Three Cups: A Children’s Review

This Christmas, I received a Kindle Fire.  It has been a handy little gadget, providing hours of entertainment during my month of sickness.

(I discovered I have bronchitis, by the way.)

The one thing that I have had some difficulty finding (on my Kindle) are free children’s books.  So I was super excited to review Three Cups by Tony Townsley with Mark St. Germain via my Kindle . . . thanks Book Sneeze!  (By the way, the book was only free because I am reviewing it.)

I’m embarrassed to say that we have yet to do much instruction with the children on the concept of tithing, saving, and spending.  So this book was a welcome introduction into the world of Godly finances. 

The concept is simple.  It introduces the idea of a weekly allowance followed by placing three cups out with a label on each cup:  give, save, spend.  The allowance is divided right away . . . making sure that your child learns to give back first. 

Of course, it could be expanded upon . . . but that is what Dave Ramsey is for.  {Smiles.}

So, if you want to dip your feet into this VERY important idol topic I highly recommend this book.  You don’t have to view it on Kindle . . . it does come in hardback. 

God Gave Us the World: A Review

God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren was already one of our favorite books.  An heirloom book.  A book that won’t end up in a Goodwill pile, or Paperback Swap, or a garage sale.  God Gave Us the World ($8.79) has recently joined the heirloom pile. 

Once again through the sweet dialogue of Little Cub and Mama Bear, a child gently learns big spiritual concepts such as the purpose and plan God has for our world, how much God loves us, how the world reflects God’s handiwork, and God’s creativity as seen by the variety of species of bears. 

My favorite quote from the book that I will leave with you,

“We love what we know because it’s home to us. 

Every bear has a special place in God’s great big world.”

This is a book that has the potential to spark many important big picture conversations.

(I was provided his book for review purposes to for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in partnership with MamaBzz. I do not have to return the book.)

The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari: A Review

The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari ,by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline A. Denmark, is a child’s story that should be read with a British accent.  Silly names accompany this tale about a dragon, named Padraig, and a turtle, named Roger.  They are camping at the base of Mount Sillymanborrow.  Throughout the night they are frightened by various animal noises and desire to return home. 

I have an imagination.  However, I struggled to read this book enthusiastically to my children as I found the dialogue forced and unrealistic for even a child’s tale.  As I understand it, this is a story parents can use to teach their children about trusting God when they are scared.  However, this gigantic leap is only made on the very last page which features Bible verse, Deuteronomy 31:6,

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. . . . God goes with you; he will never leave you.

Yet not once throughout the book do we see Padraig or Roger invite God to help them with their apprehension.  They rely on each other (which has some merit) and eventually return to their house as dawn breaks, having thus achieved their goal of braving night camping.  They feel successful.

This reader, however, finds their accomplishment meaningless.

Do my kids like the book?  Yes. 

But I would wager that if they were to backpack up into the Colorado Rockies with their mom and dad and hear coyote howls ricocheting the surrounding rock wall, they too might find Padraig and Roger spineless.

If you would like to win this book, head on over to my bloggy friend’s giveaway at The Munchkin Farm!  She has a different opinion of the book – so don’t just take my word for it! 

I am sure that you can tell I gave my honest opinion that wasn’t paid.  Please remember it is rare that I give a thumbs down on a product I review.  I don’t opt to review something that I feel I won’t like.  The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari was provided to me for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in partnership with MamaBzz.  It can be purchased for $8.63 here.

God Loves Me More Than That: A Review

The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son . . .  (John 3:16) and 1 John 3:16 reinforces God’s love for us by stating, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”

As an adult, I find it hard (sometimes) to grasp the love that God has for me.  So if I, who have been loving Jesus for 16+ years now, struggle to wrap my mind around God’s abounding love, I would wager that to some degree it is a little hard for a kid to picture the unseen magnificent Almighty loving them.

Or maybe not.

They still have one of God’s greatest gifts – an imagination for the unseen.

So whether you or your child struggle with grasping the concept that God loves you, I invite you to read  God Loves Me More Than That by Dandi Daley Mackall and illustrated by David Hohn, to usher your imagination into the reality that God loves you very much.  The book is especially appealing to boys as it features a young lad who hops through the pages discovering that through God’s creation he can know

that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3: 17,18)

A special thanks to Waterbrook Press for allowing me to review this book.  I was not paid for this post, nor do I have to return the item.