tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200214892024-03-13T13:14:32.541-07:00The Children's HourComments and recommendations for books for reading to children, particularly books on the bible, history and good fictionRay Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-91587887580373979872019-07-16T08:12:00.000-07:002019-07-16T08:12:31.410-07:00Graphic Novel on Greek War for Independence <br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2XY7DNB" target="_blank">Sons of Chaos</a>, Chris Jaymes<br />
Illustrated by Ale Aragon<br />
IDW Publishing, hb., 192 pp<br />
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<br />
When I received an email about this book I was intrigued. I obviously did not read closely enough. The comment, "perfect for fans of Game of Thrones" should have tipped me off.<br />
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The book is attractively made, large size, with nice artwork. It tells part of the story of the Greek war to throw off Ottoman rule in 1821. This is a story with which I am not very familiar, so I thought this might be a good way to learn. Good, historically accurate graphic novels can be very useful (and I have reviewed some others on this site). However, I cannot recommend this one.<br />
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First, since I had missed the Game of Thrones reference, I was surprised by the scantily clad women and portrayals of orgies and rape. The book is also very graphic in detailing violence with, for example, numerous severed heads with gaping moths, etc. The storyline itself is simply twisted and depraved. Someone might simply respond, that I misunderstood the audience for this book. That is certainly true, though these things were not crucial for the story and were not edifying for me as an adult either.<br />
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Secondly, and perhaps more centrally, the story telling is obscure. I had difficulty following the flow of thought and catching the connections between characters. It was often difficult to follow. Related to this, I am not sure of the accuracy of the account. I looked into the history after reading (partially because it left me unclear), and at least the account here is significantly truncated. It does not, in fact, tell the story of the Greek war for independence. It gives a certain version of the beginnings of the uprising.<br />
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So, sadly, this is not a great resource. There was promise here, but it seems the interest was more in telling a sordid tale than in relating history.Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-3960298729043486772017-10-30T20:11:00.002-07:002017-10-30T20:11:57.860-07:00Renegade: A Graphic Novel of the Life of Martin Luther<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq5A5NCUr66RGnbzC4__9oIlFVkDSeOZJ3Arii1ICi03ZVKPYaYwI9JruXLb5Ft5aTivF9YokIKVOoU6ULy4vhtqr92wBOsmS7tBPzXi1t-AhkT-JwnSjeUR4l5v7YphA9L1E/s1600/renegade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="354" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq5A5NCUr66RGnbzC4__9oIlFVkDSeOZJ3Arii1ICi03ZVKPYaYwI9JruXLb5Ft5aTivF9YokIKVOoU6ULy4vhtqr92wBOsmS7tBPzXi1t-AhkT-JwnSjeUR4l5v7YphA9L1E/s320/renegade.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://amzn.to/2zixvaQ" target="_blank">Renegade:Martin Luther, The Graphic Novel</a></i>, by Dacia Palmerino and Andrea Grosso
Ciponte<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Plough Publishing House, October 2017), pb., 156
pp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ages 14+<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is an engaging and fairly detailed graphic
novel on Martin Luther covering his entire life, from birth to death. It was
originally written in Italian and translated into German before coming into
English this month. The authors clearly know the Luther story well and seems to
be aware of some of the different debates on Luther. They do have Luther giving
his defiant response at Worms on the first day he was questioning rather than
on the second after asking for a day to consider the demand to recant, but this
does not negate the good work throughout.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The artwork is edgy, capturing well the darkness Luther
grappled with and other situations like the peasant revolt and the Black Death.
This is a great tool to help people encounter Luther afresh or to engage them
for the first time. I am glad to see this coming out just as we approach the
500<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Reformation.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-26225573861576618932017-10-23T08:58:00.001-07:002017-10-23T08:58:35.139-07:00Portrait of a Father<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbBUUHiX7MR_-fW1SIVrfccMMm7PjHIutyuhtaS6sRnEOzXFsNPck06MXlUo8vR-N95OtMkdHDqbuvyt3SVC3KBOGOtFVBfpEQX5h81izKGvsRbsm3UEd9hPJWqy3yCTMCUky/s1600/kingdoms+dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbBUUHiX7MR_-fW1SIVrfccMMm7PjHIutyuhtaS6sRnEOzXFsNPck06MXlUo8vR-N95OtMkdHDqbuvyt3SVC3KBOGOtFVBfpEQX5h81izKGvsRbsm3UEd9hPJWqy3yCTMCUky/s200/kingdoms+dawn.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
I am currently reading to my younger children Chuck Black’s
book, <i><a href="http://amzn.to/2gvPGym" target="_blank">Kingdom’s Dawn</a></i>. The book
parallels the biblical story in a medieval setting where a usurper has sought
to wrest a certain area from the true King, who represents God. In that setting
we meet the main character as an older boy on the verge of manhood being
trained by his father. This statement from the boy to his father is surely what
every dad wants his son to be able to say.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“No, I have not met the King … but you have. I have learned
from you, I have questioned you, but most of all I have watched you. I know you
Father. There is not another man in the kingdom more honest, generous,
compassionate, or courageous than you. If the King deserves the complete
loyalty you give Him, then I do not need to see Him face-to-face to know that
He is worthy of my complete loyalty as well” (33).</blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-67557263470165708662017-10-17T20:33:00.000-07:002017-10-17T20:33:22.454-07:00Nice book about Martin Luther's Wife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe1dIbWK1GBDwvc21u4RPLlegBCPXQEazg7pVoNVMDNoU72uayVqflFeYoa6U5X647i2nJJB-ykjl34WGNyGIIlOteCx2WBkkUKt5CwfxNFAz1XtMkRjYS1qyaQdh6TtPfc5Y/s1600/k+von+bora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="500" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxe1dIbWK1GBDwvc21u4RPLlegBCPXQEazg7pVoNVMDNoU72uayVqflFeYoa6U5X647i2nJJB-ykjl34WGNyGIIlOteCx2WBkkUKt5CwfxNFAz1XtMkRjYS1qyaQdh6TtPfc5Y/s320/k+von+bora.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://amzn.to/2yuAsC1" target="_blank">Katharine von Bora: The Morning Star of Wittenberg</a></i>, by Jenna & Shanna Strackbein<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Unbroken Faith Productions, 2017), hb., 52 pp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we approach Reformation Day in this 500<sup>th</sup>
anniversary year, this is a nicely produced book on Martin Luther’s wife,
Katharine von Bora. Luther commented on how much he owed to his wife, and his deep
love for her was evident. Luther once commented, “I would not trade my Katie
for France or Venice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The authors do a good job of telling the story of
how Katharine was sent to be a nun as a young girl, later escaped the convent
(along with other women) after embracing Luther’s teachings, and eventually
ended up marrying Martin who had not been thinking of marriage. The Strackbeins
continue the story telling us about the Luther family as it expanded with children.
