"A New Home for Lily" By Suzanne Woods Fisher & Mary Ann Kinsinger

The second novel in the charming Adventures of Lily Lapp series, A New Home for Lily gives children ages 8-12 a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Amish with lots of fun and laughter along the way. It combines the real-life stories of growing up Amish from Mary Ann Kinsinger and the bestselling writing of Amish fiction and nonfiction author Suzanne Woods Fisher. With line illustrations throughout, this series is sure to capture the hearts of readers young and old.

Lily Lapp is moving with her family to Pennsylvania to join a new Amish community. In this small town where changes – and newcomers – are greeted with suspicion, Lily must adjust to a new school, new friends and Aaron Yoder, an annoying boy who teases her relentlessly. Still, there are exciting new developments, including an attic full of adventure and a new baby brother. But why, Lily wonders, can't God bring her just one sister?
 

Review:  This is a wonderful book about a young Amish girl named Lily, whose family has moved New York to Pennsylvania to join a new Amish community.  This book has 36 chapters which actually turn out to be 36 wonderful short stories about Lily's daily life and her family and friends.  Lily finds herself in many "fun" situations which are very enjoyable to read.  Because the chapters seem more like a group of short stories, this makes it easy to read and I recommend it for 4th grade or older.(rev. P.Howard)

Read an excerpt

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Authors bios:

Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She met and married her husband, whom she knew from school days and started a family. After they chose to leave the Amish church, Mary Ann began a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to capture her warm memories of her childhood for her own children. From the start, this blog found a ready audience and even captured the attention of key media players, such as the influential blog AmishAmerica and The New York Times. She lives in Pennsylvania.
 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, The Keeper and The Haven, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. For more information, please visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

  Read our review of book 1 Life With Lily here on Reader's Haven Reviews.

DISCLOSURE: We received a complimentary copy of A New Home for Lily for the purpose of providing our honest review from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group on behalf of the authors. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

"Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience (A Captain No Beard Story)" by Cariole P. Roman

This brightly illustrated children's book begins with a delightful title featuring alliteration.  "Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience" and throughout the book the letter "P" is prominent.

Captain No Beard is the imagination character of young Alexander when he is in his bedroom.  This time the story features Pepper Parrot's problem with anger and patience over his failure to distinguish his right hand and his left hand sides (dyslexia).  

His friends (his mateys) help him "batten down the hatches" on his patience and to also learn how to know right from left through a coping mechanism.  (rev. VG)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience was given to us in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

Another Captain No Beard book reviewed here on Reader's Haven Reviews.

"The First Easter Day" by Jill Roman Lord & illustrated by Michelle Henninger

"The First Easter Day" is a delightful "touch-and-feel" board book for the very young child.  It is a light hearted introduction to the resurrection of Christ for younger children.

The child wonders "what I would have done if I had lived back then."  Written in rhyme each page features a critter - insect, frog, bunny, etc.  And each critter has a "touch-and-feel" spot on the page that engages the attention of the child.

"And if I'd been a bunny,
I'd have hopped with all my might,
rejoicing in the risen Lord
and showing my delight."

Author Jill Roman Lord has touched the heart of a child with sweet rhymes, and the illustrations by Michelle Henninger are soft, finely drawn, and very cheerful and pleasant.  Sure to capture the attention of the child. (rev. V.Godley)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of "The First Easter Day" was provided by CandyCane Press an imprint of Ideals Publications, A Guidepost Company in exchange of our honest review.  Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

"Nowhere to Run" by Amy Wallace

ISBN: 978-0-7369-4733-6

Review: Nowhere to Run by Amy Wallace begins with police officer Ashley Walters planning her wedding.  Among all the excitement, she cannot seem to shake the feeling that she is being watched.  She begins to receive gifts from an admirer.  At first she believes them to be from her fiancé, Patrick.  She finally realizes that they are from her stalker. 

Patrick and her best friend Margo come up with a plan to have her join friends in a small Mennonite community.  Ashley fights them but after Patrick is attacked she gives in to their request.  The police investigate many different leads but cannot find the stalker.  Ashley begins to believe that it is a fellow police officer.  She even feels threatened in the Indiana community that should be a safe haven. 

Ashley must face many fears.  She questions if God is able to protect her and her family and if she will ever be able to marry Patrick.  Nowhere to Run is an exciting book.  If you like thrillers, you will enjoy trying to figure out who the stalker could be.  This book is the second in the Place of Refuge series.  I look forward to the next book in this series. (rev. C.Ingram)

 SAMPLE CHAPTER

About the author: Amy Wallace is the author of the Place of Refuge series and the Defenders of Hope series. She is a homeschool mom, speaker, and self-confessed chocoholic. Amy is also a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books, including A Novel Idea: Best Advice on Writing Inspirational Fiction and God Answers Moms’ Prayers. She lives in Georgia. Amy Wallace's Website

DISCLOSURE:  A complimentary copy of Nowhere to Hide was provided by Harvest House Publishers in exchange for our honest review. Opinions are solely those of the reviewer.

"Exploring the Evidence for Creation" by Dr. Henry Morris III

ISBN: 978-0-7369-4721-3
$13.99 - Paperback

About the book:  In response to the growing number of Christians who attempt to wed evolutionary theories with the biblical account of creation, Morris ably demonstrates the two worldviews are entirely incompatible. In this survey of the evidence for creation he answers these crucial questions:

•     What does the natural world teach us about creation?
•     Can we observe evolution happening today?
•     Can we believe in a Creator and still be true to science?

Morris lays out evidence that is rational, scientific, and biblical. Readers will marvel as they discover the many ways that scientific research points, with stunning clarity, to a Creator and Designer whose glory is very much on display in the cosmos.
 
