Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame

Wind in the Willows is a HUGE favorite at our home!  This classic tale is filled with adventure and animals that behave like human beings. Grahame’s descriptive detail helps the reader “see” Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and Toad as well as appreciate their unique personalities and ultimately the friendship they share with one another.

As is often the case with classic tales, although enjoyed by children, this book is also loved by adults.  It truly is a great story that is a delight to read.

Spoon – Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I really love children’s books!   Although our daughter is more interested in non-fiction animal books at the moment, I always make sure we take a look at the new picture books when we visit the library.  When I pulled out Spoon I just knew it was going to be a winner, and from her quick request to read it again please directly after I finished it, I knew it was.

Great children’s books have a clear message that children as well as adults can understand and appreciate.  Spoon has a big lesson to share.  Spoon begins to question his life as a spoon imagining life would be so much better and ultimately more meaningful if he were a fork, a knife, or perhaps chopsticks.  Little does he know the wistful ways in which the other utensils long to be more like him.

This one is not to be missed!

Fancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words – Jane O’Connor

I think every preschool age girl is a “Fancy Nancy in Training”.  I say this after watching our daughter prepare to leave the house today by accessorizing her sundress with two necklaces from her dress up box, a purse filled with treasures, and purple and white polka-dot sunglasses.  It was quite a look!  Just like the heroine in the Fancy Nancy book series, she likes to accessorize and be fancy!

Fancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words takes the reader through the alphabet with Fancy Nancy sharing new words that are indeed fancy.  From accessories to zany, each word is used in context to assure that the reader understands the definition of each word.  This is a great book to use to introduce more sophisticated word choices to young readers as well as being a truly entertaining read for young and old alike!

My First Hands-On Bible

My First Hands-On Bible is an outstanding Bible for preschoolers.  Our daughter was ready for something more than her Bible story book, but I just could find what I was looking for until I found this!  The structure of this Bible allows parent and child to explore the Word of God through fun activities and discussion questions.  Each Bible story is told using actual Bible text (New Living Translation).  Within the text, there are colored handprints.  These images signal a little activity that involves your child in the Bible passage through movement, searching for things in pictures, and role playing.  At the end of each passage are follow up questions that help the child apply the text to his/her life as well as a prayer.  There are also activities provided which allow extension of the story in your child’s normal routine.  Finally each passage ends with a “Jesus Connection” which reinforces that Jesus is the center of all scripture and a real part of life.

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

Thunder Dog Michael Hingson

Thunder Dog shares the true story of Micheal Hingson’s escape from the World Trade Center on September 11th.  He takes the reader on the incredible journey from his office on the 78th floor to safety.  As you read the book you can actually visualize what it must have been like to navigate the 1,463 stairs in fume-filled stairwell b which is truly amazing as this fight for survival is told by blind man who escaped and helped others to escape with his faithful guide dog Roselle.   I found it difficult to put the book down as I read the descriptions of the escape.  They were vivid and thought-provoking.

Throughout the book, the author goes back and forth between sharing details of  his day on September 11th, and sharing his story as a blind person.  Initially, this format worked fairly well and made for an interesting story, but ultimately, the book came across as more of a way of sharing his views and opinions about being blind in America today then sharing his experiences on September 11th.  This was not what I was expecting…

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.

Billy Graham in Quotes – Franklin Graham

Billy Graham in Quotes is a wonderful collection of Graham quotes from his published works and personal writings.   The quotations are organized by topic and are easy to access.  This volume is an outstanding reference book as well as a remarkable tribute to Graham’s seven decades of ministry.   Dr. Graham’s words are both encouraging and challenging.

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.