This is a great story that children and adults should know. Martin Luther loved
his wife and children and rejoiced in them. The Luther marriage and family
transformed Protestant thinking about Christian homes since for centuries
pastors had not been allowed to marry. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The book is amply and nicely illustrated which
enhances its usefulness with children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With endorsements by leading scholars like Carl
Trueman and Gene Veith, this is a great book to purchase for your family and to
use as you celebrate Reformation day this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-55774263561413477732017-04-17T16:11:00.002-07:002017-04-17T16:11:36.693-07:00Ember Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUknSbu1UJTi1uAfpinJvsG9qeHDh8KjisSWFuH-zdS19FtGkuglJ18FfSzft_mRtWRboUMVtvwYf_hH7cA8Be1MaEMhcmnr-uzS7WOnJHPdn7eavK7f5qU4ftvC0CIbcwSHdo/s1600/ember+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUknSbu1UJTi1uAfpinJvsG9qeHDh8KjisSWFuH-zdS19FtGkuglJ18FfSzft_mRtWRboUMVtvwYf_hH7cA8Be1MaEMhcmnr-uzS7WOnJHPdn7eavK7f5qU4ftvC0CIbcwSHdo/s320/ember+falls.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2oFShsK" target="_blank">Ember Falls</a> (The Green Ember Series
Book 2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">By S. D. Smith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">(Story Warren Books, 2016), 234 pp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Ages 7+<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I had heard much about Book 1 in
this series, <i>The Green Ember</i>, but had never read it. So, when I had an
opportunity to get this book on audio I went for it. I am glad I did! This is
an excellent story with grand adventure, heroism, nobility, courage and
sacrifice. Since it was on audio I listened to it while travelling and am now
looking forward to reading the first book to my children (ages 9 & 11).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The book has similarities to Redwall
with rabbit good guys (some of whom are essentially monks) opposed by wolves
and birds of prey. However, the moral dilemmas are even more distinct and
intentional. In this story the good guys are fighting to preserve to line of
King Jupiter and to restore justice to the Wood. The heroes not only battle the
evil without but must master self-ambition and their desire to rescue their own
families which can be at odds with the need of the entire group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I finished this book longing for the
sequel. This is a very promising series. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-59752948711163174522017-01-07T08:39:00.000-08:002017-01-07T08:39:27.018-08:00The Icarus Show<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeB5JFQwOdwKJMXT3evcCSMrCZhyphenhyphenNpaF4bpI5I_oJimf4yLnie_jtH8oXGYZ_GshQlaZL-l8pKvBkaPPisphyphenhyphenFh5jytL6qFhDWNS1PTOKpOMC9ukGC8-ppLtVVSelf7heSSB0/s1600/icarus+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeB5JFQwOdwKJMXT3evcCSMrCZhyphenhyphenNpaF4bpI5I_oJimf4yLnie_jtH8oXGYZ_GshQlaZL-l8pKvBkaPPisphyphenhyphenFh5jytL6qFhDWNS1PTOKpOMC9ukGC8-ppLtVVSelf7heSSB0/s200/icarus+show.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<i><a href="http://amzn.to/2iNJNzc" target="_blank">The Icarus Show</a></i>, by Sally Christie<br />
<ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">(David Fickling Books, January 2017), 224 pp., pb.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Ages 8-12</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; margin: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></li>
</ul>
Here is another guest review from Luke Barnard, son of my friends <a href="https://www.uu.edu/employee/profile.cfm?emp=jbarnard" target="_blank">Justin</a> and <a href="http://tabulate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tracie</a> Barnard.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Alex Meadows, an insecure elementary-schooler,
has had an awful summer. His best friend
has moved to Scotland, his next-door neighbor dies and the other moves into a
nursing home, his new next-door neighbor smells strange, and, worst of all,
Alex has been sucked into a terrible conundrum.
Coming home from school one day, he discovers a mysterious note
foretelling the flight of a boy. Alex is
faced with the question he is most afraid of answering. <i>React
or Don’t React</i>. After some snooping,
Alex uncovers an unbelievable secret about the “Icarus Show”. <i>Do you
believe it? Can you believe it? Will you be there???<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> All around, this is a good book. The beginning gives a sample of the pace of
the story. Alex’s character is very
relatable -- his insecurities are what some people face every day. Bogsy was the best developed of all the cast,
his overly independent and cynical spirit paints him in a very mysterious
light, his mind might be a little out of whack, considering he plans to jump
off a bridge. Maisie, the sage of great
age, Alex’s source of counsel, adds good dialogue to the book, especially in their
conversations about the mystical Icarus and his unknown plans. Alan Tydman, head honcho of Alan’s Battalion
and class bully, sheds reality on the whole story, acting as the exact thing
every single school seems to have: a big, hulking meanie. His cruel techniques of extracting money from
weaklings are a fact of life for many school-age students, no matter their age.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I didn’t understand some of the
scenes in the school Alex attends (Probably due to my lack of experience, when
it comes to British public schools), and, at the start, couldn’t tell where
this book is set. The ending lacked
gusto, and was kind of confusing. The
book is humorous at times, has great character development, and an outstanding
plot. <i> Do you believe it? Can you believe it? Will you be there???</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-40299794224270293782016-10-10T19:59:00.000-07:002016-10-10T19:59:06.598-07:00How Three Brothers Saved the Navy<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Three-Brothers-Saved-Navy/dp/1478773235/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476152967&sr=1-1&keywords=how+three+brothers+saved+the+navy&linkCode=li2&tag=thechildrshou-20&linkId=93309f7044c2875787c41a7cbbf2bf0f" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1478773235&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thechildrshou-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thechildrshou-20&l=li2&o=1&a=1478773235" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2e1U590" target="_blank">How Three Brothers Saved the Navy</a>, </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">by Charles A.