Review:  Although the book, Exploring the Evidence for Creation by Henry Morris III, can get tedious due to the
technical nature of the subjects covered, it contains excellent information on the creation-evolution
debate from a variety of sources. Dr. Morris compiles evidence gleaned from nearly four decades of
research by staff members of the Institute for Creation Research in the disciplines of Physical, Earth and Life Science. He begins the journey of Exploring the Evidence for Creation by offering evidences for God and evidence for absolute truth as the necessary foundation for science. Dr. Morris then highlights the complexities and dependencies of life on earth, and makes a reasoned argument that the unique location and suitability of our planet to sustain life could not possibly be a matter of chance happening. Like a trial lawyer, he presents a sound case for design by God and gives the reader ample resources to come to the conclusion that evolution could not have brought about life as we know it. He concludes the first part of the book by citing evidence for creation from the Scriptures themselves, highlighting the reliability and the historical and scientific accuracy of the Bible, and how the principles of God’s Word impact the wide-ranching functions of stewardship through God’s dominion mandate given to mankind.

The second half of the book focuses upon the critical nature of embracing recent creation as opposed to “old earth” theories that attempt to wed creation and evolution. Morris addresses suggested
alternatives to a six-day creation such as Theistic Evolution, Progressive Creation, The Day-Age Theory and The Gap Theory, and tells why Christians must take a stand on a literal interpretation of the inspired account of creation recorded in the book of Genesis. He then makes the case that science has not observed evolution of one kind into another kind in the past, nor does it observe this in the present even with the intervention of intentional, intelligent human manipulation. The concluding chapters of his book emphasize God’s character and purpose for all things and the critical nature of a biblical view of origin as it impacts all other Bible doctrine.

This book could serve as an excellent resource for students doing research on the hotly debated topic of creation/intelligent design/evolution. It gives a logical, objective defense of creation from a clearly
biblical worldview. (rev. B.La Tour)

About the author: Dr. Henry Morris III holds a DMin degree from Luther Rice Seminary and an MBA from Pepperdine University. A former college professor, business executive, and senior pastor, he is the author of seven books and a popular speaker. He serves as chief executive officer of the Institute for Creation Research in Dallas, Texas.

DISCLOSURE:  A complimentary review copy of Exploring the Evidence for Creation was provided to us by Harvest House Publishers for the purpose of our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

"The Scarecrow's Hat" Written & Illustrated by Ken Brown

ISBN:  9781561452408
$15.94 Hardcover

About the book: A resourceful chicken seeks the help of her farm animal friends to solve a problem, while giving something of herself along the way.

Chicken really admires Scarecrow's hat. Scarecrow would gladly trade his hat for a walking stick to rest his tired arms. Chicken doesn't have a walking stick to trade—but she knows someone who does. This begins her quest to find items to trade among her farm friends, all to obtain a walking stick to swap for Scarecrow's hat. But why does Chicken want an old straw hat?

This clever story written and illustrated by Ken Brown poses a problem and offers a creative solution that young children will delight in discovering. Brown's bright watercolors and gentle tone will keep readers captivated.

Review:  I love the illustrations in this book, especially the owl!  The details on these pages are beautiful. You have to look at them a couple of times to see everything  they encompass such as the spider web and the owl's hat.

Likewise, each time an item is mentioned, you look for it and aren't disappointed.  The eye-catching watercolors are beautifully done. (rev. M.Free, ACS Art Instructor)

I envision children sitting with their "reader" who reads bits of this delightful story about chicken needing/wanting the straw hat.  Each step of the story is page turning and will involve the child as the "reader" engages them to look for specifics on each page.  Good children's books involve the child in searching as well as listening to the story.  The child will search for delights on the pages as chicken continues to search for something to exchange for the straw hat. (rev. VG)

About the author: Ken Brown studied illustration at Birmingham Art College in England. Brown has served both as writer-illustrator and as illustrator for numerous children’s books, among them The Scarecrow's Hat; What's the Time, Grandma Wolf?; The Wolf Is Coming!; and Mucky Pup, which was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal in England. He lives with his wife, Ruth Brown, also a well-known children's illustrator, in England.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary review copy of The Scarecrow's Hat was provided by Peachtree Publishers in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviews.

"Dad, Jackie, and Me" by Myron Uhlberg and illustrated by Colin Bootman

• Hardcover: $16.95
• ISBN: 978-1-56145-329-0

Review: “Dad, Jackie, and Me”, written by Myron Uhlberg, weaves the story of Jackie Robinson with the story of a young boy with a Deaf father. I love the scrapbook pages that are reproduced as part of the inside cover. The story told through the eyes of the young boy reveal his excitement for the game of baseball and the history made by Jackie Robinson.

In the telling of the story the boy also reveals a small peek into the life of living with a Deaf father and how that impacts his life. At the end of the book there is an Author’s Note that sheds light on what parts of the story are factual.

The illustrations capture the action of the game as well as depicting the time period of the story. A study of the illustrations make you feel like you are involved in the story itself. This would make a good read aloud story for younger children as well as a read on your own for children interested in the life of Black Americans that made an impact in American History. (rev. C.Delorge)

Two awards have been given for this book.  "Teachers' Choices" An International Rading Association Project and "Schneider Family Book Award."

Author Myron Uhlberg is also author of the Printer which is in the ACS library, Flying Over Brooklyn, and Lemuel the Fool.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary review copy of Dad, Jackie, and Me was provided to us by Peachtree Publishers for the purpose of review. All opinions are solely those of the reviewer.