Coloring Book Review // Picturing Heaven

Hello, everyone! It's been a while, but I'm back with a post about this beautiful coloring book for adults - Picturing Heaven, based on Randy Alcorn's book Heaven.

Besides pretty coloring pages, this coloring book also includes a devotion and Bible verse with each coloring page. The devotions read more like personal thoughts about heaven rather than an actual morning devo, but they were good nonetheless. The coloring pages themselves are very lovely with lots of intricate designs to color in.

Personally, I didn't like the extra gold details on each coloring page, but my sister did. It's just a personal preference, though I feel it hindered the way I would want to color in the pages since it was partially colored in already.

Overall, I found this coloring book very pretty, and relaxing to color in - a nice, reflective way to spend the morning or afternoon.

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review // Dorian The Daring

This book review is long overdue, despite my excitement to write it. I received this book a while ago for free from the authoress in exchange for my honest review. So, without any further delay, here is my review!

Dorian The Daring is an adventure novel set in medieval time, and is written by Camille Esther. The story follows a young man, Dorian, who discovers that he is not, as he believed, a noblewoman's son but the son of an impoverished villager. After a two-faced friend of his nobleman father gets him turned out of his grand home, Dorian sets out to find his true family and stumbles across some startling discoveries - including the fact that someone wants him dead.

Dorian The Daring was all in all a fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed how well the authoress developed the characters and the plot. Every new chapter - sometimes even the next page! - brought something new and exciting to the story. At times, however, it seemed that Dorian escaped dangerous ordeals too easily. However, that is my only negative feedback for the story. This book is not your average "brave prince saves the damsel in distress and lives happily ever after" medieval story. Dorian has many doubts and fears, and fights with his thoughts all throughout his journey. With would-be assassins and other dangers hiding in every shadow, he is always looking over his shoulder, thinking twice, trying to protect his newfound family from the evil plot he has discovered. With each new danger he faces, Dorian comes closer to uncovering the truth and realizes what he must do to set everything right.

Dorian The Daring is a book I would recommend to anyone looking for an adventurous tale!

Book Review: Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Today's book review is from my Mom, Amy from Raising Arrows.

A book like Bible Promises for Parents of Children with Special Needs would be a perfect gift for a mom with a baby in NICU, or a mom with a child who has a condition that makes normal feel like a foreign word.  

As a mom who has a daughter with a syndrome that will affect the rest of her life, I appreciate being able to flip through by topic and find Scriptural answers to exactly what I am feeling.  Everything from finances to accepting the diagnosis to dealing with the loneliness of being a mom with a child who isn't quite "normal" is addressed in this small purse-sized book.

It answers the hard questions of raising a special needs child with grace, mercy, and God's Word.  It is exactly what every mom walking this road needs in her arsenal of encouragement.

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review: Different

Hi, everyone! Today I'm reviewing a great book called Different.

Although I love to read, there aren't many books that leave me feeling the way this book did. After I finished the very last page, I wished there was more. I felt encouraged and empowered.

As some of you may know faith does not always come easily to me. I've always had a lot of questions about a lot of things, including faith. Part of that is because I have something called Aspergers, which means I'm basically high-functioning autistic. I've never felt degraded by Aspergers, but that doesn't mean it's easy being an Aspie. I deal with things like being socially awkward and having sensory processing issues, and I also have a hard time understanding faith. I tend to feel disconnected during worship, and sermons can be difficult for me to wrap my mind around.

But this book has helped me with some of that.

Different is written by Sally and Nathan Clarkson. Nathan has OCD and a few other diagnoses that make him, well, different. He sees the world in his own unique way - which sometimes makes him misunderstood by others. However, through all the highs and lows, he and his mom have believed that his differences are all a part of what could build him up.

What I like most about Different:

1.  It's easy to read. There's no 'Christianese' (I've never been able to understand those types of phrases) or long chapters. Each chapter is divided into a section written by Nathan and a section written by Sally. It's a super quick read (so quick it left me wishing there was more).

2. It's not about how to "fix" a person who is "different." It doesn't talk about all the things that are wrong about OCD or ADD or ADHD. Rather, this books is a compilation of personal stories (and pencil sketches drawn by Nathan) that share what it's like to be different and how Nathan and Sally have grown closer to God because of it.

3. This book does not condone hiding behind a diagnosis. It's not about making excuses for mistakes you've made or the way you live your life just because you have a "problem." Nathan and Sally encourage you to believe in your (or your child's) potential. They have a calling to be a hero in their own way.