Salter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(The Kare Kids Adventures #3)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">(Outskirts Press, 2016), pb., 111 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Think of the Hardy Boys in a military family and you have a good
idea of what this book is like. Three brothers- Matt (12 yrs old), Ryan (10 yrs
old), and Jake (8 yrs old)- like to play like they are Force Recon Marines
drawing from various things they have learned from their father who is a
Captain in the U.S. Navy. In one of their adventures they stumble across a
terrorist plot to destroy US aircraft carriers using HALO jumpers. In the
ensuing adventure the boys display heroism, courage, teamwork and perseverance
as they help to foil the terrorist attempt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">This was a fun read and my 10 year old daughter and nine year old
son loved it. Some will probably scoff at the idea of boys this age
accomplishing what is recorded in this story or even fret over suggesting to other
children that they should seek to take on armed enemies. Such people will miss
the point of the book. Is the accomplishment of these boys outlandish? Of
course! But that is part of the point. It isn’t likely that any of our children
will discover a new world in the back of one of our wardrobes or closets and
become kings or queens of those worlds. Nor are we suggesting they find wolves
or witches to kill. Rather we want them to be inspired by the courage,
initiative and care for others demonstrated in these stories. Salter’s story
succeeds well in this goal as he portrays hard working confident children who
engage the outdoors, work together and are attentive to their surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">We really enjoyed this book and commend it to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-57422094796261142832016-06-25T08:33:00.001-07:002016-06-25T08:33:40.554-07:00The Crescent and the Cross: The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdLNwyejBHEMYVZWzt8H68VhJBZsi6uj9jKSI2z-O14_HZbom0UX6nmEG6olkXfSxv68orFWc3CaNiETlj88LkDV1_dAxQ_UWzFAK43G7P6EZIEAJZHVhOjvT4xgX-hsIvMgV/s1600/SinbadCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdLNwyejBHEMYVZWzt8H68VhJBZsi6uj9jKSI2z-O14_HZbom0UX6nmEG6olkXfSxv68orFWc3CaNiETlj88LkDV1_dAxQ_UWzFAK43G7P6EZIEAJZHVhOjvT4xgX-hsIvMgV/s320/SinbadCover.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The Crescent and the Cross: The
Eighth Voyage of Sinbad</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">,
Robert Rogland<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">(<a href="http://saludapress.com/">Saluda Press</a>, 2015), pb., 208 pp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">$12.95
+ shipping & tax (<a href="http://saludapress.com/buying-my-books/">how to
purchase</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ages
7-14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I
found out about this book because the author is a friend of Douglas Bond, one
of our favorite authors. With the friend connection and the idea of the book, I
was intrigued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
is a well-conceived story building on the well-known seven voyages of Sinbad
and then telling of an eighth voyage during which Sinbad comes to faith in
Jesus. The book is filled with good adventure, as the characters get out of one
scrape just to fall into another (like the original Sinbad stories). The
theological topics are handled well. The evangelization is done well and isn’t
“bam” all of a sudden as is sometimes the case in Christian books. However, I
do wonder if Muslims would think they were fairly represented, or if more of a
straw man were presented. That thought nagged at me, but it was good for
reading to my children (which is the intended audience).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
is a fun book which takes up significant theological truths in a way accessible
to children, so I commend it to you. You can find information on how to
purchase a copy at <a href="http://saludapress.com/buying-my-books/">this link</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-69496126447967718922016-01-08T12:44:00.001-08:002016-01-08T12:44:22.348-08:00Comic Book Hero Bible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UR3STK7KBN1xl0qDLQFhwzgt5e7t8x5Bnrr9PP07PfZSfUscKVnGcMfxBHzmQv_tKGocFFgTtM4MIKkjMbSm0nRkryG5to1D88HY1Sb01T_-RNYra8U7RqHtYvb9XtjUOU5D/s1600/comic+book+hero+bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UR3STK7KBN1xl0qDLQFhwzgt5e7t8x5Bnrr9PP07PfZSfUscKVnGcMfxBHzmQv_tKGocFFgTtM4MIKkjMbSm0nRkryG5to1D88HY1Sb01T_-RNYra8U7RqHtYvb9XtjUOU5D/s320/comic+book+hero+bible.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://amzn.to/1OSBlcS" target="_blank">The Lion ComicBook Hero Bible</a></i>, by Siku, Richard Thomas & Jeff Anderson<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Lion Hudson, 2015), hb. 192 pp.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
This is Bible story book meets Marvel Comics.
According to the publisher, this is the first Bible retelling to engage with
and challenge the superhero genre. Here is an excerpt of the publishers
description:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
“<i>The Lion Comic Book Hero Bible</i> is
a dynamic expression of the Bible's depth and power, produced in the style of
Marvel Comics. You've heard of Spiderman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Now meet
Earthman, Lawman, Warrior Man, and many others. With dynamic illustration using
a range of styles, Siku (Old Testament) and Jeff Anderson (New Testament) bring
the Bible stories alive for a new and graphically sophisticated generation.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
The Bible does indeed have grand, epic stories and
this fact is often missed by potential Bile readers. I heartily welcome efforts
to help people grasp the power of the biblical stories. This retelling is
generally faithful to the text, though of course it must be selective and move
fast. At points I think it captures well the dramatic realities of the story.
