Heaven is for Real for kids by Colton Burpo

If you need a picture book to help you talk to your kids about heaven, this is it. Heaven is for Real for kids is a children's picture book based on New York Times bestseller Heaven is for Real. It contains Colton Burpo's perspective of his trip to heaven and back.

This book contained a beautiful picture of what heaven looks like, what we may do there and about the King himself. The illustrations are beautiful and peaceful and each page includes a correlating bible verse.

My children really enjoyed reading this book, and my son commented "that makes me want to go there". What a great tool to introduce heaven to small children and alleviate any fears about heaven.

* This book was given to me by Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

ESP Character Training by Kim Doebler

Every parent wants to raise a child with character. As a christian parent Godly character should be right up there on the top of our list for our children. ESP Character Training is a hands on resource to teach our children 9 main character traits. Using an explain, show and practice method this book gives you practical and easy methods and activities to teach each character. Each character chapter includes verses and ideas to teach these all important characters.

I absolutely loved this book. A book that actually gives you literal activities to teach these character traits; imagine that. There are numerous ideas throughout this book and they could easily be adapted to any age group. You don't have to be a parent to use this resource; this book would be idea for teachers, grandparents, Sunday school workers or any person working with children.

I only wish I would have had access to this resource years ago. We have already started using the ideas in the book to teach the first character. I think I might be learning something too, but don't tell my kids that.

My only question is, when is another book coming out to help me teach more Godly characters to my children?

*This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest review. This book can be purchased at http://espcharactertraining.weebly.com/ . Also be sure to check out the link to the author's blog and you can contact her about coming to speak to your church or group about training your children in character.

Our Last Great Hope by Ronnie Floyd

Acts 1:8 "...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Mark 16:15 "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

How may times have you read these passages? So many it has become meaningless or mundane?

Floyd, an author and pastor has taken the words Great Commission to a whole new level. This book speaks to individuals as well as the church to our role and responsibility in the Great Commission. The author uses his own experiences, as well as biblical examples to awaken our desire in fulfilling God's plan for bringing people to Himself.

As a longtime christian, I have heard many sermons and read plenty of articles and books on soul-winning. This book is very direct, challenging and convicting. After reading this book, my desire for the Great Commission has changed (for the better). This book would make a great personal or group read. Very though provoking and soul searching questions can arise from such a read?

Christ's return grows nearer and so does heaven. There are so many who won't be going with us...the Great Commission...our last great hope.

*This book was sent to me by Book sneeze in exchange for my honest review.

The Victor by Marlayne Giron

BETRAYAL

LOVE

SACRIFICE

An allegory tale set in the days of knighthood, chivalry and adventure. The Victor retells the fall of Satan, God's love for mankind, sin entering the world, and Jesus' sacrifice for that sin. The use of characters such as the King, the prince, the adopted son, the betrothed, the seraphims,and the banished seraphims and followers; will draw you into this wonderful truth of God's undying love for his children.

I enjoyed this book, and found myself deeply enthralled into the life of the characters and what was happening to them. I could definitely compare this book to the biblical truth it conveyed and completely related to the characters who represented mankind.

I would strongly suggest getting the companion lesson plan to complement the book. It definitely gave me insight into the representation of each character and the themes throughout the book. The companion lesson plan would also be useful if you plan to use this in a school/homeschool, sunday school or book study environment.

I would caution adults not to use this with younger children; unless you plan to edit some of the content. Some of the fight passages can be kind of grossly detailed; as well as some inappropriate behavior from the evil characters.

Overall, a great allegorical look at sin, its effect on the lives of mankind and the wonderful sacrifice of our Lord and his eternal love.

Please go to www.thevictorbook.com to learn more.

*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Desiring God DVD by John Piper

This was a very informative video that, as stated on the DVD cover, would be great for either individual study or small group/Sunday School class lesson. The speaker is very knowledgeable in Christian Hedonism and to his credit, was able to explain the concept in an understandable way. There was reference that this DVD was in response to a book also written by the speaker. While the book would have probably helped with the material, the notes and usage of the overhead in the video made the contents understandable and easy to follow. A great resource for personal christian living or group discussion.(reviewed by my husband)

*This DVD was sent to us by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Free Range Learning How Homeschooling Changes Everything by Laura Grace Weldon

Do you homeschool or are you considering it? Are you looking for a unique approach to home education? Are you tired of the textbooks or just need to add a little flavor into your homeschooling day?

This book is packed( and I mean packed) with information, resources, researches and studies, and personal experiences from home education families from around the world. The author has definitely done her homework in putting this one together and brings all of her research into one complete book.

No Free Range is not referring to chickens or complete uninvolvement in your child's education. But it does give the reader a new perspective on learning. Discover ways to use teachable moments, utilizing your community and extended families, letting your child study a favorite topic, using technology or nature and so much more. The author gives the reader a vast amount of ways for our children to learn unhindered by societies definition of learning in just one way.

Our children are individuals with unique personalities, differences, likes and dislikes. Each child learns differently; therefore must be educated differently. This book made be look at home education with more understanding. Its not about what grade my child can achieve or how many facts they have memorized; its what they have learned, how they have learned it and how they can continue to learn as individuals.

This book is a wonderful resource for those already homeschooling or considering home education. Even if you don't homeschool this book can guide you in helping your child how to learn through experiences, observations and hands on activities.

Please take the opportunity to purchase a copy of this book and read it. You won't regret it.

*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Milk Carton Mania by Christine M. Irvin

Do you have a crafty child or one who wants to be? This book will give them 14 different craft projects for using your used milk or juice cartons. Each project gives you step by step instructions with pictures. Directions are simple and easy to read; a child could actually do the project with no or little help from the parent. Most of the needed items are things you probably have around your house or can purchase at low cost at your local store. What a great way to recycle unwanted cartons.

We actually did the Bird Feeder Project. The instructions were very easy to follow. I actually had my 11 year old read the directions as we all worked on it together. We plan to try the Happy House Project next, and maybe even go for a whole town for my boys to play with their action figures. I loved the simplicity of the whole book and the other ideas the author included with each project(ranging from extra decorating to extra activities to complement the project.)

What a wonderful resource for any parent, teacher, homeschooler, or child.

This is not the authors only book. Look for her other Craft Mania books:

* Cardboard Tube Mania

* Craft Stick Mania

* Egg Carton Mania

* Paper Cup Mania

* Paper Plate Mania

* Pie Pan Mania

* Pipe Cleaner Mania

This book can be purchased from Scholastic, Amazon or other book resources for $6.95.

*This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review.