Step by Step (Crisis Team) by Candace Calvert

About the book: Three years after a tragic accident left her a widow, ER nurse Taylor Cabot is determine to move on, checking off one item on her Survival List after another.  Her relationship with a handsome plastic surgeon even gives her hope for the last point – “fall in love again.”  At least until crisis chaplain Seth Donovan steps back into her life, reawakening unanswered questions about her husband’s death.

While in San Diego to train community volunteers, Seth hopes to learn why Taylor is backing away from the crisis team and from their friendship.  But nothing prepares him for the feelings that arise when he sees Taylor again…and sees her moving on with another man.

When a community crisis hits home and puts lives at risk, emotions run high and buried truths are unearthed.  Will hope make the Survival List?

Review: Step by Step is the second book in the Crisis Team series written by Candace Calvert.

When I started reading this book, I did not realize this was a series, much less the second book in that particular series.  However that did not keep me from enjoying this book.  The characters are easy to like or dislike and the story line is not too challenging to follow.

Candace Calvert knows “her stuff” when it comes to writing medical mysteries and Step by Step does not disappoint.  Good, clean fiction books are getting harder and harder to find.  Candace Calvert is an author you can depend upon to give you good characters and good story lines; and when an author also includes in her writings the underlying note that ultimately God is in control, then that is a win-win all around and Step by Step falls in this win-win category. (rev. P.Howard)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the author to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

The Story of the Nativity retold by Elena Pasquali and illustrated by Sophie Windham

• ISBN-13: 978-0745965413
• Hardcover $16.99

No doubt the Nativity Story is one of the greatest true stories ever told and generally one that is easily retold and enjoyed.  However, I absolutely did not like this particular re-telling of the Nativity Story.  To be more definitive, the illustrations used to re-tell the story I immensely dislike.  They feel very depressing and the illustrator has included these strange looking cats in most of the pictures.  The drawing that I dislike the most however is the one at the very end of the book that is apparently her thought of how Christ looked as a young boy.  It has a very effeminate and unreal look.  While we cannot know exactly what Christ did look like, I don’t believe he looked like a girl!

“The Story of the Nativity” has no obvious errors as retold, it most definitely is not a re-telling that I enjoyed.  There are other books that have done a far better job in both the story line and the illustrations and would be a better investment of both your money and time. (rev. P.Howard)

Win or Lose, I Love You! By: Lysa TerKeurst Illustrated By: Jana Christy

Win or Lose – I Love You! By Lysa TerKeurst (illustrated by Jana Christy)

ISBN-13: 9780529104007

About the book:  Win or lose, one thing that’s true…No matter what, I love you! Competition can bring out the worst in us, but it can also be an opportunity to learn impactful life lessons.  That’s why it’s so important for kids to understand how to handle winning and losing?  Join Lulu and Max as they help Bear-Bear, Goosey, Coyote, and the rest of their animal friends in the Field Day contests to determine who will be the leader of Lulu’s forest.  But as the animals soon find out, not everyone can win.  Sore losers, unkind winners, flaring tempers, and a few tears are taking the fun straight out of Field Day!

Review:  The thing I liked most about this book is the little phrase – “Win or Lose, I Love You!”  The illustrations are very nice and I do like the look of water color to the pages.  The topic of the book is a much needed one.  Teaching our children that it’s not about winning or losing, but that it’s about how our attitude shows itself in winning or losing is something that every parent, grandparent, or educator has a responsibility to do.  We have to look for the opportunity and this book can help in that area.  If instilled in our children when they are young, it definitely makes it easier to address as they grow.  I appreciate the verses at the back of the book that will certainly help in teaching what God says about winning and losing and how we are to react.  In my opinion, this book is geared toward 1st grade and up.  While we need to be teaching our children how to win or lose gracefully long before 1st grade, the book is too long for most toddlers to sit through.

Again, my favorite part of this book is….  “You may not win, but you must try. Sometimes you’ll lose, but there’s no need to cry. Win or lose, one thing that’s true..No matter what, I love you!”

DISCLOSURE: We received a complimentary copy from BookLook to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

Thank You,Lord,for Everything by P.J. Lyons – illustrated by Tim Warnes

Love surrounds you beauty, too.

Notice how God blesses you!

Clap your hands, shout and sing:

“Thank you, Lord, for everything!”

Thank You, Lord, For Everything is a sweet and gentle rhyme – perfect for bedtime, quiet time, and anytime in between

Review:  What a wonderful little book!!  With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, this short story is a pleasant reminder that we should be grateful, thankful, for the very simple things of life.  The sing-song, rhyming tempo of the book is one of my favorite styles for children.  I love the way each page ends with the title of the book and encourages you to be dramatic and have fun while reading to your children.

The illustrations are charming and  with a very soft water-color effect.  The characters are drawn with such sweetness and are entirely appropriate for children of all ages.  The construction of the book is thick cardboard and should hold up to many readings.

At this time of year, the holiday Thanksgiving seems to disappear in the onslaught of Christmas commercialism.   This sweet little book is a gentle reminder that we absolutely do have much to be thankful for and it is our responsibility to teach and show our children that it’s more of who you have in your life than what.  “Thank You, Lord, For Everything” would make a great addition to your children’s library! (rev. P.Howard)

DISCLOSURE: We received this book from BookLook book review program to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer only. We received no compensation to review this book.