However, in general, I fear the truths of the text get lost in the medium. Is
it really helpful to portray Deborah as a warrior with a spear known as “the
Iron Maiden”(that's her just to the right of center on the cover picture)? Were the giants referred to in the OT, including Goliath,
animalistic? It is not always clear when they present a character in a factual way or take some artistic license for another purpose. To their credit, they do make clear that Jesus is the ultimate
hero of the biblical story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
In the end, I cannot recommend the book. It could
be fine, but it manages to over-dramatize. I would commend instead <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=ur2&tag=thechildrshou-20&amp;camp=1789&creative=9325&path=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0781430550%2Fqid%3D1137039018%2Fsr%3D2-1%2Fref%3Dpd_bbs_b_2_1%3Fs%3Dbooks%2526v%3Dglance%2526n%3D283155">The
Picture Bible</a>, which I have <a href="http://childrenshourbooks.blogspot.com/2006/01/picture-bible.html">commented
on previously</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-12826212074192357542016-01-07T12:20:00.002-08:002016-01-07T12:20:16.859-08:00Job in Poetry and Pictures<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6D_WYZKvFxJku3RNvm7E6TGBdHnM5VnVZvbq2ivc7ZXIMJbi_Mx4s-Zr3Db1_GLdQherF16s6fmatZglLex__KUFmsJvbV094VYvvxNfI0DXWMMZqYa1Y2bua6YswqorjqLS/s1600/bond+job.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6D_WYZKvFxJku3RNvm7E6TGBdHnM5VnVZvbq2ivc7ZXIMJbi_Mx4s-Zr3Db1_GLdQherF16s6fmatZglLex__KUFmsJvbV094VYvvxNfI0DXWMMZqYa1Y2bua6YswqorjqLS/s200/bond+job.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1SCORRw">God’s Servant Job: A Poem with a Promise</a></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">,
Douglas Bond</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Illustrated by Todd Shaffer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(P&R, 2015), pb., 32 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you have read this blog for any time you
will know that <a href="http://bit.ly/1aDOgLX">Douglas Bond is one of my family’s
favorite authors</a>. I had the opportunity to read the text of this new book a
good while back, so I was eager to see the finished product. It did not
disappoint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bond faithfully retells the story of Job
in poetic form. The rhyme and rhythm makes the reading even more enjoyable as
well as memorable. My younger children loved it! Then, Shaffer has done a good
job capturing the feel of the story in his illustrations. The only character
who Is not presented in the appearance of the Ancient Near East is Satan who
looks like a mad professor from today!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The book closes with an original hymn by
Bond which makes the Christological connection with Job’s expectant hope of a
Redeemer. There is also in the back a list of difficult words explained, a
quiz, and some questions for thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a great book for families- fun, educational
and enriching. We warmly commend it to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-9403593713493145512015-12-21T06:36:00.000-08:002015-12-21T06:36:08.701-08:00The LEGO Architect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8-sqGwxxwz7oKrMScup3GZYyCe19AC4mWGSJQ0_yzKFr-IDMTWFd4Rz9ET2Keh9lvi2S-z8oqTvEzR5MxxCIuE9Q-tpsh1tYNXtt41zMGDeEwubul48n7mz9ssLcVisSme5N/s1600/lego+architect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8-sqGwxxwz7oKrMScup3GZYyCe19AC4mWGSJQ0_yzKFr-IDMTWFd4Rz9ET2Keh9lvi2S-z8oqTvEzR5MxxCIuE9Q-tpsh1tYNXtt41zMGDeEwubul48n7mz9ssLcVisSme5N/s320/lego+architect.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/22kvZel">The Lego Architect</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">,
by Tom Alphin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(No Starch Press, 2015), hb., 186 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ages 8+<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This book is a fascinating idea well
presented. The author presents seven different architectural styles and then
shows how to build in that style with Lego pieces. To get started he presents a
brief history of architecture, and throughout the book he presents nice color
photos of good examples of buildings from around the world in each style. I
just expected a guide to building with Lego, but realized this was also an
engaging way to learn about real architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The guides to building with Lego are
detailed and easy to follow. If you or your children enjoy Lego, this will be a
fun book for building and learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-23127565356365911292015-12-21T06:15:00.000-08:002015-12-21T06:15:03.949-08:00The Origin of "The Night Before Christmas"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzVSze4tiIg2VO1WsFiTX5gnOmL5EREeBvlkQym4RAzTuRoa0pFo20xbRcXxO1Gopue6wlB5WOjGWLaxfarP-gkCwdZ90rTp8q1mho8_I4Uz9KyoSzYuG2VxlNXajAxZgG87b/s1600/night+before+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzVSze4tiIg2VO1WsFiTX5gnOmL5EREeBvlkQym4RAzTuRoa0pFo20xbRcXxO1Gopue6wlB5WOjGWLaxfarP-gkCwdZ90rTp8q1mho8_I4Uz9KyoSzYuG2VxlNXajAxZgG87b/s200/night+before+christmas.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1OhGpkD">The Visit: The Origin of the Night Before
Christmas</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, by Mark Kimball Moulton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Illustrated by Susan Winget<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Schiffer Publishing, 2013), hb., 54 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ages 4 & up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a fun book, richly illustrated, telling
the story of how the famous poem, “The Night Before Christmas” was conceived.
Apparently Clement Moore first developed and told the poem as a Christmas
present for his sick daughter. The poem was first published anonymously. Some
suggest Moore did not put his name to it because he didn’t think such popular
verse was fitting for his reputation as a scholar of biblical languages. He
told his family the story of how the ideas came together for the poem, and the
family passed the story down across generations. Then, Ms. Dinghy Sharp,
great-great-granddaughter of Clement Moore told the story to Mark Moulton who
has put it into verse reminiscent of the poem itself for this book. The result
is fascinating and fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I thought the story in verse was well done
and engaging. It was a delight to see pieces of the famous poem embedded in the
author’s experience the night of writing the poem, from the sleigh, to sugar
plums to a kindly old woodman who was secretly leaving firewood for families.
