Sleep - It Does a Family Good

I received this book from Tyndale Press to review for their blog network.  Since we have sleep problems, and serious ones in my family (as you can see since I am typing this review at close to 1 in the morning on a Sunday night), I figured it would be a great book for us to work through to help with sleep issues.  Unfortunately, I couldn't really make it through the book.  I'm sure for some it would be a great book for some, but the author is so caught up on the science of sleep that the book lost my interest very quickly.  I trudged my way through about half of the book and couldn't bring myself to continue reading, and that's saying something since I read anything.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Little Star

I received Little Star by Anthony DeStefano to review from WaterBrook Press through their Blogging for Books program.  I received it just in time to read to my first grade son at Christmas time.  It is an endearing story about a Little Star who, being the smallest star, was lonely and felt neglected, but on the day that Jesus was born, that Little Star used all his strength and shined his light on the baby Jesus so he could be warm.  This story is being told to a little boy by his father.

I loved this story and so did my son. I would recommend it to anyone with young children.  It is really a nice story about the tradition of putting a star on your Christmas tree to remember the star that shined down on the baby Jesus.  This book will definitely be added to our "must read" books for Christmas next year.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids

We started using Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young for our family Bible time yesterday, and it's already become a favorite of mine and my son's.  The text of each devotion is written as if Jesus is speaking to you.  Each devotion starts with a passage, then the devotion follows and the page ends with passages that continue on the theme.  

So far we have learned about Calling on Jesus and Putting Jesus First.  What I really like about the layout is it gives me a chance to not only work with my son on putting God's Word in his heart every day, but it also helps me to teach him how to look up passages in his Bible.  We read the passage, go over the Devotion, discuss what the devotion means and finally read the additional passages.

My son, who is 6 and in First grade, loves being able to talk about what the devotions mean, I ask him to put what he's learned into his words.  We discuss what the passages mean and what we can learn from the Word and from the devotions.  With my son's ADHD, it really helps that the devotions are short and in a form that draws him in.  While he could easily read the devotions by himself, we do this together so that we can talk about it.  

I would highly recommend this to anyone with children from preschool through 3rd grade, the older children can read everything on their own for their private Bible time. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”