Book Review :: Giant Print Holy Bible, NIrV

The Giant Print Holy Bible, NIrV is a fantastic version of the Bible - perfect for any age. 

The Giant Print Holy Bible, NIrV is fairly simple - just the text of the NIrV in a single-column with giant (14-point) text and a couple basic helps at the back. Even with such simplicity, I find this to be one of the most versatile Bibles out there. It is not only perfect for beginning readers because of the large type and easy to understand text...it is also great for those who need larger text because they are advancing in age, for those who are reading the Bible for the first time, and for those who have English as their second language. The hardcover also has a cover image that will appeal to a wide audience (shown below).

At the back of the Giant Print Holy Bible, NIrV, you will find a 12 page "Dictionary" and a checklist of "150 Famous Bible Stories".

For our family, I think the Giant Print Holy Bible, NIrV will be most used by our new reader (6 years old) who has mentioned having difficulty with the small text size of other Bibles, but I wouldn't hesitate to give this Bible to anyone.
FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: The Big Pig Stampede by Bob Hartman

The Big Pig Stampede is the first novel in the Goat Boy Chronicles series written by Bob Hartman. It is written from the perspective of Gideon (aka - Goat Boy), the son of a man who runs a market stall. Gideon and his father travel around following the crowds (to maximize sales) - and the crowds are following Jesus. It ends up that Gideon and some of his friends ("Bug" and "Lump") often happen to be in the right place at the right time to witness many of Jesus' miracles. 

I enjoyed the writing style of The Big Pig Stampede - it was fun and easy to read. I think any young reader would enjoy reading The Big Pig Stampede.

FTC Declaration: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: The Plans I Have For You by Amy Parker, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

The Plans I Have For You is a cute book by Amy Parker and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton based on the popular verse Jeremiah 29:11. It is a hardcover book with a dust jacket. (Both the hardcover and the dust jacket have the same design.)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you a hope and a future."

- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

The first thing that drew my eye to this book was the adorable illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. The cover illustration drew me in, and the interior pages did not disappoint. Each 2-page spread is large, colorful, and playful. 

The book is written (in rhyme) as if God is speaking directly to you, the reader (or listener). It is meant to be an encouraging and inspiring book for 4-8 year olds, and I think it does a good job of it. (I might say the age range is more like 3-7 or so, though.)

The Plans I Have For You is deserving of a cozy spot on any family's bookshelf.

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Ladies' Night Out {The Twinery}

It's Ladies' Night Out...and you're invited!

This week over on The Twinery blog, we've got some fun ideas just for the ladies - starting with these free printable invitations. 

I created these invitations to coordinate with The Twinery's Caribbean and Strawberry twines (Pink Sorbet would work well, too!) - but feel free to use your imagination! They are also sized so that you can add them to your pocket scrapbook pages. 

Quick, easy, and sure to start your night of FUN off right!

Enjoy!

Supplies: 
Twine: The Twinery (Caribbean, Strawberry); 
Other: Tifany DeGough/Ink Blots by TRD (Ladies' Night Printable);
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 110#);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors, 1/8" Circle Hand Punch); We R Memory Keepers (Corner Chomper - Deco & Stub);

Book Review :: The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival by Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears books are instant classics, as far as I am concerned. These are books that I grew up reading and the new books in the collection (even though they are written by Mike Berenstain rather than Stan and Jan Berenstain), keep in line with the Berenstain legacy. The Berenstain Bears books are books that exemplify moral character, and I appreciate that. 

The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival is the newest of The Berenstain Bears books.

In The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival, the bears go to Farmer Ben's farm for a harvest festival. They pick apples, pick pumpkins, and go on a hay ride. Through it all, the focus is on giving thanks to God for food and nature.

The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival is another great addition to The Berenstain Bears books...and a great addition to any family bookshelf.

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones by Jan and Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones is a new padded hardcover board book containing some Bible stories done in classic Berenstain style.

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones contains 4 Old Testament stories and 4 New Testament stories:

- Creation (Genesis 1) - 4 pages

- Noah Builds an Ark for God (Genesis 6) - 4 pages

- David Meets Goliath (1 Samuel 17) - 2 pages

- Daniel in the Lions' Den (Daniel 6) - 4 pages

- The Birth of Jesus (Luke 1) - 4 pages

- The Good Neighbor (Luke 10) - 4 pages

- Jesus in Jerusalem (Matthew 20) - 4 pages

- He is Risen! (Matthew 28) - 4 pages

If you are looking for a storybook Bible for a little one and love the Berenstain Bears, be sure to check out The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones.

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Christmas in September {Unity Stamp Company}

I am thrilled to be able to sneak into this week's Unity blog hop!
Although I am not technically a part of the Unity Design Team, I am one of Unity's Artists...so I was able to squeeze my way in. :o)

I am excited to share my projects with you today! To create them, I used two new stamp kits (Reason for the Season and Little North Pole) that I created for Unity Stamp Company:

{Reason for the Season}

{Little North Pole}

The first few projects are created using the Little North Pole kit:

And these cards are created using the Reason for the Season kit:

I hope you love these little cuties! I had fun creating them!

Unity is giving away two great prize packages!
There are two ways to enter to win:

• Link up your Unity project by Wednesday night. (The linky closes at midnight CST.)
• Leave a comment on each blog in the hop. 

(The winners will be announced on the Unity blog.)

Continue hopping on through to the Unity blog, and then go shopping!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Supplies:
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Reason for the Season, Little North Pole); 
Cardstock: Discount Cardstock (Brilliant White 110#);
Patterned Paper: Studio Calico (Brighton Pier 6x6 - green and white triangle); Studio Calico (Wanderlust 6x6 - red and white scribble); Echo Park (Sweet Girl - Border Strips);
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Maraschino, Solid Honeydew, Solid Peapod, Solid Lilac);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board);

Book Review :: The Beginner’s Bible Wild About Creation Sticker And Activity Book by Kelly Pulley

The Beginner’s Bible Wild About Creation Sticker And Activity Book is a 16 page activity book with an insert of over 50 reusable stickers. The pages in this activity book are full-color (with the exceptions of the images that are intended to be colored in by the child). (These are not typical newsprint paper pages that you would find in regular coloring books.)

I would say this would work best for 4-6 year olds. There are a range of activities such as:

• basic coloring
• tracing basic shapes/letters
• connect-the-dots (numbers 1-12)
• a simple maze
• matching stickers to the outlines on the pages
• decoding a secret message
• a simple word search

The pages in The Beginner’s Bible Wild About Creation Sticker And Activity Book each have a different theme, following the story of creation. 

I was very impressed at what you can get for under $4 retail. The full-color pages are fun to look at even without the activities, and the activities and stickers just add to the fun. I think that The Beginner’s Bible Wild About Creation Sticker And Activity Book is a great value. 

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: Say & Pray Bible: First Words, Stories, and Prayers by Diane Stortz, illustrated by Sarah Ward

The Say & Pray Bible is a cute choice for a first Bible book for your little one. The Say & Pray Bible is a padded hardcover board book, with cute illustrations in a gentle color palette. There are 20 page openings (for a total of 40 pages) that each have: a title, a very short "story" (about 2-3 sentences), a verse (from either ESV, ICB, or NLT), a short prayer, and several first words.

I love the combination of the Bible stories, simple prayers, and words in the Say & Pray Bible. It brings all the main things you would want in a children's book together in one place. I think it is a great option for your little one's bookshelf. 

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.