This woodman, who was “rotund and jolly,” had a white beard, was dressed in red
coat, and was known for telling stories to the village children gathered round
in the general store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was fun to me to discover that Clement
Moore was a biblical scholar (he published a Hebrew-English Lexicon), and watching
for echoes of the poem in Moore’s Christmas Eve outing was a delight. We had a
lot of fun with this book and commend it to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-9932655217664799912015-11-25T11:43:00.002-08:002015-11-25T11:43:51.538-08:00The Snoopy Treasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NgJbEoQlloyXRn-CKRcfeG614I33XZ_YN_jY_WJH0xGfHr8uKz8Xu0hcKUPPTtraUOEv0L2XEaUgQ2fLIgBpViQGzJjkBfSfMp40kOo9PfRZODQkSpCGfAP7FBqmk7KPIBZN/s1600/snoopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NgJbEoQlloyXRn-CKRcfeG614I33XZ_YN_jY_WJH0xGfHr8uKz8Xu0hcKUPPTtraUOEv0L2XEaUgQ2fLIgBpViQGzJjkBfSfMp40kOo9PfRZODQkSpCGfAP7FBqmk7KPIBZN/s320/snoopy.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1SkPtsN" target="_blank"><i>The Snoopy Treasures: A Celebration of the World Famous Beagle</i>,</a> by Nat Gertler<br />
(Thunder Bay Press, 2015), hb., 175 pp.<br />
Ages 5+<br />
<br />
This is a fun, beautifully produced book that will delight any Snoopy fan. Packed with images and memorabilia, this book tells the story of Snoopy's beginning and development over time. I had no idea how the drawing of Snoopy had changed from the beginning. Several envelope pages are also included which contain mini posters, pennants and other items. We all enjoyed this book, from the younger kids all the way up to me!Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-12515256542526640842015-11-23T19:16:00.001-08:002015-11-23T19:29:03.893-08:00Christmas Time: It’s All About Jesus,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxSJKVNM11uiRoQIu6mSQpWPQEApqV-z19FWbjcVUgbrDC-FxhB_thHjVJxQKDaZySMO_isQPOiF9vASbFGu5ghkJKHL4mtkVhXjRH6ML4eEEDOiuvcWRglhu8ymOesNQ0O5D/s1600/christmas+time+its+all+about+jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxSJKVNM11uiRoQIu6mSQpWPQEApqV-z19FWbjcVUgbrDC-FxhB_thHjVJxQKDaZySMO_isQPOiF9vASbFGu5ghkJKHL4mtkVhXjRH6ML4eEEDOiuvcWRglhu8ymOesNQ0O5D/s1600/christmas+time+its+all+about+jesus.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1LwN9ct">Christmas
Time: It’s All About Jesus</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">,
by Sue Barksdale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Illustrated
by Alicia Young<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(Aneko
Press, 2015), pb., 28 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Ages
2-9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">You might be tempted to overlook this book as just one more Christmas story with simply a cute
story & very little biblical content. But, that would be a real mistake! I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The author retells the Christmas story following
very closely the accounts from Matthew and Luke </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">in poetic form</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. I was impressed by how careful she was to follow
the biblical text, and the nice poetry made the reading even more fun and
engaging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Part
of the Christmas tradition in our house is retelling the Christmas story on
Christmas morning. The form of the retelling has grown with our children, often
involving them acting out, with little figurines, what I read. If we had had
this little book when our kids were smaller, I would have used this for our
reading. It is that good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So,
as you prepare for Christmas this year, this is a fun, readable book- one which
your children might continue to read for themselves, as mine have. We warmly
commend it to you as we prepare to celebrate the wonder of the Incarnation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In fact, I have an extra copy to give away! Pass on word about this review and you will be entered in the drawing to receive a free copy. You can link to this on Twitter (@rvannest), Facebook, or your own site. Provide your link in the comments here to insure I see it and enter you in the contest.</span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-5768750744214930012015-10-20T20:02:00.000-07:002015-10-20T20:02:32.688-07:00PROOF Pirates: Finding the Treasure of God's Amazing Grace<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61F1dfc0ziL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /><br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1PyG7LI" target="_blank">PROOF Pirates: Finding the Treasure of God's Amazing Grace</a>, by Lindsay Blair, Timothy Paul Jones, & Jonah Sage<br />
Illustrated by Tessa Janes<br />
New Growth Press, 2015<br />
<br />
This is a great new family devotional book which corresponds to a VBS curriculum by the same name. The book is due out next month, but I had a chance to read it earlier. This is the endorsement I wrote for the book:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #636363; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">“</span><em style="color: #636363; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">PROOF Pirates</em><span style="color: #636363; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> is a fun way to learn profound truths about God’s grace and salvation. My kids loved it! One was even bouncing up and down in anticipation of the next clue. Resources like this which are so engaging and biblically faithful are great gifts for families, and I am grateful for people who produce them.”</span></blockquote>
The book is simple and engagingly written, explaining the doctrine of salvation in a profoudn way. This is a great resource that I fully commend.Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-33069984014419905712015-09-28T14:57:00.000-07:002015-09-28T14:57:28.868-07:00National Geographic Guide to Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W_WG_YkpRnvN1YprvZgUAbzEcIaDLwgpL9o0lSZ_qKj3njBNOiF90MZ3z4MvioLx9eWoMgHIN291Xk-Ev1TMCSbkin9-msgQOpDph_PrqpI2di9b9Unhwp9wwQlUbwY-H60N/s1600/guide+to+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W_WG_YkpRnvN1YprvZgUAbzEcIaDLwgpL9o0lSZ_qKj3njBNOiF90MZ3z4MvioLx9eWoMgHIN291Xk-Ev1TMCSbkin9-msgQOpDph_PrqpI2di9b9Unhwp9wwQlUbwY-H60N/s200/guide+to+photo.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1WuhDnM" target="_blank">Guide to Photography</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, Nancy Honovich and Annie Griffiths<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(National Geographic Kids), pb., 160 pp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ages 9+<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was excited to check out this new book
because my 9 year old daughter is very interested in photography. She has a
decent camera and is taking pictures all the time! I think she’s doing quite
well, even though she has just been learning on her own, so I thought this book
might be a help and encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She says she loved the book and learned a
lot. The discussion on correcting “red eye” was particularly helpful to her.
