The Looneyspoons Collection by Janet and Greta Podleski

Cookbooks are generally not that exciting for me, but I absolutely loved this one. First of all, let me start off with how humorous this book is. Each recipe has a crazy name to emphasize its taste or ingredients. Such names include: Shrimply Irresistible, Do the Chunky Chicken, Tickle Me Elbows, or Everybody Loves Raysins. The authors also add in some of their own food humor throughout the book. I never thought I would laugh so much reading a cookbook. Besides, look at the title; I think that says it all.

There are over 325 different recipes in this collection divided into14 different categories. I love the fact that every other page has a picture of the dish. I don't know about you, but I love visually seeing what it is I am about to make. Scattered throughout the cookbook are recipe tips, nutrition nuggets, and other usual and interesting tidbits. Every recipe has a calorie, fat, protein, carbohydrate....count.

I have already made a few recipes and from this book and they were delicious. I found the recipes easy to read and very accurate in detail. I appreciate the fact that there are healthier recipes, some gluten free and vegetarian dishes( for my budding 13yr old vegetarian). I plan to make many more recipes from this book. Definitely a worthwhile cookbook .

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

Nebador: The Test by J.Z. Colby

The book Nebador is a science fiction adventure book that is geared toward young adults. The author, JZ Colby, has even pre-faced this book by writing to young readers the importance of thinking on your own and how young people today can be the heroes of the future. Being a science fiction novel, the setting is far off in the future but the people have regressed to the era of castles and cottages. The main character is a stranger to the land, so the reader also gets to experience the customs and people of this medieval kingdom as a visitor.

In learning about this city and the culture, you can see how different classes of people treat others and how these classes already categorize a visitor based upon first impressions. The various characters throughout the story, from slave to king, show how their position in society usually predetermines their mannerisms. This book shows the main character and other individuals who do not stay within the society’s placement.

The chapters are only a few pages in length which made it easy to stay involved in the storyline. This also helped in reading the book because you would go on to read the next chapter since it was only going to be a couple of pages in length. The accompanied book for notes, questions, and illustrations was helpful in explaining the chapters and characters. 

 

On a negative note, I must add that this book does have language and some questionable topics; so I most definitely do not recommend it for children or junior high ages. I caution parents to read this book first before you allow your teenager to read it.

This book is book 1 of the First Trilogy which includes books 1-3. Trilogy 2 includes books 4-6. You can go to the Nebador web page and check out all the books which are available in print, kindle and audio.

 

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

Would you...Read me to Sleep? by George E. Edenfield

"This is one of those books that really gets a parent right in the heart. "
My first impression: First of all, look at the cover, adorable. My favorite thing to do with my kids are read to them. My 3 boys and I share a story every night at bedtime. Then, my 13 year old daughter and I read together. The pictures in this book are beautiful illustrations of oil paintings by Alyson Harris. They flatter the storyline very well. Each picture contains a Golden Key, so this makes the book more interactive to children(who am I kidding? I loved looking for the keys too).

What is it all about: Well, I can't tell you everything; it would ruin the story. But I will tell you it is about a father and his daughter and how they shared story time with a special Bible story book every night. The girl learns about a Great Treasure and the Seven Golden Keys. Time progresses, the daughter grows up and the father grows older. The book ends with another reading of the story book, but with a twist.

 What did I think: As a parent who constantly reads to her children, I loved it. I even choked up a little(what can I say? I'm a mother). Not only did it tell a wonderful story to children, but it  spoke to parents as well. Cherish these times with your children; what better way to share Christ with children, but through stories. It is time well spent!
I was confused about the golden keys though, the book never states what they are. I assumed they are the 7 Bible stories mentioned, but I didn't feel that was clear. Maybe I am just dense, but all in all it did not affect the overall message and effect of the book.

Recommendation: This is perfect for children of any age, parents, grandparents, or gift for new parents.
 

*The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of the book through Bookcrash in exchange for my honest review.

Time 4 Learning

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Your Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks by John Hergenrather, Tom Vail, Mike Oard, and Dennis Bokovoy

Whether you are planning a trip to the Yellowstone and Grand Teton or you just want to learn more about these great national parks; this guide is perfect for both. 183 pages hard back spiral bound full of gorgeous pictures, history and facts on many fold out pages. This book is a complete guide to these unforgettable parks and will give you all the information you will need to know for a wonderful visit. This book was written by the authors to give the reader a look at the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks through God's eyes.
I personally have never visited these parks but after reading and studying this guide would love to make a trip someday with my family. Since we weren't actively planning a trip, we used this guide for our homeschooling education. Reading about the wildlife, plants and natural wonders made it feel like we were really there. Since it was written from a Biblical perspective I enjoyed the references to creation and just the natural beauty of God's design.
I recommend this for anyone planning a trip to the Yellowstone or Grand Teton, those who just want to learn more about these national parks, those studying creationism vs. evolution, schools or home school groups, or just nature lovers.

*A review copy was sent to me by Master Books a division of New Leaf Publishing in exchange for my honest review*

The One Year Be-Tween You and God: devotions for girls by Sandra Byrd

When I opened up the package for this one; I was immediately drawn to it because of the cover. Its gorgeous blue color, with beautiful raised designs and leather like feel(much like a real Bible); made me think"my daughter will love this". It was so appealing I had to admire it for awhile before I actually opened it. When I did open it I was not disappointed with the inside either.
Inside you will find one year of one page devotionals    for girls in the tween years(ages 9-12 depending on the child). Each devotion is marked with the month and day, a Dear God question, a one page devotion, a verse, and a how about you section(encouraging application). Verses are taken from the NCV, NIV, and NLT.
I really liked the briefness of the devotions especially for this age group, but I don't feel the content was jeopardized because of it. I felt it was packed full of wonderful topics that pre-teen girls deal with daily, and it is definitely a worthwhile book for any girl this age.

*This review copy was sent to me by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review*  

Great for God: Missionaries who changed the world by David Shibley

When David Shibley wrote the introduction to "Great for God", he gave a great summary of what this book is all about. 23 different individuals, all coming from different parts of the world, ranging from the 1700's to the  21st century, both men and women who all had a strong desire to do great things for God. David Shibley does emphasize that these people were imperfect, still human, just ordinary people with a resolve to glorify God in their lives.

The stories of each of these individuals can be read as a personal study, a small group Bible study, or even for family devotions. Each chapter begins with a thematic title, the individuals legacy or great thing they did in the name of our God, and a quote from the individual.

The last chapter gives an encouragement for the reader to go out and do great things for God. The author gives twelve characteristics that each of these individuals possessed that links them all to accomplishing greatness for God. I like how the author also gives a few warnings in attempting to do great things for God; such as, it is a definite way to get Satan's attention, you will defy the status quo so you will surely have enemies, and especially the warning to not place "ministry" over family or win the whole world in the process of losing your children.

This book was a great read and I would definitely recommend it for high school age or older, even a small group Bible study.

*This book was sent to me by Master Books , a division of New Leaf Publishing in exchange for my honest review.