I am beyond elated that I came across this book. Different has not only inspired me in ways I'd never felt before - it has also taught me that being different is 

If you or your child is out-of-the-box, and you want to be encouraged and uplifted, read this book! You won't regret it! No matter how different you are, you can still dare to make your story a great one.

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review: Hidden In My Heart Scripture Memory Bible

Hi, everyone! I'm back with another awesome book to review!

Recently, I had the chance to review the Hidden In My Heart Scripture Memory Bible, and it is amazing! It's not your usual Scripture memory Bible - it's better!

With this Bible, you get access to free songs that use memory verses as the lyrics. Studies have shown that music aids in memorization (which is why you'll never forget the Kit Kat song or Jesus Loves Me), and memory verse songs are a fun way to encourage memorization.

The text is very easy to read, and memory verses are highlighted in special sections. Each section contains a memory verse in 3 translations (NLT, KJV and NIV) for various ways of memorizing them.

My favorite part of the Memory Bible is the thematic memory verse plans. This section provides a list of verses to guide you in memorizing verses based on a theme, such as peace, joy, and hope.

The only disappointment I have with it? Most of the memory songs do not have the contemporary sound I like. They're more written for children ages 6-10. If they were a bit more like the contemporary worship music I listen to, I would definitely be more prompted to memorize the verses that way.

All in all, this Scripture Memory Bible is perfect for any age, and is a wonderful prompt for easy Bible verse memorization. I would definitely recommend this Memory Bible!

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review: Can I Really Know Jesus?

Happy Fall, everyone! Today I am reviewing a book called "Can I Really Know Jesus?" This book is full of questions and answers (101, to be exact) regarding a relationship with Jesus.

I jumped at the chance to review this book because faith does not always come easily to me, and I am naturally curious about a lot of things, especially regarding faith. I'm the kind of person who has a lot of questions about a lot of things, and this book helped to answer quite a few of my faith-related questions. One thing that really stood out to me is that the authoress does not answer questions through pure speculation. Each answer is based on Scripture and history.

The book features whimsical artwork which subtly decorates each page, and the text is easy to read. No flowery language or hard-to-understand theological wording. The book is divided into three topics - Jesus, Salvation and Prayer - and answers questions related to those topics. Each page ends in a Bible verse relating to each question and answer. Questions range from "Is Christmas Day really Jesus' birthday?" to "Is Jesus mentioned in the Old Testament?" to "How can I be sure I'm saved?"

It was a quick read - very short pages that left me feeling like I could read another...and another...and another. In no time at all, I had read the book from cover to cover. It's a book that can be flipped through to find an answer to a certain question, but it's so full of information that it can be read page-by-page in order.

All in all, "Can I Really Know Jesus?" is a great read for Christians who are curious and searching for answers, and I can see it being a great book for new believers. If you're looking for a book to strengthen your faith, this book is for you!

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review: Gratitude - A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal

Hey, all! I'm super excited to tell you about this beautiful book - the Gratitude Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal!

Teen/Adult coloring books are rising in popularity, and this one is simply stunning. From the Living Expressions Collection, the Gratitude coloring journal is page after page of lovely designs and Scripture to color through. There are blank pages with instructions to draw a certain feeling, memory, or passion. The journaling part comes in with lines for you to write on about prayer requests and praise items (and these pages are surrounded by even more designs to color!). It's peace, quiet and time with God, all wrapped up in one coloring book.

The journal is small enough to fit in a purse for road trips or lunch breaks or just about anywhere else you'd want to color! Scripture verses and motivational words on nearly every page are typed in pretty fonts that add an extra dimension to each picture. This book is full of inspiration and designs to spark one's creativity, and I can't wait to get out my pens and color in this book again!

I hope you will check out the Gratitude Coloring Journal and be as motivated by it as I am! It's a wonderful way to grow closer to God, one coloring page at a time.

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review: Brave Enough

Hi, all! Today I am reviewing a book by Nicole Unice, Brave Enough.

Brave Enough is a book about courage. Or, rather, having just enough courage to be yourself, to follow God and do what He asks of you. Not brave like the heroes in the movies, but brave enough.

The book reminds me of the song "Brave" by Moriah Peters, where she says "I know I'm no superwoman/But impossible is possible with You." It's all about the fact that, while we're not always brave and confident by ourselves, with God we can be a little brave and do somewhat small, yet daunting, tasks and work our way up to being just a little braver, then a little more, and a little more...

I'm not an exceptionally outgoing person, so this book was encouraging since the author doesn't have a "Become Super Brave In 10 Days Or Less" approach. It's just a simple calling to not be afraid to be a little brave. The book is full of real-life stories from the author and her friends, which she uses to emphasize certain truths about bravery and trusting God. And at the end of the book, there are pages full of Bible verses about courage. I like that verses are also spread throughout the book, and she explains how each verse can draw us closer to being brave enough.

