Safe House: How Emotional Safety Is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well – Joshua Straub

Safe House approaches the role of being a parenting book by presenting an overall philosophy rather than providing lots of different techniques to use in various situations.  Straub provides strong research to support his premise that emotional security is key to a child’s development.  He then explores the structures and behaviors within a home that lead to the development of emotional safety in children.  Safe House reaffirmed my beliefs about the importance of providing an emotionally safe home.  I found the chapter regarding technology and brain development particularly interesting.

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

Backwards Beauty: How to Feel Ugly in 10 Simple Steps – Jessie Minassian

Backwards Beauty is a great book specifically targeted for teen girls.  The book explores beauty and the often ridiculous things we do to try to attain it.  The conversational style of the author makes the text extremely engaging and fun to read.  Ultimately, the book compares the concept of beauty as presented by the media and the world around us with how true beauty is described and defined within scripture.  This book would make a terrific resource for a middle school/high school girl’s Bible study.

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

The Comeback: It’s Not Too Late and You’re Never to Far – Louie Giglio

Louie Giglio is a gifted communicator.  I have heard him speak in person on a number of occasions, and his book captures his dynamic, personal manner.  The Comeback is a celebration story for new beginnings.  It provides encouragement as well as perspective through the use of many inspirational stories.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Harper Collins Publishing, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World – Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane

Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in A Screen-Driven World is a truly terrific parenting books.  Chapman and Pellicane tackle the role of “screens” in our children’s lives and provide much for readers to think about and process.  This book is not focused on providing a pro-technology or anti-technology stance.  Rather, it encourages the reader to take a closer look at how technology is being used within your home and the impact it is having on quality family time.  It also provides a myriad of strategies for creating healthy boundaries.  This one is a winner!

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate – Rachel Bright

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!

Moletown – Torben Kuhlman

Moletown is practically a wordless book, but it has a big message about the effects of human actions on the environment.  The amazingly detailed illustrations highlight the world underground that is inhabited by the moles, and the world above where people live.  This is a children’s book that definitely would be impactfully used with older children as well as adults.

Bronner: A Journey to Understand – Sherri Burgess

As the mother of an elementary age daughter, I found Bronner a difficult book to read.  It details the  loss of a family’s  youngest son and their subsequent journey through grief.  Although ultimately a book that focuses on encouragement and inspiration, it was a challenging read for me.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Litfuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.