She also liked learning how to change color on pictures- and I’ve noticed her
experimenting with this now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The book is nicely laid out with great
photo illustrations. It is easy to use and includes photography assignments to
practice things discussed in the book. If your child is interested in
photography this will be a great book for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-46114079271920087632015-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:002015-08-31T06:00:03.184-07:00The Full Moon at Napping House<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYzWJPlwwOswQuNZDcUrvgO7nt9xem_zVKu1e3vyxxcHFd_CdUG8KBqm2q_cPTdM_9_IuLvaeEJ1O5hj9eyZm9rZFUxjOd2AcfZ90WCm2IIlaSodS9Dia4M6jjY7zLeFfqIZE/s1600/full+moon+at+napping+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYzWJPlwwOswQuNZDcUrvgO7nt9xem_zVKu1e3vyxxcHFd_CdUG8KBqm2q_cPTdM_9_IuLvaeEJ1O5hj9eyZm9rZFUxjOd2AcfZ90WCm2IIlaSodS9Dia4M6jjY7zLeFfqIZE/s320/full+moon+at+napping+house.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1UgnCPD">The Full Moon at the Napping House</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">,
by Audrey Wood <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Illustrated by Don Wood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015), hb, 32
pp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ages 3-7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a fun, rhythmic bedtime read.
Apparently it is a follow up to <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1O2sCjC" target="_blank">TheNapping House</a></i>, which we have not read. We enjoyed this one even though my
kids are a bit older than the target range. The story follows the method of
adding a line each page while repeating all the previous lines until the
climax. This repetition itself is soothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We also enjoyed the art work, particularly
looking for the mouse and cricket on each page.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a fun, little book, nicely
illustrated that works very well for bedtime reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-12015402985681552262015-08-27T08:05:00.000-07:002015-08-27T08:05:46.927-07:00The Biggest Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-Y8dYrX-fxpsKf6rh-fGR3-xgChFPD8xQmROz0biwoOU0ldSKy-hgaDg5rN31HEgBfFE30GlZ1YxfgKSjJLfVpG3vogCegPcGXpnKiVNWBNET4fF274K-fEc2g9KREyld2K-/s1600/the+biggest+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-Y8dYrX-fxpsKf6rh-fGR3-xgChFPD8xQmROz0biwoOU0ldSKy-hgaDg5rN31HEgBfFE30GlZ1YxfgKSjJLfVpG3vogCegPcGXpnKiVNWBNET4fF274K-fEc2g9KREyld2K-/s320/the+biggest+story.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1fh1Wj6" target="_blank">TheBiggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">,
by Kevin DeYoung<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Illustrated by Don Clark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Crossway, 2015), hb. 129 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ages 5+<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a wonderful book! I enjoyed it and
my kids enjoyed it, begging for us to read more. I am already committed to the
idea of grasping the overall storyline of Scripture, and we’ve read other books
that pursue this line. One of the real encouraging things I see is the increase
of discussion of this idea and particularly the fact that this is showing up in
children’s books (which means more parents might actually read it as well!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">DeYoung does a great job of presenting the
unified story of Scripture and how it points to Christ. Reading this reminded
me of how I often heard OT stories as a child- holding up the human hero so
that we aspired to be like him and regretting those times people failed to live
up to such a standard. It wasn’t until seminary that it hit me that Israel
never even came close to living up to the Law. That throws a wrench in things
when you read the stories as I’d been accustomed. With books like this, our
children can understand from their earliest days that the repeated failure of
people is not a surprise but points us to our need of a Greater One to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We talk a good bit about the big story of
Scripture in our home and in the churches our kids have grown up in. However,
when we came to the discussion of Gen 3:15, my younger two (to whom I was
reading this book) did not know who this “snake crusher” might be- I
continually find areas where, having taught things to my older children, I
wrongfully assume I’ve taught it to my younger ones as well! But this led to a
wonderful moment. The book makes the point that no one knew who this person
would be. My children began to discuss the point and to make guesses. My
daughter said, “I wonder who that will be?” They ran through a list of
possibilities but weren’t satisfied with them. My son then suggested David
(that’s his middle name as well!), and they agreed he was a real possibility. I
nudged them to notice troubles with David, and then it was beautiful to see the
lights come on in their eyes and to hear them almost shout, “Oh! It’s Jesus!”
Exactly. That moment was worth it by itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I must also mention the artwork by Don
Clark. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from the illustrations before opening the
book. But I noticed right away that he was nicely using some standard symbolism
to tie into the biblical themes. This led to us pausing at the beginning of each
new chapter to consider the pictures and think together what they might mean. This
added an interactive element which was a lot of fun and enhanced the learning.
This is one example where the artwork significantly added to the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I guess it is obvious that we really
enjoyed this book. In fact, I’m considering requiring it for my college OT
Survey class next year (since this year has already started). I use some children’s
books along the way- the novelty of it catches their attention. And, this is so
well done, I think it might be a simple way of helping them catch the big
picture I’m trying to show them throughout the semester.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a wonderful book, and I encourage
every Christian family to get a copy and read it together. This is one to give
away, place in the church library and even use in outreach. I remain convinced
that one of the best ways to get sound theology to young parents is by giving
them solid things to read with their kids. This is a great tool in that regard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-78461710767282357472015-06-16T05:40:00.000-07:002015-06-16T05:40:00.575-07:00Pirate Island Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm2GD95AiAZcxrLlkgY2BVb1HU-iKAPhL_0FZvRsOPLej03bwG4rqAPzk221JwSUex5XXIFg00ccQG3jedXgpcEIFJ_z0EKN7k_phMl0dNFY3-EzVD_DTpCVUPGAhl8ppaIAJ/s1600/pirate+island+adventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm2GD95AiAZcxrLlkgY2BVb1HU-iKAPhL_0FZvRsOPLej03bwG4rqAPzk221JwSUex5XXIFg00ccQG3jedXgpcEIFJ_z0EKN7k_phMl0dNFY3-EzVD_DTpCVUPGAhl8ppaIAJ/s320/pirate+island+adventure.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1C8JApU" target="_blank">Pirate Island Adventure</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">, by Peggy Parish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">(Yearling,
1975), pb., 167 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ages
6-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
is the third in the “Liza, Bill, & Jed Mysteries” series. <a href="http://bit.ly/1esa7cw">I commented on the first in this series, <i>Key to the Treasure</i>,<i> </i>previously</a>. Having enjoyed the first one so much we wanted to
read another and since we did not have (or have lost!) the second book we moved
on to the third.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
story is very similar to <i>Key to the
Treasure</i> with the same strengths: fun, simple story, mystery, adventure and
good family interaction. Adults will notice that the author has basically used
the template from a previous, successful book to write another one much like
it. For adult-level writing that could be a critique, but in this case I have
no qualms at all. It is what I often do in making up stories for my children.
