Mt. Airy Forest Arboretum

The Most Magnificent Light

Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The rain shot from the sky as the sun shined through. We've experienced a lot of rain this month in Ohio. Yesterday as the drops poured, the sun stood its ground (or would that be sky?) and shined anyway. So bright that sunglasses and visors were required. Isn't that life as a believer? No matter how much difficulty dumps on me, God's light warms me and brightens my path.

Psalm 97 reminds me of God's joy-filled light. And John, he tells the true story of the most magnificent light. Jesus, the light that carries me out of the storms, the light that lifts me up, the light that saves my life. Torrential rain, dark clouds, crashing waves, no matter what I face in life, the light of Jesus shines brighter, warms my heart, and pulls me out of the darkness. I pray that you know Jesus and have allowed him into your life. He's the true light. 

Book Review: Channing O'Banning and the Turquoise Trail by Angela Spady, Illustrated by Tammie Lyon

Channing O'Banning loves to draw. No matter what she's doing, she's prepared to pull out her colored pencils and pad and sketch a picture. Author, Angela Spady has used her experience as an award winning teacher to create a delightful fourth grade character readers will love. In Turquoise Trail, Channing and her family head west to search for dinosaurs, learns about Native Americans, and solve a mystery. In the mean time, she learns more than she ever imagined.

How refreshing to read about a child who wants to learn about the world around them through art. Tammie Lyon's sweet illustrations bring Channing's imagination to life. I've given a copy to my granddaughter and highly recommend the series to any child who likes the Magic Tree House books. Channing's friends Maddy and Cooper make the story interesting for girls and boys. This is second in a series of chapter books and a winner of the gold Immy award.

Find more information at: channingobanning.com

I received Channing O'Banning and the Turquoise Trail from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

Book Review: When Santa Was a Baby by Linda Bailey

Did Santa's parents have any idea he'd grow up to be a jolly old elf? Did he always eat cookies and tinker with toys? Find out in Linda Bailey's sweet story as she weaves in the legendary tales of everyone's favorite gift-giver.

Genevieve Godbout's drawings add just the right punch to this fun story. With pastel and colored pencil she creates colorful renditions reminiscent of nineteen-sixties children's books. This would be a delightful story to share with kids just before Christmas. For fun, ask the children what they think Santa was like as a little boy, then read the book.

Can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

Book Review: little tree by Loren Long

Little tree wants to hold on to his old brown leaves and never let go. As he stubbornly keeps his autumn leaves, he watches as all the other trees let go and grow. Will he take a chance and see what might happen if he drops his wrinkled old leaves?

Loren Long creates a beautiful forest with acrylic, ink, and pencil that delights readers of all ages. Written with heartfelt compassion, this beautiful story shares about what happens when you let go and move forward. I'd recommend little tree for adults as well as children.

I met Loren Long at the American Library Association and received this book for free. He is a delightful person who cares much about his readers.

little tree will be released October 27, 2015- can be preordered on Amazon

No Matter What

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Over the years my faith has grown in many ways. From learning the Ten Commandments to understanding what it means to have a deep relationship with Jesus. The growth occurs in many ways. Reading the Bible keeps me grounded in God's truth. Prayer connects me to the one who loves me. The Holy Spirit whispers in my ear (although sometimes he has to shout) and guides my path. And then there are the trials. The difficult tribulations of life. My personal life and life as a whole. Trials that drop me into a frying pan of fire and circumstances that make me so sad I cry tears of grief. No matter what life throws at me, I have one solid place to stand-- on the word of God and the hope he gives.

Life brings difficulties; decisions that challenge, acts that appall. Yet I know without a doubt, I have God in my corner, Jesus as my Savior, and the Holy Spirit as my comfort. When I'm hurting, grieving, shaking my head at life on earth, I can hold unswervingly to hope and the promise of God's faithfulness.

If you have Jesus, you're on solid ground. Keep that as a promise you can hold in your heart.

Finding the Beauty in Children's Literature

If someone asked me what kind of books I enjoyed the most, I'd have to say children's. Picture books, early chapter books, middle grade reads, and some young adult. As a children's librarian for twelve years, I immersed myself in the books my young patrons read. Since I've stepped away from that and worked in an academic library in technical services, I've missed reading the books many young people love.

To remedy  the empty spot in my reading list, I will be reviewing children's books on my blog. I'm so excited! I've found a couple of publishers who send out galleys for review. I received a few at the American Library Association's conference. If you know of any publishers who might send me books, please let me know.

I hope you find the reviews helpful and seek out books to read to your children.