neighborhood children turn the barren patch of land into a beautiful garden.  Rose’s Garden is a very sweet story that highlights the powers of faith and determination.

Way Back Wednesday ~ Someday – Alison McGhee

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In honor or our daughter’s birthday which is right around the corner, I wanted to re-share this favorite.  This post was originally published on February 16, 2010.

Someday is an extremely touching book.  The reader is allowed to share the journey of “growing up” with mother and daughter.  With each page you are introduced to another stage of the child’s life and the interaction of mother and child.  One of my favorite parts of the book depicts the mother watching her sleeping daughter.  The reader is reminded that when the daughter dreams, mom dreams too.

The illustrations truly make the words on the page come to life.  They are almost magical in the way they are able to capture the love between mother and child.  Peter H. Reynolds illustration work is truly delightful.

This little book is a gem!

Someday Book Cover Someday
Alison McGhee
Juvenile Fiction
Atheneum
February 27, 2007
40

A mother reflects on the all the milestones, from walking in a deep wood to holding someone else's hand, that her child will achieve during life.

Way Back Wednesday ~ Love Monster and the Last Chocolate – Rachel Bright

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Although not specifically a Valentine’s book, this story is a sweet one!

Love Monster is such a cute character.  I was excited to see that he is now featured in a number of books.  Love Monster and the Last Chocolate is a very sweet story that focuses on the importance of being a good friend and the rewards of showing kindness to others.  We loved this one!

This post was originally published on February 10, 2016.

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate Book Cover Love Monster and the Last Chocolate
Rachel Bright
Children's stories
2014
32