The one "problem" I had with the book was that the chapters seemed a bit long. While a very good read, I had trouble reading an entire chapter in one sitting.

What I took away from Brave Enough is that there is no such thing as a perfect life, that I can't do everything by myself, and that bravery can be quiet and a little - just enough - bravery is sometimes all you need.

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Book Review ~ Surprise at Yorktown

Hey, everyone!  I'm so excited to share my review for the 15th book in Adventures In Odyssey's Imagination Station series: Surprise At Yorktown.

Surprise At Yorktown is set in the Revolutionary War in 1781.  Cousins Beth and Patrick are on a quest in the Imagination Station, and find themselves on a dangerous mission to warn General George Washington of the British general's plan to win the war.  They question who to trust as they rush to save the country from the British.

As with all the books in the Imagination Station series, I found this book interesting, humorous and fast-paced.  Everything is so well-described so that you can almost see and feel the story around you.  In every AIO book, there is a secret word puzzle, and the answer can be used to win a prize.  The puzzles are easy and fun to complete, and many involve remembering parts of the book to decode them.

My siblings who also read the book said it was "pretty funny" and "historical," although my little sister said that it wasn't as good as the previous books.  I like that the book created some suspense with one of the characters.  James Armistead, a shadowy man who constantly crosses paths with Beth and Patrick, continues to confuse them.  Can they trust him, or is he a spy for the British?  This is one of the suspenseful questions that led me to continue turning the pages of Surprise At Yorktown until, finally, the truth was revealed.

Surprise At Yorktown was a fun read, and I believe any child who reads it will think so too!

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.)

Hunt For The Devil's Dragon {Book Review}

Hunt For The Devil's Dragon is the eleventh book in the Imagination Station series about two cousins named Patrick and Beth who travel into the past and arrive in Libya in a special time machine, the Imagination Station.  During their adventure, they become friends with a boy named Hazi, his sister Sabra, and their father.  The villagers think their town is being attacked by a dragon sent by the devil, and so believe they have to sacrifice someone from the village to please it.  When Beth and Sabra are chosen, Hazi and Patrick find help from a Christian Roman soldier named Georgius.  A mix of fantasy and history, I would recommend this exciting book to anyone looking for a fun children's story.

When I saw this Imagination Station book was up for review from Tyndale, I was very excited.  My family owns all the books in this series before Hunt For The Devil's Dragon.  The younger kids in my family enjoy having the books read to them, especially when a special friend of ours comes over.  He reads to them with different voices for each character in the books.  Hunt For The Devil's Dragon was all about separating superstition from truth,  with different twists to leave you on the edge of your seat until the next chapter began a new cliff-hanger.  The excitement flooded the pages while I read this book to my siblings.  They huddled around me on the couch, and didn't want me to stop!  The words are easy to read, making it a good choice for little kids learning how to read slightly more advanced books.  This book is just as good as the ones before it.  You won't go wrong in buying it for your children!

I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The One Year Father-Daughter Devotions

 

      The One Year Father-Daughter Devotions is a day-by-day book designed to keep the relationship of a Dad and his daughter close and special as the daughter becomes a young lady. It includes a movie night guide in the back, "On this day" devotionals, and true stories of various individuals. At the end of each devotional, there is a "What's The Word?" with the Bible verse pertaining to that day's devotional. From topics about computers to Olympic sports, it is very informational.

      I enjoyed this Devotional because I learned about many different things from this book, including care packs and adoption.  I liked the history behind some of the devotionals, and some of the stories were downright funny (thieves' antics, translation mess-ups, etc).  The topics of World War II, music, and the Olympics were very enthralling for me. 

I wasn't impressed with the movie guide because it had movies I have never heard of and some I don't watch. The devotional seemed more public-school centered, and I am home-schooled. There seemed to be a lot of  Bible versions which left me wondering why they couldn't just stay with one version instead of a whole bunch.  The confusion of which version this verse or that verse was from led us to using our own Bibles.

Here is my Dad's view of the Devotional: 
I would like to see more scripture with each entry that would assist with the context. I prefer us to look the scripture up in the Bible rather than read from the devotion because it seems to paraphrased. I like the content of the daily readings which includes some interesting tidbits of history. The length is appropriate for the daily readings. I enjoy being purposeful about our devotion time, and we have easily adapted it to read with our entire family in the evenings.

This is my first review as a Tyndale Blog Network blogger. I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers  in exchange for my honest review.