And, when this results in a fun story which is enjoyed by all, then it is a
success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I
will also take this opportunity to comment further on something which is true
in both books. The positive interaction of children and grandparents is very
nice. In a day where there too often seems to be less interaction between children
and older adults, the portrait of this book is encouraging. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Furthermore,
the children have to take initiative, work, and think creatively. They have their
squabbles with one another but, in the end, resolve them well. These are fun
books well worth reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-23298074154627514302015-06-15T07:16:00.002-07:002015-06-15T07:16:50.293-07:00Sir Christian de Galis and the Fish Gravy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aDQn2xCUnDsFxZ4N1UzMJsvF6TOdE1fNOXvyWwhmP3GGQiN_46kk7Gotp2LjmDyW4oNLu0LsbnCiAAht0V7hSpkNNg2LPZpLn28Q_AEpnskyMfnOPoV8fTDee7sEn8F1znzd/s1600/de+galis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aDQn2xCUnDsFxZ4N1UzMJsvF6TOdE1fNOXvyWwhmP3GGQiN_46kk7Gotp2LjmDyW4oNLu0LsbnCiAAht0V7hSpkNNg2LPZpLn28Q_AEpnskyMfnOPoV8fTDee7sEn8F1znzd/s200/de+galis.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1IFgiUH">Sir
Christian de Galis and the Fish Gravy</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">, by Carl E. Ramsey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">(Westbow
Press, 2014), pb., 242 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ages
10-15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
is a comical take on the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
The author obviously knows the Arthurian legends well as he uses aspects of the
traditional stories and plays off of them en route to make a moral or spiritual
point. However, the humor and its nuance was often beyond the reach of my 7 and
9 year old to whom I was reading. The story reads like slapstick and in that
genre there is a fine line between being hilarious and just too odd to follow.
It didn’t work for us, but in another setting with a slightly older audience it
might work very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-513198021137376032015-05-26T07:58:00.001-07:002015-05-26T07:58:35.527-07:00Key to the Treasure, by Peggy Parish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlo7Z6TFvPFlevGuS-IHVmfAB2yzH-KcqCqxU1TqmpPrwaDCH9xf03H1WDBVEdsVK5tT2arF-0iZ59THOvBWX-8wMtBju7ZOZHZ6NtmwaTFe_MbWU3Hfez0PP-ZJ1k0fztNP8/s1600/key+to+the+treasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlo7Z6TFvPFlevGuS-IHVmfAB2yzH-KcqCqxU1TqmpPrwaDCH9xf03H1WDBVEdsVK5tT2arF-0iZ59THOvBWX-8wMtBju7ZOZHZ6NtmwaTFe_MbWU3Hfez0PP-ZJ1k0fztNP8/s320/key+to+the+treasure.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1AvMBVU" target="_blank">Key to the Treasure</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, by Peggy Parish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Yearling, 1960), pb., 154 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ages 6-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have long enjoyed Peggy Parish’s <i>Amelia Bedelia</i> series, so we finally
dipped into this book which is the first in the <i>Liza, Bill, & Jed Mysteries</i>. We loved this story! In fact, my 7
year old son (my youngest) had struggled to engage with our reading until this
one. This story captivated him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Liza, Bill, and Jed are siblings who are
spending the summer with their grandparents as they typically do. A favorite
story that Grandpa tells the kids concerns a riddle with hidden treasures
Grandpa’s grandfather left for his children years ago before he left for the
Civil War. The first clue had been lost and for generations no one has been
able to figure it out and find the treasure. When the kids accidentally
discover another clue they set off to find the generations-old treasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Riddles, clues and treasure are just fun!
The kids have to think, work and dig. Then the transgenerational aspect added
another special element as this mystery is something the kids’ father,
grandfather and great-grandfather had searched for. The strong family ties,
respect and care portrayed in the story were encouraging. Furthermore, I liked the
example of the kids playing outside, coming up with their own ideas, preparing
to build a tree house on their own- just generally being creative and taking initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The book is simply written, positive and
fun. We look forward to reading the second one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-50970813988017941602015-05-17T20:26:00.001-07:002015-05-17T20:26:40.119-07:00National Geographic Kids Almanac 2016<br />
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<img 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" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1AeNnWW" target="_blank">National Geographic Kids, Almanac 2016</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">(National
Geographic, 2015)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">pb. 352 pp</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">8-12 years old</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">My
Kids love the National Geographic almanacs and were excited to see this one. It
is filled with nice color photos and information on nature, animals, history and
culture. Tons of information is presented in bite size portions in an engaging
manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Of
course, this is an entirely secular publications. A two-page spread covers the
five main world religions with a brief description without advocating any one
of them. Evolution is assumed in some key discussions. So, this is not an
authoritative guide, but if you have discussed these issue with your children,
then they can engage this and use it as a learning opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Even
with our fundamental disagreements we enjoy this for what it is- a fun tool to
stimulate interest in a wide variety of areas with parental guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-87768697079318111842015-04-18T19:20:00.003-07:002015-04-18T19:21:20.106-07:00Daredevil Duck<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxklL9T-CzHh0OQ2uwWn5FXlCT0NSfZf_Y6BZOTTGmELWh6_BJSTGTT5bbSV_V7Xnec_JidrXzmdHA6hlcALMaD61afWTmQT-T9zikEHVmNCLBMhDvGgh2BdZyI_qLYcsd82b6/s1600/daredevil+duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxklL9T-CzHh0OQ2uwWn5FXlCT0NSfZf_Y6BZOTTGmELWh6_BJSTGTT5bbSV_V7Xnec_JidrXzmdHA6hlcALMaD61afWTmQT-T9zikEHVmNCLBMhDvGgh2BdZyI_qLYcsd82b6/s1600/daredevil+duck.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1H0DvlM" target="_blank">DaredevilDuck</a>, by Charlie Alder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">(Running
Press Kids, 2015), hb., 48pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">$16.95<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ages
3-7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
book is due to be released next month, and I was sent an early copy for review.