Animal Mouths by Mary Holland

Ages 4-8, Grades K-3

Hardcover $17.95

Paperback $9.95

About the book: What are some things we can learn about animals from the shape of their mouths, beaks, or bills? What can we infer about animals with sharp teeth compared to large, flat teeth? Are there any animals that don’t have mouths? In this second book of her “Animal Anatomy and Adaptation” series, award-winning nature photographer and environmental educator Mary Holland shares fascinating animal mouths with readers of all ages.

My thoughts: This is a lovely book that is packed with beautiful, engaging photographs of a variety of animals, insects, and creatures showcasing how their mouths are designed and work for the way each critter uses the mouth to eat, catch prey, and simply exist. Whether for capturing, crushing, spearing, chewing, tearing, or cutting the animals, plants, opponents each mouth is specifically and wonderfully designed for what that animal needs.

Children will love the pictures. Teachers in regular schools or in homeschools will love the educational text written so these young learners can enjoy and become engaged as they learn about Animal Mouths. The additional information is very good providing opportunities for further exploration of how mouths work and opportunities to stretch the minds a little.

Animals in the book:   caterpillar, chipmunk, evening grosbeak, frog, great egret, human, luna moth, monarch, opossum, porcupine, red-shouldered hawk, robber fly, snake, turtle, weasel

Arbordale again brings engaging learning to the child in a way that each child will enjoy learning their "science" lessons. In the back of the book is the "For Creative Minds" section. Here is a link so you can see how super it is. There is also a wealth of information on the book's webpage to aid in learning.

Author/illustrator Mary Holland is a naturalist, nature photographer, columnist, and award-winning author with a life-long passion for natural history. After graduating from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources, Mary worked as a naturalist at the Museum of the Hudson Highlands in New York state, directed the state-wide Environmental Learning for the Future program for the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, worked as a resource naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, and designed and presented her own “Knee-High Nature Programs” for libraries and elementary schools throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. In addition to Animal Eyes her children’s books include A Beaver’s Busy Year and Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer (NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books, Moonbeam Bronze award) with Arbordale and Milkweed Visitors, (Science Books and Films’ list for the best books of 2006 in the category Children’s Books under Zoological Sciences). Mary’s book Naturally Curious: a Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey Through the Fields, Woods and Marshes of New England won the 2011 National Outdoor Book Award for the Nature Guidebook category. Visit Mary’s blog at naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. No compensation was received and these are my personal opinions.

Say & Pray Bible: First Words, Stories, and Prayers by Diane Stortz; Illustrated by Sarah Ward

About the book: Say and pray the Bible with your little Ones!  Curl up together and experience the Bible in a fresh, new way.  Young children will enjoy pointing to and naming objects on each page for early learning.  Most important, they’ll discover favorite, age-appropriate Bible stories, with Scripture verses and short prayers that also hide God’s Word in young hearts.

Review:   “Say & Pray”  is a very cute beginner’s Bible for toddlers.  It has a total of 20 stories in the book:  10 from the Old Testament and 10 from the New Testament.  All of the stories should be familiar to anyone who has spent much time in Sunday School or youth group – Creation, Noah & the Ark, Joseph & his coat of many colors are just a few from the Old Testament.  Some from the New Testament are the Birth of Jesus, the Good Samaritan, and Jesus’ Resurrection.

The illustrations are nice and child-like.  I like the “word balloons” with single words describing animals, objects, & people.  This point-and-say method is very easy for a toddler to grasp.  The actual construction of the book is quite nice as well.  The pages are thick cardboard and easy to turn.

“Say & Pray Bible” would make a nice gift for new parents and great introduction to Bible for toddlers. (rev. P.Howard)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of the publisher, Thomas Nelson. Opinions are those of the reviewer and no compensation was received for this review.

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli; Illustrated by Archie Preston

About the book:  “Thankful” – Like the gardener, thankful for every green sprout, and the fireman for putting the fire out.  There are everyday blessings , you don’t need to look far, to know at a glance how special you are.  Beloved children’s author Eileen Spinelli and illustrator Archie Preston inspire children of all ages with “Thankful” a whimsical picture book that celebrates the everyday blessings we find in our lives.
 
Review:  I really like this book.  It is described as whimsical and that is exactly right. The whole book is written like a rhyme, which I find very enjoyable when reading to children.  As I was reading it, my granddaughter immediately came to mind and how she “pretends play.”  Just as a child’s imagination jumps from here to there, this book encourages that same imagination – From a waitress being thankful “for comfortable shoes” to a “local reporter for interesting news;”  then to “the chef is thankful for plates licked clean; the tailor, for her sewing machine.”   Even though this book can and does encourage imagination, it does an even better job of helping us teach our children to be thankful!  Being thankful is absolutely something that has to be taught and must begin at the earliest age possible. 

The illustrations of this book are beautiful.  I like the simplicity and the water color effect on all the pages.  The illustrator has chosen to center the author’s wonderful words around a family – father, mother, brother, and sister.   This is great because, again, teaching someone to be thankful begins at home!

“Thankful” is a wonderful book to have in your children’s library and one that you easily can read daily to your children!  I will be adding this to my collection!! (rev. P.Howard)


DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of Zondervan to facilitate this review. Opinions as those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.