The Quiet (Crazy) Easter Day

I love these padded books. They are sturdy like board books yet have good story like a picture book.

And this is one that we enjoyed so much!

So as you can see its bright and colorful, which will hold any toddler or preschooler’s attention.

I like the story because it incorporates animal sounds which encourages my little audience to join in the story. They often get a good laugh from me making the animal noises as I read the book. And there’s almost a request for an encore performance. It’s a fun book to read to little ones who may not yet understand the full impact of the resurrection, but this book is a gentle introduction to our savior’s story. (They also have one about Jesus’ birth which is just as fun and colorful and full of animal noises to act out). 

I really like that this book takes the perspective that perhaps the animals were excited or maybe they somehow understood what was going on. And even if they did not, perhaps they were excited for God. As the Bible says that everything that has breathe worships Him, all creation worships Him. And animals are just as much God’s creation as I am. And they aren’t biased like humans are. So surely they worship God as a default. Their very existence is worship. And during those days, those who were sacrificed worshipped God in their death as well.

As always I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my HONEST opinion. And I am not required to write a positive opinion.

New Review: Play to Their Strength

So our next book is a parenting book. I'm almost always up for reading someone else's take on parenting because as parents we don't know it all. And if someone has advice that can make me a better, more God-honouring parent then I'm all ears.

From the cover, this one promises both.

So in this book, we meet parents who have got it wrong then strove on how to get it right.  Their goal is to not parent from a place of fear but one of working to uncover what their children's gifts and talents are, then parent their children in such a way that nurtures those gifts and talents. Some practical tools they offer are to find the 5 e's (your child's enthusiasm, ease, excellence, energy, and enjoyment) regarding what your children are involved in; creating a vision board, which works with children the same way it does us, adults; and keeping an eye out for red flags that trigger frustration and keep parents from reacting and disciplining out of anger.

Then the last 80 pages of the book is the Bonus Playbook which helps parents actually used what they've read. There are practical tips to go with every chapter.

This book has been an interesting book to read, especially since we have five (5) children that span in an age range from 1 to 12. For me, Chapters 12 and 13 have been the most useful and implementor. I see this book as an ongoing reference book that would get a reread every so often for recharge. But all in all, I like their approach to parenting, its encouragement and cultivation at its best.

I also like that they encourage really learning our children and not taking the approach that we know them because we birthed them.

I definitely recommend this book to parents. 

{Also, please note that I received this book from the publisher, Harvest House, in exchange for my honest opinion.}

New from Veggie Tales & Jelly Telly!

So you guys know I am always on the hunt for the great homeschooling and learning tools to use with my children and Veggie Tales' new imprint Jelly Telly has released SIX new items this January!!

There are FOUR board books:

1. God Made the World
2. God Made Me
3. God Made Night & Day
4. God Made the Animals

Check out this video!

That actually tell an interesting story, featuring brothers Clive and Ian, and explain to children about creation. We love these books. They are board books, so no worries about ripped pages. They are bright and colorful. They are biblical. From the 2-year-old to the 7-year-old, we enjoy reading them.

Then, there are the Old Testament & New Testament Coloring books. 

• Buck Denver's Bible Coloring Book Old Testament Stories
• Buck Denver's Bible Coloring Book New Testament Stories

My kids LOVE them! There are 60 pages in each book. And the pages are perforated which is awesome since we have 4 kids who often want to color the same thing, I can neatly take the page out and make copies of it. And voila! Everyone can color the same page without any arguing over the page.

What's also awesome is that Jelly Telly is this amazing kids resource that's like a biblical Netflix just for kids. It's about $5 a month or $50 a year. They have access to over 122 shows and movies that are bible based and created specifically FOR children.

After perusing their online store, I realize I cannot wait to order some of their resources, they have a complete bible series called What's in the Bible that goes with the coloring books I received. They also have Bible curriculum which is great for churches' children's ministries and homeschoolers, like us. You can also buy toys and games as well as VBS materials. It's like a one-stop shop for a children's pastor.

I highly recommend! Like, get it asap!

Also here are a few FREE downloads for your kids too!!

Old Testament Coloring Pages
New Testament Coloring Pages

{FYI: I received these books from the publisher in exchange for my HONEST opinion.}