It is a fun, nice book which encourages children to be brave while being honest
about our frailty. Children’s books on this sort of topic often go wrong either
being cheesy, telling them simply to believe in themselves or even saying
bravery isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Mrs. Adler hits the topic very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">First,
the book is creatively designed. There are several half pages where you turn a
portion of the page to reveal something which changes the scene. My children
have always enjoyed these in books. The illustrations are simple and fun as
well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
hero, Daredevil Duck, wants to be brave and dreams of being brave. However, he
really struggles with being scared. However, a situation arises in which he
helps someone else and finds he can be brave. This encourages him to continue being
brave though he still gets scared sometimes. This simple message is the basic thing
I want to communicate to my young children. It is both inspiring and realistic.
It is hopeful and recognizes our struggles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">My
nine year old daughter is my first reviewer of books for younger children, and
she liked this one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
is not an overtly Christian book, but one that addresses the issue of fear in a
basic, helpful way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-75743576160306301492015-04-04T14:13:00.002-07:002015-04-04T18:51:05.317-07:00Rise of the Falen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir25ILL061V0rUNXaiy9gDgPBPKXG4HQFPJ4-if1SJLH99ISnlkYeAzxJI0emrfegp6aQlg0t8GSmpUd3qcwIhyphenhyphenwNimjElFtdtwOraqilVOB_7qeTMYEngFsh1OhDAQeoQ2Tzw/s1600/rise+of+the+fallen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir25ILL061V0rUNXaiy9gDgPBPKXG4HQFPJ4-if1SJLH99ISnlkYeAzxJI0emrfegp6aQlg0t8GSmpUd3qcwIhyphenhyphenwNimjElFtdtwOraqilVOB_7qeTMYEngFsh1OhDAQeoQ2Tzw/s1600/rise+of+the+fallen.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1DKMG7F">Rise of the Fallen</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">,
by Chuck Black<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wars of the Realm, vol. 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Multnomah, 2015), pb., 300 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have previously <a href="http://bit.ly/1bXhF5U">reviewed a couple of Chuck Black’s book</a> which
we really enjoyed. However, this one was not as good as the previous ones we
read. This new series seeks to deal with spiritual warfare which can be quite
tricky. For full disclosure, we did not finish the book, so perhaps it got
better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The book opens with a firefight between angels
and demons in which they use machine guns which can kill demons or angels. This
scene lost me. I appreciate wanting to help young readers grasp the reality of spiritual
warfare, but I don’t think presenting it in this manner is the way to do it.
And, I don’t think angels can be killed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then, theologically the book needs some
more fine-tuning. Black goes to great lengths to clarify the difference between
biblical truth and imaginative filling in of the story. In fact at the
beginning of the book he states, “reference statements that are directly
correlated to biblical truths are set in <b>bold
text</b>” (ix). However, one of the first statements in bold in the book seeks
to describe the Trinity by stating, “One God, yet choosing to reveal himself in
three ways- Elohim HaAv, God the Father; Ben Elohim, the Son of God; and Ruach
Elohim, the Spirit of God” (6). I am not sure of the value of the
transliterated Hebrew, but the problem is that the statement “One God, yet
choosing to reveal himself in three ways” fits in one of the categories
declared to be heresy by the early Church. It sounds like the heresy of <a href="https://carm.org/modalism">modalism</a>. God has not merely <i>chosen</i> to “reveal” Himself in three
ways, but He is “one God eternally existing in three equal Persons.” (You can
search that last phrase in quotes to see that this is common language used to
express the truth of the Trinity.) Let me be clear: I have no reason to doubt
the orthodoxy of Chuck Black. From what else I have seen from him, I believe
this was unfortunate wording on his part. Describing the Trinity in a young
adult work of fiction would be challenging. However, this does point to the
need for more theological editing or for a different choice in topics. If you
wade into such waters, you must do it well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, I cannot recommend this book. We
enjoyed Chuck Black’s books where he summarized the overarching story of
Scripture in terms of knights fighting evil, and I hope he continues to produce
good work like those books.<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20021489.post-9218691320936599912015-01-31T08:30:00.000-08:002015-01-31T08:30:00.552-08:00Nonna Tell Me a Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbWtHHAFNn2LncsOc_455EqWqaE754syy7wi6w0tQwF_O_e_7zCF2Fy5pVZsR-5RXk1QoBYczBo-xM9kd9FdfxzFAeAnybYygn1I9KcrGUc3oAcx9ZIRY1A0fP3k9azcijdnI/s1600/nonna+tell+me+a+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbWtHHAFNn2LncsOc_455EqWqaE754syy7wi6w0tQwF_O_e_7zCF2Fy5pVZsR-5RXk1QoBYczBo-xM9kd9FdfxzFAeAnybYygn1I9KcrGUc3oAcx9ZIRY1A0fP3k9azcijdnI/s1600/nonna+tell+me+a+story.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1zFM7vm">Nonna Tell Me a
Story: Lidia's Egg-citing Farm Adventure</a>, Lidia Bastianich<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Illustrated by Renée Graef<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(Running Press Kids, 2014), hb., 60 pp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ages <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Although I like to tell puns, I must admit, the
title of this book made me skeptical about it. I was afraid poor humor would ruin
it. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this light hearted story. The author
draws from her childhood experiences in her grandparents’ courtyard in Istria
(near Italy) to present a grandmother having a fun visit with her grandkids, taking
them to a farm and helping them understand where we get our food. The author
recognizes that many children today will never have seen live some of the
animals we eat or realized where eggs come from. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I also really appreciated the strong, healthy family
portrayed here as the grandmother loves and has fun with her grandkids. The story
closes with the parents returning and all the family enjoying a nice meal together.
This intergenerational picture is also very good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The last almost half of the book contains recipes
that tie back to the story in one way or another. This was a surprise to me and
I would not have expected it to be of interest to my children. However, they
loved it and we ended up reading through the recipes like we did the story. We
may try some of the recipes soon, just for fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ray Van Nestehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05871695572227993190noreply@blogger.com0